fastercsv 1.4.0 → 1.5.5

data/lib/faster_csv.rb

@@ -7,1732 +7,1766 @@
 # 
 # See FasterCSV for documentation.
 
-require "forwardable"
-require "English"
-require "enumerator"
-require "date"
-require "stringio"
+if RUBY_VERSION >= "1.9"
+  class FasterCSV
+    def self.const_missing(*_)
+      raise NotImplementedError, "Please switch to Ruby 1.9's standard CSV "  +
+                                 "library.  It's FasterCSV plus support for " +
+                                 "Ruby 1.9's m17n encoding engine."
+    end
+    
+    def self.method_missing(*_)
+      const_missing
+    end
+    
+    def method_missing(*_)
+      self.class.const_missing
+    end
+  end
+else
+  require "forwardable"
+  require "English"
+  require "enumerator"
+  require "date"
+  require "stringio"
 
-# 
-# This class provides a complete interface to CSV files and data.  It offers
-# tools to enable you to read and write to and from Strings or IO objects, as
-# needed.
-# 
-# == Reading
-# 
-# === From a File
-# 
-# ==== A Line at a Time
-# 
-#   FasterCSV.foreach("path/to/file.csv") do |row|
-#     # use row here...
-#   end
-# 
-# ==== All at Once
-# 
-#   arr_of_arrs = FasterCSV.read("path/to/file.csv")
-# 
-# === From a String
-# 
-# ==== A Line at a Time
-# 
-#   FasterCSV.parse("CSV,data,String") do |row|
-#     # use row here...
-#   end
-# 
-# ==== All at Once
-# 
-#   arr_of_arrs = FasterCSV.parse("CSV,data,String")
-# 
-# == Writing
-# 
-# === To a File
-# 
-#   FasterCSV.open("path/to/file.csv", "w") do |csv|
-#     csv << ["row", "of", "CSV", "data"]
-#     csv << ["another", "row"]
-#     # ...
-#   end
-# 
-# === To a String
-# 
-#   csv_string = FasterCSV.generate do |csv|
-#     csv << ["row", "of", "CSV", "data"]
-#     csv << ["another", "row"]
-#     # ...
-#   end
-# 
-# == Convert a Single Line
-# 
-#   csv_string = ["CSV", "data"].to_csv   # to CSV
-#   csv_array  = "CSV,String".parse_csv   # from CSV
-# 
-# == Shortcut Interface
-# 
-#   FCSV             { |csv_out| csv_out << %w{my data here} }  # to $stdout
-#   FCSV(csv = "")   { |csv_str| csv_str << %w{my data here} }  # to a String
-#   FCSV($stderr)    { |csv_err| csv_err << %w{my data here} }  # to $stderr
-# 
-class FasterCSV
-  # The version of the installed library.
-  VERSION = "1.4.0".freeze
-  
   # 
-  # A FasterCSV::Row is part Array and part Hash.  It retains an order for the
-  # fields and allows duplicates just as an Array would, but also allows you to
-  # access fields by name just as you could if they were in a Hash.
+  # This class provides a complete interface to CSV files and data.  It offers
+  # tools to enable you to read and write to and from Strings or IO objects, as
+  # needed.
   # 
-  # All rows returned by FasterCSV will be constructed from this class, if
-  # header row processing is activated.
+  # == Reading
   # 
-  class Row
-    # 
-    # Construct a new FasterCSV::Row from +headers+ and +fields+, which are
-    # expected to be Arrays.  If one Array is shorter than the other, it will be
-    # padded with +nil+ objects.
-    # 
-    # The optional +header_row+ parameter can be set to +true+ to indicate, via
-    # FasterCSV::Row.header_row?() and FasterCSV::Row.field_row?(), that this is
-    # a header row.  Otherwise, the row is assumes to be a field row.
+  # === From a File
+  # 
+  # ==== A Line at a Time
+  # 
+  #   FasterCSV.foreach("path/to/file.csv") do |row|
+  #     # use row here...
+  #   end
+  # 
+  # ==== All at Once
+  # 
+  #   arr_of_arrs = FasterCSV.read("path/to/file.csv")
+  # 
+  # === From a String
+  # 
+  # ==== A Line at a Time
+  # 
+  #   FasterCSV.parse("CSV,data,String") do |row|
+  #     # use row here...
+  #   end
+  # 
+  # ==== All at Once
+  # 
+  #   arr_of_arrs = FasterCSV.parse("CSV,data,String")
+  # 
+  # == Writing
+  # 
+  # === To a File
+  # 
+  #   FasterCSV.open("path/to/file.csv", "w") do |csv|
+  #     csv << ["row", "of", "CSV", "data"]
+  #     csv << ["another", "row"]
+  #     # ...
+  #   end
+  # 
+  # === To a String
+  # 
+  #   csv_string = FasterCSV.generate do |csv|
+  #     csv << ["row", "of", "CSV", "data"]
+  #     csv << ["another", "row"]
+  #     # ...
+  #   end
+  # 
+  # == Convert a Single Line
+  # 
+  #   csv_string = ["CSV", "data"].to_csv   # to CSV
+  #   csv_array  = "CSV,String".parse_csv   # from CSV
+  # 
+  # == Shortcut Interface
+  # 
+  #   FCSV             { |csv_out| csv_out << %w{my data here} }  # to $stdout
+  #   FCSV(csv = "")   { |csv_str| csv_str << %w{my data here} }  # to a String
+  #   FCSV($stderr)    { |csv_err| csv_err << %w{my data here} }  # to $stderr
+  #   FCSV($stdin)     { |csv_in|  csv_in.each { |row| p row } }  # from $stdin
+  # 
+  # == Advanced Usage
+  # 
+  # === Wrap an IO Object
+  # 
+  #   csv = FCSV.new(io, options)
+  #   # ... read (with gets() or each()) from and write (with <<) to csv here ...
+  # 
+  class FasterCSV
+    # The version of the installed library.
