From fc40f83dd8a7741ec4901a4c0804457881f45393 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Christian Zimmermann <christian.zimmermann@ur.de>
Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2018 18:05:53 +0200
Subject: [PATCH] enable string meta data info by virtual function in RangeBase

---
 src/include/functional_multi_array.h          |  8 +-
 src/include/multi_array.h                     |  8 +-
 src/include/multi_array_base.h                | 20 ++---
 src/include/ranges/anonymous_range.h          | 12 ++-
 src/include/ranges/multi_range.h              | 45 ++++++++--
 src/include/ranges/range_base.h               | 33 ++++++--
 .../ranges/range_types/classic_range.h        |  3 +
 src/include/ranges/range_types/null_range.h   |  3 +
 src/include/ranges/range_types/space_range.h  |  6 +-
 src/include/ranges/range_types/spin_range.h   |  3 +
 src/include/ranges/rpack_num.h                | 33 +++++++-
 src/include/ranges/single_range.h             | 26 ++++++
 src/include/ranges/x_to_string.h              | 83 +++++++++++++++++++
 src/lib/ranges/anonymous_range.cc             | 30 +++++++
 src/lib/ranges/range_types/classic_range.cc   | 22 +++++
 src/lib/ranges/range_types/null_range.cc      | 21 ++++-
 src/lib/ranges/range_types/space_range.cc     | 21 +++++
 src/lib/ranges/range_types/spin_range.cc      | 21 ++++-
 18 files changed, 353 insertions(+), 45 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 src/include/ranges/x_to_string.h

diff --git a/src/include/functional_multi_array.h b/src/include/functional_multi_array.h
index 10f0a6a..68afbca 100644
--- a/src/include/functional_multi_array.h
+++ b/src/include/functional_multi_array.h
@@ -77,11 +77,11 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	
 	// EVALUTAION CLASS ??!!!!
 
-	auto exec(std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds) const
+	auto exec(const std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds) const
 	    -> decltype( mkOperation( mFunc, ConstOperationRoot<typename SRanges::IndexType::MetaType,SRanges>( mkMAObject( inds ), inds) ... ) );
 
 	virtual ConstOperationRoot<T,SRanges...>
-	operator()(std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds) const override;
+	operator()(const std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds) const override;
 	
     };
 
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	
     template <typename T, class Function, class... SRanges>
     ConstOperationRoot<T,SRanges...> FunctionalMultiArray<T,Function,SRanges...>::
-    operator()(std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds) const
+    operator()(const std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds) const
     {
 	if(not mMaPtr){
 	    mMaPtr = std::make_shared<MAType>( MAB::mRange->space() );
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
     
     template <typename T, class Function, class... SRanges>
     auto FunctionalMultiArray<T,Function,SRanges...>::
-    exec(std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds) const
+    exec(const std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds) const
 	-> decltype( mkOperation( mFunc, ConstOperationRoot<typename SRanges::IndexType::MetaType,SRanges>( mkMAObject( inds ), inds) ... ) )
     {
  	return mkOperation( mFunc, ConstOperationRoot<typename SRanges::IndexType::MetaType,SRanges>( mkMAObject( inds ), inds ) ... );
diff --git a/src/include/multi_array.h b/src/include/multi_array.h
index edae027..b2a0537 100644
--- a/src/include/multi_array.h
+++ b/src/include/multi_array.h
@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	MultiArray(const std::shared_ptr<SRanges>&... ranges, const T& val);
 	MultiArray(const std::shared_ptr<SRanges>&... ranges, const std::vector<T>& vec);
 	MultiArray(const std::shared_ptr<SRanges>&... ranges, std::vector<T>&& vec);
-	MultiArray(const typename CRange::SpaceType& space);
-	MultiArray(const typename CRange::SpaceType& space, std::vector<T>&& vec);
+	MultiArray(const typename CRange::Space& space);
+	MultiArray(const typename CRange::Space& space, std::vector<T>&& vec);
 	MultiArray(MultiArray<T,AnonymousRange>& ama, SIZET<SRanges>... sizes);
 	
