something close to Ken's latest version ...
diff --git a/Lib/newimp.py b/Lib/newimp.py
index 6fa9f43..3851696 100755
--- a/Lib/newimp.py
+++ b/Lib/newimp.py
@@ -44,17 +44,17 @@
     reference '__.sibling' and the var reference '__.sibling'.  
 
   - import an entire package as a unit, by importing the package directory.
-    If there is a module named '__main__.py' in the package, it controls the
+    If there is a module named '__init__.py' in the package, it controls the
     load.  Otherwise, all the modules in the dir, including packages, are
     inherently loaded into the package module's namespace.
 
     For example, 'import test' will load the modules of the entire 'test'
     package, at least until a test failure is encountered.
 
-    In a package, a module with the name '__main__' has a special role.
+    In a package, a module with the name '__init__' has a special role.
     If present in a package directory, then it is loaded into the package
     module, instead of loading the contents of the directory.  This
-    enables the __main__ module to control the load, possibly loading
+    enables the __init__ module to control the load, possibly loading
     the entire directory deliberately (using 'import __', or even
     'from __ import *', to load all the module contents directly into the
     package module).
@@ -68,209 +68,544 @@
 associated with them a '__pkgpath__', a path by which sibling modules are
 found."""
 
-__version__ = "Revision: 1.14"
+__version__ = "$Revision$"
 
-# Id: newimp.py,v 1.14 1995/05/10 19:15:07 klm Exp 
-# First release: Ken.Manheimer@nist.gov, 5-Apr-1995, for python 1.2
+# $Id$ First release:
+# Ken.Manheimer@nist.gov, 5-Apr-1995, for python 1.2
+
+# Issues (scattered in code - search for three asterisks)
+# *** Despite my efforts, 'reload(newimp)' will foul things up.
+# *** Normalize_pathname will only work for Unix - which we need to detect.
+# *** when a module with the name of the platform (as indicated by
+#     to-be-created var sys.platform), the package path gets '.' and the
+#     platform dir.
+# *** use sys.impadmin for things like an import load-hooks var
+# *** Import-load-hook keying module name versus package path, which dictates
+#     additions to the default ('.' and os-specific dir) path
+# *** Document that the __init__.py can set __.__pkgpath__, in which case that
+#     will be used for the package-relative loads.
+# *** Add a 'recursive' option to reload, for reload of package constituent
+#     modules (including subpackages), as well.  Or maybe that should be the
+#     default, and eg stub-completion should override that default.  ???
 
 # Developers Notes:
 #
 # - 'sys.stub_modules' registers "incidental" (partially loaded) modules.
 #   A stub module is promoted to the fully-loaded 'sys.modules' list when it is
 #   explicitly loaded as a unit.
-# - The __main__ loads of '__' have not yet been tested.
+# - One load nuance - the actual load of most module types goes into the
+#   already-generated stub module.  HOWEVER, eg dynamically loaded modules
+#   generate a new module object, which must supplant the existing stub.  One
+#   consequence is that the import process must use indirection through
+#   sys.stub_modules or sys.modules to track the actual modules across some of
+#   the phases.
 # - The test routines are cool, including a transient directory
 #   hierarchy facility, and a means of skipping to later tests by giving
 #   the test routine a numeric arg.
-# - This could be substantially optimized, and there are some loose ends
-#   lying around, since i wanted to get this released for 1.2.
+# - There may still be some loose ends, not to mention bugs.  But the full
+#   functionality should be there.
+# - The ImportStack object is necessary to carry the list of in-process imports
+#   across very open-ended recursions, where the state cannot be passed
+#   explicitly via the import_module calls; for a primary example, via exec of
+#   an 'import' statement within a module.
+# - Python's (current) handling of extension modules, via imp.load_dynamic,
+#   does too much, some of which needs to be undone.  See comments in
+#   load_module.  Among other things, we actually change the __name__ of the
+#   module, which conceivably may break something.
 
-VERBOSE = 0
+try:
+    VERBOSE
+except NameError:
+    VERBOSE = 0				# Will be reset by init(1), also.
 
-import sys, string, regex, types, os, marshal, new, __main__
+import sys, string, regex, types, os, marshal, traceback
+import __main__, __builtin__
+
+newimp_globals = vars()
+
 try:
     import imp				# Build on this recent addition
 except ImportError:
-    raise ImportError, 'Pkg import module depends on optional "imp" module'
+    raise ImportError, 'Pkg import module depends on optional "imp" module'#==X
 
 from imp import SEARCH_ERROR, PY_SOURCE, PY_COMPILED, C_EXTENSION
-PY_PACKAGE = 4				# In addition to above PY_*
 
-modes = {SEARCH_ERROR: 'SEARCH_ERROR',
-	 PY_SOURCE: 'PY_SOURCE',
-	 PY_COMPILED: 'PY_COMPILED',
-	 C_EXTENSION: 'C_EXTENSION',
-	 PY_PACKAGE: 'PY_PACKAGE'}
+def defvar(varNm, envDict, val, override=0):
+    """If VARNAME does not have value in DICT, assign VAL to it.  Optional arg
+    OVERRIDE means force the assignment in any case."""
+    if (not envDict.has_key(varNm)) or override:
+	envDict[varNm] = val
+    
+def init(full_reset=0):
+    """Do environment initialization, including retrofitting sys.modules with
+    module attributes."""
+    # Retrofit all existing modules with package attributes, under auspices of
+    # __root__:
 
-# sys.stub_modules tracks modules partially loaded modules, ie loaded only
-# incidental to load of nested components.
+    locals, globals = vars(), newimp_globals
 
-try: sys.stub_modules
-except AttributeError:
-    sys.stub_modules = {}
+    if full_reset:
+	global VERBOSE
+	VERBOSE = 0
 
-# Environment setup - "root" module, '__python__'
+    # sys.stub_modules tracks modules partially loaded modules, ie loaded only
+    # incidental to load of nested components.  Together with sys.modules and
+    # the import stack, it serves as part of the module registration mechanism.
+    defvar('stub_modules', sys.__dict__, {}, full_reset)
 
-# Establish root package '__python__' in __main__ and newimp envs.
+    # Environment setup - "root" module, '__root__'
+    # Establish root package '__root__' in __main__ and newimp envs.
 
-PKG_MAIN_NM = '__main__'		# 'pkg/__main__.py' master, if present.
-PKG_NM = '__package__'			# Longhand for module's container.
-PKG_SHORT_NM = '__'			# Shorthand for module's container.
-PKG_SHORT_NM_LEN = len(PKG_SHORT_NM)
-PKG_PATH = '__pkgpath__'		# Var holding package search path,
-					# usually just the path of the pkg dir.
-__python__ = __main__
-sys.modules['__python__'] = __python__	# Register as an importable module.
-__python__.__dict__[PKG_PATH] = sys.path
+    # Longhand for name of variable identifying module's containing package:
+    defvar('PKG_NM', globals, "__package__", full_reset)
+    # Shorthand for module's container:
+    defvar('PKG_SHORT_NM', globals, "__", full_reset)
+    defvar('PKG_SHORT_NM_LEN', globals, len(PKG_SHORT_NM), full_reset)
 
-origImportFunc = None
+    # Name of controlling module for a package, if any:
+    defvar('INIT_MOD_NM', globals, "__init__", full_reset)
+
+    # Paths eventually will be extended to accomodate non-filesystem media -
+    # eg, URLs, composite objects, who knows.
+
+    # Name assigned in sys for general import administration:
+    defvar('IMP_SYS_NM', globals, "imp_admin", full_reset)
+    defvar('MOD_LOAD_HOOKS', globals, "mod_load_hooks", full_reset)
+    if full_reset:
+	defvar(IMP_SYS_NM, sys.__dict__, {MOD_LOAD_HOOKS: {}}, full_reset)
+    
+
+    # Name assigned in each module to tuple describing module import attrs:
+    defvar('IMP_ADMIN', globals, "__impadmin__", full_reset)
+    # The load-path obtaining for this package.  Not defined for non-packages.
+    # If not set, package directory is used.  If no package directory
+    # registered, sys.path is used.
+    defvar('PKG_PATH', globals, 0, full_reset)
+    # File from which module was loaded - may be None, eg, for __root__:
+    defvar('MOD_TYPE', globals, 1, full_reset)
+    # Exact path from which the module was loaded:
+    defvar('MOD_PATHNAME', globals, 2, full_reset)
+    # Package within which the module was found:
+    defvar('MOD_PACKAGE', globals, 3, full_reset)
+    defvar('USE_PATH', globals, 'either PKG_PATH or my dir', full_reset)
+    
+    # We're aliasing the top-level __main__ module as '__root__':
+    defvar('__root__', globals, __main__, full_reset)
+    defvar('ROOT_MOD_NM', globals, "__root__", full_reset)
+    if not sys.modules.has_key('__root__') or full_reset:
+	# and register it as an imported module:
+	sys.modules[ROOT_MOD_NM] = __root__
+
+    # Register package information in all existing top-level modules - they'll
+    # the None's mean, among other things, that their USE_PATH's all defer to
+    # sys.path.
+    for aMod in sys.modules.values():
+	if (not aMod.__dict__.has_key(PKG_NM)) or full_reset:
+	    set_mod_attrs(aMod, None, __root__, None, None)
+
+    try:
+	__builtin__.__import__
+	defvar('origImportFunc', globals, __builtin__.__import__)
+	defvar('origReloadFunc', globals, __builtin__.reload)
+    except AttributeError:
+	pass
+
+    defvar('PY_PACKAGE', globals, 4, full_reset)
+    defvar('PY_FROZEN', globals, 5, full_reset)
+    defvar('PY_BUILTIN', globals, 6, full_reset)
+
+    # Establish lookup table from mod-type "constants" to names:
+    defvar('mod_types', globals,
+	   {SEARCH_ERROR: 'SEARCH_ERROR',
+	    PY_SOURCE: 'PY_SOURCE',
+	    PY_COMPILED: 'PY_COMPILED',
+	    C_EXTENSION: 'C_EXTENSION',
+	    PY_PACKAGE: 'PY_PACKAGE',
+	    PY_FROZEN: 'PY_FROZEN',
+	    PY_BUILTIN: 'PY_BUILTIN'},
+	   full_reset)
+
+    defvar('stack', globals, ImportStack(), full_reset)
+
 def install():
     """Install newimp import_module() routine, for package support.
 