+    VERSION = "1.5.5".freeze
+
     # 
-    # A FasterCSV::Row object supports the following Array methods through
-    # delegation:
+    # A FasterCSV::Row is part Array and part Hash.  It retains an order for the
+    # fields and allows duplicates just as an Array would, but also allows you to
+    # access fields by name just as you could if they were in a Hash.
     # 
-    # * empty?()
-    # * length()
-    # * size()
+    # All rows returned by FasterCSV will be constructed from this class, if
+    # header row processing is activated.
     # 
-    def initialize(headers, fields, header_row = false)
-      @header_row = header_row
-      
-      # handle extra headers or fields
-      @row = if headers.size > fields.size
-        headers.zip(fields)
-      else
-        fields.zip(headers).map { |pair| pair.reverse }
+    class Row
+      # 
+      # Construct a new FasterCSV::Row from +headers+ and +fields+, which are
+      # expected to be Arrays.  If one Array is shorter than the other, it will be
+      # padded with +nil+ objects.
+      # 
+      # The optional +header_row+ parameter can be set to +true+ to indicate, via
+      # FasterCSV::Row.header_row?() and FasterCSV::Row.field_row?(), that this is
+      # a header row.  Otherwise, the row is assumes to be a field row.
+      # 
+      # A FasterCSV::Row object supports the following Array methods through
+      # delegation:
+      # 
+      # * empty?()
+      # * length()
+      # * size()
+      # 
+      def initialize(headers, fields, header_row = false)
+        @header_row = header_row
+
+        # handle extra headers or fields
+        @row = if headers.size > fields.size
+          headers.zip(fields)
+        else
+          fields.zip(headers).map { |pair| pair.reverse }
+        end
       end
-    end
-    
-    # Internal data format used to compare equality.
-    attr_reader :row
-    protected   :row
 
-    ### Array Delegation ###
+      # Internal data format used to compare equality.
+      attr_reader :row
+      protected   :row
 
-    extend Forwardable
-    def_delegators :@row, :empty?, :length, :size
-    
-    # Returns +true+ if this is a header row.
-    def header_row?
-      @header_row
-    end
-    
-    # Returns +true+ if this is a field row.
-    def field_row?
-      not header_row?
-    end
-    
-    # Returns the headers of this row.
-    def headers
-      @row.map { |pair| pair.first }
-    end
-    
-    # 
-    # :call-seq:
-    #   field( header )
-    #   field( header, offset )
-    #   field( index )
-    # 
-    # This method will fetch the field value by +header+ or +index+.  If a field
-    # is not found, +nil+ is returned.
-    # 
-    # When provided, +offset+ ensures that a header match occurrs on or later
-    # than the +offset+ index.  You can use this to find duplicate headers, 
-    # without resorting to hard-coding exact indices.
-    # 
-    def field(header_or_index, minimum_index = 0)
-      # locate the pair
-      finder = header_or_index.is_a?(Integer) ? :[] : :assoc
-      pair   = @row[minimum_index..-1].send(finder, header_or_index)
+      ### Array Delegation ###
 
-      # return the field if we have a pair
-      pair.nil? ? nil : pair.last
-    end
-    alias_method :[], :field
-    
-    # 
-    # :call-seq:
-    #   []=( header, value )
-    #   []=( header, offset, value )
-    #   []=( index, value )
-    # 
-    # Looks up the field by the semantics described in FasterCSV::Row.field()
-    # and assigns the +value+.
-    # 
-    # Assigning past the end of the row with an index will set all pairs between
-    # to <tt>[nil, nil]</tt>.  Assigning to an unused header appends the new
-    # pair.
-    # 
-    def []=(*args)
-      value = args.pop
-      
-      if args.first.is_a? Integer
-        if @row[args.first].nil?  # extending past the end with index
-          @row[args.first] = [nil, value]
-          @row.map! { |pair| pair.nil? ? [nil, nil] : pair }
-        else                      # normal index assignment
-          @row[args.first][1] = value
+      extend Forwardable
+      def_delegators :@row, :empty?, :length, :size
+
+      # Returns +true+ if this is a header row.
+      def header_row?
+        @header_row
+      end
+
+      # Returns +true+ if this is a field row.
+      def field_row?
+        not header_row?
+      end
+
+      # Returns the headers of this row.
+      def headers
+        @row.map { |pair| pair.first }
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # :call-seq:
+      #   field( header )
+      #   field( header, offset )
+      #   field( index )
+      # 
+      # This method will fetch the field value by +header+ or +index+.  If a field
+      # is not found, +nil+ is returned.
+      # 
+      # When provided, +offset+ ensures that a header match occurrs on or later
+      # than the +offset+ index.  You can use this to find duplicate headers, 
+      # without resorting to hard-coding exact indices.
+      # 
+      def field(header_or_index, minimum_index = 0)
+        # locate the pair
+        finder = header_or_index.is_a?(Integer) ? :[] : :assoc
+        pair   = @row[minimum_index..-1].send(finder, header_or_index)
+
+        # return the field if we have a pair
+        pair.nil? ? nil : pair.last
+      end
+      alias_method :[], :field
+
+      # 
+      # :call-seq:
+      #   []=( header, value )
+      #   []=( header, offset, value )
+      #   []=( index, value )
+      # 
+      # Looks up the field by the semantics described in FasterCSV::Row.field()
+      # and assigns the +value+.
+      # 
+      # Assigning past the end of the row with an index will set all pairs between
+      # to <tt>[nil, nil]</tt>.  Assigning to an unused header appends the new
+      # pair.