 	// Only if ALL ranges have default extensions:
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
      *******************/
 
     template <typename T, class... SRanges>
-    MultiArray<T,SRanges...>::MultiArray(const typename CRange::SpaceType& space) :
+    MultiArray<T,SRanges...>::MultiArray(const typename CRange::Space& space) :
 	MutableMultiArrayBase<T,SRanges...>(space),
 	mCont(MAB::mRange->size())
     {
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
     }
 
     template <typename T, class... SRanges>
-    MultiArray<T,SRanges...>::MultiArray(const typename CRange::SpaceType& space,
+    MultiArray<T,SRanges...>::MultiArray(const typename CRange::Space& space,
 					 std::vector<T>&& vec) :
 	MutableMultiArrayBase<T,SRanges...>(space),
 	mCont(vec)
diff --git a/src/include/multi_array_base.h b/src/include/multi_array_base.h
index 07b5801..0f3289b 100644
--- a/src/include/multi_array_base.h
+++ b/src/include/multi_array_base.h
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 
 	DEFAULT_MEMBERS(MultiArrayBase);
 	MultiArrayBase(const std::shared_ptr<SRanges>&... ranges);
-	MultiArrayBase(const typename CRange::SpaceType& space);
+	MultiArrayBase(const typename CRange::Space& space);
 
 	virtual ~MultiArrayBase() = default;
 
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	virtual std::shared_ptr<MultiArrayBase<T,AnonymousRange> > anonymous() const = 0;
 	
 	virtual ConstOperationRoot<T,SRanges...>
-	operator()(std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds) const;
+	operator()(const std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds) const;
 	
 	virtual bool isInit() const;
 
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	
 	DEFAULT_MEMBERS(MutableMultiArrayBase);
 	MutableMultiArrayBase(const std::shared_ptr<SRanges>&... ranges);
-	MutableMultiArrayBase(const typename CRange::SpaceType& space);
+	MutableMultiArrayBase(const typename CRange::Space& space);
 	
 	virtual T& operator[](const IndexType& i) = 0;
 	virtual T& at(const typename CRange::IndexType::MetaType& meta) = 0;
@@ -102,8 +102,8 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	virtual std::shared_ptr<MultiArrayBase<T,AnonymousRange> > anonymousMove() = 0;
 	
 	virtual ConstOperationRoot<T,SRanges...>
-	operator()(std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds) const override;
-	virtual OperationRoot<T,SRanges...> operator()(std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds);
+	operator()(const std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds) const override;
+	virtual OperationRoot<T,SRanges...> operator()(const std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds);
     };
 
     
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
     }
 
     template <typename T, class... SRanges>
-    MultiArrayBase<T,SRanges...>::MultiArrayBase(const typename CRange::SpaceType& space)
+    MultiArrayBase<T,SRanges...>::MultiArrayBase(const typename CRange::Space& space)
     {
 	ContainerRangeFactory<T,SRanges...> crf(space);
 	mRange = std::dynamic_pointer_cast<ContainerRange<T,SRanges...> >( crf.create() );
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
     
     template <typename T, class... SRanges>
     ConstOperationRoot<T,SRanges...>
-    MultiArrayBase<T,SRanges...>::operator()(std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds) const
+    MultiArrayBase<T,SRanges...>::operator()(const std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds) const
     {
 	return ConstOperationRoot<T,SRanges...>(*this, inds...);
     }
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	MultiArrayBase<T,SRanges...>(ranges...) {}
 
     template <typename T, class... SRanges>
-    MutableMultiArrayBase<T,SRanges...>::MutableMultiArrayBase(const typename CRange::SpaceType& space) :
+    MutableMultiArrayBase<T,SRanges...>::MutableMultiArrayBase(const typename CRange::Space& space) :
 	MultiArrayBase<T,SRanges...>(space) {}
     /*
     template <typename T, class... SRanges>
@@ -247,14 +247,14 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 
     template <typename T, class... SRanges>
     OperationRoot<T,SRanges...>
-    MutableMultiArrayBase<T,SRanges...>::operator()(std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds)
+    MutableMultiArrayBase<T,SRanges...>::operator()(const std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds)
     {
 	return OperationRoot<T,SRanges...>(*this, inds...);
     }
     
