[Spread-cvs] commit: r350 - trunk/stdutil/src

[jschultz at spread.org]

Author: jschultz
Date: 2006-04-19 13:55:21 -0400 (Wed, 19 Apr 2006)
New Revision: 350

Modified:
   trunk/stdutil/src/stdskl.c
Log:
Change skiplist to use 25% promotion probability rather than 50%.



Modified: trunk/stdutil/src/stdskl.c
===================================================================
--- trunk/stdutil/src/stdskl.c	2006-03-17 22:34:03 UTC (rev 349)
+++ trunk/stdutil/src/stdskl.c	2006-04-19 17:55:21 UTC (rev 350)
@@ -1,1182 +1,1181 @@
-/* Copyright (c) 2000-2005, The Johns Hopkins University
- * All rights reserved.
- *
- * The contents of this file are subject to a license (the ``License'')
- * that is the exact equivalent of the BSD license as of July 23, 1999. 
- * You may not use this file except in compliance with the License. The
- * specific language governing the rights and limitations of the License
- * can be found in the file ``STDUTIL_LICENSE'' found in this 
- * distribution.
- *
- * Software distributed under the License is distributed on an AS IS 
- * basis, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. 
- *
- * The Original Software is:
- *     The Stdutil Library
- * 
- * Contributors:
- *     Creator - John Lane Schultz (jschultz at cnds.jhu.edu)
- *     The Center for Networking and Distributed Systems
- *         (CNDS - http://www.cnds.jhu.edu)
- */ 
-
-#include <stdlib.h>
-#include <string.h>
-
-#include <stdutil/stdutil.h>
-#include <stdutil/stderror.h>
-#include <stdutil/stdtime.h>
-#include <stdutil/stdskl.h>
-
-/* TODO: consider shrinking end_node's arrays when the top level
-   becomes empty (down to some minimum height like 4 or 5); this is
-   easy to detect: if the node being removed has the same height as
-   the end_node and his top level prev and next are the end node then
-   the level is about to become empty; alternatively after removal you
-   can just check the top levels for self reference; also might not
-   want to make end_node taller than the tallest node on insert --
-   don't know how big an effect on find this will have as find as it
-   will simply run down end_node's nexts array while next equals
-   end_node not doing any real work
-*/
-
-#define STDSKL_MAX_HEIGHT 31
-
-#define STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l)       ((l)->end_node != NULL && (l)->ksize != 0 && (l)->bits_left >= 0 && (l)->bits_left < 32)
-#define STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, i) ((i)->ksize == (l)->ksize && (i)->vsize == (l)->vsize)
-#define STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(i)    (((i)->type_id == STDSKL_IT_ID || (i)->type_id == STDSKL_IT_KEY_ID) && \
-				  (i)->impl.skl.node != NULL && (i)->impl.skl.ksize != 0)
-
-#define STDSKL_NKEY(node) ((node)->key)
-#define STDSKL_NVAL(node) ((node)->val)
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_low_key_cmp:  Compares 2 keys, uses memcmp if no comparison fcn defined.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE static int stdskl_low_key_cmp(const stdskl *l, const void *k1, const void *k2)
-{
-  return (l->cmp_fcn == NULL ? memcmp(k1, k2, l->ksize) : l->cmp_fcn(k1, k2));
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_low_create_node: Create a node to be inserted into 'l.'
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE static stdskl_node *stdskl_low_create_node(stdskl *l, stdint8 height, const void *key, const void *val)
-{
-  stdskl_node * node;
-  stdsize       mem_tot;
-  stdsize       prevs_off;
-  stdsize       nexts_off;
-  stdsize       key_off;
-  stdsize       val_off;
-
-  if (height == -1) {                                             /* height generation requested */
-    stdbool keep_going = STDTRUE;
-
-    for (; keep_going && height < STDSKL_MAX_HEIGHT; ++height) {  /* count how many random "on" bits we get in a row */
-
-      if (l->bits_left == 0) {                                    /* out of random bits */
-	l->rand_bits = stdrand32(l->seed);                        /* generate 32 new ones */
-	l->bits_left = 32;
-      }
-
-      keep_going = ((l->rand_bits & 0x1) == 0x1);                 /* break loop on a "off" bit */
-
-      --l->bits_left;                                             /* remove used bit */
-      l->rand_bits >>= 1;
-    }
-  }
-
-  /* calculate memory needed for node and pointer arrays and the offsets for the pointers in the node */
-
-  mem_tot   = sizeof(stdskl_node);                  /* memory for node structure */
-  prevs_off = mem_tot;                              /* structure is already aligned for void*'s -> good enough alignment */
-
-  mem_tot  += (height + 1) * sizeof(stdskl_node*);  /* memory for prevs array */
-  nexts_off = mem_tot;                              /* structure is already aligned for void*'s -> good enough alignment */
-
-  mem_tot  += (height + 1) * sizeof(stdskl_node*);  /* memory for nexts array */
-  mem_tot   = STDARCH_PADDED_SIZE(mem_tot);         /* pad memory for key */
-  key_off   = mem_tot;
-
-  /* TODO: might only pad the key size if vsize != 0 */
-
-  mem_tot  += STDARCH_PADDED_SIZE(l->ksize);        /* memory for key and padding for value */
-  val_off   = mem_tot;
-
-  mem_tot  += l->vsize;                             /* memory for value */
-
-  /* allocate the node and extra memory */
-  
-  if ((node = (stdskl_node*) malloc(mem_tot)) == NULL) {
-    goto stdskl_low_create_node_end;
-  }
-
-  /* init node: set height, point pointers to appropriate offsets in allocated memory block */
-
-  node->height = height;
-  node->prevs  = (stdskl_node**) ((char*) node + prevs_off);
-  node->nexts  = (stdskl_node**) ((char*) node + nexts_off);
-  node->key    = (char*) node + key_off;
-  node->val    = (char*) node + val_off;
-
-  /* copy key + value if given */
-
-  if (key != NULL) {
-    memcpy((void*) STDSKL_NKEY(node), key, l->ksize);
-    memcpy(STDSKL_NVAL(node), val, l->vsize);
-  }
-
- stdskl_low_create_node_end:
-  return node;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_low_find_right: Search 'l' for 'key' from left to right. 
- * 
- * If (find_any) immediately return on any match. Otherwise if 'key'
- * exists in 'l' return the "leftmost" (least) match if multiple
- * matches exist.  On no match, returns the "leftmost" (least) entry
- * in 'l' with a greater key, or end if no such entry exists.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE static stdbool stdskl_low_find_right(const stdskl *l, const void *key, 
-					       stdbool find_any, stdskl_node **pos)
-{
-  const stdskl_node * next = NULL;
-  const stdskl_node * curr = l->end_node;
-  stdint8             lvl  = l->end_node->height;
-  int                 cmp  = -1;  /* get rid of compiler warning */
-
-  /* run down to bottom level list */
-
-  while (lvl > 0) {
-    next = curr->nexts[lvl];
-
-    /* run right at this level while key is greater than next's key */
-
-    while (next != l->end_node && 
-	   (cmp = stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(next))) > 0) {
-      curr = next;
-      next = next->nexts[lvl];
-    }
-
-    /* if we found a match and any match will do */
-
-    if (find_any && next != l->end_node && cmp == 0) {
-      *pos = (stdskl_node*) next;
-      return STDTRUE;
-    }
-
-    /* run down curr's levels while they equal next */
-
-    for (--lvl; lvl > 0 && curr->nexts[lvl] == next; --lvl);
-  }
-
-  /* lvl is zero: run right on bottom level list trying to match key */
-
-  curr = curr->nexts[0];
-
-  if (curr != next) {
-
-    while (curr != l->end_node &&
-	   (cmp = stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(curr))) > 0) {
-      curr = curr->nexts[0];
-    }
-  }  /* else we already compared key to curr above */
-
-  *pos = (stdskl_node*) curr;
-
-  return (curr != l->end_node && cmp == 0);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_low_find_left: Search 'l' for 'key' from right to left.