+      # 
+      def []=(*args)
+        value = args.pop
+
+        if args.first.is_a? Integer
+          if @row[args.first].nil?  # extending past the end with index
+            @row[args.first] = [nil, value]
+            @row.map! { |pair| pair.nil? ? [nil, nil] : pair }
+          else                      # normal index assignment
+            @row[args.first][1] = value
+          end
+        else
+          index = index(*args)
+          if index.nil?             # appending a field
+            self << [args.first, value]
+          else                      # normal header assignment
+            @row[index][1] = value
+          end
         end
-      else
-        index = index(*args)
-        if index.nil?             # appending a field
-          self << [args.first, value]
-        else                      # normal header assignment
-          @row[index][1] = value
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # :call-seq:
+      #   <<( field )
+      #   <<( header_and_field_array )
+      #   <<( header_and_field_hash )
+      # 
+      # If a two-element Array is provided, it is assumed to be a header and field
+      # and the pair is appended.  A Hash works the same way with the key being
+      # the header and the value being the field.  Anything else is assumed to be
+      # a lone field which is appended with a +nil+ header.
+      # 
+      # This method returns the row for chaining.
+      # 
+      def <<(arg)
+        if arg.is_a?(Array) and arg.size == 2  # appending a header and name
+          @row << arg
+        elsif arg.is_a?(Hash)                  # append header and name pairs
+          arg.each { |pair| @row << pair }
+        else                                   # append field value
+          @row << [nil, arg]
         end
+
+        self  # for chaining
       end
-    end
-    
-    # 
-    # :call-seq:
-    #   <<( field )
-    #   <<( header_and_field_array )
-    #   <<( header_and_field_hash )
-    # 
-    # If a two-element Array is provided, it is assumed to be a header and field
-    # and the pair is appended.  A Hash works the same way with the key being
-    # the header and the value being the field.  Anything else is assumed to be
-    # a lone field which is appended with a +nil+ header.
-    # 
-    # This method returns the row for chaining.
-    # 
-    def <<(arg)
-      if arg.is_a?(Array) and arg.size == 2  # appending a header and name
-        @row << arg
-      elsif arg.is_a?(Hash)                  # append header and name pairs
-        arg.each { |pair| @row << pair }
-      else                                   # append field value
-        @row << [nil, arg]
-      end
-      
-      self  # for chaining
-    end
-    
-    # 
-    # A shortcut for appending multiple fields.  Equivalent to:
-    # 
-    #   args.each { |arg| faster_csv_row << arg }
-    # 
-    # This method returns the row for chaining.
-    # 
-    def push(*args)
-      args.each { |arg| self << arg }
-      
-      self  # for chaining
-    end
-    
-    # 
-    # :call-seq:
-    #   delete( header )
-    #   delete( header, offset )
-    #   delete( index )
-    # 
-    # Used to remove a pair from the row by +header+ or +index+.  The pair is
-    # located as described in FasterCSV::Row.field().  The deleted pair is 
-    # returned, or +nil+ if a pair could not be found.
-    # 
-    def delete(header_or_index, minimum_index = 0)
-      if header_or_index.is_a? Integer  # by index
-        @row.delete_at(header_or_index)
-      else                              # by header
-        @row.delete_at(index(header_or_index, minimum_index))
+
+      # 
+      # A shortcut for appending multiple fields.  Equivalent to:
+      # 
+      #   args.each { |arg| faster_csv_row << arg }
+      # 
+      # This method returns the row for chaining.
+      # 
+      def push(*args)
+        args.each { |arg| self << arg }
+
+        self  # for chaining
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # :call-seq:
+      #   delete( header )
+      #   delete( header, offset )
+      #   delete( index )
+      # 
+      # Used to remove a pair from the row by +header+ or +index+.  The pair is
+      # located as described in FasterCSV::Row.field().  The deleted pair is 
+      # returned, or +nil+ if a pair could not be found.
+      # 
+      def delete(header_or_index, minimum_index = 0)
+        if header_or_index.is_a? Integer                 # by index
+          @row.delete_at(header_or_index)
+        elsif i = index(header_or_index, minimum_index)  # by header
+          @row.delete_at(i)
+        else
+          [ ]
+        end
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # The provided +block+ is passed a header and field for each pair in the row
+      # and expected to return +true+ or +false+, depending on whether the pair
+      # should be deleted.
+      # 
+      # This method returns the row for chaining.
+      # 
+      def delete_if(&block)
+        @row.delete_if(&block)
+
+        self  # for chaining
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # This method accepts any number of arguments which can be headers, indices,
+      # Ranges of either, or two-element Arrays containing a header and offset.  
+      # Each argument will be replaced with a field lookup as described in
+      # FasterCSV::Row.field().
+      # 
+      # If called with no arguments, all fields are returned.
+      # 
+      def fields(*headers_and_or_indices)
+        if headers_and_or_indices.empty?  # return all fields--no arguments
+          @row.map { |pair| pair.last }
+        else                              # or work like values_at()
+          headers_and_or_indices.inject(Array.new) do |all, h_or_i|
+            all + if h_or_i.is_a? Range
+              index_begin = h_or_i.begin.is_a?(Integer) ? h_or_i.begin :
+                                                          index(h_or_i.begin)
+              index_end   = h_or_i.end.is_a?(Integer)   ? h_or_i.end :
+                                                          index(h_or_i.end)
+              new_range   = h_or_i.exclude_end? ? (index_begin...index_end) :
+                                                  (index_begin..index_end)
+              fields.values_at(new_range)
+            else
+              [field(*Array(h_or_i))]
+            end
+          end
+        end
+      end
+      alias_method :values_at, :fields
+
+      # 
+      # :call-seq:
+      #   index( header )
+      #   index( header, offset )
+      # 
+      # This method will return the index of a field with the provided +header+.
+      # The +offset+ can be used to locate duplicate header names, as described in
+      # FasterCSV::Row.field().
+      # 
+      def index(header, minimum_index = 0)
+        # find the pair
+        index = headers[minimum_index..-1].index(header)
+        # return the index at the right offset, if we found one
+        index.nil? ? nil : index + minimum_index
+      end
+
+      # Returns +true+ if +name+ is a header for this row, and +false+ otherwise.
+      def header?(name)
+        headers.include? name
+      end
+      alias_method :include?, :header?