     newimp.revert() reverts to __import__ routine that was superceded."""
-    import __builtin__
-    global origImportFunc
-    if not origImportFunc:
-	try:
-	    origImportFunc = __builtin__.__import__
-	except AttributeError:
-	    pass
     __builtin__.__import__ = import_module
-    print 'Enhanced import functionality installed.'
+    __builtin__.reload = reload
+    __builtin__.unload = unload
+    __builtin__.bypass = bypass
+    return 'Enhanced import functionality in place.'
 def revert():
     """Revert to original __builtin__.__import__ func, if newimp.install() has
     been executed."""
-    if origImportFunc:
-	import __builtin__
-	__builtin__.__import__ = origImportFunc
-	print 'Original import routine back in place.'
+    if not (origImportFunc and origReloadFunc):
+	raise SystemError, "Can't find original import and reload funcs." # ==X
+    __builtin__.__import__ = origImportFunc
+    __builtin__.reload = origReloadFunc
+    del __builtin__.unload, __builtin__.bypass
+    return 'Original import routines back in place.'
 
 def import_module(name,
 		  envLocals=None, envGlobals=None,
 		  froms=None,
 		  inPkg=None):
-    """Primary service routine implementing 'import' with package nesting."""
+    """Primary service routine implementing 'import' with package nesting.
 
-    # The job is divided into a few distinct steps:
-    #
-    # - Look for either an already loaded module or a file to be loaded.
-    #   * if neither loaded module nor prospect file is found, raise an error.
-    #   - If we have a file, not an already loaded module:
-    #     - Load the file into a module.
-    #     - Register the new module and intermediate package stubs.
-    # (We have a module at this point...)
-    # - Bind requested syms (module or specified 'from' defs) in calling env.
-    # - Return the appropriate component.
+    NAME:		name as specified to 'import NAME' or 'from NAME...'
+    LOCALS, GLOBALS:	local and global dicts obtaining for import
+    FROMS:		list of strings of "..." in 'import blat from ...'
+    INPKG:		package to which the name search is restricted, for use
+    			by recursive package loads (from import_module()).
 
-    note("import_module: seeking '%s'%s" %
-	 (name, ((inPkg and ' (in package %s)' % inPkg.__name__) or '')))
+    A subtle difference from the old import - modules that do fail
+    initialization will not be registered in sys.modules, ie will not, in
+    effect, be registered as being loaded.  Note further that packages which
+    fail their overall load, but have successfully loaded constituent modules,
+    will be accessible in the importing namespace as stub modules.
+
+    A new routine, 'newimp.bypass()', provides the means to circumvent
+    constituent modules that fail their load, in order to enable load of the
+    remainder of a package."""
+
+    rootMod = sys.modules[ROOT_MOD_NM]
+
+    note("import_module: seeking '%s'" % name, 1)
 
     # We need callers environment dict for local path and resulting module
     # binding.
-    if not (envLocals or envGlobals):
+    if not envGlobals:
+	# This should not happen, but does for imports called from within
+	# functions.
 	envLocals, envGlobals = exterior()
 
-    modList = theMod = absNm = container = None
-
-    # Get module obj if one already established, or else module file if not:
-
     if inPkg:
-	# We've been invoked with a specific containing package:
-	pkg, pkgPath, pkgNm = inPkg, inPkg.__dict__[PKG_PATH], inPkg.__name__
-	relNm = name
-	absNm = pkgNm + '.' + name
-	
-    elif name[:PKG_SHORT_NM_LEN+1] != PKG_SHORT_NM + '.':
-	# name is NOT '__.something' - setup to seek according to specified
-	# absolute name.
-	pkg = __python__
-	pkgPath = sys.path
-	absNm = name
-	relNm = absNm
-
+	pkg = inPkg
+    elif envGlobals.has_key(PKG_NM):
+	pkg = envGlobals[PKG_NM]
     else:
-	# name IS '__.' + something - setup to seek according to relative name,
-	# in current package.
+	# ** KLUDGE - cover for modules that lack package attributes:
+	pkg = rootMod
 
-	relNm = name[len(PKG_SHORT_NM)+1:]	# Relative portion of name.
-	try:
-	    pkg = envGlobals[PKG_NM]	# The immediately containing package.
-	    pkgPath = pkg.__dict__[PKG_PATH]
-	    if pkg == __python__:	# At outermost package.
-		absNm = relNm
-	    else:
-		absNm = (pkg.__name__ + '.' + relNm)
-	except KeyError:		# Missing package, path, or name.
-	    note("Can't identify parent package, package name, or pkgpath")
-	    pass							# ==v
+    if pkg != rootMod:
+	note(' - relative to package %s' % pkg)
 
-    # Try to find existing module:
-    if sys.modules.has_key(absNm):
-	note('found ' + absNm + ' already imported')
-	theMod = sys.modules[absNm]
+    modList = theMod = absNm = nesting = None
+
+    # Normalize
+    #  - absNm is absolute w.r.t. __root__
+    #  - relNm is relative w.r.t. pkg.
+    if inPkg:
+	absNm, relNm = pkg.__name__ + '.' + name, name
     else:
-	# Try for builtin or frozen first:
-	theMod = imp.init_builtin(absNm)
-	if theMod:
-	    note('found builtin ' + absNm)
+	absNm, relNm, pkg = normalize_import_ref(name, pkg)
+    note("Normalized: %s%s" % (absNm, (((relNm != absNm)
+					and (" ('%s' in %s)" % (relNm, pkg)))
+				       or '')), 3)
+
+    pkgPath = get_mod_attrs(pkg, USE_PATH)
+
+    try:			# try...finally guards import stack integrity.
+
+	if stack.push(absNm):
+	    # We're nested inside a containing import of this module, perhaps
+	    # indirectly.  Avoid infinite recursion at this point by using the
+	    # existing stub module, for now.  Load of it will be completed by
+	    # the superior import.
+	    note('recursion on in-process module %s, punting with stub' %
+		 absNm)
+	    theMod = stack.mod(absNm)
+
 	else:
-	    theMod = imp.init_frozen(absNm)
-	    if theMod:
-		note('found frozen ' + absNm)
-	if not theMod:
-	    if type(pkgPath) == types.StringType:
-		pkgPath = [pkgPath]
-	    modList = find_module(relNm, pkgPath, absNm)
-	    if not modList:
-		raise ImportError, "module '%s' not found" % absNm	# ===X
-	    # We have a list of successively nested files leading to the
-	    # module, register them as stubs:
-	    container = register_module_nesting(modList, pkg)
 
-	    # Load from file if necessary and possible:
-	    modNm, modf, path, ty = modList[-1]
-	    note('found type ' + modes[ty[2]] + ' - ' + absNm)
+	    # Try to find already-imported:
+	    if sys.modules.has_key(absNm):
+		note('found ' + absNm + ' already imported')
+		theMod = sys.modules[absNm]
+		stack.mod(absNm, theMod)
 
-	    # Do the load:
-	    theMod = load_module(absNm, ty[2], modf, inPkg)
+	    else:		# Actually do load, of one sort or another:
 