     template <typename T, class... SRanges>
     ConstOperationRoot<T,SRanges...>
-    MutableMultiArrayBase<T,SRanges...>::operator()(std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds) const
+    MutableMultiArrayBase<T,SRanges...>::operator()(const std::shared_ptr<typename SRanges::IndexType>&... inds) const
     {
 	return ConstOperationRoot<T,SRanges...>(*this, inds...);
     }
diff --git a/src/include/ranges/anonymous_range.h b/src/include/ranges/anonymous_range.h
index 0aefc39..2e907f2 100644
--- a/src/include/ranges/anonymous_range.h
+++ b/src/include/ranges/anonymous_range.h
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 #include "rbase_def.h"
 #include "ranges/range_base.h"
 #include "ranges/rpheader.h"
+#include "ranges/x_to_string.h"
 
 namespace MultiArrayTools
 {
@@ -63,16 +64,19 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	typedef SingleRange<size_t,SpaceType::ANON> RangeType;
 	typedef size_t MetaType;
 	
-	virtual size_t size() const override;
-	virtual size_t dim() const override;
+	virtual size_t size() const final;
+	virtual size_t dim() const final;
 
 	size_t anonymousDim() const;
 	size_t get(size_t pos) const;
 	size_t getMeta(size_t metaPos) const;
 	
-	virtual IndexType begin() const override;
-	virtual IndexType end() const override;
+	virtual IndexType begin() const final;
+	virtual IndexType end() const final;
 
+	virtual std::string stringMeta(size_t pos) const final;
+	virtual std::vector<char> data() const final;
+	
 	std::shared_ptr<RangeBase> sub(size_t num) const;
 
 	template <class Range>
diff --git a/src/include/ranges/multi_range.h b/src/include/ranges/multi_range.h
index a86e99f..04068fc 100644
--- a/src/include/ranges/multi_range.h
+++ b/src/include/ranges/multi_range.h
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 
 #include "ranges/rpack_num.h"
 #include "ranges/multi_range_factory_product_map.h"
+#include "ranges/x_to_string.h"
 
 namespace MultiArrayTools
 {
@@ -129,7 +130,7 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	
 	MultiRangeFactory() = delete;
 	MultiRangeFactory(const std::shared_ptr<Ranges>&... rs);
-	MultiRangeFactory(const typename MultiRange<Ranges...>::SpaceType& space);
+	MultiRangeFactory(const typename MultiRange<Ranges...>::Space& space);
 
 	template <typename T>
 	MultiRangeFactory(const std::shared_ptr<ContainerRange<T,Ranges...> >& cr);
@@ -145,13 +146,13 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
     /******************
      *   MultiRange   *
      ******************/
-      
+    
     template <class... Ranges>
     class MultiRange : public RangeInterface<MultiIndex<typename Ranges::IndexType...> >
     {
     public:
 	typedef RangeBase RB;
-	typedef std::tuple<std::shared_ptr<Ranges>...> SpaceType;
+	typedef std::tuple<std::shared_ptr<Ranges>...> Space;
 	typedef MultiIndex<typename Ranges::IndexType...> IndexType;
 	typedef MultiRange RangeType;
 	//typedef typename RangeInterface<MultiIndex<typename Ranges::IndexType...> >::IndexType IndexType;
@@ -162,9 +163,9 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	MultiRange& operator=(const MultiRange& in) = delete;
 	
 	MultiRange(const std::shared_ptr<Ranges>&... rs);
-	MultiRange(const SpaceType& space);
+	MultiRange(const Space& space);
 	
-	SpaceType mSpace;
+	Space mSpace;
 
     public:
 	
@@ -178,8 +179,11 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 
 	virtual size_t dim() const final;
 	virtual size_t size() const final;
+
+	virtual std::string stringMeta(size_t pos) const final;
+	virtual std::vector<char> data() const final;
 	