+
+      # 
+      # Returns +true+ if +data+ matches a field in this row, and +false+
+      # otherwise.
+      # 
+      def field?(data)
+        fields.include? data
+      end
+
+      include Enumerable
+
+      # 
+      # Yields each pair of the row as header and field tuples (much like
+      # iterating over a Hash).
+      # 
+      # Support for Enumerable.
+      # 
+      # This method returns the row for chaining.
+      # 
+      def each(&block)
+        @row.each(&block)
+
+        self  # for chaining
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # Returns +true+ if this row contains the same headers and fields in the 
+      # same order as +other+.
+      # 
+      def ==(other)
+        @row == other.row
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # Collapses the row into a simple Hash.  Be warning that this discards field
+      # order and clobbers duplicate fields.
+      # 
+      def to_hash
+        # flatten just one level of the internal Array
+        Hash[*@row.inject(Array.new) { |ary, pair| ary.push(*pair) }]
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # Returns the row as a CSV String.  Headers are not used.  Equivalent to:
+      # 
+      #   faster_csv_row.fields.to_csv( options )
+      # 
+      def to_csv(options = Hash.new)
+        fields.to_csv(options)
+      end
+      alias_method :to_s, :to_csv
+
+      # A summary of fields, by header.
+      def inspect
+        str = "#<#{self.class}"
+        each do |header, field|
+          str << " #{header.is_a?(Symbol) ? header.to_s : header.inspect}:" <<
+                 field.inspect
+        end
+        str << ">"
       end
     end
-    
+
     # 
-    # The provided +block+ is passed a header and field for each pair in the row
-    # and expected to return +true+ or +false+, depending on whether the pair
-    # should be deleted.
+    # A FasterCSV::Table is a two-dimensional data structure for representing CSV
+    # documents.  Tables allow you to work with the data by row or column, 
+    # manipulate the data, and even convert the results back to CSV, if needed.
     # 
-    # This method returns the row for chaining.
+    # All tables returned by FasterCSV will be constructed from this class, if
+    # header row processing is activated.
     # 
-    def delete_if(&block)
-      @row.delete_if(&block)
-      
-      self  # for chaining
-    end
-    
-    # 
-    # This method accepts any number of arguments which can be headers, indices,
-    # Ranges of either, or two-element Arrays containing a header and offset.  
-    # Each argument will be replaced with a field lookup as described in
-    # FasterCSV::Row.field().
-    # 
-    # If called with no arguments, all fields are returned.
-    # 
-    def fields(*headers_and_or_indices)
-      if headers_and_or_indices.empty?  # return all fields--no arguments
-        @row.map { |pair| pair.last }
-      else                              # or work like values_at()
-        headers_and_or_indices.inject(Array.new) do |all, h_or_i|
-          all + if h_or_i.is_a? Range
-            index_begin = h_or_i.begin.is_a?(Integer) ? h_or_i.begin :
-                                                        index(h_or_i.begin)
-            index_end   = h_or_i.end.is_a?(Integer)   ? h_or_i.end :
-                                                        index(h_or_i.end)
-            new_range   = h_or_i.exclude_end? ? (index_begin...index_end) :
-                                                (index_begin..index_end)
-            fields.values_at(new_range)
+    class Table
+      # 
+      # Construct a new FasterCSV::Table from +array_of_rows+, which are expected
+      # to be FasterCSV::Row objects.  All rows are assumed to have the same 
+      # headers.
+      # 
+      # A FasterCSV::Table object supports the following Array methods through
+      # delegation:
+      # 
+      # * empty?()
+      # * length()
+      # * size()
+      # 
+      def initialize(array_of_rows)
+        @table = array_of_rows
+        @mode  = :col_or_row
+      end
+
+      # The current access mode for indexing and iteration.
+      attr_reader :mode
+
+      # Internal data format used to compare equality.
+      attr_reader :table
+      protected   :table
+
+      ### Array Delegation ###
+
+      extend Forwardable
+      def_delegators :@table, :empty?, :length, :size
+
+      # 
+      # Returns a duplicate table object, in column mode.  This is handy for 
+      # chaining in a single call without changing the table mode, but be aware 
+      # that this method can consume a fair amount of memory for bigger data sets.
+      # 
+      # This method returns the duplicate table for chaining.  Don't chain
+      # destructive methods (like []=()) this way though, since you are working
+      # with a duplicate.
+      # 
+      def by_col
+        self.class.new(@table.dup).by_col!
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # Switches the mode of this table to column mode.  All calls to indexing and
+      # iteration methods will work with columns until the mode is changed again.
+      # 
+      # This method returns the table and is safe to chain.
+      # 
+      def by_col!
+        @mode = :col
+
+        self
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # Returns a duplicate table object, in mixed mode.  This is handy for 
+      # chaining in a single call without changing the table mode, but be aware 
+      # that this method can consume a fair amount of memory for bigger data sets.
+      # 
+      # This method returns the duplicate table for chaining.  Don't chain
+      # destructive methods (like []=()) this way though, since you are working
+      # with a duplicate.
+      # 
+      def by_col_or_row
+        self.class.new(@table.dup).by_col_or_row!
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # Switches the mode of this table to mixed mode.  All calls to indexing and
+      # iteration methods will use the default intelligent indexing system until
+      # the mode is changed again.  In mixed mode an index is assumed to be a row
+      # reference while anything else is assumed to be column access by headers.
+      # 
+      # This method returns the table and is safe to chain.
+      # 
+      def by_col_or_row!
+        @mode = :col_or_row
+
+        self
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # Returns a duplicate table object, in row mode.  This is handy for chaining
+      # in a single call without changing the table mode, but be aware that this
+      # method can consume a fair amount of memory for bigger data sets.
+      # 
+      # This method returns the duplicate table for chaining.  Don't chain
+      # destructive methods (like []=()) this way though, since you are working
+      # with a duplicate.