-	    # Loaded successfully - promote module to full module status:
-	    register_module(theMod, theMod.__name__, pkgPath, pkg)
+		# Seek builtin or frozen first:
+		theMod = imp.init_builtin(absNm)
+		if theMod:
+		    set_mod_attrs(theMod, None, pkg, None, PY_BUILTIN)
+		    stack.mod(absNm, theMod)
+		    note('found builtin ' + absNm)
+		else:
+		    theMod = imp.init_frozen(absNm)
+		    if theMod:
+			set_mod_attrs(theMod, None, pkg, None, PY_FROZEN)
+			stack.mod(absNm, theMod)
+			note('found frozen ' + absNm)
 
-    # Have a loaded module, impose designated components, and return
-    # appropriate thing - according to guido:
-    # "Note that for "from spam.ham import bacon" your function should
-    #  return the object denoted by 'spam.ham', while for "import
-    #  spam.ham" it should return the object denoted by 'spam' -- the
-    #  STORE instructions following the import statement expect it this
-    #  way."
-    if not froms:
-	# Establish the module defs in the importing name space:
-	(envLocals or envGlobals)[name] = theMod
-	return (container or theMod)
-    else:
-	# Implement 'from': Populate immediate env with module defs:
-	while froms:
-	    item = froms[0]; del froms[0]
-	    if item == '*':
-		froms = theMod.__dict__.keys() + froms
+		if not theMod:
+		    # Not already-loaded, in-process, builtin, or frozen -
+		    # we're seeking in the outside world (filesystem):
+
+		    if sys.stub_modules.has_key(absNm):
+
+			# A package for which we have a stub:
+			theMod = reload(sys.stub_modules[absNm], inPkg)
+
+		    else:
+
+			# Now we actually search the fs.
+
+			if type(pkgPath) == types.StringType:
+			    pkgPath = [pkgPath]
+
+			# Find a path leading to the module:
+			modList = find_module(relNm, pkgPath, absNm)
+			if not modList:
+			    raise ImportError, ("module '%s' not found" % #==X
+						absNm)
+
+			# We have a list of successively nested dirs leading
+			# to the module, register with import admin, as stubs:
+			nesting = register_mod_nesting(modList, pkg)
+
+			# Load from file if necessary and possible:
+			modNm, modf, path, ty = modList[-1]
+			note('found type %s - %s' % (mod_types[ty[2]], absNm))
+
+			# Establish the module object in question:
+			theMod = procure_module(absNm)
+			stack.mod(absNm, theMod)
+			
+			# Do the load:
+			theMod = load_module(theMod, ty[2], modf, inPkg)
+
+			commit_mod_containment(absNm)
+
+		    # Successful load - promote to fully-imported status:
+		    register_module(theMod, theMod.__name__)
+
+
+	# We have a loaded module (perhaps stub): situate specified components,
+	# and return appropriate thing.  According to guido:
+	#
+	# "Note that for "from spam.ham import bacon" your function should
+	#  return the object denoted by 'spam.ham', while for "import
+	#  spam.ham" it should return the object denoted by 'spam' -- the
+	#  STORE instructions following the import statement expect it this
+	#  way."
+	# *** The above rationale should probably be reexamined, since newimp
+	#     actually takes care of populating the caller's namespace.
+
+	if not froms:
+
+	    # Return the outermost container, possibly stub:
+	    if nesting:
+		return find_mod_registration(nesting[0][0])
 	    else:
-		try:
-		    (envLocals or envGlobals)[item] = theMod.__dict__[item]
-		except KeyError:
-		    raise ImportError, ("name '%s' not found in module %s" %
-					(item, theMod.__name__))
-	return theMod
+		return find_mod_registration(string.splitfields(absNm,'.')[0])
+	else:
 
+	    return theMod
+
+    finally:				# Decrement stack registration:
+	stack.pop(absNm)
+	    
+
+def reload(module, inPkg = None):
+    """Re-parse and re-initialize an already (or partially) imported MODULE.
+
+    The argument can be an already loaded module object or a string name of a
+    loaded module or a "stub" module that was partially loaded package module
+    incidental to the full load of a contained module.
+    
+    This is useful if you have edited the module source file using an external
+    editor and want to try out the new version without leaving the Python
+    interpreter.  The return value is the resulting module object.
+
+    Contrary to the old 'reload', the load is sought from the same location
+    where the module was originally found.  If you wish to do a fresh load from
+    a different module on the path, do an 'unload()' and then an import.
+
+    When a module is reloaded, its dictionary (containing the module's
+    global variables) is retained.  Redefinitions of names will
+    override the old definitions, so this is generally not a problem.
+    If the new version of a module does not define a name that was
+    defined by the old version, the old definition remains.  This
+    feature can be used to the module's advantage if it maintains a
+    global table or cache of objects -- with a `try' statement it can
+    test for the table's presence and skip its initialization if
+    desired.
+
+    It is legal though generally not very useful to reload built-in or
+    dynamically loaded modules, except for `sys', `__main__' and
+    `__builtin__'.  In certain cases, however, extension modules are
+    not designed to be initialized more than once, and may fail in
+    arbitrary ways when reloaded.
+
+    If a module imports objects from another module using `from' ...
+    `import' ..., calling `reload()' for the other module does not
+    redefine the objects imported from it -- one way around this is to
+    re-execute the `from' statement, another is to use `import' and
+    qualified names (MODULE.NAME) instead.
+
+    If a module instantiates instances of a class, reloading the module
+    that defines the class does not affect the method definitions of
+    the instances, unless they are reinstantiated -- they continue to use the
+    old class definition.  The same is true for derived classes."""
+
+    if type(module) == types.StringType:
+	theMod = find_mod_registration(module)
+    elif type(module) == types.ModuleType:
+	theMod = module
+    else:
+	raise ImportError, '%s not already imported'			# ==X
+
+    if theMod in [sys.modules[ROOT_MOD_NM], sys.modules['__builtin__']]:
+	raise ImportError, 'cannot re-init internal module'		# ==X
+
+    try:
+	thePath = get_mod_attrs(theMod, MOD_PATHNAME)
+    except KeyError:
+	thePath = None
+
+    if not thePath:
+	# If we have no path for the module, we can only reload it from
+	# scratch:
+	note('no pathname registered for %s, doing full reload' % theMod)
+	unload(theMod)
+	envGlobals, envLocals = exterior()
+	return import_module(theMod.__name__,
+			     envGlobals, envLocals, None, inPkg)
+    else:
+
+	stack.mod(theMod.__name__, theMod)
+	ty = get_mod_attrs(theMod, MOD_TYPE)
+	if ty in [PY_SOURCE, PY_COMPILED]:
+	    note('reload invoked for %s %s' % (mod_types[ty], theMod))
+	    thePath, ty, openFile = prefer_compiled(thePath, ty)
+	else:
+	    openFile = open(thePath, get_suffixes(ty)[1])
+	return load_module(theMod,					# ==>
+			   ty,
+			   openFile,
+			   inPkg)
 def unload(module):
-    """Remove registration for a module, so import will do a fresh load."""
+    """Remove registration for a module, so import will do a fresh load.
+
+    Returns the module registries (sys.modules and/or sys.stub_modules) where
+    it was found."""
     if type(module) == types.ModuleType:
 	module = module.__name__
-    for m in [sys.modules, sys.stub_modules]:
+    gotit = []
+    for which in ['sys.modules', 'sys.stub_modules']:
+	m = eval(which)
 	try:
 	    del m[module]
+	    gotit.append(which)
 	except KeyError:
 	    pass
+    if not gotit:
+	raise ValueError, '%s not a module or a stub' % module		# ==X
+    else: return gotit
+def bypass(modNm):
+    """Register MODULE-NAME so module will be skipped, eg in package load."""
+    if sys.modules.has_key(modNm):
+	raise ImportError("'%s' already imported, cannot be bypassed." % modNm)
+    else:
+	sys.modules[modNm] = imp.new_module('bypass()ed module %s' % modNm)
+	commit_mod_containment(modNm)
+	
+
+def normalize_import_ref(name, pkg):
+    """Produce absolute and relative nm and relative pkg given MODNM and origin
+    PACKAGE, reducing out all '__'s in the process."""
+
+    # First reduce out all the '__' container-refs we can:
+    outwards, inwards = 0, []
+    for nm in string.splitfields(name, '.'):
+	if nm == PKG_SHORT_NM:
+	    if inwards:
+		# Pop a containing inwards:
+		del inwards[-1]
+	    else:
+		# (Effectively) leading '__' - notch outwards:
+		outwards = outwards + 1
+	else:
+	    inwards.append(nm)
+    inwards = string.joinfields(inwards, '.')
+
+    # Now identify the components:
+
+    if not outwards:
+	pkg = sys.modules[ROOT_MOD_NM]
+    else:
+	while outwards > 1:
+	    pkg = pkg.__dict__[PKG_NM]	# We'll just loop at top
+	    if pkg == __root__:
+		break							# ==v
+	    outwards = outwards - 1
+
+    if not inwards:			# Entire package:
+	return pkg.__name__, pkg.__name__, pkg				# ==>
+    else:				# Name relative to package:
+	if pkg == __root__:
+	    return inwards, inwards, pkg				# ==>
+	else:
+	    return pkg.__name__ + '.' + inwards, inwards, pkg		# ==>
+
+class ImportStack:
+    """Provide judicious support for mutually recursive import loops.
+
+    Mutually recursive imports, eg a module that imports the package that
+    contains it, which in turn imports the module, are not uncommon, and must
+    be supported judiciously.  This class is used to track cycles, so a module
+    already in the process of being imported (via 'stack.push(module)', and
+    concluded via 'stack.release(module)') is not redundantly pursued; *except*
+    when a module master '__init__.py' loads the module, in which case it is
+    'stack.relax(module)'ed, so the full import is pursued."""
+
+    def __init__(self):
+	self._cycles = {}
+	self._mods = {}
+	self._looped = []
+    def in_process(self, modNm):
+	"""1 if modNm load already in process, 0 otherwise."""
+	return self._cycles.has_key(modNm)				# ==>
+    def looped(self, modNm):
+	"""1 if modNm load has looped once or more, 0 otherwise."""
+	return modNm in self._looped
+    def push(self, modNm):
+	"""1 if modNm already in process and not 'relax'ed, 0 otherwise.
+	(Note that the 'looped' status remains even when the cycle count
+	returns to 1.  This is so error messages can indicate that it was, at
+	some point, looped during the import process.)"""
+	if self.in_process(modNm):
+	    self._looped.append(modNm)
+	    self._cycles[modNm] = self._cycles[modNm] + 1
+	    return 1							# ==>
+	else:
+	    self._cycles[modNm] = 1
+	    return 0							# ==>
+    def mod(self, modNm, mod=None):
+	"""Associate MOD-NAME with MODULE, for easy reference."""
+	if mod:
+	    self._mods[modNm] = mod
+	else:
+	    try:
+		return self._mods[modNm]				# ==>
+	    except KeyError:
+		return None
+    def pop(self, modNm):
+	"""Decrement stack count of MODNM"""
+	if self.in_process(modNm):
+	    amt = self._cycles[modNm] = self._cycles[modNm] - 1
+	    if amt < 1:
+		del self._cycles[modNm]
+		if modNm in self._looped:
+		    self._looped.remove(modNm)
+		if self._mods.has_key(modNm):
+		    del self._mods[modNm]
+    def relax(self, modNm):
+	"""Enable modNm load despite being registered as already in-process."""
+	if self._cycles.has_key(modNm):
+	    del self._cycles[modNm]
 