- * 
- * If (find_any) immediately return on any match. Otherwise if 'key'
- * exists in 'l' return the "rightmost" (greatest) match if multiple
- * matches exist.  On no match, returns the "rightmost" (greatest)
- * entry in 'l' with a lesser key, or end if no such entry exists.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE static stdbool stdskl_low_find_left(const stdskl *l, const void *key, 
-					      stdbool find_any, stdskl_node **pos)
-{
-  const stdskl_node * prev = NULL;
-  const stdskl_node * curr = l->end_node;
-  stdint8             lvl  = l->end_node->height;
-  int                 cmp  = -1;  /* get rid of compiler warning */
-
-  /* run down to bottom level list */
-
-  while (lvl > 0) {
-    prev = curr->prevs[lvl];
-
-    /* run left at this level while key is less than prev's key */
-
-    while (prev != l->end_node && 
-	   (cmp = stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(prev))) < 0) {
-      curr = prev;
-      prev = prev->prevs[lvl];
-    }
-
-    /* if we found a match and any match will do */
-
-    if (find_any && prev != l->end_node && cmp == 0) {
-      *pos = (stdskl_node*) prev;
-      return STDTRUE;
-    }
-
-    /* run down curr's prevs levels while they equal prev */
-
-    for (--lvl; lvl > 0 && curr->prevs[lvl] == prev; --lvl);
-  }
-
-  /* run left on bottom level list trying to match key */
-
-  curr = curr->prevs[0];
-
-  if (curr != prev) {
-
-    while (curr != l->end_node &&
-	   (cmp = stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(curr))) < 0) {
-      curr = curr->prevs[0];
-    }
-  }  /* else we already compared key to curr above */
-
-  *pos = (stdskl_node*) curr;
-
-  return (curr != l->end_node && cmp == 0);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_low_link_right: Link 'node' into entries greater than or
- * equal to 'ins_pos' in 'l.'
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE static void stdskl_low_link_right(const stdskl *l, stdskl_node *ins_pos, stdskl_node *node)
-{
-  stdskl_node * next   = ins_pos;
-  stdint8       height = node->height;
-  stdint8       lvl    = 0;
-
-  node->nexts[0] = next;
-  next->prevs[0] = node;
-
-  while (lvl != height) {
-
-    /* if we've maxed out next's height, then find a later, taller node on this lvl */
-
-    while (lvl == next->height) {  /* NOTE: node->height <= end_node->height -> lvl < end_node->height here */
-      next = next->nexts[lvl];     /* so we can't erroneously wrap around past sentinel end node here */
-    }
-
-    ++lvl;
-    node->nexts[lvl] = next;
-    next->prevs[lvl] = node;
-  }
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_low_link_left: Link in 'node' to entries less than 'ins_pos'
- * in 'l.'
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE static void stdskl_low_link_left(const stdskl *l, stdskl_node *ins_pos, stdskl_node *node)
-{
-  stdskl_node * prev   = ins_pos->prevs[0];  /* NOTE: this is why we must link_left b4 link_right in insert! */
-  stdint8       height = node->height;
-  stdint8       lvl    = 0;
-
-  node->prevs[0] = prev;
-  prev->nexts[0] = node;
-
-  while (lvl != height) {
-
-    /* if we've maxed out prev's height, then find an earlier, taller node on this lvl */
-
-    while (lvl == prev->height) {  /* NOTE: node->height <= end_node->height -> lvl < end_node->height here */
-      prev = prev->prevs[lvl];     /* so we can't erroneously wrap around past sentinel end node here */
-    }
-
-    ++lvl;
-    node->prevs[lvl] = prev;
-    prev->nexts[lvl] = node;
-  }
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_low_insert: Insert multiple keys and values into a list
- * using an iterator sequence with various options.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE static stdcode stdskl_low_insert(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const stdit *b, const stdit *e, stdsize num_ins, 
-					   stdbool hint, stdbool overwrite, stdbool advance)
-{
-  stdcode       ret       = STDESUCCESS;
-  stdskl_node * node;
-  stdskl_node * prev;
-  stdskl_node * next      = (it != NULL ? it->impl.skl.node : l->end_node);
-  stdskl_node * first_ins = NULL;
-  stdit         src_it    = *b;
-  stdbool       keyed     = (stdit_key_size(b) != 0);
-  stdint8       lvl;
-  const void *  key;
-  const void *  val;
-  int           cmp;
-
-  /* loop over input sequence defined either by [b, b+num_ins) or [b, e) */
-
-  while (num_ins-- != 0 && (e == NULL || !stdit_eq(&src_it, e))) {
-
-    /* get pointers to the key and value we are about to insert */
-
-    val = stdit_val(&src_it);
-    key = (keyed ? stdit_key(&src_it) : val);
-    cmp = -1;
-
-    /* get insertion position for this key: next */
-
-    if (hint) {                 /* 'next' is a potential insertion point -> verify! */
-      prev = next->prevs[0];
-
-      if ((next != l->end_node && (cmp = stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(next))) > 0) ||
-	  (prev != l->end_node && stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(prev)) < 0)) {
-
-	prev = next;
-	next = next->nexts[0];  /* next was inappropriate; try ++next */
-	cmp  = -1;
-
-	if ((next != l->end_node && (cmp = stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(next))) > 0) ||
-	    (prev != l->end_node && stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(prev)) < 0)) {
-	  hint = STDFALSE;      /* both next and ++next were inappropriate: do a full search */
-	}
-      }
-    }
-
-    if (!hint) {
-      cmp = !stdskl_low_find_right(l, key, STDTRUE, &next);
-    }
-
-    hint = STDTRUE;             /* use next as a hint for following iteration (optimize for nearly contiguous, sorted inserts) */
-
-    /* create + insert new node; or overwrite pre-existing match if so instructed and appropriate */
-    
-    if (!overwrite || next == l->end_node || cmp != 0) {               /* create new node to insert */
-
-      if ((node = stdskl_low_create_node(l, -1, key, val)) == NULL) {  /* create a node with a random height */
-	ret = STDENOMEM;
-	goto stdskl_low_insert_end;
-      }
-
-      /* ensure that l->end_node is at least as tall as the new node */
-
-      if (node->height > l->end_node->height) {
-	stdskl_node * new_end;
-
-	/* ratchet up new end_node's height to be at least 1 level higher (usually 2) than before */
-
-	lvl = node->height;  /* 0 <= node->height <= STDSKL_MAX_HEIGHT */
-
-	if (lvl < STDSKL_MAX_HEIGHT) {
-	  ++lvl;
-	}
-
-	if ((new_end = stdskl_low_create_node(l, lvl, NULL, NULL)) == NULL) {
-	  ret = STDENOMEM;
-	  goto stdskl_low_insert_fail;
-	}
-
-	/* set new_end's nexts and prevs and update nodes ref'ing end_node to now point to new_end */
-	/* loop while we haven't updated all levels of the lists AND end_node is NOT self-referring */
-
-	lvl = 0;
-	do {
-
-	  if (l->end_node->prevs[lvl] == l->end_node) {  /* break on end_node referring to itself -> */ 
-	    break;                                       /* all prevs, nexts of this and higher lvls are self-referring */
-	  }
-
-	  new_end->prevs[lvl]                 = l->end_node->prevs[lvl];
-	  l->end_node->prevs[lvl]->nexts[lvl] = new_end;
-
-	  new_end->nexts[lvl]                 = l->end_node->nexts[lvl];
-	  l->end_node->nexts[lvl]->prevs[lvl] = new_end;
-
-	} while (lvl++ != l->end_node->height);
-
-	/* set additional lvls in new_end to be self-referencing.  NOTE: new_end is at least 1 lvl taller than end_node */
-
-	do {
-	  new_end->prevs[lvl] = new_end;
-	  new_end->nexts[lvl] = new_end;
-
-	} while (lvl++ != new_end->height);
-
-	/* correct next if it referenced the end_node */
-    
-	if (next == l->end_node) {
-	  next = new_end;
-	}
-
-	free(l->end_node);
-	l->end_node = new_end;
-      }
-
-      /* link 'node' into list before next */
-
-      stdskl_low_link_left(l, next, node);                  /* NOTE: we must link_left before we link_right due to loss of information */
-      stdskl_low_link_right(l, next, node);
-
-      ++l->size;
-      
-    } else {                                                /* overwrite existing match */
-      node = next;
-      memcpy((void*) STDSKL_NKEY(node), key, l->ksize);     /* overwrite */
-      memcpy(STDSKL_NVAL(node), val, l->vsize);
-    }
-
-    /* remember first insertion/overwrite */
-
-    if (first_ins == NULL) {
-      first_ins = node;
-    }
-
-    /* advance 'src_it' if so instructed */
-
-    if (advance) {
-      stdit_next(&src_it);
-    }
-  }
-
-  goto stdskl_low_insert_end;
-
-  /* error handling and return */
-
- stdskl_low_insert_fail:
-  free(node);
-
- stdskl_low_insert_end:
-  if (it != NULL) {
-    it->type_id        = STDSKL_IT_ID;
-    it->impl.skl.node  = (first_ins != NULL ? first_ins : l->end_node);  /* point to end if no insert/overwrite occurred */
-    it->impl.skl.ksize = l->ksize;
-    it->impl.skl.vsize = l->vsize;
-  }
-
-  return ret;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_low_erase: Erase multiple key-value pairs from a list using
- * either an iterator sequence to delete or a number of elements to
- * erase.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE static void stdskl_low_erase(stdskl *l, stdit *b, stdit *e, stdsize num_erase)
-{
-  stdskl_node * ers;
-  stdskl_node * prev     = b->impl.skl.node->prevs[0];
-  stdskl_node * next     = b->impl.skl.node;
-  stdskl_node * end_node = (e != NULL ? e->impl.skl.node : NULL);
-  stdint8       max_lvl  = 0;
-  stdsize       erased;
-  stdint8       lvl;
-
-  /* go through [b, b+num_erase) or [b, e) free'ing nodes -- record
-     max height of free'd nodes and how many nodes we erased
-  */
-
-  for (erased = 0; erased != num_erase && next != end_node; ++erased) {
-    STDBOUNDS_CHECK(next != l->end_node);
-
-    if (next->height > max_lvl) {
-      max_lvl = next->height;
-    }
-
-    ers  = next;
-    next = next->nexts[0];
-    free(ers);
-  }
-
-  /* update list size */
-  
-  l->size -= num_erase;
-
-  /* stitch together the left and right portions of the list */
-
-  ers            = next;             /* remember where erasure stopped */
-  prev->nexts[0] = next;             /* perform base re-linkage */
-  next->prevs[0] = prev;
-
-  for (lvl = 0; lvl != max_lvl; ) {  /* run left and run right up to max_lvl height nodes re-linking */
-    
-    while (lvl == prev->height) {
-      prev = prev->prevs[lvl];
-    }
-
-    while (lvl == next->height) {