-	const SpaceType& space() const;
+	const Space& space() const;
 	
 	virtual IndexType begin() const final;
 	virtual IndexType end() const final;
@@ -442,7 +446,7 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
     }
     
     template <class... Ranges>
-    MultiRangeFactory<Ranges...>::MultiRangeFactory(const typename MultiRange<Ranges...>::SpaceType& st)
+    MultiRangeFactory<Ranges...>::MultiRangeFactory(const typename MultiRange<Ranges...>::Space& st)
     {
 	mProd = std::shared_ptr< MultiRange<Ranges...> >( new MultiRange<Ranges...>( st ) );
     }
@@ -493,7 +497,7 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
     MultiRange<Ranges...>::MultiRange(const std::shared_ptr<Ranges>&... rs) : mSpace(std::make_tuple(rs...)) {}
 
     template <class... Ranges>
-    MultiRange<Ranges...>::MultiRange(const SpaceType& space) : mSpace( space ) {}
+    MultiRange<Ranges...>::MultiRange(const Space& space) : mSpace( space ) {}
 
     template <class... Ranges>
     template <size_t N>
@@ -522,10 +526,33 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
     }
 
     template <class... Ranges>
-    const typename MultiRange<Ranges...>::SpaceType& MultiRange<Ranges...>::space() const
+    const typename MultiRange<Ranges...>::Space& MultiRange<Ranges...>::space() const
     {
 	return mSpace;
     }
+
+    template <class... Ranges>
+    std::string MultiRange<Ranges...>::stringMeta(size_t pos) const
+    {
+	auto i = begin();
+	i = pos;
+	return "[ " + RPackNum<sizeof...(Ranges)-1>::metaTupleToString(i.meta()) + " ]";
+    }
+
+    template <class... Ranges>
+    std::vector<char> MultiRange<Ranges...>::data() const
+    {
+	DataHeader h;
+	h.spaceType = static_cast<int>( SpaceType::ANY );
+	h.metaSize = sizeof...(Ranges);
+	h.multiple = 1;
+	std::vector<char> out;
+	//out.reserve(h.metaSize + sizeof(DataHeader));
+	char* hcp = reinterpret_cast<char*>(&h);
+	out.insert(out.end(), hcp, hcp + sizeof(DataHeader));
+	RPackNum<sizeof...(Ranges)-1>::fillRangeDataVec(out, mSpace);
+	return out;
+    }
     
     template <class... Ranges>
     typename MultiRange<Ranges...>::IndexType MultiRange<Ranges...>::begin() const
diff --git a/src/include/ranges/range_base.h b/src/include/ranges/range_base.h
index 99838ab..5ec5d03 100644
--- a/src/include/ranges/range_base.h
+++ b/src/include/ranges/range_base.h
@@ -20,15 +20,27 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
     size_t indexId();
     
     enum class SpaceType
-    {
-	NONE = 0,
-	ANY = 1,
+	{
+	 NONE = 0, // meta data is that of a classic range, i.e. 0,1,2,...,N-1
+	 ANY = 1, // meta data is arbitrary, i.e. explicitly stored
 #define include_range_type(x,n) x = n,
 #include "range_types/header.h"
 #undef include_range_type
-	ANON = -1
-    };
+	 ANON = -1 // anonymous content
+	};
 
+    struct DataHeader
+    {
+    public:
+	static constexpr size_t VERSION = 1; // fixed by version of this repository !
+    private:
+	size_t version = VERSION;
+    public:
+	int spaceType = static_cast<int>( SpaceType::NONE );
+	size_t metaSize = 0; // size of meta data
+	int multiple = 0; // = 1 if multi range
+    };
+    
     class RangeFactoryBase
     {
     public:
@@ -50,17 +62,20 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
     class RangeBase
     {
     public:
-
+	
 	static constexpr bool ISINDEX = false;
 	
 	virtual ~RangeBase() = default;
 	    
 	virtual size_t size() const = 0;
 	virtual size_t dim() const = 0;
-
+	
 	bool operator==(const RangeBase& in) const;
 	bool operator!=(const RangeBase& in) const;
 
