diff test/indent/octave.m @ 110038:6939db1ee97b

Use SMIE for octave-mode. * test/indent/octave.m: New file. * lisp/progmodes/octave-mod.el (octave-font-lock-keywords): Use regexp-opt. (octave-mode-map): Remove special bindings for forward/backward-block and octave-backward-up-block. Use smie-close-block. (octave-continuation-marker-regexp): New var. (octave-continuation-regexp): Use it. (octave-operator-table, octave-smie-op-levels) (octave-operator-regexp, octave-smie-indent-rules): New vars. (octave-smie-backward-token, octave-smie-forward-token): New funs. (octave-mode): Use SMIE. (octave-close-block): Delete.

--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/test/indent/octave.m	Mon Aug 30 22:34:52 2010 +0200
@@ -0,0 +1,2318 @@
+## -*- octave -*-
+
+function res = tcomp (fn)
+  %% res = tcomp (fn)
+  %%     imports components and rearranges them.
+	 
+  if nargin ~= 1
+    print_usage()
+  endif
+
+  data = dlmread(fn, 3, 0);
+
+  x = data(:,2:end);
+  y = 'hello';
+  z = y';
+
+  cnty = repmat(x(:,1)(:), 10, 1);
+
+  pop = x(:,1:10)(:);
+  bir = x(:,11:20)(:);
+  dth = x(:,21:30)(:);
+  imig = x(:,31:40)(:);
+  dmig = x(:,41:50)(:);
+  gq = x(:,51:60)(:);
+  
+  yrs = repmat(2000:2009, 39, 1)(:);
+
+  res = [yrs, cnty, pop, bir, dth, imig, dmig, gq];
+
+endfunction
+
+## Copyright (C) 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 S�ren Hauberg
+## 
+## This file is part of Octave.
+##
+## Octave is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+## under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+## the Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or (at
+## your option) any later version.
+##
+## Octave is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+## WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+## MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+## General Public License for more details.
+##
+## You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+## along with Octave; see the file COPYING.  If not, see
+## <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+## -*- texinfo -*-
+## @deftypefn  {Command} pkg @var{command} @var{pkg_name}
+## @deftypefnx {Command} pkg @var{command} @var{option} @var{pkg_name}
+## This command interacts with the package manager.  Different actions will
+## be taken depending on the value of @var{command}.
+##
+## @table @samp
+## @item install
+## Install named packages.  For example,
+## @example
+## pkg install image-1.0.0.tar.gz
+## @end example
+## @noindent
+## installs the package found in the file @file{image-1.0.0.tar.gz}.
+##
+## The @var{option} variable can contain options that affect the manner
+## in which a package is installed.  These options can be one or more of
+##
+## @table @code
+## @item -nodeps
+## The package manager will disable the dependency checking.  That way it 
+## is possible to install a package even if it depends on another package 
+## that's not installed on the system.  @strong{Use this option with care.}
+##
+## @item -noauto
+## The package manager will not automatically load the installed package 
+## when starting Octave, even if the package requests that it is.
+##
+## @item -auto
+## The package manager will automatically load the installed package when 
+## starting Octave, even if the package requests that it isn't.
+##
+## @item -local
+## A local installation is forced, even if the user has system privileges.
+##
+## @item -global
+## A global installation is forced, even if the user doesn't normally have
+## system privileges
+##
+## @item -verbose
+## The package manager will print the output of all of the commands that are 
+## performed.
+## @end table
+##
+## @item uninstall
+## Uninstall named packages.  For example,
+## @example
+## pkg uninstall image
+## @end example
+## @noindent
+## removes the @code{image} package from the system.  If another installed
+## package depends on the @code{image} package an error will be issued.
+## The package can be uninstalled anyway by using the @code{-nodeps} option.
+## @item load
+## Add named packages to the path.  After loading a package it is
+## possible to use the functions provided by the package.  For example,
+## @example
+## pkg load image
+## @end example
+## @noindent
+## adds the @code{image} package to the path.  It is possible to load all
+## installed packages at once with the command
+## @example
+## pkg load all
+## @end example
+## @item unload
+## Removes named packages from the path.  After unloading a package it is
+## no longer possible to use the functions provided by the package.
+## This command behaves like the @code{load} command.
+## @item list
+## Show a list of the currently installed packages.  By requesting one or two
+## output argument it is possible to get a list of the currently installed
+## packages.  For example,
+## @example
+## installed_packages = pkg list;
+## @end example
+## @noindent
+## returns a cell array containing a structure for each installed package.
+## The command
+## @example
+## [@var{user_packages}, @var{system_packages}] = pkg list
+## @end example
+## @noindent
+## splits the list of installed packages into those who are installed by
+## the current user, and those installed by the system administrator.
+## @item describe
+## Show a short description of the named installed packages, with the option
+## '-verbose' also list functions provided by the package, e.g.:
+## @example
+##  pkg describe -verbose all
+## @end example
+## @noindent
+## will describe all installed packages and the functions they provide.
+## If one output is requested a cell of structure containing the
+## description and list of functions of each package is returned as
+## output rather than printed on screen:
+## @example
+##  desc = pkg ("describe", "secs1d", "image")
+## @end example
+## @noindent
+## If any of the requested packages is not installed, pkg returns an
+## error, unless a second output is requested:
+## @example
+##  [ desc, flag] = pkg ("describe", "secs1d", "image")
+## @end example
+## @noindent
+## @var{flag} will take one of the values "Not installed", "Loaded" or
+## "Not loaded" for each of the named packages.
+## @item prefix
+## Set the installation prefix directory.  For example,
+## @example
+## pkg prefix ~/my_octave_packages
+## @end example
+## @noindent
+## sets the installation prefix to @file{~/my_octave_packages}.
+## Packages will be installed in this directory.
+##
+## It is possible to get the current installation prefix by requesting an
+## output argument.  For example,
+## @example
+## p = pkg prefix
+## @end example
+##
+## The location in which to install the architecture dependent files can be
+## independent specified with an addition argument.  For example
+##
+## @example
+## pkg prefix ~/my_octave_packages ~/my_arch_dep_pkgs
+## @end example
+## @item local_list
+## Set the file in which to look for information on the locally
+## installed packages.  Locally installed packages are those that are
+## typically available only to the current user.  For example
+## @example
+## pkg local_list ~/.octave_packages
+## @end example
+## It is possible to get the current value of local_list with the following
+## @example
+## pkg local_list
+## @end example
+## @item global_list
+## Set the file in which to look for, for information on the globally
+## installed packages.  Globally installed packages are those that are
+## typically available to all users.  For example
+## @example
+## pkg global_list /usr/share/octave/octave_packages
+## @end example
+## It is possible to get the current value of global_list with the following
+## @example
+## pkg global_list
+## @end example
+## @item rebuild
+## Rebuilds the package database from the installed directories.  This can 
+## be used in cases where for some reason the package database is corrupted.
+## It can also take the @code{-auto} and @code{-noauto} options to allow the
+## autoloading state of a package to be changed.  For example
+##
+## @example
+## pkg rebuild -noauto image
+## @end example
+##
+## will remove the autoloading status of the image package.
+## @item build
+## Builds a binary form of a package or packages.  The binary file produced
+## will itself be an Octave package that can be installed normally with
+## @code{pkg}.  The form of the command to build a binary package is
+##
+## @example
+## pkg build builddir image-1.0.0.tar.gz @dots{}
+## @end example
+##
+## @noindent
+## where @code{builddir} is the name of a directory where the temporary
+## installation will be produced and the binary packages will be found.
+## The options @code{-verbose} and @code{-nodeps} are respected, while 
+## the other options are ignored.
+## @end table
+## @end deftypefn
+
+function [local_packages, global_packages] = pkg (varargin)
+  ## Installation prefix (FIXME: what should these be on windows?)
+  persistent user_prefix = false;
+  persistent prefix = -1;
+  persistent archprefix = -1;
+  persistent local_list = tilde_expand (fullfile ("~", ".octave_packages"));
+  persistent global_list = fullfile (OCTAVE_HOME (), "share", "octave",
+				     "octave_packages");
+  mlock ();
+
+  global_install = issuperuser ();
+
+  if (prefix == -1)
+    if (global_install)
+      prefix = fullfile (OCTAVE_HOME (), "share", "octave", "packages");
+      archprefix = fullfile (octave_config_info ("libexecdir"),
+			     "octave", "packages");
+    else
+      prefix = fullfile ("~", "octave");
+      archprefix = prefix;
+    endif
+    prefix = tilde_expand (prefix);
+    archprefix = tilde_expand (archprefix);
+  endif
+
+  available_actions = {"list", "install", "uninstall", "load", ...
+		       "unload", "prefix", "local_list", ...