-      next = next->nexts[lvl];
-    }
-
-    ++lvl;
-    prev->nexts[lvl] = next;
-    next->prevs[lvl] = prev;
-  }
-  
-  /* advance 'b' and 'e' */
-  
-  b->impl.skl.node = ers;
-
-  if (e != NULL) {
-    e->impl.skl.node = ers;
-  }
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_construct: Construct an initially empty list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_construct(stdskl *l, stdsize ksize, stdsize vsize, stdcmp_fcn kcmp)
-{
-  stdcode ret = STDESUCCESS;
-  stdint8 lvl;
-  stdtime t;
-
-  if (ksize == 0) {
-    ret = STDEINVAL;
-    goto stdskl_construct_fail;
-  }
-
-  l->size    = 0;
-  l->ksize   = ksize;
-  l->vsize   = vsize;
-  l->cmp_fcn = kcmp;
-
-  /* initialize randomization using current system time w/ subsecond precision */
-
-  stdtime_now(&t);  
-  stdrand32_dseed(l->seed, stdhcode_sfh(&t, sizeof(t)));
-  l->bits_left = 0;
-
-  /* allocate and init end_node -- NOTE: rest of list must be initialized b4 calling this fcn */
-
-  if ((l->end_node = stdskl_low_create_node(l, 4, NULL, NULL)) == NULL) {
-    ret = STDENOMEM;
-    goto stdskl_construct_fail;
-  }
-
-  /* make end_node reference itself */
-
-  lvl = l->end_node->height;
-
-  do {
-    l->end_node->nexts[lvl] = l->end_node;
-    l->end_node->prevs[lvl] = l->end_node;
-
-  } while (lvl-- != 0);
-
-  goto stdskl_construct_end;
-
-  /* error handling and return */
-
- stdskl_construct_fail:
-  l->end_node = NULL;
-  l->ksize    = 0;     /* make STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) false */
-
- stdskl_construct_end:
-  return ret;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_copy_construct: Construct a copy of a list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_copy_construct(stdskl *dst, const stdskl *src)
-{
-  stdcode ret;
-  stdit   it;
-
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(src));
-
-  if ((ret = stdskl_construct(dst, src->ksize, src->vsize, src->cmp_fcn)) != STDESUCCESS) {
-    goto stdskl_copy_construct_fail;
-  }
-
-  if ((ret = stdskl_insert_seq_n(dst, NULL, stdskl_begin(src, &it), src->size, STDFALSE)) != STDESUCCESS) {
-    goto stdskl_copy_construct_fail2;
-  }
-
-  goto stdskl_copy_construct_end;
-
-  /* error handling and return */
-
- stdskl_copy_construct_fail2:
-  stdskl_destruct(dst);
-
- stdskl_copy_construct_fail:
-  dst->end_node = NULL;
-  dst->ksize    = 0;     /* make STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(dst) false */
-
- stdskl_copy_construct_end:
-  return ret;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_destruct: Reclaim a list's resources and invalidate it.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE void stdskl_destruct(stdskl *l)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
-
-  stdskl_clear(l);
-  free(l->end_node);
-
-  l->end_node = NULL;
-  l->ksize    = 0;     /* make STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) false */
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_set_eq: Set a list to contain the same contents as another.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_set_eq(stdskl *dst, const stdskl *src)
-{
-  stdcode ret = STDESUCCESS;
-  stdskl  cpy;
-
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(dst) && STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(src) &&
-		  dst->ksize == src->ksize && dst->vsize == src->vsize &&
-		  dst->cmp_fcn == src->cmp_fcn);
-
-  /* TODO: an improvement would be to resize the number of nodes in
-     the table as needed: just slice off or splice on an appropriate
-     sequence of nodes to the begin or end of the list and overwrite
-     all nodes: this would cut down on "unnecessary" memory
-     allocs/frees
-  */
-
-  if (dst == src) {
-    goto stdskl_set_eq_end;
-  }
-
-  if ((ret = stdskl_copy_construct(&cpy, src)) != STDESUCCESS) {
-    goto stdskl_set_eq_end;
-  }
-
-  stdskl_swap(dst, &cpy);
-  stdskl_destruct(&cpy);
-
- stdskl_set_eq_end:
-  return ret;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_swap: Set a l1 to reference l2's sequence and vice versa.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE void stdskl_swap(stdskl *l1, stdskl *l2)
-{
-  stdskl cpy;
-
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l1) && STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l2));
-
-  STDSWAP(*l1, *l2, cpy);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_begin: Get an iterator to the beginning of a list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_begin(const stdskl *l, stdit *it)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
-
-  it->type_id        = STDSKL_IT_ID;
-  it->impl.skl.node  = l->end_node->nexts[0];
-  it->impl.skl.ksize = l->ksize;
-  it->impl.skl.vsize = l->vsize;
-
-  return it;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_last: Get an iterator to the last element of a list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_last(const stdskl *l, stdit *it)
-{
-  STDBOUNDS_CHECK(l->size != 0);
-
-  return stdit_prev(stdskl_end(l, it));
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_end: Get an iterator to the sentinel end of a list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_end(const stdskl *l, stdit *it)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
-
-  it->type_id        = STDSKL_IT_ID;
-  it->impl.skl.node  = l->end_node;
-  it->impl.skl.ksize = l->ksize;
-  it->impl.skl.vsize = l->vsize;
-
-  return it;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_get: Get an iterator to an element of a list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_get(const stdskl *l, stdit *it, stdsize elem_num)
-{
-  STDBOUNDS_CHECK(elem_num <= l->size);
-
-  if (elem_num < (l->size >> 1)) {
-    stdskl_it_advance(stdskl_begin(l, it), elem_num);
-
-  } else {
-    stdskl_it_retreat(stdskl_end(l, it), l->size - elem_num);
-  }
-
-  return it;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_is_begin: Return whether or not an iterator refers to the beginning of a list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdbool stdskl_is_begin(const stdskl *l, const stdit *it)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &it->impl.skl));
-
-  return it->impl.skl.node == l->end_node->nexts[0];
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_is_end: Return whether or not an iterator refers to the end of a list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdbool stdskl_is_end(const stdskl *l, const stdit *it)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &it->impl.skl));
-
-  return it->impl.skl.node == l->end_node;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_size: Return the number of key-value pairs a list contains.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdsize stdskl_size(const stdskl *l)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
-
-  return l->size;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_empty: Return whether or not a list's size is zero.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdbool stdskl_empty(const stdskl *l)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
-
-  return l->size == 0;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_clear: Set a lists size to zero.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE void stdskl_clear(stdskl *l)
-{
-  stdskl_node * curr;
-  stdskl_node * prev;
-  stdint8       lvl;
-
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
-
-  /* run through list destroying all nodes */
-
-  for (curr = l->end_node->nexts[0]; curr != l->end_node; ) {
-    prev = curr;
-    curr = curr->nexts[0];
-    free(prev);
-  }
-
-  /* fix list entries: end_node needs to self reference at all levels and size */
-
-  curr = l->end_node;
-  lvl  = l->end_node->height;
-
-  do {
-    curr->prevs[lvl] = curr;
-    curr->nexts[lvl] = curr;
-
-  } while (lvl-- != 0);
-  
-  l->size = 0;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_find: Find a key-value pair in a list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_find(const stdskl *l, stdit *it, const void *key)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
-
-  if (!stdskl_low_find_right(l, key, STDTRUE, &it->impl.skl.node)) {
-    it->impl.skl.node = l->end_node;
-  }
-
-  it->type_id        = STDSKL_IT_ID;
-  it->impl.skl.ksize = l->ksize;
-  it->impl.skl.vsize = l->vsize;
-
-  return it;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_lowerb: Find the least element for which kcmp(key, elem) >= 0.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_lowerb(const stdskl *l, stdit *it, const void *key)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
-
-  stdskl_low_find_right(l, key, STDFALSE, &it->impl.skl.node);
-
-  it->type_id        = STDSKL_IT_ID;
-  it->impl.skl.ksize = l->ksize;
-  it->impl.skl.vsize = l->vsize;
-
-  return it;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_upperb: Find the least element for which kcmp(key, elem) > 0.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_upperb(const stdskl *l, stdit *it, const void *key)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
-
-  stdskl_low_find_left(l, key, STDFALSE, &it->impl.skl.node);
-  it->impl.skl.node = it->impl.skl.node->nexts[0];  /* found either the last entry for key or the prev entry if none: so get next */
-
-  it->type_id        = STDSKL_IT_ID;
-  it->impl.skl.ksize = l->ksize;
-  it->impl.skl.vsize = l->vsize;
-
-  return it;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_contains: Return whether or not a list contains a certain key.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdbool stdskl_contains(const stdskl *l, const void *key)
-{
-  stdskl_node * n;
-
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
-
-  return stdskl_low_find_right(l, key, STDTRUE, &n);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_put: If 'key' already exists in the list, overwrite such an
- * entry with 'key' and 'value;' otherwise insert 'key' and 'value'
- * into the list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_put(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const void *key, const void *val, stdbool hint)
-{
-  return stdskl_put_n(l, it, key, val, 1, hint);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_put_n: For each (key, val) in [(keys, vals), (keys+num_put, vals+num_put)) 
- * perform stdskl_put(l, it, key, val).