 def find_module(name, path, absNm=''):
     """Locate module NAME on PATH.  PATH is pathname string or a list of them.
@@ -279,7 +614,7 @@
     source, and compilation is automatically performed when necessary and
     possible.
 
-    Returns a list of the tuples returned by 'find_module_file' (cf), one for
+    Returns a list of the tuples returned by 'find_mod_file()', one for
     each nested level, deepest last."""
 
     checked = []			# For avoiding redundant dir lists.
@@ -302,10 +637,10 @@
 
 	    # Non-nested module name:
 
-	    got = find_module_file(curPath, absNm)
+	    got = find_mod_file(curPath, absNm)
 	    if got:
-		note('using %s' % got[2], 2)
-		return [got]						# ===>
+		note('using %s' % got[2], 3)
+		return [got]						# ==>
 
 	else:
 
@@ -313,7 +648,7 @@
 
 	    gotList = []; nameAccume = expNm[0]
 
-	    got = find_module_file(curPath, nameAccume)
+	    got = find_mod_file(curPath, nameAccume)
 	    if not got:			# Continue to next prospective path.
 		continue						# ==^
 	    else:
@@ -325,33 +660,34 @@
 		# 'ty'pe of containing component must be package:
 		if ty[2] != PY_PACKAGE:
 		    gotList, got = [], None
-		    break						# ==v^
+		    break						# ==v
 		if nameAccume:
 		    nameAccume = nameAccume + '.' + component
 		else:
 		    nameAccume = component
-		got = find_module_file(fullPath, nameAccume)
+		got = find_mod_file(fullPath, nameAccume)
 		if got:
 		    gotList.append(got)
-		    # ** have to return the *full* name here:
 		    nm, file, fullPath, ty = got
 		else:
 		    # Clear state vars:
 		    gotList, got, nameAccume = [], None, ''
-		    break						# ==v^
+		    break						# ==v
 	    # Found nesting all the way to the specified tip:
 	    if got:
-		return gotList						# ===>
+		return gotList						# ==>
 
     # Failed.
     return None
 
-def find_module_file(pathNm, modname):
-    """Find module file given dir PATHNAME and module NAME.
+def find_mod_file(pathNm, modname):
+    """Find right module file given DIR and module NAME, compiling if needed.
 
-    If successful, returns quadruple consisting of a mod name, file object,
-    PATHNAME for the found file, and a description triple as contained in the
-    list returned by get_suffixes.
+    If successful, returns quadruple consisting of:
+     - mod name,
+     - file object,
+     - full pathname for the found file,
+     - a description triple as contained in the list returned by get_suffixes.
 
     Otherwise, returns None.
 
@@ -359,89 +695,115 @@
     source, and compilation is automatically performed, when necessary and
     possible."""
 
-    relNm = string.splitfields(modname,'.')[-1]
-
-    if pathNm[-1] != '/': pathNm = pathNm + '/'
+    relNm = modname[1 + string.rfind(modname, '.'):]
 
     for suff, mode, ty in get_suffixes():
-	note('trying ' + pathNm + relNm + suff + '...', 3)
-	fullPath = pathNm + relNm + suff
+	fullPath = os.path.join(pathNm, relNm + suff)
+	note('trying ' + fullPath + '...', 4)
 	try:
 	    modf = open(fullPath, mode)
 	except IOError:
-	    # ?? Skip unreadable ones.
+	    # ** ?? Skip unreadable ones:
 	    continue							# ==^
 
 	if ty == PY_PACKAGE:
 	    # Enforce directory characteristic:
 	    if not os.path.isdir(fullPath):
-		note('Skipping non-dir match ' + fullPath)
+		note('Skipping non-dir match ' + fullPath, 3)
 		continue						# ==^
 	    else:
-		return (modname, modf, fullPath, (suff, mode, ty))	# ===>
+		return (modname, modf, fullPath, (suff, mode, ty))	# ==>
 	    
 
-	elif ty == PY_SOURCE:
-	    # Try for a compiled version:
-	    note('found source ' + fullPath, 2)
-	    pyc = fullPath + 'c'	# Sadly, we're presuming '.py' suff.
-	    if (not os.path.exists(pyc) or
-		(os.stat(fullPath)[8] > os.stat(pyc)[8])):
-		# Try to compile:
-		pyc = compile_source(fullPath, modf)
-	    if pyc and (os.stat(fullPath)[8] < os.stat(pyc)[8]):
-		# Either pyc was already newer or we just made it so; in either
-		# case it's what we crave:
-		return (modname, open(pyc, 'rb'), pyc,			# ===>
-			('.pyc', 'rb', PY_COMPILED))
-	    # Couldn't get a compiled version - return the source:
-	    return (modname, modf, fullPath, (suff, mode, ty))		# ===>
-
-	elif ty == PY_COMPILED:
-	    # Make sure it is current, trying to compile if necessary, and
-	    # prefer source failing that:
-	    note('found compiled ' + fullPath, 2)
-	    py = fullPath[:-1]		# Sadly again, presuming '.pyc' suff.
-	    if not os.path.exists(py):
-		note('found pyc sans py: ' + fullPath)
-		return (modname, modf, fullPath, (suff, mode, ty))	# ===>
-	    elif (os.stat(py)[8] > os.stat(fullPath)[8]):
-		note('forced to try compiling: ' + py)
-		pyc = compile_source(py, modf)
-		if pyc:
-		    return (modname, modf, fullPath, (suff, mode, ty))	# ===>
-		else:
-		    note('failed compile - must use more recent .py')
-		    return (modname,					# ===>
-			    open(py, 'r'), py, ('.py', 'r', PY_SOURCE))
-	    else:
-		return (modname, modf, fullPath, (suff, mode, ty))	# ===>
+	elif ty in [PY_SOURCE, PY_COMPILED]:
+	    usePath, useTy, openFile = prefer_compiled(fullPath, ty)
+	    return (modname,						# ==>
+		    openFile,
+		    usePath,
+		    get_suffixes(useTy))
 
 	elif ty == C_EXTENSION:
-	    note('found extension ' + fullPath, 2)
-	    return (modname, modf, fullPath, (suff, mode, ty))		# ===>
+	    note('found C_EXTENSION ' + fullPath, 3)
+	    return (modname, modf, fullPath, (suff, mode, ty))		# ==>
 
 	else:
-	    raise SystemError, 'Unanticipated (new?) module type encountered'
+	    raise SystemError, 'Unanticipated module type encountered'	# ==X
 
     return None
 
+def prefer_compiled(path, ty, modf=None):
+    """Given a path to a .py or .pyc file, attempt to return a path to a
+    current pyc file, compiling the .py in the process if necessary.  Returns
+    the path to the most current version we can get."""
 