+      # 
+      def by_row
+        self.class.new(@table.dup).by_row!
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # Switches the mode of this table to row mode.  All calls to indexing and
+      # iteration methods will work with rows until the mode is changed again.
+      # 
+      # This method returns the table and is safe to chain.
+      # 
+      def by_row!
+        @mode = :row
+
+        self
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # Returns the headers for the first row of this table (assumed to match all
+      # other rows).  An empty Array is returned for empty tables.
+      # 
+      def headers
+        if @table.empty?
+          Array.new
+        else
+          @table.first.headers
+        end
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # In the default mixed mode, this method returns rows for index access and
+      # columns for header access.  You can force the index association by first
+      # calling by_col!() or by_row!().
+      # 
+      # Columns are returned as an Array of values.  Altering that Array has no
+      # effect on the table.
+      # 
+      def [](index_or_header)
+        if @mode == :row or  # by index
+           (@mode == :col_or_row and index_or_header.is_a? Integer)
+          @table[index_or_header]
+        else                 # by header
+          @table.map { |row| row[index_or_header] }
+        end
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # In the default mixed mode, this method assigns rows for index access and
+      # columns for header access.  You can force the index association by first
+      # calling by_col!() or by_row!().
+      # 
+      # Rows may be set to an Array of values (which will inherit the table's
+      # headers()) or a FasterCSV::Row.
+      # 
+      # Columns may be set to a single value, which is copied to each row of the 
+      # column, or an Array of values.  Arrays of values are assigned to rows top
+      # to bottom in row major order.  Excess values are ignored and if the Array
+      # does not have a value for each row the extra rows will receive a +nil+.
+      # 
+      # Assigning to an existing column or row clobbers the data.  Assigning to
+      # new columns creates them at the right end of the table.
+      # 
+      def []=(index_or_header, value)
+        if @mode == :row or  # by index
+           (@mode == :col_or_row and index_or_header.is_a? Integer)
+          if value.is_a? Array
+            @table[index_or_header] = Row.new(headers, value)
           else
-            [field(*Array(h_or_i))]
+            @table[index_or_header] = value
+          end
+        else                 # set column
+          if value.is_a? Array  # multiple values
+            @table.each_with_index do |row, i|
+              if row.header_row?
+                row[index_or_header] = index_or_header
+              else
+                row[index_or_header] = value[i]
+              end
+            end
+          else                  # repeated value
+            @table.each do |row|
+              if row.header_row?
+                row[index_or_header] = index_or_header
+              else
+                row[index_or_header] = value
+              end
+            end
           end
         end
       end
-    end
-    alias_method :values_at, :fields
-    
-    # 
-    # :call-seq:
-    #   index( header )
-    #   index( header, offset )
-    # 
-    # This method will return the index of a field with the provided +header+.
-    # The +offset+ can be used to locate duplicate header names, as described in
-    # FasterCSV::Row.field().
-    # 
-    def index(header, minimum_index = 0)
-      # find the pair
-      index = headers[minimum_index..-1].index(header)
-      # return the index at the right offset, if we found one
-      index.nil? ? nil : index + minimum_index
-    end
-    
-    # Returns +true+ if +name+ is a header for this row, and +false+ otherwise.
-    def header?(name)
-      headers.include? name
-    end
-    alias_method :include?, :header?
-    
-    # 
-    # Returns +true+ if +data+ matches a field in this row, and +false+
-    # otherwise.
-    # 
-    def field?(data)
-      fields.include? data
-    end
 
-    include Enumerable
-    
-    # 
-    # Yields each pair of the row as header and field tuples (much like
-    # iterating over a Hash).
-    # 
-    # Support for Enumerable.
-    # 
-    # This method returns the row for chaining.
-    # 
-    def each(&block)
-      @row.each(&block)
-      
-      self  # for chaining
-    end
-    
-    # 
-    # Returns +true+ if this row contains the same headers and fields in the 
-    # same order as +other+.
-    # 
-    def ==(other)
-      @row == other.row
-    end
-    
-    # 
-    # Collapses the row into a simple Hash.  Be warning that this discards field
-    # order and clobbers duplicate fields.
-    # 
-    def to_hash
-      # flatten just one level of the internal Array
-      Hash[*@row.inject(Array.new) { |ary, pair| ary.push(*pair) }]
-    end
-    
-    # 
-    # Returns the row as a CSV String.  Headers are not used.  Equivalent to:
-    # 
-    #   faster_csv_row.fields.to_csv( options )
-    # 
-    def to_csv(options = Hash.new)
-      fields.to_csv(options)
-    end
-    alias_method :to_s, :to_csv
-    
-    # A summary of fields, by header.
-    def inspect
-      str = "#<#{self.class}"
-      each do |header, field|
-        str << " #{header.is_a?(Symbol) ? header.to_s : header.inspect}:" <<
-               field.inspect
+      # 
+      # The mixed mode default is to treat a list of indices as row access,
+      # returning the rows indicated.  Anything else is considered columnar
+      # access.  For columnar access, the return set has an Array for each row
+      # with the values indicated by the headers in each Array.  You can force
+      # column or row mode using by_col!() or by_row!().
+      # 
+      # You cannot mix column and row access.
+      # 
+      def values_at(*indices_or_headers)
+        if @mode == :row or  # by indices
+           ( @mode == :col_or_row and indices_or_headers.all? do |index|
+                                        index.is_a?(Integer)         or
+                                        ( index.is_a?(Range)         and
+                                          index.first.is_a?(Integer) and
+                                          index.last.is_a?(Integer) )
+                                      end )
+          @table.values_at(*indices_or_headers)
+        else                 # by headers
+          @table.map { |row| row.values_at(*indices_or_headers) }
+        end
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # Adds a new row to the bottom end of this table.  You can provide an Array,
+      # which will be converted to a FasterCSV::Row (inheriting the table's
+      # headers()), or a FasterCSV::Row.
+      # 
+      # This method returns the table for chaining.