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_put_n(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const void *keys, const void *vals, stdsize num_put, stdbool hint)
-{
-  stdit b;
-
-  return stdskl_put_seq_n(l, it, stdit_pptr(&b, keys, vals, l->ksize, l->vsize), num_put, hint);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_put_seq: For each (key, val) in [b, e) perform 
- * stdskl_put(l, it, key, val).
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_put_seq(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const stdit *b, const stdit *e, stdbool hint)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && (stdit_eq(b, e) || STDTRUE) &&
-		  (!hint || (it != NULL && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &it->impl.skl))) &&
-		  (stdit_key_size(b) == l->ksize || (stdit_key_size(b) == 0 && stdit_val_size(b) == l->ksize)) &&
-		  (stdit_val_size(b) == l->vsize || l->vsize == 0));
-
-  return stdskl_low_insert(l, it, b, e, (stdsize) -1, hint, STDTRUE, STDTRUE);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_put_seq_n: For each (key, val) in [b, b+num_put) perform 
- * stdskl_put(l, it, key, val).
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_put_seq_n(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const stdit *b, stdsize num_put, stdbool hint)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && 
-		  (!hint || (it != NULL && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &it->impl.skl))) &&
-		  (stdit_key_size(b) == l->ksize || (stdit_key_size(b) == 0 && stdit_val_size(b) == l->ksize)) &&
-		  (stdit_val_size(b) == l->vsize || l->vsize == 0));
-
-  return stdskl_low_insert(l, it, b, NULL, num_put, hint, STDTRUE, STDTRUE);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_insert: Insert a key and value into a list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_insert(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const void *key, const void *val, stdbool hint)
-{
-  return stdskl_insert_n(l, it, key, val, 1, hint);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_insert_n: Insert multiple keys and values into a list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_insert_n(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const void *keys, const void *vals, stdsize num_insert, stdbool hint)
-{
-  stdit b;
-
-  return stdskl_insert_seq_n(l, it, stdit_pptr(&b, keys, vals, l->ksize, l->vsize), num_insert, hint);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_insert_seq: Insert a sequence of key-value pairs into a list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_insert_seq(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const stdit *b, const stdit *e, stdbool hint)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && (stdit_eq(b, e) || STDTRUE) &&
-		  (!hint || (it != NULL && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &it->impl.skl))) &&
-		  (stdit_key_size(b) == l->ksize || (stdit_key_size(b) == 0 && stdit_val_size(b) == l->ksize)) &&
-		  (stdit_val_size(b) == l->vsize || l->vsize == 0));
-
-  return stdskl_low_insert(l, it, b, e, (stdsize) -1, hint, STDFALSE, STDTRUE);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_insert_seq_n: Insert a sequence of key-value pairs into a list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_insert_seq_n(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const stdit *b, stdsize num_insert, stdbool hint)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && 
-		  (!hint || (it != NULL && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &it->impl.skl))) &&
-		  (stdit_key_size(b) == l->ksize || (stdit_key_size(b) == 0 && stdit_val_size(b) == l->ksize)) &&
-		  (stdit_val_size(b) == l->vsize || l->vsize == 0));
-
-  return stdskl_low_insert(l, it, b, NULL, num_insert, hint, STDFALSE, STDTRUE);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_insert_rep: Repeatedly insert a key-value pair into a list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_insert_rep(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const void *key, const void *val, stdsize num_times, stdbool hint)
-{
-  stdit b;
-
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && 
-		  (!hint || (it != NULL && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &it->impl.skl))));
-
-  return stdskl_low_insert(l, it, stdit_pptr(&b, key, val, l->ksize, l->vsize), NULL, num_times, hint, STDFALSE, STDFALSE);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_erase: Erase a key-value pair from a list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE void stdskl_erase(stdskl *l, stdit *it)
-{
-  stdskl_erase_n(l, it, 1);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_erase_n: Erase multiple key-value pairs from a list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE void stdskl_erase_n(stdskl *l, stdit *it, stdsize num_erase)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &it->impl.skl));
-
-  stdskl_low_erase(l, it, NULL, num_erase);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_erase_seq: Erase a sequence from a list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE void stdskl_erase_seq(stdskl *l, stdit *b, stdit *e)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(b) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &b->impl.skl) && (stdit_eq(b, e) || STDTRUE));
-
-  stdskl_low_erase(l, b, e, (stdsize) -1);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_erase_key: Erase all entries of a key from a list.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE void stdskl_erase_key(stdskl *l, const void *key)
-{
-  stdit it;
-
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
-
-  stdskl_lowerb(l, &it, key);
-
-  while (it.impl.skl.node != l->end_node && stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(it.impl.skl.node)) == 0) {
-    stdskl_erase(l, &it);  /* advances 'it' */
-  }
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_dseed: Set a skiplist's random number generator with a deterministic value.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE void stdskl_dseed(stdskl *l, const void *seed, stdsize sizeof_seed)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
-
-  stdrand32_dseed(l->seed, stdhcode_sfh(seed, sizeof_seed));
-  l->bits_left = 0;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_it_key: Get a key from an iterator.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE const void *stdskl_it_key(const stdit *it)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it));
-
-  return STDSKL_NKEY(it->impl.skl.node);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_it_key_size: Get the size in bytes of the keys to which 'it' refers.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdsize stdskl_it_key_size(const stdit *it)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it));
-
-  return it->impl.skl.ksize;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_it_val: Get a value from an iterator.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE void *stdskl_it_val(const stdit *it)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it));
-
-  return (void*) (it->type_id == STDSKL_IT_ID ? STDSKL_NVAL(it->impl.skl.node) : STDSKL_NKEY(it->impl.skl.node));
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_it_val_size: Get the size in bytes of the values to which 'it' refers.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdsize stdskl_it_val_size(const stdit *it)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it));
-
-  return (it->type_id == STDSKL_IT_ID ? it->impl.skl.vsize : it->impl.skl.ksize);
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_it_eq: Compare two iterators for equality (refer to the same element).
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdbool stdskl_it_eq(const stdit *it1, const stdit *it2)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it1) && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it2) &&
-		  it1->impl.skl.ksize == it2->impl.skl.ksize &&
-		  it1->impl.skl.vsize == it2->impl.skl.vsize);
-
-  return it1->impl.skl.node == it2->impl.skl.node;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_it_next: Advance 'it' towards end by one position.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_it_next(stdit *it)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it));
-
-  it->impl.skl.node = it->impl.skl.node->nexts[0];
-
-  return it;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_it_advance: Advance 'it' towards end by 'num_advance' positions.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_it_advance(stdit *it, stdsize num_advance)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it));
-
-  while (num_advance-- != 0) {
-    it->impl.skl.node = it->impl.skl.node->nexts[0];
-  }
-
-  return it;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_it_prev: Advance 'it' towards begin by one position.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_it_prev(stdit *it)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it));
-
-  it->impl.skl.node = it->impl.skl.node->prevs[0];
-
-  return it;
-}
-
-/************************************************************************************************
- * stdskl_it_retreat: Advance 'it' towards end by 'num_retreat' positions.