+	virtual std::string stringMeta(size_t pos) const = 0;
+	virtual std::vector<char> data() const = 0; // usefull when writing to files, etc...
+	
 	//virtual bool regular() const = 0; // integer distance (e.g. 2,3,4,...)
 	//virtual bool linear() const = 0; // 1dim valuable (e.g. 2.45, 3.12, 3.56,...)
 	//virtual bool multi() const = 0; // mdim
@@ -69,11 +84,11 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	friend RangeFactoryBase;
 	
     protected:
-
+	
 	RangeBase() = default;
 	std::weak_ptr<RangeBase> mThis;
     };
-
+    
     template <class Index>
     class RangeInterface : public RangeBase
     {
diff --git a/src/include/ranges/range_types/classic_range.h b/src/include/ranges/range_types/classic_range.h
index d3cf092..69ad02e 100644
--- a/src/include/ranges/range_types/classic_range.h
+++ b/src/include/ranges/range_types/classic_range.h
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	
 	virtual size_t size() const override;
 	virtual size_t dim() const override;
+
+	virtual std::string stringMeta(size_t pos) const override;
+	virtual std::vector<char> data() const override;
 	
 	size_t get(size_t pos) const;
 	size_t getMeta(size_t metaPos) const;
diff --git a/src/include/ranges/range_types/null_range.h b/src/include/ranges/range_types/null_range.h
index 0a5b075..900bcee 100644
--- a/src/include/ranges/range_types/null_range.h
+++ b/src/include/ranges/range_types/null_range.h
@@ -44,6 +44,9 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	
 	virtual size_t size() const override;
 	virtual size_t dim() const override;
+
+	virtual std::string stringMeta(size_t pos) const override;
+	virtual std::vector<char> data() const override;
 	
 	size_t get(size_t pos) const;
 	size_t getMeta(size_t metapos) const;
diff --git a/src/include/ranges/range_types/space_range.h b/src/include/ranges/range_types/space_range.h
index 79f3c26..e64c754 100644
--- a/src/include/ranges/range_types/space_range.h
+++ b/src/include/ranges/range_types/space_range.h
@@ -33,13 +33,15 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	
 	virtual size_t size() const override;
 	virtual size_t dim() const override;
-	
+
+	virtual std::string stringMeta(size_t pos) const override;
+	virtual std::vector<char> data() const override;
+
 	int get(size_t pos) const;
 	size_t getMeta(int metaPos) const;
 	
 	virtual IndexType begin() const override;
 	virtual IndexType end() const override;
-	//virtual std::shared_ptr<VIWB> index() const override;
 	
 	friend SingleRangeFactory<int,SpaceType::PSPACE>;
 
diff --git a/src/include/ranges/range_types/spin_range.h b/src/include/ranges/range_types/spin_range.h
index 34f5447..f7b7f80 100644
--- a/src/include/ranges/range_types/spin_range.h
+++ b/src/include/ranges/range_types/spin_range.h
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	
 	virtual size_t size() const override;
 	virtual size_t dim() const override;
+
+	virtual std::string stringMeta(size_t pos) const override;
+	virtual std::vector<char> data() const override;
 	
 	size_t get(size_t pos) const;
 	size_t getMeta(size_t metaPos) const;
diff --git a/src/include/ranges/rpack_num.h b/src/include/ranges/rpack_num.h
index bfc9818..3d4e808 100644
--- a/src/include/ranges/rpack_num.h
+++ b/src/include/ranges/rpack_num.h
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 #include <cassert>
 #include "ranges/rbase_def.h"
 #include "ranges/index_base.h"
-
+#include "ranges/x_to_string.h"
 
 namespace MultiArrayHelper
 {
@@ -59,6 +59,8 @@ namespace MultiArrayHelper
     {
 	v.insert(v.begin(), r);
     }
+
+    
     
     template <size_t N>
     struct RPackNum
@@ -297,6 +299,21 @@ namespace MultiArrayHelper
 	    return reinterpret_cast<std::intptr_t>( std::get<N>(p).get() ) == a[N] and
 		RPackNum<N-1>::checkIfCreated(p,a);
 	}
+
+	template <class MetaTuple>
+	static inline std::string metaTupleToString(const MetaTuple& mtp)
+	{
+	    return RPackNum<N-1>::metaTupleToString(mtp) + " , " + xToString(std::get<N>(mtp));
+	}
+
+	template <class... Ranges>
+	static inline void fillRangeDataVec(std::vector<char>& out,
+					    const std::tuple<std::shared_ptr<Ranges>...>& tp)
+	{
+	    std::vector<char> part = std::get<sizeof...(Ranges)-N-1>(tp)->data();
+	    out.insert(out.end(), part.begin(), part.end());
+	    RPackNum<N-1>::fillRangeDataVec(out, tp);
+	}
     };
 