-def load_module(name, ty, theFile, fromMod=None):
-    """Load module NAME, type TYPE, from file FILE.
+    if ty == PY_SOURCE:
+	if not modf:
+	    try:
+		modf = open(path, 'r')
+	    except IOError:
+		pass
+	note('working from PY_SOURCE', 3)
+	# Try for a compiled version:
+	pyc = path + 'c'	# Sadly, we're presuming '.py' suff.
+	if (not os.path.exists(pyc) or
+	    (os.stat(path)[8] > os.stat(pyc)[8])):
+	    # Try to compile:
+	    pyc = compile_source(path, modf)
+	if pyc and not (os.stat(path)[8] > os.stat(pyc)[8]):
+	    # Either pyc was already newer or we just made it so; in either
+	    # case it's what we crave:
+	    note('but got newer compiled, ' + pyc, 3)
+	    try:
+		return (pyc, PY_COMPILED, open(pyc, 'rb'))		# ==>
+	    except IOError:
+		if modf:
+		    return (path, PY_SOURCE, modf)			# ==>
+		else:
+		    raise ImportError, 'Failed acces to .py and .pyc'	# ==X
+	else:
+	    note("couldn't get newer compiled, using PY_SOURCE", 3)
+	    if modf:
+		return (path, PY_SOURCE, modf)				# ==>
+	    else:
+		raise ImportError, 'Failed acces to .py and .pyc'	# ==X
 
-    Optional arg fromMod indicated the module from which the load is being done
-    - necessary for detecting import of __ from a package's __main__ module.
+    elif ty == PY_COMPILED:
+	note('working from PY_COMPILED', 3)
+	if not modf:
+	    try:
+		modf = open(path, 'rb')
+	    except IOError:
+		return prefer_compiled(path[:-1], PY_SOURCE)
+	# Make sure it is current, trying to compile if necessary, and
+	# prefer source failing that:
+	note('found compiled ' + path, 3)
+	py = path[:-1]			# ** Presuming '.pyc' suffix
+	if not os.path.exists(py):
+	    note('pyc SANS py: ' + path, 3)
+	    return (path, PY_COMPILED, open(py, 'r'))			# ==>
+	elif (os.stat(py)[8] > os.stat(path)[8]):
+	    note('Forced to compile: ' + py, 3)
+	    pyc = compile_source(py, open(py, 'r'))
+	    if pyc:
+		return (pyc, PY_COMPILED, modf)				# ==>
+	    else:
+		note('failed compile - must use more recent .py', 3)
+		return (py, PY_SOURCE, open(py, 'r'))			# ==>
+	else:
+	    return (path, PY_COMPILED, modf)				# ==>
+
+def load_module(theMod, ty, theFile, fromMod):
+    """Load module NAME, of TYPE, from FILE, within MODULE.
+
+    Optional arg fromMod indicates the module from which the load is being done
+    - necessary for detecting import of __ from a package's __init__ module.
 
     Return the populated module object."""
 
     # Note: we mint and register intermediate package directories, as necessary
     
-    # Determine packagepath extension:
-
-    # Establish the module object in question:
-    theMod = procure_module(name)
-    nameTail = string.splitfields(name, '.')[-1]
+    name = theMod.__name__
+    nameTail = name[1 + string.rfind(name, '.'):]
     thePath = theFile.name
 
     if ty == PY_SOURCE:
@@ -450,40 +812,89 @@
     elif ty == PY_COMPILED:
 	pyc = open(theFile.name, 'rb').read()
 	if pyc[0:4] != imp.get_magic():
-	    raise ImportError, 'bad magic number: ' + theFile.name	# ===>
+	    raise ImportError, 'bad magic number: ' + theFile.name	# ==X
 	code = marshal.loads(pyc[8:])
 	exec_into(code, theMod, theFile.name)
 
     elif ty == C_EXTENSION:
+	# Dynamically loaded C_EXTENSION modules do too much import admin,
+	# themselves, which we need to *undo* in order to integrate them with
+	# the new import scheme.
+	# 1 They register themselves in sys.modules, registering themselves
+	#   under their top-level names.  Have to rectify that.
+	# 2 The produce their own module objects, *unless* they find an
+	#   existing module already registered a la 1, above.  We employ this
+	#   quirk to make it use the already generated module.
 	try:
+	    # Stash a ref to any module that is already registered under the
+	    # dyamic module's simple name (nameTail), so we can reestablish it
+	    # after the dynamic takes over its' slot:
+	    protMod = None
+	    if nameTail != name:
+		if sys.modules.has_key(nameTail):
+		    protMod = sys.modules[nameTail]
+	    # Trick the dynamic load, by registering the module we generated
+	    # under the nameTail of the module we're loading, so the one we're
+	    # loading will use that established module, rather than producing a
+	    # new one:
+	    sys.modules[nameTail] = theMod
 	    theMod = imp.load_dynamic(nameTail, thePath, theFile)
+	    theMod.__name__ = name
+	    # Cleanup dynamic mod's bogus self-registration, if necessary:
+	    if nameTail != name:
+		if protMod:
+		    # ... reinstating the one that was already there...
+		    sys.modules[nameTail] = protMod
+		else:
+		    if sys.modules.has_key(nameTail):
+			# Certain, as long os dynamics continue to misbehave.
+			del sys.modules[nameTail]
+	    stack.mod(name, theMod)
+	    if sys.stub_modules.has_key(name):
+		sys.stub_modules[name] = theMod
+	    elif sys.modules.has_key(name):
+		sys.modules[name] = theMod
 	except:
-	    # ?? Ok to embellish the error message?
-	    raise sys.exc_type, ('%s (from %s)' %
-				 (str(sys.exc_value), theFile.name))
-
+	    # Provide import-nesting info, including signs of circularity:
+	    raise sys.exc_type, import_trail_msg(str(sys.exc_value),# ==X
+						 sys.exc_traceback,
+						 name)
     elif ty == PY_PACKAGE:
-	# Load constituents:
-	if (os.path.exists(thePath + '/' + PKG_MAIN_NM) and
-	    # pkg has a __main__, and this import not already from __main__, so
-	    # __main__ can 'import __', or even better, 'from __ import *'
-	    ((theMod.__name__ != PKG_MAIN_NM) and (fromMod.__ == theMod))):
-	    exec_into(thePath + '/' + PKG_MAIN_NM, theMod, theFile.name)
+	# Load package constituents, doing the controlling module *if* it
+	# exists *and* it isn't already in process:
+
+	init_mod_f = init_mod = None
+	if not stack.in_process(name + '.' + INIT_MOD_NM):
+	    # Not already doing __init__ - check for it:
+	    init_mod_f = find_mod_file(thePath, INIT_MOD_NM)
 	else:
-	    # ... or else recursively load constituent modules.
-	    prospects = mod_prospects(thePath)
-	    for item in prospects:
-		theMod.__dict__[item] = import_module(item,
-						      theMod.__dict__,
-						      theMod.__dict__,
-						      None,
-						      theMod)
-		
+	    note('skipping already-in-process %s.%s' % (theMod.__name__,
+							INIT_MOD_NM))
+	got = {}
+	if init_mod_f:
+	    note("Found package's __init__: " + init_mod_f[2])
+	    # Enable full continuance of containing-package-load from __init__:
+	    if stack.in_process(theMod.__name__):
+		stack.relax(theMod.__name__)
+	    init_mod = import_module(INIT_MOD_NM,
+				     theMod.__dict__, theMod.__dict__,
+				     None,
+				     theMod)
+	else:
+	    # ... or else recursively load all constituent modules, except
+	    # __init__:
+	    for prospect in mod_prospects(thePath):
+		if prospect != INIT_MOD_NM:
+		    import_module(prospect,
+				  theMod.__dict__, theMod.__dict__,
+				  None,
+				  theMod)
+
     else:
-	raise ImportError, 'Unimplemented import type: %s' % ty		# ===>
-	
+	raise ImportError, 'Unimplemented import type: %s' % ty		# ==X
+
     return theMod
-    
+
 def exec_into(obj, module, path):
     """Helper for load_module, execfile/exec path or code OBJ within MODULE."""
 