- ***********************************************************************************************/
-
-STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_it_retreat(stdit *it, stdsize num_retreat)
-{
-  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it));
-
-  while (num_retreat-- != 0) {
-    it->impl.skl.node = it->impl.skl.node->prevs[0];
-  }
-
-  return it;
-}
+/* Copyright (c) 2000-2005, The Johns Hopkins University
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * The contents of this file are subject to a license (the ``License'')
+ * that is the exact equivalent of the BSD license as of July 23, 1999. 
+ * You may not use this file except in compliance with the License. The
+ * specific language governing the rights and limitations of the License
+ * can be found in the file ``STDUTIL_LICENSE'' found in this 
+ * distribution.
+ *
+ * Software distributed under the License is distributed on an AS IS 
+ * basis, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. 
+ *
+ * The Original Software is:
+ *     The Stdutil Library
+ * 
+ * Contributors:
+ *     Creator - John Lane Schultz (jschultz at cnds.jhu.edu)
+ *     The Center for Networking and Distributed Systems
+ *         (CNDS - http://www.cnds.jhu.edu)
+ */ 
+
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+
+#include <stdutil/stdutil.h>
+#include <stdutil/stderror.h>
+#include <stdutil/stdtime.h>
+#include <stdutil/stdskl.h>
+
+/* TODO: consider shrinking end_node's arrays when the top level
+   becomes empty (down to some minimum height like 4 or 5); this is
+   easy to detect: if the node being removed has the same height as
+   the end_node and his top level prev and next are the end node then
+   the level is about to become empty; alternatively after removal you
+   can just check the top levels for self reference; also might not
+   want to make end_node taller than the tallest node on insert --
+   don't know how big an effect on find this will have as find as it
+   will simply run down end_node's nexts array while next equals
+   end_node not doing any real work
+*/
+
+#define STDSKL_MAX_HEIGHT 31
+
+#define STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l)       ((l)->end_node != NULL && (l)->ksize != 0 && (l)->bits_left >= 0 && (l)->bits_left < 32)
+#define STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, i) ((i)->ksize == (l)->ksize && (i)->vsize == (l)->vsize)
+#define STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(i)    (((i)->type_id == STDSKL_IT_ID || (i)->type_id == STDSKL_IT_KEY_ID) && \
+				  (i)->impl.skl.node != NULL && (i)->impl.skl.ksize != 0)
+
+#define STDSKL_NKEY(node) ((node)->key)
+#define STDSKL_NVAL(node) ((node)->val)
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_low_key_cmp:  Compares 2 keys, uses memcmp if no comparison fcn defined.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE static int stdskl_low_key_cmp(const stdskl *l, const void *k1, const void *k2)
+{
+  return (l->cmp_fcn == NULL ? memcmp(k1, k2, l->ksize) : l->cmp_fcn(k1, k2));
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_low_create_node: Create a node to be inserted into 'l.'
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE static stdskl_node *stdskl_low_create_node(stdskl *l, stdint8 height, const void *key, const void *val)
+{
+  stdskl_node * node;
+  stdsize       mem_tot;
+  stdsize       prevs_off;
+  stdsize       nexts_off;
+  stdsize       key_off;
+  stdsize       val_off;
+
+  if (height == -1) {                                             /* height generation requested */
+    stdbool keep_going = STDTRUE;
+
+    for (; keep_going && height < STDSKL_MAX_HEIGHT; ++height) {  /* count how many random "on" bits we get in a row */
+
+      if (l->bits_left <= 0) {                                    /* out of random bits */
+	l->rand_bits = stdrand32(l->seed);                        /* generate 32 new ones */
+	l->bits_left = 32;
+      }
+
+      keep_going = ((l->rand_bits & 0x3) == 0x3);                 /* keep going on a 3 out of 0-3 chance */
+      l->bits_left  -= 2;                                         /* remove used bit */
+      l->rand_bits >>= 2;
+    }
+  }
+
+  /* calculate memory needed for node and pointer arrays and the offsets for the pointers in the node */
+
+  mem_tot   = sizeof(stdskl_node);                  /* memory for node structure */
+  prevs_off = mem_tot;                              /* structure is already aligned for void*'s -> good enough alignment */
+
+  mem_tot  += (height + 1) * sizeof(stdskl_node*);  /* memory for prevs array */
+  nexts_off = mem_tot;                              /* structure is already aligned for void*'s -> good enough alignment */
+
+  mem_tot  += (height + 1) * sizeof(stdskl_node*);  /* memory for nexts array */
+  mem_tot   = STDARCH_PADDED_SIZE(mem_tot);         /* pad memory for key */
+  key_off   = mem_tot;
+
+  /* TODO: might only pad the key size if vsize != 0 */
+
+  mem_tot  += STDARCH_PADDED_SIZE(l->ksize);        /* memory for key and padding for value */
+  val_off   = mem_tot;
+
+  mem_tot  += l->vsize;                             /* memory for value */
+
+  /* allocate the node and extra memory */
+  
+  if ((node = (stdskl_node*) malloc(mem_tot)) == NULL) {
+    goto stdskl_low_create_node_end;
+  }
+
+  /* init node: set height, point pointers to appropriate offsets in allocated memory block */
+
+  node->height = height;
+  node->prevs  = (stdskl_node**) ((char*) node + prevs_off);
+  node->nexts  = (stdskl_node**) ((char*) node + nexts_off);
+  node->key    = (char*) node + key_off;
+  node->val    = (char*) node + val_off;
+
+  /* copy key + value if given */
+
+  if (key != NULL) {
+    memcpy((void*) STDSKL_NKEY(node), key, l->ksize);
+    memcpy(STDSKL_NVAL(node), val, l->vsize);
+  }
+
+ stdskl_low_create_node_end:
+  return node;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_low_find_right: Search 'l' for 'key' from left to right. 
+ * 
+ * If (find_any) immediately return on any match. Otherwise if 'key'
+ * exists in 'l' return the "leftmost" (least) match if multiple
+ * matches exist.  On no match, returns the "leftmost" (least) entry
+ * in 'l' with a greater key, or end if no such entry exists.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE static stdbool stdskl_low_find_right(const stdskl *l, const void *key, 
+					       stdbool find_any, stdskl_node **pos)
+{
+  const stdskl_node * next = NULL;
+  const stdskl_node * curr = l->end_node;
+  stdint8             lvl  = l->end_node->height;
+  int                 cmp  = -1;  /* get rid of compiler warning */
+
+  /* run down to bottom level list */
+
+  while (lvl > 0) {
+    next = curr->nexts[lvl];
+
+    /* run right at this level while key is greater than next's key */
+
+    while (next != l->end_node && 
+	   (cmp = stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(next))) > 0) {
+      curr = next;
+      next = next->nexts[lvl];
+    }
+
+    /* if we found a match and any match will do */
+
+    if (find_any && next != l->end_node && cmp == 0) {
+      *pos = (stdskl_node*) next;
+      return STDTRUE;
+    }
+
+    /* run down curr's levels while they equal next */
+
+    for (--lvl; lvl > 0 && curr->nexts[lvl] == next; --lvl);
+  }
+
+  /* lvl is zero: run right on bottom level list trying to match key */
+
+  curr = curr->nexts[0];
+
+  if (curr != next) {
+
+    while (curr != l->end_node &&
+	   (cmp = stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(curr))) > 0) {
+      curr = curr->nexts[0];
+    }
+  }  /* else we already compared key to curr above */
+
+  *pos = (stdskl_node*) curr;
+
+  return (curr != l->end_node && cmp == 0);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_low_find_left: Search 'l' for 'key' from right to left.
+ * 
+ * If (find_any) immediately return on any match. Otherwise if 'key'
+ * exists in 'l' return the "rightmost" (greatest) match if multiple
+ * matches exist.  On no match, returns the "rightmost" (greatest)
+ * entry in 'l' with a lesser key, or end if no such entry exists.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE static stdbool stdskl_low_find_left(const stdskl *l, const void *key, 
+					      stdbool find_any, stdskl_node **pos)
+{
+  const stdskl_node * prev = NULL;
+  const stdskl_node * curr = l->end_node;
+  stdint8             lvl  = l->end_node->height;
+  int                 cmp  = -1;  /* get rid of compiler warning */
+
+  /* run down to bottom level list */
+
+  while (lvl > 0) {
+    prev = curr->prevs[lvl];
+
+    /* run left at this level while key is less than prev's key */
+
+    while (prev != l->end_node && 
+	   (cmp = stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(prev))) < 0) {
+      curr = prev;
+      prev = prev->prevs[lvl];
+    }
+
+    /* if we found a match and any match will do */
+
+    if (find_any && prev != l->end_node && cmp == 0) {
+      *pos = (stdskl_node*) prev;
+      return STDTRUE;
+    }
+
+    /* run down curr's prevs levels while they equal prev */
+
+    for (--lvl; lvl > 0 && curr->prevs[lvl] == prev; --lvl);
+  }
+
+  /* run left on bottom level list trying to match key */
+
+  curr = curr->prevs[0];
+
+  if (curr != prev) {
+
+    while (curr != l->end_node &&
+	   (cmp = stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(curr))) < 0) {
+      curr = curr->prevs[0];
+    }
+  }  /* else we already compared key to curr above */
+
+  *pos = (stdskl_node*) curr;
+
+  return (curr != l->end_node && cmp == 0);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_low_link_right: Link 'node' into entries greater than or
+ * equal to 'ins_pos' in 'l.'