+		       "global_list", "rebuild", "build","describe"}; 
+  ## Handle input
+  if (length (varargin) == 0 || ! iscellstr (varargin))
+    print_usage ();
+  endif
+  files = {};
+  deps = true;
+  auto = 0;
+  action = "none";
+  verbose = false;
+  for i = 1:length (varargin)
+    switch (varargin{i})
+      case "-nodeps"
+	deps = false;
+      case "-noauto"
+	auto = -1;
+      case "-auto"
+	auto = 1;
+      case "-verbose"
+	verbose = true;
+      case "-local"
+	global_install = false;
+	if (! user_prefix)
+	  prefix = tilde_expand (fullfile ("~", "octave"));
+	  archprefix = prefix;
+	endif
+      case "-global"
+	global_install = true;
+	if (! user_prefix)
+	  prefix = fullfile (OCTAVE_HOME (), "share", "octave", "packages");
+	  archprefix = fullfile (octave_config_info ("libexecdir"),
+				 "octave", "packages");
+	endif
+      case available_actions
+	if (strcmp (action, "none"))
+	  action = varargin{i};
+	else
+	  error ("more than one action specified");
+	endif
+      otherwise
+	files{end+1} = varargin{i};
+    endswitch
+  endfor
+
+  ## Take action
+  switch (action)
+    case "list"
+      if (nargout == 0)
+	installed_packages (local_list, global_list);
+      elseif (nargout == 1)
+	local_packages = installed_packages (local_list, global_list);
+      elseif (nargout == 2)
+	[local_packages, global_packages] = installed_packages (local_list,
+								global_list);
+      else
+	error ("too many output arguments requested");
+      endif
+
+    case "install"
+      if (length (files) == 0)
+	error ("you must specify at least one filename when calling 'pkg install'");
+      endif
+      install (files, deps, auto, prefix, archprefix, verbose, local_list, 
+	       global_list, global_install);
+
+    case "uninstall"
+      if (length (files) == 0)
+	error ("you must specify at least one package when calling 'pkg uninstall'");
+      endif
+      uninstall (files, deps, verbose, local_list, 
+		 global_list, global_install);
+
+    case "load"
+      if (length (files) == 0)
+	error ("you must specify at least one package, 'all' or 'auto' when calling 'pkg load'");
+      endif
+      load_packages (files, deps, local_list, global_list);
+
+    case "unload"
+      if (length (files) == 0)
+	error ("you must specify at least one package or 'all' when calling 'pkg unload'");
+      endif
+      unload_packages (files, deps, local_list, global_list);
+
+    case "prefix"
+      if (length (files) == 0 && nargout == 0)
+	printf ("Installation prefix:             %s\n", prefix);
+	printf ("Architecture dependent prefix:   %s\n", archprefix);
+      elseif (length (files) == 0 && nargout >= 1)
+	local_packages = prefix;
+	global_packages = archprefix;
+      elseif (length (files) >= 1 && nargout <= 2 && ischar (files{1}))
+	prefix = files{1};
+	prefix = absolute_pathname (prefix);
+	local_packages = prefix;
+	user_prefix = true;
+	if (length (files) >= 2 && ischar (files{2}))
+	  archprefix = files{2};
+	  try
+	    archprefix = absolute_pathname (archprefix);
+          catch
+	    mkdir (archprefix);
+	    warning ("creating the directory %s\n", archprefix);
+	    archprefix = absolute_pathname (archprefix);
+	  end_try_catch
+	  global_packages = archprefix;
+	endif
+      else
+	error ("you must specify a prefix directory, or request an output argument");
+      endif
+
+    case "local_list"
+      if (length (files) == 0 && nargout == 0)
+	disp (local_list);
+      elseif (length (files) == 0 && nargout == 1)
+	local_packages = local_list;
+      elseif (length (files) == 1 && nargout == 0 && ischar (files{1}))
+	try
+	  local_list = absolute_pathname (files{1});
+	catch
+	  ## Force file to be created
+	  fclose (fopen (files{1}, "wt"));
+	  local_list = absolute_pathname (files{1});
+	end_try_catch
+      else
+	error ("you must specify a local_list file, or request an output argument");
+      endif
+
+    case "global_list"
+      if (length (files) == 0 && nargout == 0)
+	disp(global_list);
+      elseif (length (files) == 0 && nargout == 1)
+	local_packages = global_list;
+      elseif (length (files) == 1 && nargout == 0 && ischar (files{1}))
+	try
+	  global_list = absolute_pathname (files{1});
+	catch
+	  ## Force file to be created
+	  fclose (fopen (files{1}, "wt"));
+	  global_list = absolute_pathname (files{1});
+	end_try_catch
+      else
+	error ("you must specify a global_list file, or request an output argument");
+      endif
+
+    case "rebuild"
+      if (global_install)
+	global_packages = rebuild (prefix, archprefix, global_list, files, 
+				   auto, verbose);
+	global_packages = save_order (global_packages);
+	save (global_list, "global_packages");
+	if (nargout > 0)
+	  local_packages = global_packages;
+	endif
+      else
+	local_packages = rebuild (prefix, archprefix, local_list, files, auto, 
+				  verbose);
+	local_packages = save_order (local_packages);
+	save (local_list, "local_packages");
+	if (nargout == 0)
+	  clear ("local_packages");
+	endif
+      endif
+
+    case "build"
+      if (length (files) < 2)
+	error ("you must specify at least the build directory and one filename\nwhen calling 'pkg build'");
+      endif
+      build (files, deps, auto, verbose);
+
+    case "describe"
+      if (length (files) == 0)
+	error ("you must specify at least one package or 'all' when calling 'pkg describe'");
+      endif
+      ## FIXME: the name of the output variables is inconsistent
+      ##            with their content
+      switch (nargout)
+	case 0
+	  describe (files, verbose, local_list, global_list);
+	case 1
+	  pkg_desc_list = describe (files, verbose, local_list, ...
+				    global_list);
+	  local_packages = pkg_desc_list;
+	case 2
+	  [pkg_desc_list, flag] = describe (files, verbose, local_list, ...
+					    global_list);
+	  local_packages  = pkg_desc_list;
+	  global_packages = flag;
+	otherwise
+	  error ("you can request at most two outputs when calling 'pkg describe'");
+      endswitch
+      
+    otherwise
+      error ("you must specify a valid action for 'pkg'. See 'help pkg' for details");
+  endswitch
+endfunction
+
+function descriptions = rebuild (prefix, archprefix, list, files, auto, verbose)
+  if (isempty (files))
+    [dirlist, err, msg] = readdir (prefix);
+    if (err)
+      error ("couldn't read directory %s: %s", prefix, msg);
+    endif
+    ## the two first entries of dirlist are "." and ".."
+    dirlist([1,2]) = [];
+  else
+    old_descriptions = installed_packages (list, list);
+    wd = pwd ();
+    unwind_protect
+      cd (prefix);
+      dirlist = glob (cellfun(@(x) cstrcat(x, '-*'), files, 'UniformOutput', 0));
+    unwind_protect_cleanup
+      cd (wd);
+    end_unwind_protect
+  endif
+  descriptions = {};
+  for k = 1:length (dirlist)
+    descfile = fullfile (prefix, dirlist{k}, "packinfo", "DESCRIPTION");
+    if (verbose)
+      printf ("recreating package description from %s\n", dirlist{k});
+    endif
+    if (exist (descfile, "file"))
+      desc = get_description (descfile);
+      desc.dir = fullfile (prefix, dirlist{k});
+      desc.archprefix = fullfile (archprefix, cstrcat (desc.name, "-",
+						       desc.version));
+      if (auto != 0)
+	if (exist (fullfile (desc.dir, "packinfo", ".autoload"), "file"))
+	  unlink (fullfile (desc.dir, "packinfo", ".autoload"));
+	endif
+        if (auto < 0)
+	  desc.autoload = 0;
+	elseif (auto > 0)
+	  desc.autoload = 1;
+	  fclose (fopen (fullfile (desc.dir, "packinfo", ".autoload"), "wt"));
+	endif
+      else
+	if (exist (fullfile (desc.dir, "packinfo", ".autoload"), "file"))
+	  desc.autoload = 1;
+	else
+	  desc.autoload = 0;
+	endif
+      endif
+      descriptions{end + 1} = desc;
+    elseif (verbose)
+      warning ("directory %s is not a valid package", dirlist{k});
+    endif
+  endfor
+
+  if (! isempty (files))
+    ## We are rebuilding for a particular package(s) so we should take
+    ## care to keep the other untouched packages in the descriptions
+    descriptions = {descriptions{:}, old_descriptions{:}};
+
+    dup = [];
+    for i = 1:length (descriptions)
+      if (find (dup, i))
+	continue;
+      endif
+      for j = (i+1):length (descriptions)
+	if (find (dup, j))
+	  continue;
+	endif
+	if (strcmp (descriptions{i}.name, descriptions{j}.name))
+	  dup = [dup, j];
+	endif
+      endfor
+    endfor
+    if (! isempty (dup))
+      descriptions (dup) = [];
+    endif  
+  endif
+endfunction
+
+function build (files, handle_deps, autoload, verbose)
+  if (length (files) < 1)
+    error ("insufficient number of files");
+  endif
+  builddir = files{1};
+  if (! exist (builddir, "dir"))
+    warning ("creating build directory %s", builddir);
+    [status, msg] = mkdir (builddir);
+    if (status != 1)
+      error ("could not create installation directory: %s", msg);
+    endif
+  endif
+  builddir = absolute_pathname (builddir);
+  installdir = fullfile (builddir, "install");
+  if (! exist (installdir, "dir"))
+    [status, msg] = mkdir (installdir);
+    if (status != 1)
+      error ("could not create installation directory: %s", msg);
+    endif
+  endif
+  files(1) = [];
+  buildlist = fullfile (builddir, "octave_packages");
+  install (files, handle_deps, autoload, installdir, installdir, verbose, 
+	   buildlist, "", false);
+  unwind_protect
+    repackage (builddir, buildlist);
+  unwind_protect_cleanup
+    unload_packages ({"all"}, handle_deps, buildlist, "");
+    if (exist (installdir, "dir"))
+      rm_rf (installdir);
+    endif
+    if (exist (buildlist, "file"))
+      unlink (buildlist);
+    endif
+  end_unwind_protect
+endfunction
+
+function install (files, handle_deps, autoload, prefix, archprefix, verbose, 
+		  local_list, global_list, global_install)
+
+  ## Check that the directory in prefix exist. If it doesn't: create it!
+  if (! exist (prefix, "dir"))
+    warning ("creating installation directory %s", prefix);
+    [status, msg] = mkdir (prefix);
+    if (status != 1)
+      error ("could not create installation directory: %s", msg);
+    endif
+  endif
+
+  ## Get the list of installed packages.
+  [local_packages, global_packages] = installed_packages (local_list, 
+							  global_list);
+
+  installed_pkgs_lst = {local_packages{:}, global_packages{:}};        
+
+  if (global_install)
+    packages = global_packages;
+  else
+    packages = local_packages;
+  endif
+
+  ## Uncompress the packages and read the DESCRIPTION files.
+  tmpdirs = packdirs = descriptions = {};
+  try
+    ## Warn about non existent files.