     
@@ -496,6 +513,20 @@ namespace MultiArrayHelper
 	    return reinterpret_cast<std::intptr_t>( std::get<0>(p).get() ) == a[0];
 	}
 
+	template <class MetaTuple>
+	static inline std::string metaTupleToString(const MetaTuple& mtp)
+	{
+	    return xToString(std::get<0>(mtp));
+	}
+
+	template <class... Ranges>
+	static inline void fillRangeDataVec(std::vector<char>& out,
+					    const std::tuple<std::shared_ptr<Ranges>...>& tp)
+	{
+	    std::vector<char> part = std::get<sizeof...(Ranges)-1>(tp)->data();
+	    out.insert(out.end(), part.begin(), part.end());
+	}
+
     };
     
     template <IndexType IT>
diff --git a/src/include/ranges/single_range.h b/src/include/ranges/single_range.h
index eb0602e..ce41d3c 100644
--- a/src/include/ranges/single_range.h
+++ b/src/include/ranges/single_range.h
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 //#include "ranges/rpack_num.h"
 #include "ranges/index_base.h"
 #include "ranges/range_base.h"
+#include "ranges/x_to_string.h"
 
 #include "xfor/xfor.h"
 
@@ -103,6 +104,9 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	
 	virtual size_t size() const override;
 	virtual size_t dim() const override;
+
+	virtual std::string stringMeta(size_t pos) const override;
+	virtual std::vector<char> data() const override;
 	
 	const U& get(size_t pos) const;
 	size_t getMeta(const U& metaPos) const;
@@ -365,6 +369,28 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	return 1;
     }
 
+    template <typename U, SpaceType TYPE>
+    std::string SingleRange<U,TYPE>::stringMeta(size_t pos) const
+    {
+	return xToString(get(pos));
+    }
+
+    template <typename U, SpaceType TYPE>
+    std::vector<char> SingleRange<U,TYPE>::data() const
+    {
+	DataHeader h;
+	h.spaceType = static_cast<int>( TYPE );
+	h.metaSize = size() * sizeof(U);
+	h.multiple = 0;
+	std::vector<char> out;
+	out.reserve(h.metaSize + sizeof(DataHeader));
+	char* hcp = reinterpret_cast<char*>(&h);
+	out.insert(out.end(), hcp, hcp + sizeof(DataHeader));
+	const char* scp = reinterpret_cast<const char*>(mSpace.data());
+	out.insert(out.end(), scp, scp + h.metaSize);
+	return out;
+    }
+    
     template <typename U, SpaceType TYPE>
     typename SingleRange<U,TYPE>::IndexType SingleRange<U,TYPE>::begin() const
     {
diff --git a/src/include/ranges/x_to_string.h b/src/include/ranges/x_to_string.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..81dc63a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/include/ranges/x_to_string.h
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+
+#ifndef __x_to_string_h__
+#define __x_to_string_h__
+
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+#include <array>
+#include <tuple>
+
+namespace MultiArrayHelper
+{
+    template <typename T>
+    inline std::string xToString(const T& x)
+    {
+	return std::to_string(x);
+    }
+
+    template <size_t N>
+    struct TupleToString
+    {
+	template <typename... Ts>
+	static inline std::string mk(const std::tuple<Ts...>& tp)
+	{
+	    return TupleToString<N-1>::mk(tp) + " , " + xToString(std::get<N>(tp));
+	}
+    };
+
+    template <>
+    struct TupleToString<0>
+    {
+	template <typename... Ts>
+	static inline std::string mk(const std::tuple<Ts...>& tp)
+	{
+	    return xToString(std::get<0>(tp));
+	}
+    };
+
+    template <>
+    inline std::string xToString<char>(const char& x)
+    {
+	std::string out = "";
+	return out += x;
+    }
+
+    template <>
+    inline std::string xToString<std::string>(const std::string& x)
+    {
+	return x;
+    }
+
+    template <typename T>
+    inline std::string xToString(const std::vector<T>& x)
+    {
+	std::string out = "[ ";
+	for(auto& y: x){
+	    out += y + " , ";
+	}
+	out.pop_back();
+	out.back() = ']';
+	return out;
+    }
+
+    template <typename T, size_t N>
+    inline std::string xToString(const std::array<T,N>& x)
+    {
+	std::string out = "[ ";
+	for(auto& y: x){
+	    out += y + " , ";
+	}
+	out.pop_back();
+	out.back() = ']';
+	return out;
+    }
+
+    template <typename... Ts>
+    inline std::string xToString(const std::tuple<Ts...>& tp)
+    {
+	return "{ " + TupleToString<sizeof...(Ts)-1>::mk(tp) + " }";
+    }
+
+}
+
+#endif
diff --git a/src/lib/ranges/anonymous_range.cc b/src/lib/ranges/anonymous_range.cc
index 992e098..694ab14 100644
--- a/src/lib/ranges/anonymous_range.cc
+++ b/src/lib/ranges/anonymous_range.cc
@@ -77,6 +77,36 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
 	return 1;
     }
 