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE static void stdskl_low_link_right(const stdskl *l, stdskl_node *ins_pos, stdskl_node *node)
+{
+  stdskl_node * next   = ins_pos;
+  stdint8       height = node->height;
+  stdint8       lvl    = 0;
+
+  node->nexts[0] = next;
+  next->prevs[0] = node;
+
+  while (lvl != height) {
+
+    /* if we've maxed out next's height, then find a later, taller node on this lvl */
+
+    while (lvl == next->height) {  /* NOTE: node->height <= end_node->height -> lvl < end_node->height here */
+      next = next->nexts[lvl];     /* so we can't erroneously wrap around past sentinel end node here */
+    }
+
+    ++lvl;
+    node->nexts[lvl] = next;
+    next->prevs[lvl] = node;
+  }
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_low_link_left: Link in 'node' to entries less than 'ins_pos'
+ * in 'l.'
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE static void stdskl_low_link_left(const stdskl *l, stdskl_node *ins_pos, stdskl_node *node)
+{
+  stdskl_node * prev   = ins_pos->prevs[0];  /* NOTE: this is why we must link_left b4 link_right in insert! */
+  stdint8       height = node->height;
+  stdint8       lvl    = 0;
+
+  node->prevs[0] = prev;
+  prev->nexts[0] = node;
+
+  while (lvl != height) {
+
+    /* if we've maxed out prev's height, then find an earlier, taller node on this lvl */
+
+    while (lvl == prev->height) {  /* NOTE: node->height <= end_node->height -> lvl < end_node->height here */
+      prev = prev->prevs[lvl];     /* so we can't erroneously wrap around past sentinel end node here */
+    }
+
+    ++lvl;
+    node->prevs[lvl] = prev;
+    prev->nexts[lvl] = node;
+  }
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_low_insert: Insert multiple keys and values into a list
+ * using an iterator sequence with various options.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE static stdcode stdskl_low_insert(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const stdit *b, const stdit *e, stdsize num_ins, 
+					   stdbool hint, stdbool overwrite, stdbool advance)
+{
+  stdcode       ret       = STDESUCCESS;
+  stdskl_node * node;
+  stdskl_node * prev;
+  stdskl_node * next      = (it != NULL ? it->impl.skl.node : l->end_node);
+  stdskl_node * first_ins = NULL;
+  stdit         src_it    = *b;
+  stdbool       keyed     = (stdit_key_size(b) != 0);
+  stdint8       lvl;
+  const void *  key;
+  const void *  val;
+  int           cmp;
+
+  /* loop over input sequence defined either by [b, b+num_ins) or [b, e) */
+
+  while (num_ins-- != 0 && (e == NULL || !stdit_eq(&src_it, e))) {
+
+    /* get pointers to the key and value we are about to insert */
+
+    val = stdit_val(&src_it);
+    key = (keyed ? stdit_key(&src_it) : val);
+    cmp = -1;
+
+    /* get insertion position for this key: next */
+
+    if (hint) {                 /* 'next' is a potential insertion point -> verify! */
+      prev = next->prevs[0];
+
+      if ((next != l->end_node && (cmp = stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(next))) > 0) ||
+	  (prev != l->end_node && stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(prev)) < 0)) {
+
+	prev = next;
+	next = next->nexts[0];  /* next was inappropriate; try ++next */
+	cmp  = -1;
+
+	if ((next != l->end_node && (cmp = stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(next))) > 0) ||
+	    (prev != l->end_node && stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(prev)) < 0)) {
+	  hint = STDFALSE;      /* both next and ++next were inappropriate: do a full search */
+	}
+      }
+    }
+
+    if (!hint) {
+      cmp = !stdskl_low_find_right(l, key, STDTRUE, &next);
+    }
+
+    hint = STDTRUE;             /* use next as a hint for following iteration (optimize for nearly contiguous, sorted inserts) */
+
+    /* create + insert new node; or overwrite pre-existing match if so instructed and appropriate */
+    
+    if (!overwrite || next == l->end_node || cmp != 0) {               /* create new node to insert */
+
+      if ((node = stdskl_low_create_node(l, -1, key, val)) == NULL) {  /* create a node with a random height */
+	ret = STDENOMEM;
+	goto stdskl_low_insert_end;
+      }
+
+      /* ensure that l->end_node is at least as tall as the new node */
+
+      if (node->height > l->end_node->height) {
+	stdskl_node * new_end;
+
+	/* ratchet up new end_node's height to be at least 1 level higher (usually 2) than before */
+
+	lvl = node->height;  /* 0 <= node->height <= STDSKL_MAX_HEIGHT */
+
+	if (lvl < STDSKL_MAX_HEIGHT) {
+	  ++lvl;
+	}
+
+	if ((new_end = stdskl_low_create_node(l, lvl, NULL, NULL)) == NULL) {
+	  ret = STDENOMEM;
+	  goto stdskl_low_insert_fail;
+	}
+
+	/* set new_end's nexts and prevs and update nodes ref'ing end_node to now point to new_end */
+	/* loop while we haven't updated all levels of the lists AND end_node is NOT self-referring */
+
+	lvl = 0;
+	do {
+
+	  if (l->end_node->prevs[lvl] == l->end_node) {  /* break on end_node referring to itself -> */ 
+	    break;                                       /* all prevs, nexts of this and higher lvls are self-referring */
+	  }
+
+	  new_end->prevs[lvl]                 = l->end_node->prevs[lvl];
+	  l->end_node->prevs[lvl]->nexts[lvl] = new_end;
+
+	  new_end->nexts[lvl]                 = l->end_node->nexts[lvl];
+	  l->end_node->nexts[lvl]->prevs[lvl] = new_end;
+
+	} while (lvl++ != l->end_node->height);
+
+	/* set additional lvls in new_end to be self-referencing.  NOTE: new_end is at least 1 lvl taller than end_node */
+
+	do {
+	  new_end->prevs[lvl] = new_end;
+	  new_end->nexts[lvl] = new_end;
+
+	} while (lvl++ != new_end->height);
+
+	/* correct next if it referenced the end_node */
+    
+	if (next == l->end_node) {
+	  next = new_end;
+	}
+
+	free(l->end_node);
+	l->end_node = new_end;
+      }
+
+      /* link 'node' into list before next */
+
+      stdskl_low_link_left(l, next, node);                  /* NOTE: we must link_left before we link_right due to loss of information */
+      stdskl_low_link_right(l, next, node);
+
+      ++l->size;
+      
+    } else {                                                /* overwrite existing match */
+      node = next;
+      memcpy((void*) STDSKL_NKEY(node), key, l->ksize);     /* overwrite */
+      memcpy(STDSKL_NVAL(node), val, l->vsize);
+    }
+
+    /* remember first insertion/overwrite */
+
+    if (first_ins == NULL) {
+      first_ins = node;
+    }
+
+    /* advance 'src_it' if so instructed */
+
+    if (advance) {
+      stdit_next(&src_it);
+    }
+  }
+
+  goto stdskl_low_insert_end;
+
+  /* error handling and return */
+
+ stdskl_low_insert_fail:
+  free(node);
+
+ stdskl_low_insert_end:
+  if (it != NULL) {
+    it->type_id        = STDSKL_IT_ID;
+    it->impl.skl.node  = (first_ins != NULL ? first_ins : l->end_node);  /* point to end if no insert/overwrite occurred */
+    it->impl.skl.ksize = l->ksize;
+    it->impl.skl.vsize = l->vsize;
+  }
+
+  return ret;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_low_erase: Erase multiple key-value pairs from a list using
+ * either an iterator sequence to delete or a number of elements to
+ * erase.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE static void stdskl_low_erase(stdskl *l, stdit *b, stdit *e, stdsize num_erase)
+{
+  stdskl_node * ers;
+  stdskl_node * prev     = b->impl.skl.node->prevs[0];
+  stdskl_node * next     = b->impl.skl.node;
+  stdskl_node * end_node = (e != NULL ? e->impl.skl.node : NULL);
+  stdint8       max_lvl  = 0;
+  stdsize       erased;
+  stdint8       lvl;
+
+  /* go through [b, b+num_erase) or [b, e) free'ing nodes -- record
+     max height of free'd nodes and how many nodes we erased
+  */
+
+  for (erased = 0; erased != num_erase && next != end_node; ++erased) {
+    STDBOUNDS_CHECK(next != l->end_node);
+
+    if (next->height > max_lvl) {
+      max_lvl = next->height;
+    }
+
+    ers  = next;
+    next = next->nexts[0];
+    free(ers);
+  }
+
+  /* update list size */
+  
+  l->size -= num_erase;
+
+  /* stitch together the left and right portions of the list */
+
+  ers            = next;             /* remember where erasure stopped */
+  prev->nexts[0] = next;             /* perform base re-linkage */
+  next->prevs[0] = prev;
+
+  for (lvl = 0; lvl != max_lvl; ) {  /* run left and run right up to max_lvl height nodes re-linking */
+    
+    while (lvl == prev->height) {
+      prev = prev->prevs[lvl];
+    }
+
+    while (lvl == next->height) {
+      next = next->nexts[lvl];
+    }
+
+    ++lvl;
+    prev->nexts[lvl] = next;
+    next->prevs[lvl] = prev;
+  }
+  
+  /* advance 'b' and 'e' */
+  
+  b->impl.skl.node = ers;
+
+  if (e != NULL) {
+    e->impl.skl.node = ers;
+  }
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_construct: Construct an initially empty list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_construct(stdskl *l, stdsize ksize, stdsize vsize, stdcmp_fcn kcmp)
+{
+  stdcode ret = STDESUCCESS;
+  stdint8 lvl;
+  stdtime t;
+
+  if (ksize == 0) {
+    ret = STDEINVAL;
+    goto stdskl_construct_fail;
+  }
+
+  l->size    = 0;
+  l->ksize   = ksize;
+  l->vsize   = vsize;
+  l->cmp_fcn = kcmp;
+
+  /* initialize randomization using current system time w/ subsecond precision */
+
+  stdtime_now(&t);  
+  stdrand32_dseed(l->seed, stdhcode_sfh(&t, sizeof(t)));
+  l->bits_left = 0;
+