+    for i = 1:length (files)
+      if (isempty (glob(files{i}))) 
+	warning ("file %s does not exist", files{i});
+      endif
+    endfor
+
+    ## Unpack the package files and read the DESCRIPTION files.
+    files = glob (files);
+    packages_to_uninstall = [];
+    for i = 1:length (files)
+      tgz = files{i};
+
+      if (exist (tgz, "file"))
+	## Create a temporary directory.
+	tmpdir = tmpnam ();
+	tmpdirs{end+1} = tmpdir;
+        if (verbose)
+	  printf ("mkdir (%s)\n", tmpdir);
+	endif
+	[status, msg] = mkdir (tmpdir);
+	if (status != 1)
+	  error ("couldn't create temporary directory: %s", msg);
+	endif
+
+	## Uncompress the package.
+	if (verbose)
+	  printf ("untar (%s, %s)\n", tgz, tmpdir);
+	endif
+	untar (tgz, tmpdir);
+
+	## Get the name of the directories produced by tar.
+	[dirlist, err, msg] = readdir (tmpdir);
+	if (err)
+	  error ("couldn't read directory produced by tar: %s", msg);
+	endif
+
+	if (length (dirlist) > 3)
+	  error ("bundles of packages are not allowed")
+	endif
+      endif
+
+      ## The filename pointed to an uncompressed package to begin with.
+      if (exist (tgz, "dir"))
+	dirlist = {".", "..", tgz};
+      endif
+
+      if (exist (tgz, "file") || exist (tgz, "dir"))
+	## The two first entries of dirlist are "." and "..".
+	if (exist (tgz, "file"))
+	  packdir = fullfile (tmpdir, dirlist{3});
+	else
+	  packdir = fullfile (pwd(), dirlist{3});
+	endif
+	packdirs{end+1} = packdir;
+	
+	## Make sure the package contains necessary files.
+	verify_directory (packdir);
+	
+	## Read the DESCRIPTION file.
+	filename = fullfile (packdir, "DESCRIPTION");
+	desc = get_description (filename);
+	
+	## Verify that package name corresponds with filename.
+	[dummy, nm] = fileparts (tgz); 
+	if ((length (nm) >= length (desc.name))
+	    && ! strcmp (desc.name, nm(1:length(desc.name))))
+	  error ("package name '%s' doesn't correspond to its filename '%s'", 
+		 desc.name, nm);
+	endif
+	
+	## Set default installation directory.
+	desc.dir = fullfile (prefix, cstrcat (desc.name, "-", desc.version));
+	
+	## Set default architectire dependent installation directory.
+	desc.archprefix = fullfile (archprefix, cstrcat (desc.name, "-",
+							 desc.version));
+	
+	## Save desc.
+	descriptions{end+1} = desc;
+	
+	## Are any of the new packages already installed?
+	## If so we'll remove the old version.
+	for j = 1:length (packages)
+	  if (strcmp (packages{j}.name, desc.name))
+	    packages_to_uninstall(end+1) = j;
+	  endif
+	endfor
+      endif
+    endfor
+  catch
+    ## Something went wrong, delete tmpdirs.
+    for i = 1:length (tmpdirs)
+      rm_rf (tmpdirs{i});
+    endfor
+    rethrow (lasterror ());
+  end_try_catch
+
+  ## Check dependencies.
+  if (handle_deps)
+    ok = true;
+    error_text = "";
+    for i = 1:length (descriptions)
+      desc = descriptions{i};
+      idx2 = complement (i, 1:length(descriptions));
+      if (global_install)
+	## Global installation is not allowed to have dependencies on locally
+	## installed packages.
+	idx1 = complement (packages_to_uninstall, 
+			   1:length(global_packages));
+	pseudo_installed_packages = {global_packages{idx1}, ...
+				     descriptions{idx2}};
+      else
+	idx1 = complement (packages_to_uninstall, 
+			   1:length(local_packages));
+	pseudo_installed_packages = {local_packages{idx1}, ... 
+				     global_packages{:}, ...
+				     descriptions{idx2}};
+      endif
+      bad_deps = get_unsatisfied_deps (desc, pseudo_installed_packages);
+      ## Are there any unsatisfied dependencies?
+      if (! isempty (bad_deps))
+	ok = false;
+	for i = 1:length (bad_deps)
+	  dep = bad_deps{i};
+	  error_text = cstrcat (error_text, " ", desc.name, " needs ",
+				dep.package, " ", dep.operator, " ",
+				dep.version, "\n");
+	endfor
+      endif
+    endfor
+
+    ## Did we find any unsatisfied dependencies?
+    if (! ok)
+      error ("the following dependencies where unsatisfied:\n  %s", error_text);
+    endif
+  endif
+
+  ## Prepare each package for installation.
+  try
+    for i = 1:length (descriptions)
+      desc = descriptions{i};
+      pdir = packdirs{i};
+      prepare_installation (desc, pdir);
+      configure_make (desc, pdir, verbose);
+    endfor
+  catch
+    ## Something went wrong, delete tmpdirs.
+    for i = 1:length (tmpdirs)
+      rm_rf (tmpdirs{i});
+    endfor
+    rethrow (lasterror ());
+  end_try_catch
+
+  ## Uninstall the packages that will be replaced.
+  try
+    for i = packages_to_uninstall
+      if (global_install)
+	uninstall ({global_packages{i}.name}, false, verbose, local_list, 
+		   global_list, global_install);
+      else
+	uninstall ({local_packages{i}.name}, false, verbose, local_list, 
+		   global_list, global_install);
+      endif
+    endfor
+  catch
+    ## Something went wrong, delete tmpdirs.
+    for i = 1:length (tmpdirs)
+      rm_rf (tmpdirs{i});
+    endfor
+    rethrow (lasterror ());
+  end_try_catch
+
+  ## Install each package.
+  try
+    for i = 1:length (descriptions)
+      desc = descriptions{i};
+      pdir = packdirs{i};
+      copy_files (desc, pdir, global_install);
+      create_pkgadddel (desc, pdir, "PKG_ADD", global_install);
+      create_pkgadddel (desc, pdir, "PKG_DEL", global_install);
+      finish_installation (desc, pdir, global_install);
+      generate_lookfor_cache (desc);
+    endfor
+  catch
+    ## Something went wrong, delete tmpdirs.
+    for i = 1:length (tmpdirs)
+      rm_rf (tmpdirs{i});
+    endfor
+    for i = 1:length (descriptions)
+      rm_rf (descriptions{i}.dir);
+      rm_rf (getarchdir (descriptions{i}));
+    endfor
+    rethrow (lasterror ());
+  end_try_catch
+
+  ## Check if the installed directory is empty. If it is remove it
+  ## from the list.
+  for i = length (descriptions):-1:1
+    if (dirempty (descriptions{i}.dir, {"packinfo", "doc"}) &&
+	dirempty (getarchdir (descriptions{i})))
+      warning ("package %s is empty\n", descriptions{i}.name);
+      rm_rf (descriptions{i}.dir);
+      rm_rf (getarchdir (descriptions{i}));
+      descriptions(i) = [];
+    endif
+  endfor
+
+  ## If the package requested that it is autoloaded, or the installer
+  ## requested that it is, then mark the package as autoloaded.
+  for i = length (descriptions):-1:1
+    if (autoload > 0 || (autoload == 0 && isautoload (descriptions(i))))
+      fclose (fopen (fullfile (descriptions{i}.dir, "packinfo", 
+			       ".autoload"), "wt"));
+      descriptions{i}.autoload = 1;
+    endif
+  endfor
+
+  ## Add the packages to the package list.
+  try
+    if (global_install)
+      idx = complement (packages_to_uninstall, 1:length(global_packages));
+      global_packages = save_order ({global_packages{idx}, descriptions{:}});
+      save (global_list, "global_packages");
+      installed_pkgs_lst = {local_packages{:}, global_packages{:}};
+    else
+      idx = complement (packages_to_uninstall, 1:length(local_packages));
+      local_packages = save_order ({local_packages{idx}, descriptions{:}});
+      save (local_list, "local_packages");
+      installed_pkgs_lst = {local_packages{:}, global_packages{:}};
+    endif
+  catch
+    ## Something went wrong, delete tmpdirs.
+    for i = 1:length (tmpdirs)
+      rm_rf (tmpdirs{i});
+    endfor
+    for i = 1:length (descriptions)
+      rm_rf (descriptions{i}.dir);
+    endfor
+    if (global_install)
+      printf ("error: couldn't append to %s\n", global_list);
+    else
+      printf ("error: couldn't append to %s\n", local_list);
+    endif
+    rethrow (lasterror ());
+  end_try_catch
+
+  ## All is well, let's clean up.
+  for i = 1:length (tmpdirs)
+    [status, msg] = rm_rf (tmpdirs{i});
+    if (status != 1)
+      warning ("couldn't clean up after my self: %s\n", msg);
+    endif
+  endfor
+
+  ## Add the newly installed packages to the path, so the user
+  ## can begin using them. Only load them if they are marked autoload.
+  if (length (descriptions) > 0)
+    idx = [];
+    for i = 1:length (descriptions)
+      if (isautoload (descriptions(i)))
+	nm = descriptions{i}.name;
+	for j = 1:length (installed_pkgs_lst)
+	  if (strcmp (nm, installed_pkgs_lst{j}.name))
+	    idx (end + 1) = j;
+	    break;
+	  endif
+	endfor
+      endif
+    endfor
+    load_packages_and_dependencies (idx, handle_deps, installed_pkgs_lst,
+				    global_install);
+  endif
+endfunction
+
+function uninstall (pkgnames, handle_deps, verbose, local_list, 
+		    global_list, global_install)
+  ## Get the list of installed packages.
+  [local_packages, global_packages] = installed_packages(local_list, 
+							 global_list);
+  if (global_install)
+    installed_pkgs_lst = {local_packages{:}, global_packages{:}};
+  else
+    installed_pkgs_lst = local_packages;
+  endif
+
+  num_packages = length (installed_pkgs_lst);
+  delete_idx = [];
+  for i = 1:num_packages
+    cur_name = installed_pkgs_lst{i}.name;
+    if (any (strcmp (cur_name, pkgnames)))
+      delete_idx(end+1) = i;
+    endif
+  endfor
+
+  ## Are all the packages that should be uninstalled already installed?