@@ -497,17 +908,18 @@
 	elif type(obj) in [types.CodeType, types.StringType]:
 	    exec obj in module.__dict__, module.__dict__
     except:
-	# ?? Ok to embellish the error message?
-	raise sys.exc_type, ('%s (from %s)' %
-			     (str(sys.exc_value), path))
+	    # Make the error message nicer?
+	    raise sys.exc_type, import_trail_msg(str(sys.exc_value),	# ==X
+						 sys.exc_traceback,
+						 module.__name__)
 	
 
 def mod_prospects(path):
     """Return a list of prospective modules within directory PATH.
 
     We actually return the distinct names resulting from stripping the dir
-    entries (excluding '.' and '..') of their suffixes (as represented by
-    'get_suffixes').
+    entries (excluding os.curdir and os.pardir) of their suffixes (as
+    represented by 'get_suffixes').
 
     (Note that matches for the PY_PACKAGE type with null suffix are
     implicitly constrained to be directories.)"""
@@ -516,12 +928,13 @@
     # mates with 'module.so' rather than '.so'.
 
     dirList = os.listdir(path)
-    excludes = ['.', '..']
+    excludes = [os.curdir, os.pardir]
     sortedSuffs = sorted_suffixes()
     entries = []
     for item in dirList:
 	if item in excludes: continue					# ==^
 	for suff in sortedSuffs:
+	    # *** ?? maybe platform-specific:
 	    sub = -1 * len(suff)
 	    if sub == 0:
 		if os.path.isdir(os.path.join(path, item)):
@@ -530,7 +943,7 @@
 		it = item[:sub]
 		if not it in entries:
 		    entries.append(it)
-		break							# ==v^
+		break							# ==v
     return entries
 		
 
@@ -541,40 +954,63 @@
     First checks sys.modules, then sys.stub_modules."""
 
     if sys.modules.has_key(name):
-	it = sys.modules[name]
+	return sys.modules[name]					# ==>
     elif sys.stub_modules.has_key(name):
-	it = sys.stub_modules[name]
+	return sys.stub_modules[name]					# ==>
     else:
-	it = new.module(name)
-    return it								# ===>
+	return (stack.mod(name) or imp.new_module(name))		# ==>
 
-def register_module_nesting(modList, pkg):
-    """Given a find_module()-style NESTING and a parent PACKAGE, register
-    components as stub modules."""
-    container = None
-    for stubModNm, stubModF, stubPath, stubTy in modList:
-	relStubNm = string.splitfields(stubModNm, '.')[-1]
-	if sys.modules.has_key(stubModNm):
-	    # Nestle in containing package:
-	    stubMod = sys.modules[stubModNm]
-	    pkg.__dict__[relStubNm] = stubMod
-	    pkg = stubMod	# will be parent for next in sequence.
-	elif sys.stub_modules.has_key(stubModNm):
-	    stubMod = sys.stub_modules[stubModNm]
-	    pkg.__dict__[relStubNm] = stubMod
-	    pkg = stubMod
+def commit_mod_containment(name):
+    """Bind a module object and its containers within their respective
+    containers."""
+    cume, pkg = '', find_mod_registration(ROOT_MOD_NM)
+    for next in string.splitfields(name, '.'):
+	if cume:
+	    cume = cume + '.' + next
 	else:
-	    stubMod = procure_module(stubModNm)
-	    # Register as a stub:
-	    register_module(stubMod, stubModNm, stubPath, pkg, 1)
-	    pkg.__dict__[relStubNm] = stubMod
-	    pkg = stubMod
-	if not container:
-	    container = stubMod
-    return container
+	    cume = next
+	cumeMod = find_mod_registration(cume)
+	pkg.__dict__[next] = cumeMod
+	pkg = cumeMod
 
-def register_module(theMod, name, path, package, stub=0):
-    """Properly register MODULE, w/ name, path, package, opt, as stub."""
+def register_mod_nesting(modList, pkg):
+    """Given find_module()-style NEST-LIST and parent PACKAGE, register new
+    package components as stub modules, and return list of nested
+    module/relative-name pairs.
+
+    Note that the modules objects are not situated in their containing packages
+    here - that is left 'til after a successful load, and done by
+    commit_mod_nesting()."""
+    nesting = []
+
+    for modNm, modF, path, ty in modList:
+
+	relNm = modNm[1 + string.rfind(modNm, '.'):]
+
+	if sys.modules.has_key(modNm):
+	    theMod = sys.modules[modNm]	# Nestle in containing package
+	    pkg = theMod		# Set as parent for next in sequence.
+	elif sys.stub_modules.has_key(modNm):
+	    # Similar to above...
+	    theMod = sys.stub_modules[modNm]
+	    pkg = theMod
+	else:
+	    theMod = procure_module(modNm)
+	    stack.mod(modNm, theMod)
+	    # *** ??? Should we be using 'path' instead of modF.name?  If not,
+	    # should we get rid of the 'path' return val?
+	    set_mod_attrs(theMod, normalize_pathname(modF.name),
+			  pkg, None, ty[2])
+	    if ty[2] == PY_PACKAGE:
+		# Register as a stub:
+		register_module(theMod, modNm, 1)
+	    pkg = theMod
+	nesting.append((theMod.__name__,relNm))
+
+    return nesting
+
+def register_module(theMod, name, stub=0):
+    """Properly register MODULE, NAME, and optional STUB qualification."""
     
     if stub:
 	sys.stub_modules[name] = theMod
@@ -582,9 +1018,95 @@
 	sys.modules[name] = theMod
 	if sys.stub_modules.has_key(name):
 	    del sys.stub_modules[name]
-    theMod.__ = theMod.__dict__[PKG_NM] = package
-    theMod.__dict__[PKG_PATH] = path
 
+def find_mod_registration(name):
+    """Find module named NAME sys.modules, .stub_modules, or on the stack."""
+    if sys.stub_modules.has_key(name):
+	return sys.stub_modules[name]					# ==>
+    elif sys.modules.has_key(name):
+	return sys.modules[name]					# ==>
+    else:
+	if stack.in_process(name):
+	    it = stack.mod(name)
+	    if it:
+		return it						# ==>
+	    else:
+		raise ValueError, '%s %s in %s or %s' % (name,		# ==X
+							 'not registered',
+							 'sys.modules',
+							 'sys.stub_modules')
+
+def get_mod_attrs(theMod, which = None):
+    """Get MODULE object's path, containing-package, and designated path.
+
+    Virtual attribute USE_PATH is derived from PKG_PATH, MOD_PATHNAME,
+    and/or sys.path, depending on the module type and settings."""
+    it = theMod.__dict__[IMP_ADMIN]
+    if which:
+	# Load path is either the explicitly designated load path for the
+	# package, or else the directory in which it resides:
+	if which == USE_PATH:
+	    if it[PKG_PATH]:
+		# Return explicitly designated path:
+		return it[PKG_PATH]					# ==>
+	    if it[MOD_PATHNAME]: 
+		if it[MOD_TYPE] == PY_PACKAGE:
+		    # Return the package's directory path:
+		    return [it[MOD_PATHNAME]]				# ==>
+		else:
+		    # Return the directory where the module resides:
+		    return [os.path.split(it[MOD_PATHNAME])[0]]		# ==>
+	    # No explicitly designated path - use sys.path, eg for system
+	    # modules, etc:
+	    return sys.path
+	return it[which]						# ==>
+    else:
+	return it							# ==>
+
+def set_mod_attrs(theMod, path, pkg, pkgPath, ty):
+    """Register MOD import attrs PATH, PKG container, and PKGPATH, linking
+    the package container into the module along the way."""
+    theDict = theMod.__dict__
+    try:
+	# Get existing one, if any:
+	it = theDict[IMP_ADMIN]
+    except KeyError:
+	# None existing, gen a new one:
+	it = [None] * 4
+    for fld, val in ((MOD_PATHNAME, path), (MOD_PACKAGE, pkg),
+		     (PKG_PATH, pkgPath), (MOD_TYPE, ty)):
+	if val:
+	    it[fld] = val
+
+    theDict[IMP_ADMIN] = it
+    if pkg:
+	theDict[PKG_NM] = theDict[PKG_SHORT_NM] = pkg
+    return it								# ==>
+
+def format_tb_msg(tb, recursive):
+    """This should be in traceback.py, and traceback.print_tb() should use it
+    and traceback.extract_tb(), instead of print_tb() and extract_tb() having
+    so much redundant code!"""
+    tb_lines, formed = traceback.extract_tb(tb), ''
+    for line in tb_lines:
+	f, lno, nm, ln = line
+	if f[-1 * (len(__name__) + 3):] == __name__ + '.py':
+	    # Skip newimp notices - agregious hack, justified only by the fact
+	    # that this functionality will be properly doable in new impending
+	    # exception mechanism:
+	    continue
+	formed = formed + ('\n%s File "%s", line %d, in %s%s' %
+			   (((recursive and '*') or ' '),
+			    f, lno, nm,
+			    ((ln and '\n    ' + string.strip(ln)) or '')))
+    return formed
+
+def import_trail_msg(msg, tb, modNm):
+    """Doctor an error message to include the path of the current import, and
+    a sign that it is a circular import, if so."""
+    return (msg +
+	    format_tb_msg(tb,
+			  (stack.looped(modNm) and stack.in_process(modNm))))
 