+  /* allocate and init end_node -- NOTE: rest of list must be initialized b4 calling this fcn */
+
+  if ((l->end_node = stdskl_low_create_node(l, 4, NULL, NULL)) == NULL) {
+    ret = STDENOMEM;
+    goto stdskl_construct_fail;
+  }
+
+  /* make end_node reference itself */
+
+  lvl = l->end_node->height;
+
+  do {
+    l->end_node->nexts[lvl] = l->end_node;
+    l->end_node->prevs[lvl] = l->end_node;
+
+  } while (lvl-- != 0);
+
+  goto stdskl_construct_end;
+
+  /* error handling and return */
+
+ stdskl_construct_fail:
+  l->end_node = NULL;
+  l->ksize    = 0;     /* make STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) false */
+
+ stdskl_construct_end:
+  return ret;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_copy_construct: Construct a copy of a list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_copy_construct(stdskl *dst, const stdskl *src)
+{
+  stdcode ret;
+  stdit   it;
+
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(src));
+
+  if ((ret = stdskl_construct(dst, src->ksize, src->vsize, src->cmp_fcn)) != STDESUCCESS) {
+    goto stdskl_copy_construct_fail;
+  }
+
+  if ((ret = stdskl_insert_seq_n(dst, NULL, stdskl_begin(src, &it), src->size, STDFALSE)) != STDESUCCESS) {
+    goto stdskl_copy_construct_fail2;
+  }
+
+  goto stdskl_copy_construct_end;
+
+  /* error handling and return */
+
+ stdskl_copy_construct_fail2:
+  stdskl_destruct(dst);
+
+ stdskl_copy_construct_fail:
+  dst->end_node = NULL;
+  dst->ksize    = 0;     /* make STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(dst) false */
+
+ stdskl_copy_construct_end:
+  return ret;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_destruct: Reclaim a list's resources and invalidate it.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE void stdskl_destruct(stdskl *l)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
+
+  stdskl_clear(l);
+  free(l->end_node);
+
+  l->end_node = NULL;
+  l->ksize    = 0;     /* make STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) false */
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_set_eq: Set a list to contain the same contents as another.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_set_eq(stdskl *dst, const stdskl *src)
+{
+  stdcode ret = STDESUCCESS;
+  stdskl  cpy;
+
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(dst) && STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(src) &&
+		  dst->ksize == src->ksize && dst->vsize == src->vsize &&
+		  dst->cmp_fcn == src->cmp_fcn);
+
+  /* TODO: an improvement would be to resize the number of nodes in
+     the table as needed: just slice off or splice on an appropriate
+     sequence of nodes to the begin or end of the list and overwrite
+     all nodes: this would cut down on "unnecessary" memory
+     allocs/frees
+  */
+
+  if (dst == src) {
+    goto stdskl_set_eq_end;
+  }
+
+  if ((ret = stdskl_copy_construct(&cpy, src)) != STDESUCCESS) {
+    goto stdskl_set_eq_end;
+  }
+
+  stdskl_swap(dst, &cpy);
+  stdskl_destruct(&cpy);
+
+ stdskl_set_eq_end:
+  return ret;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_swap: Set a l1 to reference l2's sequence and vice versa.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE void stdskl_swap(stdskl *l1, stdskl *l2)
+{
+  stdskl cpy;
+
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l1) && STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l2));
+
+  STDSWAP(*l1, *l2, cpy);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_begin: Get an iterator to the beginning of a list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_begin(const stdskl *l, stdit *it)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
+
+  it->type_id        = STDSKL_IT_ID;
+  it->impl.skl.node  = l->end_node->nexts[0];
+  it->impl.skl.ksize = l->ksize;
+  it->impl.skl.vsize = l->vsize;
+
+  return it;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_last: Get an iterator to the last element of a list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_last(const stdskl *l, stdit *it)
+{
+  STDBOUNDS_CHECK(l->size != 0);
+
+  return stdit_prev(stdskl_end(l, it));
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_end: Get an iterator to the sentinel end of a list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_end(const stdskl *l, stdit *it)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
+
+  it->type_id        = STDSKL_IT_ID;
+  it->impl.skl.node  = l->end_node;
+  it->impl.skl.ksize = l->ksize;
+  it->impl.skl.vsize = l->vsize;
+
+  return it;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_get: Get an iterator to an element of a list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_get(const stdskl *l, stdit *it, stdsize elem_num)
+{
+  STDBOUNDS_CHECK(elem_num <= l->size);
+
+  if (elem_num < (l->size >> 1)) {
+    stdskl_it_advance(stdskl_begin(l, it), elem_num);
+
+  } else {
+    stdskl_it_retreat(stdskl_end(l, it), l->size - elem_num);
+  }
+
+  return it;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_is_begin: Return whether or not an iterator refers to the beginning of a list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdbool stdskl_is_begin(const stdskl *l, const stdit *it)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &it->impl.skl));
+
+  return it->impl.skl.node == l->end_node->nexts[0];
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_is_end: Return whether or not an iterator refers to the end of a list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdbool stdskl_is_end(const stdskl *l, const stdit *it)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &it->impl.skl));
+
+  return it->impl.skl.node == l->end_node;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_size: Return the number of key-value pairs a list contains.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdsize stdskl_size(const stdskl *l)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
+
+  return l->size;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_empty: Return whether or not a list's size is zero.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdbool stdskl_empty(const stdskl *l)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
+
+  return l->size == 0;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_clear: Set a lists size to zero.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE void stdskl_clear(stdskl *l)
+{
+  stdskl_node * curr;
+  stdskl_node * prev;
+  stdint8       lvl;
+
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
+
+  /* run through list destroying all nodes */
+
+  for (curr = l->end_node->nexts[0]; curr != l->end_node; ) {
+    prev = curr;
+    curr = curr->nexts[0];
+    free(prev);
+  }
+
+  /* fix list entries: end_node needs to self reference at all levels and size */
+
+  curr = l->end_node;
+  lvl  = l->end_node->height;
+
+  do {
+    curr->prevs[lvl] = curr;
+    curr->nexts[lvl] = curr;
+
+  } while (lvl-- != 0);
+  
+  l->size = 0;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_find: Find a key-value pair in a list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_find(const stdskl *l, stdit *it, const void *key)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
+
+  if (!stdskl_low_find_right(l, key, STDTRUE, &it->impl.skl.node)) {
+    it->impl.skl.node = l->end_node;
+  }
+
+  it->type_id        = STDSKL_IT_ID;
+  it->impl.skl.ksize = l->ksize;
+  it->impl.skl.vsize = l->vsize;
+
+  return it;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_lowerb: Find the least element for which kcmp(key, elem) >= 0.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_lowerb(const stdskl *l, stdit *it, const void *key)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
+
+  stdskl_low_find_right(l, key, STDFALSE, &it->impl.skl.node);
+
+  it->type_id        = STDSKL_IT_ID;
+  it->impl.skl.ksize = l->ksize;
+  it->impl.skl.vsize = l->vsize;
+
+  return it;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_upperb: Find the least element for which kcmp(key, elem) > 0.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_upperb(const stdskl *l, stdit *it, const void *key)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
+
+  stdskl_low_find_left(l, key, STDFALSE, &it->impl.skl.node);
+  it->impl.skl.node = it->impl.skl.node->nexts[0];  /* found either the last entry for key or the prev entry if none: so get next */
+
+  it->type_id        = STDSKL_IT_ID;
+  it->impl.skl.ksize = l->ksize;
+  it->impl.skl.vsize = l->vsize;
+
+  return it;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_contains: Return whether or not a list contains a certain key.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdbool stdskl_contains(const stdskl *l, const void *key)
+{
+  stdskl_node * n;
+
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
+
+  return stdskl_low_find_right(l, key, STDTRUE, &n);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_put: If 'key' already exists in the list, overwrite such an
+ * entry with 'key' and 'value;' otherwise insert 'key' and 'value'
+ * into the list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_put(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const void *key, const void *val, stdbool hint)
+{
+  return stdskl_put_n(l, it, key, val, 1, hint);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_put_n: For each (key, val) in [(keys, vals), (keys+num_put, vals+num_put)) 
+ * perform stdskl_put(l, it, key, val).