+    std::string AnonymousRange::stringMeta(size_t pos) const
+    {
+	std::string out = "[ ";
+	size_t xpos = pos;
+	for(size_t i = mOrig.size(); i != 0; --i) {
+	    auto& x = mOrig[i-1];
+	    const size_t redpos = pos % x->size();
+	    out = ( (i == mOrig.size()) ? out : out + " , " ) + x->stringMeta(redpos);
+	    xpos -= redpos;
+	}
+	out += " ]";
+	return out;
+    }
+
+    std::vector<char> AnonymousRange::data() const
+    {
+	DataHeader h;
+	h.spaceType = static_cast<int>( SpaceType::ANON );
+	h.metaSize = mOrig.size();
+	h.multiple = 1;
+	std::vector<char> out;
+	char* hcp = reinterpret_cast<char*>(&h);
+	out.insert(out.end(), hcp, hcp + sizeof(DataHeader));
+	for(auto& x: mOrig){
+	    auto part = x->data();
+	    out.insert(out.end(), part.begin(), part.end());
+	}
+	return out;
+    }
+    
     size_t AnonymousRange::anonymousDim() const
     {
 	return mOrig.size();
diff --git a/src/lib/ranges/range_types/classic_range.cc b/src/lib/ranges/range_types/classic_range.cc
index 82c2af6..6432e0c 100644
--- a/src/lib/ranges/range_types/classic_range.cc
+++ b/src/lib/ranges/range_types/classic_range.cc
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 
 #include "ranges/rheader.h"
+#include "ranges/x_to_string.h"
 
 namespace MultiArrayTools
 {
@@ -46,6 +47,27 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
     {
 	return 1;
     }
+
+    std::string SingleRange<size_t,SpaceType::NONE>::stringMeta(size_t pos) const
+    {
+	return std::to_string(get(pos));
+    }
+
+    std::vector<char> SingleRange<size_t,SpaceType::NONE>::data() const
+    {
+	DataHeader h;
+	h.spaceType = static_cast<int>( SpaceType::NONE );
+	h.metaSize = sizeof(size_t);
+	h.multiple = 0;
+	std::vector<char> out;
+	out.reserve(h.metaSize + sizeof(DataHeader));
+	char* hcp = reinterpret_cast<char*>(&h);
+	out.insert(out.end(), hcp, hcp + sizeof(DataHeader));
+	const char* scp = reinterpret_cast<const char*>(&mSize);
+	out.insert(out.end(), scp, scp + h.metaSize);
+	return out;
+    }
+
     
     typename SingleRange<size_t,SpaceType::NONE>::IndexType SingleRange<size_t,SpaceType::NONE>::begin() const
     {
diff --git a/src/lib/ranges/range_types/null_range.cc b/src/lib/ranges/range_types/null_range.cc
index 056d5fd..dac0f90 100644
--- a/src/lib/ranges/range_types/null_range.cc
+++ b/src/lib/ranges/range_types/null_range.cc
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 
 #include "ranges/rheader.h"
+#include "ranges/x_to_string.h"
 