 def compile_source(sourcePath, sourceFile):
     """Given python code source path and file obj, Create a compiled version.
@@ -601,19 +1123,21 @@
     try:
 	compiledFile = open(compiledPath, 'wb')
     except IOError:
-	note("write permission denied to " + compiledPath)
+	note("write permission denied to " + compiledPath, 3)
 	return None
     mtime = os.stat(sourcePath)[8]
-    sourceFile.seek(0)			# rewind
+
     try:
 	compiled = compile(sourceFile.read(), sourcePath, 'exec')
     except SyntaxError:
-	# Doctor the exception a bit, to include the source file name in the
-	# report, and then reraise the doctored version.
-	os.unlink(compiledFile.name)
-	sys.exc_value = ((sys.exc_value[0] + ' in ' + sourceFile.name,)
-			 + sys.exc_value[1:])
-	raise sys.exc_type, sys.exc_value
+	    # Doctor the exception a bit, to include the source file name in
+	    # the report, and then reraise the doctored version.
+	    os.unlink(compiledFile.name)
+	    sys.exc_value = ((sys.exc_value[0] + ' in ' + sourceFile.name,)
+			     + sys.exc_value[1:])
+	    raise sys.exc_type, sys.exc_value				# ==X
+
+    # Ok, we have a valid compilation.
     try:
 	compiledFile.write(imp.get_magic())		# compiled magic number
 	compiledFile.seek(8, 0)				# mtime space holder
@@ -624,41 +1148,12 @@
 	compiledFile.close()
 	return compiledPath
     except IOError:
-	return None							# ===>
+	return None							# ==>
 
 
-def PathExtension(locals, globals):	# Probably obsolete.
-    """Determine import search path extension vis-a-vis __pkgpath__ entries.
-
-    local dict __pkgpath__ will preceed global dict __pkgpath__."""
-
-    pathadd = []
-    if globals and globals.has_key(PKG_PATH):
-	pathadd = PrependPath(pathadd, globals[PKG_PATH], 'global')
-    if locals and locals.has_key(PKG_PATH):
-	pathadd = PrependPath(pathadd, locals[PKG_PATH], 'local')
-    if pathadd:
-	note(PKG_PATH + ' extension: ' + pathadd)
-    return pathadd
-
-def PrependPath(path, pre, whence):	# Probably obsolete
-    """Return copy of PATH list with string or list-of-strings PRE prepended.
-
-    If PRE is neither a string nor list-of-strings, print warning that
-    locality WHENCE has malformed value."""
-
-    # (There is probably a better way to handle malformed PREs, but raising an
-    # error seems too severe - in that case, a bad setting for
-    # sys.__pkgpath__ would prevent any imports!)
-
-    if type(pre) == types.StringType: return [pre] + path[:]		# ===>
-    elif type(pre) == types.ListType: return pre + path[:]		# ===>
-    else:
-	print "**Ignoring '%s' bad %s value**" % (whence, PKG_PATH)
-	return path							# ===>
-
 got_suffixes = None
-def get_suffixes():
+got_suffixes_dict = {}
+def get_suffixes(ty=None):
     """Produce a list of triples, each describing a type of import file.
 
     Triples have the form '(SUFFIX, MODE, TYPE)', where:
@@ -680,15 +1175,15 @@
     # Note: sorted_suffixes() depends on this function's value being invariant.
     # sorted_suffixes() must be revised if this becomes untrue.
     
-    global got_suffixes
+    global got_suffixes, got_suffixes_dict
 
-    if got_suffixes:
-	return got_suffixes
-    else:
+    if not got_suffixes:
 	# Ensure that the .pyc suffix precedes the .py:
 	got_suffixes = [('', 'r', PY_PACKAGE)]
+	got_suffixes_dict[PY_PACKAGE] = ('', 'r', PY_PACKAGE)
 	py = pyc = None
 	for suff in imp.get_suffixes():
+	    got_suffixes_dict[suff[2]] = suff
 	    if suff[0] == '.py':
 		py = suff
 	    elif suff[0] == '.pyc':
@@ -697,7 +1192,10 @@
 		got_suffixes.append(suff)
 	got_suffixes.append(pyc)
 	got_suffixes.append(py)
-	return got_suffixes
+    if ty:
+	return got_suffixes_dict[ty]					# ==>
+    else:
+	return got_suffixes						# ==>
 		
 
 sortedSuffs = []			# State vars for sorted_suffixes().  Go
@@ -719,6 +1217,45 @@
     return sortedSuffs
 
 
+def normalize_pathname(path):
+    """Given PATHNAME, return an absolute pathname relative to cwd, reducing
+    unnecessary components where convenient (eg, on Unix)."""
+
+    # We do a lot more when we have posix-style paths, eg os.sep == '/'.
+
+    if os.sep != '/':
+	return os.path.join(os.getcwd(), path)				# ==>
+
+    outwards, inwards = 0, []
+    for nm in string.splitfields(path, os.sep):
+	if nm != os.curdir:
+	    if nm == os.pardir:
+		# Translate parent-dir entries to outward notches:
+		if inwards:
+		    # Pop a containing inwards:
+		    del inwards[-1]
+		else:
+		    # Register leading outward notches:
+		    outwards = outwards + 1
+	    else:
+		inwards.append(nm)
+    inwards = string.joinfields(inwards, os.sep)
+
+    if (not inwards) or (inwards[0] != os.sep):
+	# Relative path - join with current working directory, (ascending
+	# outwards to account for leading parent-dir components):
+	cwd = os.getcwd()
+	if outwards:
+	    cwd = string.splitfields(cwd, os.sep)
+	    cwd = string.joinfields(cwd[:len(cwd) - outwards], os.sep)
+	if inwards:
+	    return os.path.join(cwd, inwards)				# ==>
+	else:
+	    return cwd							# ==>
+    else:
+	return inwards							# ==>
+
+
 # exterior(): Utility routine, obtain local and global dicts of environment
 #	      containing/outside the callers environment, ie that of the
 #	      caller's caller.  Routines can use exterior() to determine the
@@ -742,7 +1279,7 @@
 #########################################################################
 #			      TESTING FACILITIES			#
 
-def note(msg, threshold=1):
+def note(msg, threshold=2):
     if VERBOSE >= threshold: sys.stderr.write('(import: ' + msg + ')\n')
 
 class TestDirHier:
@@ -784,16 +1321,17 @@
 		self.createDir(name)
 		self.add(val, name)
 	    else:
-		raise ValueError, 'invalid file-value type, %s' % type(val)
+		raise ValueError, ('invalid file-value type, %s' %	# ==X
+				   type(val))
     def remove(self, name=''):
 	"""Dispose of the NAME (or keys in dictionary), using 'rm -r'."""
 	name = os.path.join(self.root, name)
 	sys.exc_traceback = None	# Ensure Discard of try/except obj ref
 	if os.path.exists(name):
-	    print '(TestDirHier: deleting %s)' % name
+	    print '(TestDirHier: eradicating %s)' % name
 	    os.system('rm -r ' + name)
 	else:
-	    raise IOError, "can't remove non-existent " + name
+	    raise IOError, "can't remove non-existent " + name		# ==X
     def createFile(self, name, contents=None):
 	"""Establish file NAME with CONTENTS.
 
@@ -820,9 +1358,10 @@
     else:
 	print ''
     for stmt in execList:
+	if VERBOSE: print "\t%s" % `stmt`
 	exec stmt in locals, globals
 
-def test(number=0):
+def test(number=0, leaveHiers=0):
     """Exercise import functionality, creating a transient dir hierarchy for
     the purpose.
 