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_put_n(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const void *keys, const void *vals, stdsize num_put, stdbool hint)
+{
+  stdit b;
+
+  return stdskl_put_seq_n(l, it, stdit_pptr(&b, keys, vals, l->ksize, l->vsize), num_put, hint);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_put_seq: For each (key, val) in [b, e) perform 
+ * stdskl_put(l, it, key, val).
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_put_seq(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const stdit *b, const stdit *e, stdbool hint)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && (stdit_eq(b, e) || STDTRUE) &&
+		  (!hint || (it != NULL && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &it->impl.skl))) &&
+		  (stdit_key_size(b) == l->ksize || (stdit_key_size(b) == 0 && stdit_val_size(b) == l->ksize)) &&
+		  (stdit_val_size(b) == l->vsize || l->vsize == 0));
+
+  return stdskl_low_insert(l, it, b, e, (stdsize) -1, hint, STDTRUE, STDTRUE);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_put_seq_n: For each (key, val) in [b, b+num_put) perform 
+ * stdskl_put(l, it, key, val).
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_put_seq_n(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const stdit *b, stdsize num_put, stdbool hint)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && 
+		  (!hint || (it != NULL && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &it->impl.skl))) &&
+		  (stdit_key_size(b) == l->ksize || (stdit_key_size(b) == 0 && stdit_val_size(b) == l->ksize)) &&
+		  (stdit_val_size(b) == l->vsize || l->vsize == 0));
+
+  return stdskl_low_insert(l, it, b, NULL, num_put, hint, STDTRUE, STDTRUE);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_insert: Insert a key and value into a list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_insert(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const void *key, const void *val, stdbool hint)
+{
+  return stdskl_insert_n(l, it, key, val, 1, hint);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_insert_n: Insert multiple keys and values into a list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_insert_n(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const void *keys, const void *vals, stdsize num_insert, stdbool hint)
+{
+  stdit b;
+
+  return stdskl_insert_seq_n(l, it, stdit_pptr(&b, keys, vals, l->ksize, l->vsize), num_insert, hint);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_insert_seq: Insert a sequence of key-value pairs into a list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_insert_seq(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const stdit *b, const stdit *e, stdbool hint)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && (stdit_eq(b, e) || STDTRUE) &&
+		  (!hint || (it != NULL && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &it->impl.skl))) &&
+		  (stdit_key_size(b) == l->ksize || (stdit_key_size(b) == 0 && stdit_val_size(b) == l->ksize)) &&
+		  (stdit_val_size(b) == l->vsize || l->vsize == 0));
+
+  return stdskl_low_insert(l, it, b, e, (stdsize) -1, hint, STDFALSE, STDTRUE);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_insert_seq_n: Insert a sequence of key-value pairs into a list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_insert_seq_n(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const stdit *b, stdsize num_insert, stdbool hint)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && 
+		  (!hint || (it != NULL && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &it->impl.skl))) &&
+		  (stdit_key_size(b) == l->ksize || (stdit_key_size(b) == 0 && stdit_val_size(b) == l->ksize)) &&
+		  (stdit_val_size(b) == l->vsize || l->vsize == 0));
+
+  return stdskl_low_insert(l, it, b, NULL, num_insert, hint, STDFALSE, STDTRUE);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_insert_rep: Repeatedly insert a key-value pair into a list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdcode stdskl_insert_rep(stdskl *l, stdit *it, const void *key, const void *val, stdsize num_times, stdbool hint)
+{
+  stdit b;
+
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && 
+		  (!hint || (it != NULL && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &it->impl.skl))));
+
+  return stdskl_low_insert(l, it, stdit_pptr(&b, key, val, l->ksize, l->vsize), NULL, num_times, hint, STDFALSE, STDFALSE);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_erase: Erase a key-value pair from a list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE void stdskl_erase(stdskl *l, stdit *it)
+{
+  stdskl_erase_n(l, it, 1);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_erase_n: Erase multiple key-value pairs from a list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE void stdskl_erase_n(stdskl *l, stdit *it, stdsize num_erase)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &it->impl.skl));
+
+  stdskl_low_erase(l, it, NULL, num_erase);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_erase_seq: Erase a sequence from a list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE void stdskl_erase_seq(stdskl *l, stdit *b, stdit *e)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l) && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(b) && STDSKL_IT_IS_LEGAL(l, &b->impl.skl) && (stdit_eq(b, e) || STDTRUE));
+
+  stdskl_low_erase(l, b, e, (stdsize) -1);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_erase_key: Erase all entries of a key from a list.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE void stdskl_erase_key(stdskl *l, const void *key)
+{
+  stdit it;
+
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
+
+  stdskl_lowerb(l, &it, key);
+
+  while (it.impl.skl.node != l->end_node && stdskl_low_key_cmp(l, key, STDSKL_NKEY(it.impl.skl.node)) == 0) {
+    stdskl_erase(l, &it);  /* advances 'it' */
+  }
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_dseed: Set a skiplist's random number generator with a deterministic value.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE void stdskl_dseed(stdskl *l, const void *seed, stdsize sizeof_seed)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDSKL_IS_LEGAL(l));
+
+  stdrand32_dseed(l->seed, stdhcode_sfh(seed, sizeof_seed));
+  l->bits_left = 0;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_it_key: Get a key from an iterator.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE const void *stdskl_it_key(const stdit *it)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it));
+
+  return STDSKL_NKEY(it->impl.skl.node);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_it_key_size: Get the size in bytes of the keys to which 'it' refers.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdsize stdskl_it_key_size(const stdit *it)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it));
+
+  return it->impl.skl.ksize;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_it_val: Get a value from an iterator.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE void *stdskl_it_val(const stdit *it)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it));
+
+  return (void*) (it->type_id == STDSKL_IT_ID ? STDSKL_NVAL(it->impl.skl.node) : STDSKL_NKEY(it->impl.skl.node));
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_it_val_size: Get the size in bytes of the values to which 'it' refers.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdsize stdskl_it_val_size(const stdit *it)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it));
+
+  return (it->type_id == STDSKL_IT_ID ? it->impl.skl.vsize : it->impl.skl.ksize);
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_it_eq: Compare two iterators for equality (refer to the same element).
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdbool stdskl_it_eq(const stdit *it1, const stdit *it2)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it1) && STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it2) &&
+		  it1->impl.skl.ksize == it2->impl.skl.ksize &&
+		  it1->impl.skl.vsize == it2->impl.skl.vsize);
+
+  return it1->impl.skl.node == it2->impl.skl.node;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_it_next: Advance 'it' towards end by one position.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_it_next(stdit *it)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it));
+
+  it->impl.skl.node = it->impl.skl.node->nexts[0];
+
+  return it;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_it_advance: Advance 'it' towards end by 'num_advance' positions.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_it_advance(stdit *it, stdsize num_advance)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it));
+
+  while (num_advance-- != 0) {
+    it->impl.skl.node = it->impl.skl.node->nexts[0];
+  }
+
+  return it;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_it_prev: Advance 'it' towards begin by one position.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_it_prev(stdit *it)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it));
+
+  it->impl.skl.node = it->impl.skl.node->prevs[0];
+
+  return it;
+}
+
+/************************************************************************************************
+ * stdskl_it_retreat: Advance 'it' towards end by 'num_retreat' positions.
+ ***********************************************************************************************/
+
+STDINLINE stdit *stdskl_it_retreat(stdit *it, stdsize num_retreat)
+{
+  STDSAFETY_CHECK(STDIT_SKL_IS_LEGAL(it));
+
+  while (num_retreat-- != 0) {
+    it->impl.skl.node = it->impl.skl.node->prevs[0];
+  }
+
+  return it;
+}