+  if (length (delete_idx) != length (pkgnames))
+    if (global_install)
+      ## Try again for a locally installed package.
+      installed_pkgs_lst = local_packages;
+
+      num_packages = length (installed_pkgs_lst);
+      delete_idx = [];
+      for i = 1:num_packages
+	cur_name = installed_pkgs_lst{i}.name;
+	if (any (strcmp (cur_name, pkgnames)))
+	  delete_idx(end+1) = i;
+	endif
+      endfor
+      if (length (delete_idx) != length (pkgnames))
+	## FIXME: We should have a better error message.
+	warning ("some of the packages you want to uninstall are not installed");
+      endif
+    else
+      ## FIXME: We should have a better error message.
+      warning ("some of the packages you want to uninstall are not installed");
+    endif
+  endif
+
+  ## Compute the packages that will remain installed.
+  idx = complement (delete_idx, 1:num_packages);
+  remaining_packages = {installed_pkgs_lst{idx}};
+
+  ## Check dependencies.
+  if (handle_deps)
+    error_text = "";
+    for i = 1:length (remaining_packages)
+      desc = remaining_packages{i};
+      bad_deps = get_unsatisfied_deps (desc, remaining_packages);
+
+      ## Will the uninstallation break any dependencies?
+      if (! isempty (bad_deps))
+	for i = 1:length (bad_deps)
+	  dep = bad_deps{i};
+	  error_text = cstrcat (error_text, " ", desc.name, " needs ",
+				dep.package, " ", dep.operator, " ",
+				dep.version, "\n");
+	endfor
+      endif
+    endfor
+
+    if (! isempty (error_text))
+      error ("the following dependencies where unsatisfied:\n  %s", error_text);
+    endif
+  endif
+
+  ## Delete the directories containing the packages.
+  for i = delete_idx
+    desc = installed_pkgs_lst{i};
+    ## If an 'on_uninstall.m' exist, call it!
+    if (exist (fullfile (desc.dir, "packinfo", "on_uninstall.m"), "file"))
+      wd = pwd ();
+      cd (fullfile (desc.dir, "packinfo"));
+      on_uninstall (desc);
+      cd (wd);
+    endif
+    ## Do the actual deletion.
+    if (desc.loaded)
+      rmpath (desc.dir);
+      if (exist (getarchdir (desc)))
+	rmpath (getarchdir (desc));
+      endif
+    endif
+    if (exist (desc.dir, "dir"))
+      [status, msg] = rm_rf (desc.dir);
+      if (status != 1)
+	error ("couldn't delete directory %s: %s", desc.dir, msg);
+      endif
+      [status, msg] = rm_rf (getarchdir (desc));
+      if (status != 1)
+	error ("couldn't delete directory %s: %s", getarchdir (desc), msg);
+      endif
+      if (dirempty (desc.archprefix))
+	rm_rf (desc.archprefix);
+      endif
+    else
+      warning ("directory %s previously lost", desc.dir);
+    endif
+  endfor
+
+  ## Write a new ~/.octave_packages.
+  if (global_install)
+    if (length (remaining_packages) == 0)
+      unlink (global_list);
+    else
+      global_packages = save_order (remaining_packages);
+      save (global_list, "global_packages");
+    endif
+  else
+    if (length (remaining_packages) == 0)
+      unlink (local_list);
+    else
+      local_packages = save_order (remaining_packages);
+      save (local_list, "local_packages");
+    endif
+  endif
+
+endfunction
+
+function [pkg_desc_list, flag] = describe (pkgnames, verbose, 
+					   local_list, global_list)
+
+  ## Get the list of installed packages.
+  installed_pkgs_lst = installed_packages(local_list, global_list);
+  num_packages = length (installed_pkgs_lst);
+  
+
+  describe_all = false;
+  if (any (strcmp ("all", pkgnames)))
+    describe_all = true;
+    flag(1:num_packages) = {"Not Loaded"};
+    num_pkgnames = num_packages;
+  else
+    num_pkgnames = length (pkgnames);
+    flag(1:num_pkgnames) = {"Not installed"};
+  endif
+
+  for i = 1:num_packages
+    curr_name = installed_pkgs_lst{i}.name;
+    if (describe_all)
+      name_pos = i;
+    else
+      name_pos = find(strcmp (curr_name, pkgnames));
+    endif
+
+    if (! isempty (name_pos))
+      if (installed_pkgs_lst{i}.loaded)
+	flag{name_pos} = "Loaded";
+      else
+	flag{name_pos} = "Not loaded";
+      endif
+
+      pkg_desc_list{name_pos}.name = installed_pkgs_lst{i}.name;
+      pkg_desc_list{name_pos}.version = installed_pkgs_lst{i}.version;
+      pkg_desc_list{name_pos}.description = installed_pkgs_lst{i}.description;
+      pkg_desc_list{name_pos}.provides = parse_pkg_idx (installed_pkgs_lst{i}.dir);
+
+    endif
+  endfor
+
+  non_inst = find (strcmp (flag, "Not installed"));
+  if (! isempty (non_inst))
+    if (nargout < 2)
+      non_inst_str = sprintf (" %s ", pkgnames{non_inst});
+      error ("some packages are not installed: %s", non_inst_str);
+    else
+      pkg_desc_list{non_inst} = struct ("name", {}, "description",  
+					{}, "provides", {});
+    endif
+  endif
+
+  if (nargout == 0)
+    for i = 1:num_pkgnames
+      print_package_description (pkg_desc_list{i}.name,
+				 pkg_desc_list{i}.version,
+				 pkg_desc_list{i}.provides,  
+				 pkg_desc_list{i}.description,
+				 flag{i}, verbose);
+    endfor
+  endif
+
+endfunction
+
+## AUXILIARY FUNCTIONS
+
+## Read an INDEX file.
+function [pkg_idx_struct] = parse_pkg_idx (packdir)
+
+  index_file = fullfile (packdir, "packinfo", "INDEX");
+
+  if (! exist (index_file, "file"))
+    error ("could not find any INDEX file in directory %s, try 'pkg rebuild all' to generate missing INDEX files", packdir);
+  endif    
+
+  
+  [fid, msg] = fopen (index_file, "r");
+  if (fid == -1)
+    error ("the INDEX file %s could not be read: %s", 
+	   index_file, msg);
+  endif
+
+  cat_num = 1;
+  pkg_idx_struct{1}.category = "Uncategorized";
+  pkg_idx_struct{1}.functions = {};
+
+  line = fgetl (fid);
+  while (isempty (strfind (line, ">>")) && ! feof (fid))
+    line = fgetl (fid);
+  endwhile
+
+  while (! feof (fid) || line != -1)
+    if (! any (! isspace (line)) || line(1) == "#" || any (line == "="))
+    ## Comments,  blank lines or comments about unimplemented 
+    ## functions: do nothing
+    ## FIXME: probably comments and pointers to external functions
+    ## could be treated better when printing to screen?
+    elseif (! isempty (strfind (line, ">>")))
+    ## Skip package name and description as they are in DESCRIPTION
+    ## already.
+    elseif (! isspace (line(1)))
+      ## Category.
+      if (! isempty (pkg_idx_struct{cat_num}.functions))
+	pkg_idx_struct{++cat_num}.functions = {};
+      endif
+      pkg_idx_struct{cat_num}.category = deblank (line);
+    else
+      ## Function names.
+      while (any (! isspace (line)))
+	[fun_name, line] = strtok (line);
+	pkg_idx_struct{cat_num}.functions{end+1} = deblank (fun_name);
+      endwhile
+    endif
+    line = fgetl (fid);
+  endwhile
+  fclose (fid);
+endfunction
+
+function print_package_description (pkg_name, pkg_ver, pkg_idx_struct, 
+				    pkg_desc, status, verbose)
+
+  printf ("---\nPackage name:\n\t%s\n", pkg_name);
+  printf ("Version:\n\t%s\n", pkg_ver);
+  printf ("Short description:\n\t%s\n", pkg_desc);
+  printf ("Status:\n\t%s\n", status);
+  if (verbose)
+    printf ("---\nProvides:\n");    
+    for i = 1:length(pkg_idx_struct)
+      if (! isempty (pkg_idx_struct{i}.functions))
+	printf ("%s\n", pkg_idx_struct{i}.category);
+	for j = 1:length(pkg_idx_struct{i}.functions)
+	  printf ("\t%s\n", pkg_idx_struct{i}.functions{j});
+	endfor
+      endif
+    endfor
+  endif
+
+endfunction
+
+
+function pth = absolute_pathname (pth)
+  [status, msg, msgid] = fileattrib (pth);
+  if (status != 1)
+    error ("could not find the file or path %s", pth);
+  else
+    pth = msg.Name;
+  endif
+endfunction
+
+function repackage (builddir, buildlist)
+  packages = installed_packages (buildlist, buildlist);
+
+  wd = pwd();
+  for i = 1 : length(packages)
+    pack = packages{i};
+    unwind_protect
+      cd (builddir);
+      mkdir (pack.name);
+      mkdir (fullfile (pack.name, "inst"));
+      copyfile (fullfile (pack.dir, "*"), fullfile (pack.name, "inst"));
+      movefile (fullfile (pack.name, "inst","packinfo", "*"), pack.name);
+      if (exist (fullfile (pack.name, "inst","packinfo", ".autoload"), "file"))
+	unlink (fullfile (pack.name, "inst","packinfo", ".autoload"));
+      endif
+      rmdir (fullfile (pack.name, "inst", "packinfo"));
+      if (exist (fullfile (pack.name, "inst", "doc"), "dir"))
+	movefile (fullfile (pack.name, "inst", "doc"), pack.name);
+      endif
+      if (exist (fullfile (pack.name, "inst", "bin"), "dir"))
+	movefile (fullfile (pack.name, "inst", "bin"), pack.name);
+      endif
+      archdir = fullfile (pack.archprefix, cstrcat (pack.name, "-",
+						    pack.version), getarch ());
+      if (exist (archdir, "dir"))
+	if (exist (fullfile (pack.name, "inst", "PKG_ADD"), "file"))
+	  unlink (fullfile (pack.name, "inst", "PKG_ADD"));
+	endif
+	if (exist (fullfile (pack.name, "inst", "PKG_DEL"), "file"))
+	  unlink (fullfile (pack.name, "inst", "PKG_DEL"));
+	endif
+	if (exist (fullfile (archdir, "PKG_ADD"), "file"))
+	  movefile (fullfile (archdir, "PKG_ADD"), 
+		    fullfile (pack.name, "PKG_ADD"));
+	endif
+	if (exist (fullfile (archdir, "PKG_DEL"), "file"))
+	  movefile (fullfile (archdir, "PKG_DEL"), 
+		    fullfile (pack.name, "PKG_DEL")); 
+	endif
+      else
+	if (exist (fullfile (pack.name, "inst", "PKG_ADD"), "file"))
+	  movefile (fullfile (pack.name, "inst", "PKG_ADD"), 
+		    fullfile (pack.name, "PKG_ADD"));
+	endif 
+	if (exist (fullfile (pack.name, "inst", "PKG_DEL"), "file"))
+	  movefile (fullfile (pack.name, "inst", "PKG_DEL"), 
+		    fullfile (pack.name, "PKG_DEL")); 
+	endif	
+      endif	
+      tfile = cstrcat (pack.name, "-", pack.version, ".tar");
+      tar (tfile, pack.name);
+      try 
+	gzip (tfile);
+	unlink (tfile);
+      catch
+	warning ("failed to compress %s", tfile);
+      end_try_catch
+    unwind_protect_cleanup
+      if (exist (pack.name, "dir"))
+	rm_rf (pack.name);
+      endif
+      cd (wd);
+    end_unwind_protect
+  endfor
+endfunction
+
+function auto = isautoload (desc)
+  auto = false;
+  if (isfield (desc{1}, "autoload"))
+    a = desc{1}.autoload;
+    if ((isnumeric (a) && a > 0)
+        || (ischar (a) && (strcmpi (a, "true")
+			   || strcmpi (a, "on")
+			   || strcmpi (a, "yes")
+			   || strcmpi (a, "1"))))
+      auto = true;
+    endif
+  endif
+endfunction
+
+function prepare_installation (desc, packdir)
+  ## Is there a pre_install to call?