+      # 
+      def <<(row_or_array)
+        if row_or_array.is_a? Array  # append Array
+          @table << Row.new(headers, row_or_array)
+        else                         # append Row
+          @table << row_or_array
+        end
+
+        self  # for chaining
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # A shortcut for appending multiple rows.  Equivalent to:
+      # 
+      #   rows.each { |row| self << row }
+      # 
+      # This method returns the table for chaining.
+      # 
+      def push(*rows)
+        rows.each { |row| self << row }
+
+        self  # for chaining
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # Removes and returns the indicated column or row.  In the default mixed
+      # mode indices refer to rows and everything else is assumed to be a column
+      # header.  Use by_col!() or by_row!() to force the lookup.
+      # 
+      def delete(index_or_header)
+        if @mode == :row or  # by index
+           (@mode == :col_or_row and index_or_header.is_a? Integer)
+          @table.delete_at(index_or_header)
+        else                 # by header
+          @table.map { |row| row.delete(index_or_header).last }
+        end
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # Removes any column or row for which the block returns +true+.  In the
+      # default mixed mode or row mode, iteration is the standard row major
+      # walking of rows.  In column mode, interation will +yield+ two element
+      # tuples containing the column name and an Array of values for that column.
+      # 
+      # This method returns the table for chaining.
+      # 
+      def delete_if(&block)
+        if @mode == :row or @mode == :col_or_row  # by index
+          @table.delete_if(&block)
+        else                                      # by header
+          to_delete = Array.new
+          headers.each_with_index do |header, i|
+            to_delete << header if block[[header, self[header]]]
+          end
+          to_delete.map { |header| delete(header) }
+        end
+
+        self  # for chaining
+      end
+
+      include Enumerable
+
+      # 
+      # In the default mixed mode or row mode, iteration is the standard row major
+      # walking of rows.  In column mode, interation will +yield+ two element
+      # tuples containing the column name and an Array of values for that column.
+      # 
+      # This method returns the table for chaining.
+      # 
+      def each(&block)
+        if @mode == :col
+          headers.each { |header| block[[header, self[header]]] }
+        else
+          @table.each(&block)
+        end
+
+        self  # for chaining
+      end
+
+      # Returns +true+ if all rows of this table ==() +other+'s rows.
+      def ==(other)
+        @table == other.table
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # Returns the table as an Array of Arrays.  Headers will be the first row,
+      # then all of the field rows will follow.
+      # 
+      def to_a
+        @table.inject([headers]) do |array, row|
+          if row.header_row?
+            array
+          else
+            array + [row.fields]
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
+      # 
+      # Returns the table as a complete CSV String.  Headers will be listed first,
+      # then all of the field rows.
+      # 
+      # This method assumes you want the Table.headers(), unless you explicitly
+      # pass <tt>:write_headers => false</tt>.
+      # 
+      def to_csv(options = Hash.new)
+        wh = options.fetch(:write_headers, true)
+        @table.inject(wh ? [headers.to_csv(options)] : [ ]) do |rows, row|
+          if row.header_row?
+            rows
+          else
+            rows + [row.fields.to_csv(options)]
+          end
+        end.join
+      end
+      alias_method :to_s, :to_csv
+
+      def inspect
+        "#<#{self.class} mode:#{@mode} row_count:#{to_a.size}>"
       end
-      str << ">"
-    end
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # A FasterCSV::Table is a two-dimensional data structure for representing CSV
-  # documents.  Tables allow you to work with the data by row or column, 
-  # manipulate the data, and even convert the results back to CSV, if needed.
-  # 
-  # All tables returned by FasterCSV will be constructed from this class, if
-  # header row processing is activated.
-  # 
-  class Table
-    # 
-    # Construct a new FasterCSV::Table from +array_of_rows+, which are expected
-    # to be FasterCSV::Row objects.  All rows are assumed to have the same 
-    # headers.
-    # 
-    # A FasterCSV::Table object supports the following Array methods through
-    # delegation:
-    # 
-    # * empty?()
-    # * length()
-    # * size()
-    # 
-    def initialize(array_of_rows)
-      @table = array_of_rows
-      @mode  = :col_or_row
     end
-    
-    # The current access mode for indexing and iteration.
-    attr_reader :mode
-    
-    # Internal data format used to compare equality.
-    attr_reader :table
-    protected   :table
 
-    ### Array Delegation ###
+    # The error thrown when the parser encounters illegal CSV formatting.
+    class MalformedCSVError < RuntimeError; end
 
-    extend Forwardable
-    def_delegators :@table, :empty?, :length, :size
-    
-    # 
-    # Returns a duplicate table object, in column mode.  This is handy for 
-    # chaining in a single call without changing the table mode, but be aware 
-    # that this method can consume a fair amount of memory for bigger data sets.
     # 
-    # This method returns the duplicate table for chaining.  Don't chain
-    # destructive methods (like []=()) this way though, since you are working
-    # with a duplicate.
+    # A FieldInfo Struct contains details about a field's position in the data
+    # source it was read from.  FasterCSV will pass this Struct to some blocks
+    # that make decisions based on field structure.  See 
+    # FasterCSV.convert_fields() for an example.
     # 
-    def by_col
-      self.class.new(@table.dup).by_col!
-    end
-    
-    # 
-    # Switches the mode of this table to column mode.  All calls to indexing and
-    # iteration methods will work with columns until the mode is changed again.
-    # 
-    # This method returns the table and is safe to chain.
-    # 
-    def by_col!
-      @mode = :col
-      
-      self
-    end
-    
-    # 
-    # Returns a duplicate table object, in mixed mode.  This is handy for 
-    # chaining in a single call without changing the table mode, but be aware 
-    # that this method can consume a fair amount of memory for bigger data sets.
-    # 
-    # This method returns the duplicate table for chaining.  Don't chain
-    # destructive methods (like []=()) this way though, since you are working
-    # with a duplicate.