 namespace MultiArrayTools
 {
@@ -61,7 +62,25 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
     {
 	return 1;
     }
-    
+
+    std::string SingleRange<size_t,SpaceType::NUL>::stringMeta(size_t pos) const
+    {
+	return std::to_string(get(pos));
+    }
+
+    std::vector<char> SingleRange<size_t,SpaceType::NUL>::data() const
+    {
+	DataHeader h;
+	h.spaceType = static_cast<int>( SpaceType::NUL );
+	h.metaSize = 0;
+	h.multiple = 0;
+	std::vector<char> out;
+	out.reserve(h.metaSize + sizeof(DataHeader));
+	char* hcp = reinterpret_cast<char*>(&h);
+	out.insert(out.end(), hcp, hcp + sizeof(DataHeader));
+	return out;
+    }
+   
     typename SingleRange<size_t,SpaceType::NUL>::IndexType SingleRange<size_t,SpaceType::NUL>::begin() const
     {
 	SingleIndex<size_t,SpaceType::NUL> i( std::dynamic_pointer_cast<SingleRange<size_t,SpaceType::NUL> >
diff --git a/src/lib/ranges/range_types/space_range.cc b/src/lib/ranges/range_types/space_range.cc
index 48fd9d4..b126bc5 100644
--- a/src/lib/ranges/range_types/space_range.cc
+++ b/src/lib/ranges/range_types/space_range.cc
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 
 #include "ranges/rheader.h"
+#include "ranges/x_to_string.h"
 
 namespace MultiArrayTools
 {
@@ -46,6 +47,26 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
     {
 	return 1;
     }
+
+    std::string SingleRange<int,SpaceType::PSPACE>::stringMeta(size_t pos) const
+    {
+	return std::to_string(get(pos));
+    }
+
+    std::vector<char> SingleRange<int,SpaceType::PSPACE>::data() const
+    {
+	DataHeader h;
+	h.spaceType = static_cast<int>( SpaceType::PSPACE );
+	h.metaSize = sizeof(size_t);
+	h.multiple = 0;
+	std::vector<char> out;
+	out.reserve(h.metaSize + sizeof(DataHeader));
+	char* hcp = reinterpret_cast<char*>(&h);
+	out.insert(out.end(), hcp, hcp + sizeof(DataHeader));
+	const char* scp = reinterpret_cast<const char*>(&mSize);
+	out.insert(out.end(), scp, scp + h.metaSize);
+	return out;
+    }
     
     typename SingleRange<int,SpaceType::PSPACE>::IndexType SingleRange<int,SpaceType::PSPACE>::begin() const
     {
diff --git a/src/lib/ranges/range_types/spin_range.cc b/src/lib/ranges/range_types/spin_range.cc
index 83b0e55..a2e1b96 100644
--- a/src/lib/ranges/range_types/spin_range.cc
+++ b/src/lib/ranges/range_types/spin_range.cc
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 
 #include "ranges/rheader.h"
+#include "ranges/x_to_string.h"
 
 namespace MultiArrayTools
 {
@@ -44,7 +45,25 @@ namespace MultiArrayTools
     {
 	return 1;
     }
-    
+
+    std::string SingleRange<size_t,SpaceType::SPIN>::stringMeta(size_t pos) const
+    {
+	return std::to_string(get(pos));
+    }
+
+    std::vector<char> SingleRange<size_t,SpaceType::SPIN>::data() const
+    {
+	DataHeader h;
+	h.spaceType = static_cast<int>( SpaceType::SPIN );
+	h.metaSize = 0;
+	h.multiple = 0;
+	std::vector<char> out;
+	out.reserve(h.metaSize + sizeof(DataHeader));
+	char* hcp = reinterpret_cast<char*>(&h);
+	out.insert(out.end(), hcp, hcp + sizeof(DataHeader));
+	return out;
+    }
+
     typename SingleRange<size_t,SpaceType::SPIN>::IndexType SingleRange<size_t,SpaceType::SPIN>::begin() const
     {
 	SingleIndex<size_t,SpaceType::SPIN> i( std::dynamic_pointer_cast<SingleRange<size_t,SpaceType::SPIN> >