+  if (exist (fullfile (packdir, "pre_install.m"), "file"))
+    wd = pwd ();
+    try
+      cd (packdir);
+      pre_install (desc); 
+      cd (wd);
+    catch
+      cd (wd);
+      rethrow (lasterror ());
+    end_try_catch
+  endif
+
+  ## If the directory "inst" doesn't exist, we create it.
+  inst_dir = fullfile (packdir, "inst");
+  if (! exist (inst_dir, "dir"))
+    [status, msg] = mkdir (inst_dir);
+    if (status != 1)
+      rm_rf (desc.dir);
+      error ("the 'inst' directory did not exist and could not be created: %s", 
+	     msg);
+    endif
+  endif
+endfunction
+
+function configure_make (desc, packdir, verbose)   
+  ## Perform ./configure, make, make install in "src".
+  if (exist (fullfile (packdir, "src"), "dir"))
+    src = fullfile (packdir, "src");
+    ## Configure.
+    if (exist (fullfile (src, "configure"), "file"))
+      flags = "";
+      if (isempty (getenv ("CC")))
+        flags = cstrcat (flags, " CC=\"", octave_config_info ("CC"), "\"");
+      endif
+      if (isempty (getenv ("CXX")))
+        flags = cstrcat (flags, " CXX=\"", octave_config_info ("CXX"), "\"");
+      endif
+      if (isempty (getenv ("AR")))
+        flags = cstrcat (flags, " AR=\"", octave_config_info ("AR"), "\"");
+      endif
+      if (isempty (getenv ("RANLIB")))
+        flags = cstrcat (flags, " RANLIB=\"", octave_config_info ("RANLIB"), "\"");
+      endif
+      [status, output] = shell (strcat ("cd '", src, "'; ./configure --prefix=\"",
+                                        desc.dir, "\"", flags));
+      if (status != 0)
+	rm_rf (desc.dir);
+	error ("the configure script returned the following error: %s", output);
+      elseif (verbose)
+	printf("%s", output);
+      endif
+
+    endif
+
+    ## Make.
+    if (exist (fullfile (src, "Makefile"), "file"))
+      [status, output] = shell (cstrcat ("export INSTALLDIR=\"", desc.dir,
+					 "\"; make -C '", src, "'"));
+      if (status != 0)
+	rm_rf (desc.dir);
+	error ("'make' returned the following error: %s", output);
+      elseif (verbose)
+	printf("%s", output);
+      endif
+    endif
+
+    ## Copy files to "inst" and "inst/arch" (this is instead of 'make
+    ## install').
+    files = fullfile (src, "FILES");
+    instdir = fullfile (packdir, "inst");
+    archdir = fullfile (packdir, "inst", getarch ());
+
+    ## Get file names.
+    if (exist (files, "file"))
+      [fid, msg] = fopen (files, "r");
+      if (fid < 0)
+	error ("couldn't open %s: %s", files, msg);
+      endif
+      filenames = char (fread (fid))';
+      fclose (fid);
+      if (filenames(end) == "\n")
+	filenames(end) = [];
+      endif
+      filenames = split_by (filenames, "\n");
+      delete_idx =  [];
+      for i = 1:length (filenames)
+	if (! all (isspace (filenames{i})))
+	  filenames{i} = fullfile (src, filenames{i});
+	else
+	  delete_idx(end+1) = i;
+	endif
+      endfor
+      filenames(delete_idx) = [];
+    else
+      m = dir (fullfile (src, "*.m"));
+      oct = dir (fullfile (src, "*.oct"));
+      mex = dir (fullfile (src, "*.mex"));
+
+      filenames = cellfun (@(x) fullfile (src, x),
+			   {m.name, oct.name, mex.name},
+			   "UniformOutput", false);
+    endif
+
+    ## Split into architecture dependent and independent files.
+    if (isempty (filenames))
+      idx = [];
+    else
+      idx = cellfun (@is_architecture_dependent, filenames);
+    endif
+    archdependent = filenames (idx);
+    archindependent = filenames (!idx);
+
+    ## Copy the files.
+    if (! all (isspace ([filenames{:}])))
+	if (! exist (instdir, "dir")) # fixindent
+	  mkdir (instdir);
+	endif
+	if (! all (isspace ([archindependent{:}])))
+	  if (verbose)
+	    printf ("copyfile");
+	    printf (" %s", archindependent{:});
+	    printf ("%s\n", instdir);
+	  endif
+	  [status, output] = copyfile (archindependent, instdir);
+	  if (status != 1)
+	    rm_rf (desc.dir);
+	    error ("Couldn't copy files from 'src' to 'inst': %s", output);
+	  endif
+        endif
+	if (! all (isspace ([archdependent{:}])))
+	  if (verbose)
+	    printf ("copyfile");
+	    printf (" %s", archdependent{:});
+	    printf (" %s\n", archdir);
+	  endif
+	  if (! exist (archdir, "dir")) 
+	    mkdir (archdir);
+	  endif
+	  [status, output] = copyfile (archdependent, archdir);
+	  if (status != 1)
+	    rm_rf (desc.dir);
+	    error ("Couldn't copy files from 'src' to 'inst': %s", output);
+	  endif
+        endif
+    endif
+  endif
+endfunction
+
+function pkg = extract_pkg (nm, pat)
+  fid = fopen (nm, "rt");
+  pkg = "";
+  if (fid >= 0)
+    while (! feof (fid))
+      ln = fgetl (fid);
+      if (ln > 0)
+	t = regexp (ln, pat, "tokens");
+	if (! isempty (t))
+          pkg = cstrcat (pkg, "\n", t{1}{1});
+	endif
+      endif
+    endwhile
+    if (! isempty (pkg))
+      pkg = cstrcat (pkg, "\n");
+    endif
+    fclose (fid);
+  endif
+endfunction
+
+function create_pkgadddel (desc, packdir, nm, global_install)
+  instpkg = fullfile (desc.dir, nm);
+  instfid = fopen (instpkg, "wt");
+  ## If it is exists, most of the  PKG_* file should go into the 
+  ## architecture dependent directory so that the autoload/mfilename 
+  ## commands work as expected. The only part that doesn't is the
+  ## part in the main directory.
+  archdir = fullfile (getarchprefix (desc), cstrcat (desc.name, "-",
+						     desc.version), getarch ());
+  if (exist (getarchdir (desc, global_install), "dir"))
+    archpkg = fullfile (getarchdir (desc, global_install), nm);
+    archfid = fopen (archpkg, "at");
+  else
+    archpkg = instpkg;
+    archfid = instfid;
+  endif
+
+  if (archfid >= 0 && instfid >= 0)
+    ## Search all dot-m files for PKG commands.
+    lst = dir (fullfile (packdir, "inst", "*.m"));
+    for i = 1:length (lst)
+      nam = fullfile (packdir, "inst", lst(i).name);
+      fwrite (instfid, extract_pkg (nam, ['^[#%][#%]* *' nm ': *(.*)$']));
+    endfor                                   # fixindent
+
+    ## Search all C++ source files for PKG commands.
+    lst = dir (fullfile (packdir, "src", "*.cc")); # fixindent
+    for i = 1:length (lst)
+      nam = fullfile (packdir, "src", lst(i).name);
+      fwrite (archfid, extract_pkg (nam, ['^//* *' nm ': *(.*)$']));
+      fwrite (archfid, extract_pkg (nam, ['^/\** *' nm ': *(.*) *\*/$']));
+    endfor
+
+    ## Add developer included PKG commands.