@@ -835,17 +1374,6 @@
     skipToTest = number
     hier = None
 
-    def confPkgVars(mod, locals, globals):
-	if not sys.modules.has_key(mod):
-	    print 'import test: missing module "%s"' % mod
-	else:
-	    modMod = sys.modules[mod]
-	    if not modMod.__dict__.has_key(PKG_SHORT_NM):
-		print ('import test: module "%s" missing %s pkg shorthand' %
-		       (mod, PKG_SHORT_NM))
-	    if not modMod.__dict__.has_key(PKG_PATH):
-		print ('import test: module "%s" missing %s package path' %
-		       (mod, PKG_PATH))
     def unloadFull(mod):
 	"""Unload module and offspring submodules, if any."""
 	modMod = ''
@@ -857,10 +1385,6 @@
 	    if subj[0:len(modNm)] == modNm:
 		unload(subj)
 
-    # First, get the globals and locals to pass to our testExec():
-    exec 'import ' + __name__
-    globals, locals = eval(__name__ + '.__dict__'), vars()
-
     try:
 	__main__.testMods
     except AttributeError:
@@ -878,7 +1402,7 @@
     try:
 	hiers = []; modules = []
 	global VERBOSE
-	wasVerbose, VERBOSE = VERBOSE, 2
+	wasVerbose, VERBOSE = VERBOSE, 1
 	__builtin__.__import__ = import_module	# Install new version
 
 	if testMods:		# Clear out imports from previous tests
@@ -886,17 +1410,23 @@
 		unloadFull(m)
 		testMods.remove(m)
 
+	# ------
+	# Test 1
 	testExec("already imported module: %s" % sys.modules.keys()[0],
 		 ['import ' + sys.modules.keys()[0]],
-		 locals, globals)
-	try:
-	    no_sirree = 'no_sirree_does_not_exist'
-	    testExec("non-existent module: %s" % no_sirree,
-		     ['import ' + no_sirree],
-		     locals, globals)
-	except ImportError:
-	    testExec("ok", ['pass'], locals, globals)
+		 vars(), newimp_globals)
+	no_sirree = 'no_sirree_does_not_exist'
+	# ------
+	# Test 2
+	testExec("non-existent module: %s" % no_sirree,
+		 ['try: import ' + no_sirree +
+		  '\nexcept ImportError: pass'],
+		  vars(), newimp_globals)
 	got = None
+
+	# ------
+	# Test 3
+	# Find a module that's not yet loaded, from a list of prospects:
 	for mod in ['Complex', 'UserDict', 'UserList', 'calendar',
 		    'cmd', 'dis', 'mailbox', 'profile', 'random', 'rfc822']:
 	    if not (mod in sys.modules.keys()):
@@ -905,33 +1435,40 @@
 	if got:
 	    testExec("not-yet loaded module: %s" % mod,
 		     ['import ' + mod, 'modules.append(got)'],
-		     locals, globals)
+		     vars(), newimp_globals)
 	else:
-	    print "Import Test: couldn't find unimported module from list"
+	    testExec("not-yet loaded module: list exhausted, never mind",
+		     [], vars(), newimp_globals)
 
 	# Now some package stuff.
-	
+
+	# ------
+	# Test 4
 	# First change the path to include our temp dir, copying so the
 	# addition can be revoked on cleanup in the finally, below:
 	sys.path = ['/var/tmp'] + sys.path[:]
 	# Now create a trivial package:
 	stmts = ["hier1 = TestDirHier({'a.py': 'print \"a.py executing\"'})",
 		 "hiers.append(hier1)",
-		 "root = hier1.PKG_NM",
-		 "exec 'import ' + root",
-		 "testMods.append(root)",
-		 "confPkgVars(sys.modules[root].__name__, locals, globals)",
-		 "confPkgVars(sys.modules[root].__name__+'.a',locals,globals)"]
+		 "base = hier1.PKG_NM",
+		 "exec 'import ' + base",
+		 "testMods.append(base)"]
 	testExec("trivial package, with one module, a.py",
-		 stmts, locals, globals)
+		 stmts, vars(), newimp_globals)
+
+	# ------
+	# Test 5
 	# Slightly less trivial package - reference to '__':
 	stmts = [("hier2 = TestDirHier({'ref.py': 'print \"Pkg __:\", __'})"),
-		 "root = hier2.PKG_NM",
+		 "base = hier2.PKG_NM",
 		 "hiers.append(hier2)",
-		 "exec 'import ' + root",
-		 "testMods.append(root)"]
+		 "exec 'import ' + base",
+		 "testMods.append(base)"]
 	testExec("trivial package, with module that has pkg shorthand ref",
-		 stmts, locals, globals)
+		 stmts, vars(), newimp_globals)
+
+	# ------
+	# Test 6
 	# Nested package, plus '__' references:
 
 	complexTemplate = {'ref.py': 'print "ref.py loading..."',
@@ -946,41 +1483,89 @@
 		   '	    subsuite/',
 		   '		sub1.py		"sub1.py" ')),
 		 "hier3 = TestDirHier(complexTemplate)",
-		 "root = hier3.PKG_NM",
+		 "base = hier3.PKG_NM",
 		 "hiers.append(hier3)",
-		 "exec 'import ' + root",
-		 "testMods.append(root)"]
+		 "exec 'import ' + base",
+		 "testMods.append(base)"]
 	testExec("Significantly nestled package:",
-		 stmts, locals, globals)
+		 stmts, vars(), newimp_globals)
 
-	# Now try to do an embedded sibling import, using '__' shorthand -
-	# alter our complexTemplate for a new dirHier:
-	complexTemplate['suite']['s1.py'] = 'import __.subsuite'
-	stmts = ["hier4 = TestDirHier(complexTemplate)",
-		 "root = hier4.PKG_NM",
-		 "testMods.append(root)",
-		 "hiers.append(hier4)",
-		 "exec 'import %s.suite.s1' % root",
-		 "testMods.append(root)"]
-	testExec("Similar structure, but suite/s1.py imports '__.subsuite'",
-		 stmts, locals, globals)
+	# ------
+	# Test 7
+	# Try an elaborate hierarchy which includes an __init__ master in one
+	# one portion, a ref across packages within the hierarchies, and an
+	# indirect recursive import which cannot be satisfied (and hence,
+	# prevents load of part of the hierarchy).
+	complexTemplate = {'mid':
+			   {'prime':
+			    {'__init__.py': 'import __.easy, __.nother',
+			     'easy.py': 'print "easy.py:", __name__',
+			     'nother.py': ('%s\n%s\n%s\n' %
+					   ('import __.easy',
+					    'print "nother got __.easy"',
+					    # __.__.awry should be found but
+					    # should not load successfully,
+					    # disrupting nother, but not easy
+					    'import __.__.awry'))},
+			    # continuing dict 'mid':
+			    'awry':
+			    {'__init__.py':
+			     ('%s\n%s' %
+			      ('print "got " + __name__',
+			       'from __ import *')),
+			     # This mutual recursion (b->a, a->d->b) should be
+			     # ok, since a.py sets ax before recursing.
+			     'a.py':	'ax = 1; from __.b import bx',
+			     'b.py':	'bx = 1; from __.a import ax'}}}
+	stmts = ["hier5 = TestDirHier(complexTemplate)",
+		 "base = hier5.PKG_NM",
+		 "testMods.append(base)",
+		 "hiers.append(hier5)",
+		 "exec 'import %s.mid.prime' % base",
+		 "print eval(base)",		# Verify the base was bound
+		 "testMods.append(base)"]
+	testExec("Elaborate, clean hierarchy",
+		 stmts, vars(), newimp_globals)
+
+	# ------
+	# test 8
+	# Here we disrupt the mutual recursion in the mid.awry package, so the
+	# import should now fail.
+	complexTemplate['mid']['awry']['a.py'] = 'from __.b import bx; ax = 1'
+	complexTemplate['mid']['awry']['b.py'] = 'from __.a import ax; bx = 1'
+	stmts = ["hier6 = TestDirHier(complexTemplate)",
+		 "base = hier6.PKG_NM",
+		 "testMods.append(base)",
+		 "hiers.append(hier6)",
+		 "work = ('import %s.mid.prime' % base)",
+		 ("try: exec work" +
+		  "\nexcept ImportError: print ' -- import failed, as ought'" +
+		  "\nelse: raise SystemError, sys.exc_value"),
+		 "testMods.append(base)"]
+	testExec("Elaborate hier w/ deliberately flawed import recursion",
+		 stmts, vars(), newimp_globals)
 
 	sys.exc_traceback = None	# Signify clean conclusion.
 
     finally:
-	if sys.exc_traceback:
-	    print ' ** Import test FAILURE... cleanup.'
-	else:
-	    print ' Import test SUCCESS... cleanup'
-	VERBOSE = wasVerbose
 	skipToTest = 0
 	atTest = 1
 	sys.path = wasPath
-	for h in hiers: h.remove(); del h	# Dispose of test directories
-	if wasImport:				# Resurrect prior routine
+	VERBOSE = wasVerbose
+	if wasImport:			# Resurrect prior routine
 	    __builtin__.__import__ = wasImport
 	else:
 	    del __builtin__.__import__
+	if leaveHiers:
+	    print 'Cleanup inhibited'
+	else:
+	    if sys.exc_traceback:
+		print ' ** Import test FAILURE... cleanup.'
+	    else:
+		print ' Import test SUCCESS... cleanup'
+	    for h in hiers: h.remove(); del h	# Dispose of test directories
+
+init()
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-	test()
+    test()