-    # 
-    def by_col_or_row
-      self.class.new(@table.dup).by_col_or_row!
-    end
-    
-    # 
-    # Switches the mode of this table to mixed mode.  All calls to indexing and
-    # iteration methods will use the default intelligent indexing system until
-    # the mode is changed again.  In mixed mode an index is assumed to be a row
-    # reference while anything else is assumed to be column access by headers.
-    # 
-    # This method returns the table and is safe to chain.
-    # 
-    def by_col_or_row!
-      @mode = :col_or_row
-      
-      self
-    end
-    
+    # <b><tt>index</tt></b>::  The zero-based index of the field in its row.
+    # <b><tt>line</tt></b>::   The line of the data source this row is from.
+    # <b><tt>header</tt></b>:: The header for the column, when available.
     # 
-    # Returns a duplicate table object, in row mode.  This is handy for chaining
-    # in a single call without changing the table mode, but be aware that this
-    # method can consume a fair amount of memory for bigger data sets.
+    FieldInfo = Struct.new(:index, :line, :header)
+
+    # A Regexp used to find and convert some common Date formats.
+    DateMatcher     = / \A(?: (\w+,?\s+)?\w+\s+\d{1,2},?\s+\d{2,4} |
+                              \d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2} )\z /x
+    # A Regexp used to find and convert some common DateTime formats.
+    DateTimeMatcher =
+      / \A(?: (\w+,?\s+)?\w+\s+\d{1,2}\s+\d{1,2}:\d{1,2}:\d{1,2},?\s+\d{2,4} |
+              \d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2}\s\d{2}:\d{2}:\d{2} )\z /x
+    # 
+    # This Hash holds the built-in converters of FasterCSV that can be accessed by
+    # name.  You can select Converters with FasterCSV.convert() or through the
+    # +options+ Hash passed to FasterCSV::new().
+    # 
+    # <b><tt>:integer</tt></b>::    Converts any field Integer() accepts.
+    # <b><tt>:float</tt></b>::      Converts any field Float() accepts.
+    # <b><tt>:numeric</tt></b>::    A combination of <tt>:integer</tt> 
+    #                               and <tt>:float</tt>.
+    # <b><tt>:date</tt></b>::       Converts any field Date::parse() accepts.
+    # <b><tt>:date_time</tt></b>::  Converts any field DateTime::parse() accepts.
+    # <b><tt>:all</tt></b>::        All built-in converters.  A combination of 
+    #                               <tt>:date_time</tt> and <tt>:numeric</tt>.
+    # 
+    # This Hash is intetionally left unfrozen and users should feel free to add
+    # values to it that can be accessed by all FasterCSV objects.
+    # 
+    # To add a combo field, the value should be an Array of names.  Combo fields
+    # can be nested with other combo fields.
+    # 
+    Converters  = { :integer   => lambda { |f| Integer(f)        rescue f },
+                    :float     => lambda { |f| Float(f)          rescue f },
+                    :numeric   => [:integer, :float],
+                    :date      => lambda { |f|
+                      f =~ DateMatcher ? (Date.parse(f) rescue f) : f
+                    },
+                    :date_time => lambda { |f|
+                      f =~ DateTimeMatcher ? (DateTime.parse(f) rescue f) : f
+                    },
+                    :all       => [:date_time, :numeric] }
+
     # 
-    # This method returns the duplicate table for chaining.  Don't chain
-    # destructive methods (like []=()) this way though, since you are working
-    # with a duplicate.
+    # This Hash holds the built-in header converters of FasterCSV that can be
+    # accessed by name.  You can select HeaderConverters with
+    # FasterCSV.header_convert() or through the +options+ Hash passed to
+    # FasterCSV::new().
     # 
-    def by_row
-      self.class.new(@table.dup).by_row!
-    end
-    
+    # <b><tt>:downcase</tt></b>::  Calls downcase() on the header String.
+    # <b><tt>:symbol</tt></b>::    The header String is downcased, spaces are
+    #                              replaced with underscores, non-word characters
+    #                              are dropped, and finally to_sym() is called.
     # 
-    # Switches the mode of this table to row mode.  All calls to indexing and
-    # iteration methods will work with rows until the mode is changed again.
+    # This Hash is intetionally left unfrozen and users should feel free to add
+    # values to it that can be accessed by all FasterCSV objects.
     # 
-    # This method returns the table and is safe to chain.
+    # To add a combo field, the value should be an Array of names.  Combo fields
+    # can be nested with other combo fields.
     # 
-    def by_row!
-      @mode = :row
-      
-      self
-    end
-    
+    HeaderConverters = {
+      :downcase => lambda { |h| h.downcase },
+      :symbol   => lambda { |h|
+        h.downcase.tr(" ", "_").delete("^a-z0-9_").to_sym
+      }
+    }
+
     # 
-    # Returns the headers for the first row of this table (assumed to match all
-    # other rows).  An empty Array is returned for empty tables.
+    # The options used when no overrides are given by calling code.  They are:
+    # 
+    # <b><tt>:col_sep</tt></b>::            <tt>","</tt>
+    # <b><tt>:row_sep</tt></b>::            <tt>:auto</tt>
+    # <b><tt>:quote_char</tt></b>::         <tt>'"'</tt>
+    # <b><tt>:converters</tt></b>::         +nil+
+    # <b><tt>:unconverted_fields</tt></b>:: +nil+
+    # <b><tt>:headers</tt></b>::            +false+
+    # <b><tt>:return_headers</tt></b>::     +false+
+    # <b><tt>:header_converters</tt></b>::  +nil+
+    # <b><tt>:skip_blanks</tt></b>::        +false+
+    # <b><tt>:force_quotes</tt></b>::       +false+
+    # 
+    DEFAULT_OPTIONS = { :col_sep            => ",",
+                        :row_sep            => :auto,
+                        :quote_char         => '"', 
+                        :converters         => nil,
+                        :unconverted_fields => nil,
+                        :headers            => false,
+                        :return_headers     => false,
+                        :header_converters  => nil,
+                        :skip_blanks        => false,
+                        :force_quotes       => false }.freeze
+
     # 
-    def headers
-      if @table.empty?