+    packdirnm = fullfile (packdir, nm);
+    if (exist (packdirnm, "file"))
+      fid = fopen (packdirnm, "rt");
+      if (fid >= 0)
+        while (! feof (fid))
+          ln = fgets (fid);
+          if (ln > 0)
+            fwrite (archfid, ln);
+          endif
+        endwhile
+        fclose (fid);
+      endif
+    endif
+
+    ## If the files is empty remove it.
+    fclose (instfid);
+    t = dir (instpkg);
+    if (t.bytes <= 0)
+      unlink (instpkg);
+    endif
+
+    if (instfid != archfid)
+      fclose (archfid);
+      t = dir (archpkg);
+      if (t.bytes <= 0)
+        unlink (archpkg);
+      endif
+    endif
+  endif                         # fixindent
+endfunction                     # fixindent
+
+function copy_files (desc, packdir, global_install) # fixindent
+  ## Create the installation directory.
+  if (! exist (desc.dir, "dir"))
+    [status, output] = mkdir (desc.dir);
+    if (status != 1)
+      error ("couldn't create installation directory %s : %s", 
+	     desc.dir, output);
+    endif
+  endif
+
+  octfiledir = getarchdir (desc);
+
+  ## Copy the files from "inst" to installdir.
+  instdir = fullfile (packdir, "inst");
+  if (! dirempty (instdir))
+    [status, output] = copyfile (fullfile (instdir, "*"), desc.dir);
+    if (status != 1)
+      rm_rf (desc.dir);
+      error ("couldn't copy files to the installation directory");
+    endif
+    if (exist (fullfile (desc.dir, getarch ()), "dir") &&
+	! strcmp (fullfile (desc.dir, getarch ()), octfiledir))
+      if (! exist (octfiledir, "dir"))
+        ## Can be required to create upto three levels of dirs.
+        octm1 = fileparts (octfiledir);
+        if (! exist (octm1, "dir"))
+          octm2 = fileparts (octm1);
+          if (! exist (octm2, "dir"))
+            octm3 = fileparts (octm2);
+            if (! exist (octm3, "dir"))
+              [status, output] = mkdir (octm3);
+              if (status != 1)
+                rm_rf (desc.dir);
+                error ("couldn't create installation directory %s : %s", 
+                       octm3, output);
+              endif
+            endif
+            [status, output] = mkdir (octm2);
+            if (status != 1)
+              rm_rf (desc.dir);
+              error ("couldn't create installation directory %s : %s", 
+                     octm2, output);
+            endif
+          endif
+          [status, output] = mkdir (octm1);
+          if (status != 1)
+            rm_rf (desc.dir);
+            error ("couldn't create installation directory %s : %s", 
+                   octm1, output);
+          endif
+        endif
+        [status, output] = mkdir (octfiledir);
+        if (status != 1)
+          rm_rf (desc.dir);
+          error ("couldn't create installation directory %s : %s", 
+		 octfiledir, output);
+        endif
+      endif
+      [status, output] = movefile (fullfile (desc.dir, getarch (), "*"), 
+				   octfiledir);
+      rm_rf (fullfile (desc.dir, getarch ()));
+
+      if (status != 1)
+        rm_rf (desc.dir);
+        rm_rf (octfiledir);
+        error ("couldn't copy files to the installation directory");
+      endif
+    endif
+
+  endif
+
+  ## Create the "packinfo" directory.
+  packinfo = fullfile (desc.dir, "packinfo");
+  [status, msg] = mkdir (packinfo);
+  if (status != 1)
+    rm_rf (desc.dir);
+    rm_rf (octfiledir);
+    error ("couldn't create packinfo directory: %s", msg);
+  endif
+
+  ## Copy DESCRIPTION.
+  [status, output] = copyfile (fullfile (packdir, "DESCRIPTION"), packinfo);
+  if (status != 1)
+    rm_rf (desc.dir);
+    rm_rf (octfiledir);
+    error ("couldn't copy DESCRIPTION: %s", output);
+  endif
+
+  ## Copy COPYING.
+  [status, output] = copyfile (fullfile (packdir, "COPYING"), packinfo);
+  if (status != 1)
+    rm_rf (desc.dir);
+    rm_rf (octfiledir);
+    error ("couldn't copy COPYING: %s", output);
+  endif
+
+  ## If the file ChangeLog exists, copy it.
+  changelog_file = fullfile (packdir, "ChangeLog");
+  if (exist (changelog_file, "file"))
+    [status, output] = copyfile (changelog_file, packinfo);
+    if (status != 1)
+      rm_rf (desc.dir);
+      rm_rf (octfiledir);
+      error ("couldn't copy ChangeLog file: %s", output);
+    endif
+  endif
+
+  ## Is there an INDEX file to copy or should we generate one?
+  index_file = fullfile (packdir, "INDEX");
+  if (exist(index_file, "file"))
+    [status, output] = copyfile (index_file, packinfo);
+    if (status != 1)
+      rm_rf (desc.dir);
+      rm_rf (octfiledir);
+      error ("couldn't copy INDEX file: %s", output);
+    endif
+  else
+    try
+      write_index (desc, fullfile (packdir, "inst"),
+		   fullfile (packinfo, "INDEX"), global_install);
+    catch
+      rm_rf (desc.dir);
+      rm_rf (octfiledir);
+      rethrow (lasterror ());
+    end_try_catch
+  endif
+
+  ## Is there an 'on_uninstall.m' to install?
+  fon_uninstall = fullfile (packdir, "on_uninstall.m");
+  if (exist (fon_uninstall, "file"))
+    [status, output] = copyfile (fon_uninstall, packinfo);
+    if (status != 1)
+      rm_rf (desc.dir);
+      rm_rf (octfiledir);
+      error ("couldn't copy on_uninstall.m: %s", output);
+    endif
+  endif
+
+  ## Is there a doc/ directory that needs to be installed?
+  docdir = fullfile (packdir, "doc");
+  if (exist (docdir, "dir") && ! dirempty (docdir))
+    [status, output] = copyfile (docdir, desc.dir);
+  endif
+
+  ## Is there a bin/ directory that needs to be installed?
+  ## FIXME: Need to treat architecture dependent files in bin/
+  bindir = fullfile (packdir, "bin");
+  if (exist (bindir, "dir") && ! dirempty (bindir))
+    [status, output] = copyfile (bindir, desc.dir);
+  endif
+endfunction
+
+function finish_installation (desc, packdir, global_install)
+  ## Is there a post-install to call?
+  if (exist (fullfile (packdir, "post_install.m"), "file"))
+    wd = pwd ();
+    try
+      cd (packdir);
+      post_install (desc);
+      cd (wd);
+    catch
+      cd (wd);
+      rm_rf (desc.dir);
+      rm_rf (getarchdir (desc), global_install);
+      rethrow (lasterror ());
+    end_try_catch
+  endif
+endfunction
+
+function generate_lookfor_cache (desc)
+  dirs = split_by (genpath (desc.dir), pathsep ());
+  for i = 1 : length (dirs)
+    gen_doc_cache (fullfile (dirs{i}, "doc-cache"), dirs{i});
+  endfor
+endfunction
+
+## Make sure the package contains the essential files.
+function verify_directory (dir)
+  needed_files = {"COPYING", "DESCRIPTION"};
+  for f = needed_files
+    if (! exist (fullfile (dir, f{1}), "file"))
+      error ("package is missing file: %s", f{1});
+    endif
+  endfor
+endfunction
+
+## Parse the DESCRIPTION file.
+function desc = get_description (filename)
+  [fid, msg] = fopen (filename, "r");
+  if (fid == -1)
+    error ("the DESCRIPTION file %s could not be read: %s", filename, msg);
+  endif
+
+  desc = struct ();
+
+  line = fgetl (fid);
+  while (line != -1)
+    if (line(1) == "#")
+    ## Comments, do nothing.
+    elseif (isspace(line(1)))
+      ## Continuation lines
+      if (exist ("keyword", "var") && isfield (desc, keyword))
+	desc.(keyword) = cstrcat (desc.(keyword), " ", rstrip(line));
+      endif
+    else
+      ## Keyword/value pair
+      colon = find (line == ":");
+      if (length (colon) == 0)
+	disp ("skipping line");
+      else
+	colon = colon(1);
+	keyword = tolower (strip (line(1:colon-1)));
+	value = strip (line (colon+1:end));
+	if (length (value) == 0)
+	  fclose (fid);
+	  error ("the keyword %s has an empty value", desc.keywords{end});
+	endif
+	desc.(keyword) = value;
+      endif
+    endif
+    line = fgetl (fid);
+  endwhile
+  fclose (fid);
+
+  ## Make sure all is okay.
+  needed_fields = {"name", "version", "date", "title", ...
+		   "author", "maintainer", "description"};
+  for f = needed_fields
+    if (! isfield (desc, f{1}))
+      error ("description is missing needed field %s", f{1});
+    endif
+  endfor
+  desc.version = fix_version (desc.version);
+  if (isfield (desc, "depends"))
+    desc.depends = fix_depends (desc.depends);
+  else
+    desc.depends = "";
+  endif
+  desc.name = tolower (desc.name);
+endfunction
+
+## Make sure the version string v is a valid x.y.z version string
+## Examples: "0.1" => "0.1.0", "monkey" => error(...).
+function out = fix_version (v)
+  dots = find (v == ".");
+  if (length (dots) == 1)
+    major = str2num (v(1:dots-1));
+    minor = str2num (v(dots+1:end));
+    if (length (major) != 0 && length (minor) != 0)
+      out = sprintf ("%d.%d.0", major, minor);
+      return;
+    endif
+  elseif (length (dots) == 2)
+    major = str2num (v(1:dots(1)-1));
+    minor = str2num (v(dots(1)+1:dots(2)-1));
+    rev = str2num (v(dots(2)+1:end));
+    if (length (major) != 0 && length (minor) != 0 && length (rev) != 0)
+      out = sprintf ("%d.%d.%d", major, minor, rev);
+      return;
+    endif
+  endif
+  error ("bad version string: %s", v);
+endfunction
+
+## Make sure the depends field is of the right format.
+## This function returns a cell of structures with the following fields:
+##   package, version, operator
+function deps_cell = fix_depends (depends)
+  deps = split_by (tolower (depends), ",");
+  deps_cell = cell (1, length (deps));
+
+  ## For each dependency.
+  for i = 1:length (deps)
+    dep = deps{i};
+    lpar = find (dep == "(");
+    rpar = find (dep == ")");
+    ## Does the dependency specify a version
+    ## Example: package(>= version).
+    if (length (lpar) == 1 && length (rpar) == 1)
+      package = tolower (strip (dep(1:lpar-1)));
+      sub = dep(lpar(1)+1:rpar(1)-1);
+      parts = strsplit (sub, " ", true);
+      if (length (parts) != 2)
+	error ("incorrect syntax for dependency `%s' in the DESCRIPTION file\n",
+	       dep);
+      endif
+      operator = parts{1};
+      if (! any (strcmp (operator, {">", ">=", "<=", "<", "=="})))
+	error ("unsupported operator: %s", operator);
+      endif
+      version  = fix_version (parts{2});
+
+    ## If no version is specified for the dependency
+    ## we say that the version should be greater than 
+    ## or equal to "0.0.0".
+    else
+      package = tolower (strip (dep));
+      operator = ">=";
+      version  = "0.0.0";
+    endif
+    deps_cell{i} = struct ("package", package, "operator", operator,
+			   "version", version);
+  endfor
+endfunction
+
+## Strip the text of spaces from the right
+## Example: "  hello world  " => "  hello world"
+## FIXME -- is this the same as deblank?
+function text = rstrip (text)
+  chars = find (! isspace (text));
+  if (length (chars) > 0)
+    ## FIXME: shouldn't it be text = text(1:chars(end));
+    text = text (chars(1):end);
+  else
+    text = "";
+  endif
+endfunction
+
+## Strip the text of spaces from the left and the right.
+## Example: "  hello world  " => "hello world"
+function text = strip (text)
+  chars = find (! isspace (text));
+  if (length (chars) > 0)
+    text = text(chars(1):chars(end));
+  else
+    text = "";
+  endif
+endfunction
+
+## Split the text into a cell array of strings by sep.
+## Example: "A, B" => {"A", "B"} (with sep = ",")
+function out = split_by (text, sep)
+  out = strtrim (strsplit (text, sep));
+endfunction
+
+## Create an INDEX file for a package that doesn't provide one.
+##   'desc'  describes the package.
+##   'dir'   is the 'inst' directory in temporary directory.
+##   'index_file' is the name (including path) of resulting INDEX file.
+function write_index (desc, dir, index_file, global_install)
+  ## Get names of functions in dir
+  [files, err, msg] = readdir (dir);
+  if (err)
+    error ("couldn't read directory %s: %s", dir, msg);
+  endif
+
+  ## Check for architecture dependent files.
+  tmpdir = getarchdir (desc);
+  if (exist (tmpdir, "dir"))
+    [files2, err, msg] = readdir (tmpdir);
+    if (err)
+      error ("couldn't read directory %s: %s", tmpdir, msg);
+    endif
+    files = [files; files2];    
+  endif
+
+  functions = {};
+  for i = 1:length (files)
+    file = files{i};
+    lf = length (file);
+    if (lf > 2 && strcmp (file(end-1:end), ".m"))
+      functions{end+1} = file(1:end-2);
+    elseif (lf > 4 && strcmp (file(end-3:end), ".oct"))
+      functions{end+1} = file(1:end-4);
+    endif
+  endfor
+
+  ## Does desc have a categories field?
+  if (! isfield (desc, "categories"))
+    error ("the DESCRIPTION file must have a Categories field, when no INDEX file is given");
+  endif
+  categories = split_by (desc.categories, ",");
+  if (length (categories) < 1)
+    error ("the Category field is empty");
+  endif
+
+  ## Write INDEX.
+  fid = fopen (index_file, "w");
+  if (fid == -1)
+    error ("couldn't open %s for writing.", index_file);
+  endif
+  fprintf (fid, "%s >> %s\n", desc.name, desc.title);
+  fprintf (fid, "%s\n", categories{1});
+  fprintf (fid, "  %s\n", functions{:});
+  fclose (fid);
+endfunction
+
+function bad_deps = get_unsatisfied_deps (desc, installed_pkgs_lst)
+  bad_deps = {};
+
+  ## For each dependency.
+  for i = 1:length (desc.depends)
+    dep = desc.depends{i};
+
+    ## Is the current dependency Octave?
+    if (strcmp (dep.package, "octave"))
+      if (! compare_versions (OCTAVE_VERSION, dep.version, dep.operator))
+        bad_deps{end+1} = dep;
+      endif
+    ## Is the current dependency not Octave?
+    else
+      ok = false;
+      for i = 1:length (installed_pkgs_lst)
+	cur_name = installed_pkgs_lst{i}.name;
+	cur_version = installed_pkgs_lst{i}.version;
+	if (strcmp (dep.package, cur_name)
+	    && compare_versions (cur_version, dep.version, dep.operator))
+	  ok = true;
+	  break;
+	endif
+      endfor
+      if (! ok)
+        bad_deps{end+1} = dep;
+      endif
+    endif
+  endfor
+endfunction
+
+function [out1, out2] = installed_packages (local_list, global_list)
+  ## Get the list of installed packages.
+  try
+    local_packages = load (local_list).local_packages;
+  catch
+    local_packages = {};
+  end_try_catch
+  try
+    global_packages = load (global_list).global_packages;
+  catch
+    global_packages = {};
+  end_try_catch
+  installed_pkgs_lst = {local_packages{:}, global_packages{:}};
+
+  ## Eliminate duplicates in the installed package list.
+  ## Locally installed packages take precedence.
+  dup = [];
+  for i = 1:length (installed_pkgs_lst)
+    if (find (dup, i))
+      continue;
+    endif
+    for j = (i+1):length (installed_pkgs_lst)
+      if (find (dup, j))
+	continue;
+      endif
+      if (strcmp (installed_pkgs_lst{i}.name, installed_pkgs_lst{j}.name))
+	dup = [dup, j];
+      endif
+    endfor
+  endfor
+  if (! isempty(dup))
+    installed_pkgs_lst(dup) = [];
+  endif  
+
+  ## Now check if the package is loaded.
+  tmppath = strrep (path(), "\\", "/");
+  for i = 1:length (installed_pkgs_lst)
+    if (findstr (tmppath, strrep (installed_pkgs_lst{i}.dir, "\\", "/")))
+      installed_pkgs_lst{i}.loaded = true;
+    else
+      installed_pkgs_lst{i}.loaded = false;
+    endif
+  endfor
+  for i = 1:length (local_packages)
+    if (findstr (tmppath, strrep (local_packages{i}.dir, "\\", "/")))
+      local_packages{i}.loaded = true;
+    else
+      local_packages{i}.loaded = false;
+    endif
+  endfor
+  for i = 1:length (global_packages)
+    if (findstr (tmppath, strrep (global_packages{i}.dir, "\\", "/")))
+      global_packages{i}.loaded = true;
+    else
+      global_packages{i}.loaded = false;
+    endif
+  endfor
+
+  ## Should we return something?
+  if (nargout == 2)
+    out1 = local_packages;
+    out2 = global_packages;
+    return;
+  elseif (nargout == 1)
+    out1 = installed_pkgs_lst;
+    return;
+  endif
+
+  ## We shouldn't return something, so we'll print something.
+  num_packages = length (installed_pkgs_lst);
+  if (num_packages == 0)
+    printf ("no packages installed.\n");
+    return;
+  endif
+
+  ## Compute the maximal lengths of name, version, and dir.
+  h1 = "Package Name";
+  h2 = "Version";
+  h3 = "Installation directory";
+  max_name_length = length (h1); 
+  max_version_length = length (h2);
+  names = cell (num_packages, 1); 
+  for i = 1:num_packages
+    max_name_length = max (max_name_length,
+			   length (installed_pkgs_lst{i}.name));
+    max_version_length = max (max_version_length,
+			      length (installed_pkgs_lst{i}.version));
+    names{i} = installed_pkgs_lst{i}.name;
+  endfor
+  max_dir_length = terminal_size()(2) - max_name_length - ...
+		   max_version_length - 7;
+  if (max_dir_length < 20)
+    max_dir_length = Inf;
+  endif
+
+  h1 = postpad (h1, max_name_length + 1, " ");
+  h2 = postpad (h2, max_version_length, " ");;
+
+  ## Print a header.
+  header = sprintf("%s | %s | %s\n", h1, h2, h3);
+  printf (header);
+  tmp = sprintf (repmat ("-", 1, length(header)-1));
+  tmp(length(h1)+2) = "+";
+  tmp(length(h1)+length(h2)+5) = "+";
+  printf ("%s\n", tmp);
+
+  ## Print the packages.
+  format = sprintf ("%%%ds %%1s| %%%ds | %%s\n", max_name_length,
+		    max_version_length);
+  [dummy, idx] = sort (names);
+  for i = 1:num_packages
+    cur_name = installed_pkgs_lst{idx(i)}.name;
+    cur_version = installed_pkgs_lst{idx(i)}.version;
+    cur_dir = installed_pkgs_lst{idx(i)}.dir;
+    if (length (cur_dir) > max_dir_length)
+      first_char = length (cur_dir) - max_dir_length + 4;
+      first_filesep = strfind (cur_dir(first_char:end), filesep());
+      if (! isempty (first_filesep))
+        cur_dir = cstrcat ("...", 
+			   cur_dir((first_char + first_filesep(1) - 1):end));
+      else
+        cur_dir = cstrcat ("...", cur_dir(first_char:end));
+      endif
+    endif
+    if (installed_pkgs_lst{idx(i)}.loaded)
+      cur_loaded = "*";
+    else
+      cur_loaded = " ";
+    endif
+    printf (format, cur_name, cur_loaded, cur_version, cur_dir);
+  endfor
+endfunction
+
+function load_packages (files, handle_deps, local_list, global_list)
+  installed_pkgs_lst = installed_packages (local_list, global_list);
+  num_packages = length (installed_pkgs_lst);
+
+  ## Read package names and installdirs into a more convenient format.
+  pnames = pdirs = cell (1, num_packages);
+  for i = 1:num_packages
+    pnames{i} = installed_pkgs_lst{i}.name;
+    pdirs{i} = installed_pkgs_lst{i}.dir;
+  endfor
+
+  ## Load all.
+  if (length (files) == 1 && strcmp (files{1}, "all"))
+    idx = [1:length(installed_pkgs_lst)];
+  ## Load auto.
+  elseif (length (files) == 1 && strcmp (files{1}, "auto")) 
+    idx = [];
+    for i = 1:length (installed_pkgs_lst)
+      if (exist (fullfile (pdirs{i}, "packinfo", ".autoload"), "file"))
+	idx (end + 1) = i;
+      endif
+    endfor
+  ## Load package_name1 ...
+  else
+    idx = [];
+    for i = 1:length (files)
+      idx2 = find (strcmp (pnames, files{i}));
+      if (! any (idx2))
+	error ("package %s is not installed", files{i});
+      endif
+      idx (end + 1) = idx2;
+    endfor
+  endif
+
+  ## Load the packages, but take care of the ordering of dependencies.
+  load_packages_and_dependencies (idx, handle_deps, installed_pkgs_lst, true);
+endfunction
+
+function unload_packages (files, handle_deps, local_list, global_list)
+  installed_pkgs_lst = installed_packages (local_list, global_list);
+  num_packages = length (installed_pkgs_lst);
+
+  ## Read package names and installdirs into a more convenient format.
+  pnames = pdirs = cell (1, num_packages);
+  for i = 1:num_packages
+    pnames{i} = installed_pkgs_lst{i}.name;
+    pdirs{i} = installed_pkgs_lst{i}.dir;
+    pdeps{i} = installed_pkgs_lst{i}.depends;
+  endfor
+
+  ## Get the current octave path.
+  p = split_by (path(), pathsep ());
+
+  if (length (files) == 1 && strcmp (files{1}, "all"))
+    ## Unload all.
+    dirs = pdirs;
+    desc = installed_pkgs_lst;
+  else
+    ## Unload package_name1 ...
+    dirs = {};
+    desc = {};
+    for i = 1:length (files)
+      idx = strcmp (pnames, files{i});
+      if (! any (idx))
+	error ("package %s is not installed", files{i});
+      endif
+      dirs{end+1} = pdirs{idx};
+      desc{end+1} = installed_pkgs_lst{idx};
+    endfor
+  endif
+
+  ## Check for architecture dependent directories.
+  archdirs = {};
+  for i = 1:length (dirs)
+    tmpdir = getarchdir (desc{i});
+    if (exist (tmpdir, "dir"))
+      archdirs{end+1} = dirs{i};
+      archdirs{end+1} = tmpdir;
+    else
+      archdirs{end+1} = dirs{i};
+    endif
+  endfor
+
+  ## Unload the packages.
+  for i = 1:length (archdirs)
+    d = archdirs{i};
+    idx = strcmp (p, d);
+    if (any (idx))
+      rmpath (d);
+    ## FIXME: We should also check if we need to remove items from
+    ## EXEC_PATH.
+    endif
+  endfor
+endfunction
+
+function [status_out, msg_out] = rm_rf (dir)
+  if (exist (dir))
+    crr = confirm_recursive_rmdir ();
+    unwind_protect
+      confirm_recursive_rmdir (false);
+      [status, msg] = rmdir (dir, "s");
+    unwind_protect_cleanup
+      confirm_recursive_rmdir (crr);
+    end_unwind_protect
+  else
+    status = 1;
+    msg = "";
+  endif
+  if (nargout > 0)
+    status_out = status;
+  endif
+  if (nargout > 1)
+    msg_out = msg;
+  endif
+endfunction
+
+function emp = dirempty (nm, ign)
+  if (exist (nm, "dir"))
+    if (nargin < 2)
+      ign = {".", ".."};
+    else
+      ign = [{".", ".."}, ign];
+    endif
+    l = dir (nm);
+    for i = 1:length (l)
+      found = false;
+      for j = 1:length (ign)
+        if (strcmp (l(i).name, ign{j}))
+          found = true;
+          break;
+        endif
+      endfor
+      if (! found)
+        emp = false;
+        return
+      endif
+    endfor
+    emp = true;
+  else
+    emp = true;
+  endif
+endfunction
+
+function arch = getarch ()
+  persistent _arch = cstrcat (octave_config_info("canonical_host_type"), ...
+			      "-", octave_config_info("api_version"));
+  arch = _arch;
+endfunction
+
+function archprefix = getarchprefix (desc, global_install)
+  if ((nargin == 2 && global_install) || (nargin < 2 && issuperuser ()))
+    archprefix = fullfile (octave_config_info ("libexecdir"), "octave", 
+			   "packages", cstrcat(desc.name, "-", desc.version));
+  else
+    archprefix = desc.dir;
+  endif
+endfunction
+
+function archdir = getarchdir (desc)
+  archdir = fullfile (desc.archprefix, getarch());
+endfunction
+
+function s = issuperuser ()
+  if ((ispc () && ! isunix ()) || (geteuid() == 0))
+    s = true;
+  else
+    s = false;
+  endif
+endfunction
+
+function [status, output] = shell (cmd)
+  persistent have_sh;
+
+  cmd = strrep (cmd, "\\", "/");
+  if (ispc () && ! isunix ())
+    if (isempty(have_sh))
+      if (system("sh.exe -c \"exit\""))
+        have_sh = false;
+      else
+        have_sh = true;
+      endif
+    endif
+    if (have_sh)
+      [status, output] = system (cstrcat ("sh.exe -c \"", cmd, "\""));
+    else
+      error ("Can not find the command shell")
+    endif
+  else
+    [status, output] = system (cmd);
+  endif
+endfunction
+
+function newdesc = save_order (desc)
+  newdesc = {};
+  for i = 1 : length(desc)
+    deps = desc{i}.depends;
+    if (isempty (deps) || (length (deps) == 1 && 
+			   strcmp(deps{1}.package, "octave")))
+      newdesc {end + 1} = desc{i};
+    else
+      tmpdesc = {};
+      for k = 1 : length (deps)
+        for j = 1 : length (desc)
+          if (strcmp (desc{j}.name, deps{k}.package))
+            tmpdesc{end+1} = desc{j};
+	    break;
+          endif
+        endfor
+      endfor
+      if (! isempty (tmpdesc))					     
+        newdesc = {newdesc{:}, save_order(tmpdesc){:}, desc{i}};
+      else
+        newdesc{end+1} = desc{i};
+      endif
+    endif
+  endfor
+  ## Eliminate the duplicates.
+  idx = [];
+  for i = 1 : length (newdesc)
+    for j = (i + 1) : length (newdesc)
+      if (strcmp (newdesc{i}.name, newdesc{j}.name))
+        idx (end + 1) = j;
+      endif
+    endfor
+  endfor
+  newdesc(idx) = [];
+endfunction
+
+function load_packages_and_dependencies (idx, handle_deps, installed_pkgs_lst,
+					 global_install)
+  idx = load_package_dirs (idx, [], handle_deps, installed_pkgs_lst);
+  dirs = {};
+  execpath = EXEC_PATH ();
+  for i = idx;
+    ndir = installed_pkgs_lst{i}.dir;
+    dirs{end+1} = ndir;
+    if (exist (fullfile (dirs{end}, "bin"), "dir"))
+      execpath = cstrcat (fullfile (dirs{end}, "bin"), ":", execpath);
+    endif
+    tmpdir = getarchdir (installed_pkgs_lst{i});
+    if (exist (tmpdir, "dir"))
+      dirs{end + 1} = tmpdir;
+      if (exist (fullfile (dirs{end}, "bin"), "dir"))
+        execpath = cstrcat (fullfile (dirs{end}, "bin"), ":", execpath);
+      endif
+    endif
+  endfor
+
+  ## Load the packages.
+  if (length (dirs) > 0)
+    addpath (dirs{:});
+  endif
+
+  ## Add the binaries to exec_path.
+  if (! strcmp (EXEC_PATH, execpath))
+    EXEC_PATH (execpath);
+  endif
+endfunction
+
+function idx = load_package_dirs (lidx, idx, handle_deps, installed_pkgs_lst)
+  for i = lidx
+    if (isfield (installed_pkgs_lst{i}, "loaded") &&
+	installed_pkgs_lst{i}.loaded)
+      continue;
+    else
+      if (handle_deps)
+        deps = installed_pkgs_lst{i}.depends;
+        if ((length (deps) > 1) || (length (deps) == 1 && 
+	  			    ! strcmp(deps{1}.package, "octave")))
+          tmplidx = [];
+          for k = 1 : length (deps)
+            for j = 1 : length (installed_pkgs_lst)
+              if (strcmp (installed_pkgs_lst{j}.name, deps{k}.package))
+                tmplidx (end + 1) = j;
+	        break;
+              endif
+            endfor
+          endfor
+          idx = load_package_dirs (tmplidx, idx, handle_deps, 
+				   installed_pkgs_lst);
+        endif
+      endif
+      if (isempty (find(idx == i)))
+        idx (end + 1) = i;
+      endif
+    endif
+  endfor
+endfunction
+
+function dep = is_architecture_dependent (nm)
+  persistent archdepsuffix = {".oct",".mex",".a",".lib",".so",".so.*",".dll","dylib"};
+
+  dep = false;
+  for i = 1 : length (archdepsuffix)
+    ext = archdepsuffix{i};
+    if (ext(end) == "*")
+      isglob = true;
+      ext(end) = [];
+    else
+      isglob = false;
+    endif
+    pos = findstr (nm, ext);
+    if (pos)
+      if (! isglob && (length(nm) - pos(end) != length(ext) - 1))
+	continue;
+      endif
+      dep = true;
+      break;
+    endif
+  endfor
+endfunction