-        Array.new
-      else
-        @table.first.headers
+    # This method will build a drop-in replacement for many of the standard CSV
+    # methods.  It allows you to write code like:
+    # 
+    #   begin
+    #     require "faster_csv"
+    #     FasterCSV.build_csv_interface
+    #   rescue LoadError
+    #     require "csv"
+    #   end
+    #   # ... use CSV here ...
+    # 
+    # This is not a complete interface with completely identical behavior.
+    # However, it is intended to be close enough that you won't notice the
+    # difference in most cases.  CSV methods supported are:
+    # 
+    # * foreach()
+    # * generate_line()
+    # * open()
+    # * parse()
+    # * parse_line()
+    # * readlines()
+    # 
+    # Be warned that this interface is slower than vanilla FasterCSV due to the
+    # extra layer of method calls.  Depending on usage, this can slow it down to 
+    # near CSV speeds.
+    # 
+    def self.build_csv_interface
+      Object.const_set(:CSV, Class.new).class_eval do
+        def self.foreach(path, rs = :auto, &block)  # :nodoc:
+          FasterCSV.foreach(path, :row_sep => rs, &block)
+        end
+
+        def self.generate_line(row, fs = ",", rs = "")  # :nodoc:
+          FasterCSV.generate_line(row, :col_sep => fs, :row_sep => rs)
+        end
+
+        def self.open(path, mode, fs = ",", rs = :auto, &block)  # :nodoc:
+          if block and mode.include? "r"
+            FasterCSV.open(path, mode, :col_sep => fs, :row_sep => rs) do |csv|
+              csv.each(&block)
+            end
+          else
+            FasterCSV.open(path, mode, :col_sep => fs, :row_sep => rs, &block)
+          end
+        end
+
+        def self.parse(str_or_readable, fs = ",", rs = :auto, &block)  # :nodoc:
+          FasterCSV.parse(str_or_readable, :col_sep => fs, :row_sep => rs, &block)
+        end
+
+        def self.parse_line(src, fs = ",", rs = :auto)  # :nodoc:
+          FasterCSV.parse_line(src, :col_sep => fs, :row_sep => rs)
+        end
+
+        def self.readlines(path, rs = :auto)  # :nodoc:
+          FasterCSV.readlines(path, :row_sep => rs)
+        end
       end
     end
-    
-    # 
-    # In the default mixed mode, this method returns rows for index access and
-    # columns for header access.  You can force the index association by first
-    # calling by_col!() or by_row!().
-    # 
-    # Columns are returned as an Array of values.  Altering that Array has no
-    # effect on the table.
+
     # 
-    def [](index_or_header)
-      if @mode == :row or  # by index
-         (@mode == :col_or_row and index_or_header.is_a? Integer)
-        @table[index_or_header]
-      else                 # by header
-        @table.map { |row| row[index_or_header] }
+    # This method allows you to serialize an Array of Ruby objects to a String or
+    # File of CSV data.  This is not as powerful as Marshal or YAML, but perhaps
+    # useful for spreadsheet and database interaction.
+    # 
+    # Out of the box, this method is intended to work with simple data objects or
+    # Structs.  It will serialize a list of instance variables and/or
+    # Struct.members().
+    # 
+    # If you need need more complicated serialization, you can control the process
+    # by adding methods to the class to be serialized.
+    # 
+    # A class method csv_meta() is responsible for returning the first row of the
+    # document (as an Array).  This row is considered to be a Hash of the form
+    # key_1,value_1,key_2,value_2,...  FasterCSV::load() expects to find a class
+    # key with a value of the stringified class name and FasterCSV::dump() will
+    # create this, if you do not define this method.  This method is only called
+    # on the first object of the Array.
+    # 
+    # The next method you can provide is an instance method called csv_headers().
+    # This method is expected to return the second line of the document (again as
+    # an Array), which is to be used to give each column a header.  By default,
+    # FasterCSV::load() will set an instance variable if the field header starts
+    # with an @ character or call send() passing the header as the method name and
+    # the field value as an argument.  This method is only called on the first
+    # object of the Array.
+    # 
+    # Finally, you can provide an instance method called csv_dump(), which will
+    # be passed the headers.  This should return an Array of fields that can be
+    # serialized for this object.  This method is called once for every object in
+    # the Array.
+    # 
+    # The +io+ parameter can be used to serialize to a File, and +options+ can be
+    # anything FasterCSV::new() accepts.
+    # 
+    def self.dump(ary_of_objs, io = "", options = Hash.new)
+      obj_template = ary_of_objs.first
+
+      csv = FasterCSV.new(io, options)
+
+      # write meta information
+      begin
+        csv << obj_template.class.csv_meta
+      rescue NoMethodError
+        csv << [:class, obj_template.class]
       end
-    end
-    
-    # 
-    # In the default mixed mode, this method assigns rows for index access and
-    # columns for header access.  You can force the index association by first
-    # calling by_col!() or by_row!().
-    # 
-    # Rows may be set to an Array of values (which will inherit the table's
-    # headers()) or a FasterCSV::Row.
-    # 
-    # Columns may be set to a single value, which is copied to each row of the 
-    # column, or an Array of values.  Arrays of values are assigned to rows top
-    # to bottom in row major order.  Excess values are ignored and if the Array
-    # does not have a value for each row the extra rows will receive a +nil+.
-    # 
-    # Assigning to an existing column or row clobbers the data.  Assigning to
-    # new columns creates them at the right end of the table.
-    # 
-    def []=(index_or_header, value)
-      if @mode == :row or  # by index
-         (@mode == :col_or_row and index_or_header.is_a? Integer)
-        if value.is_a? Array
-          @table[index_or_header] = Row.new(headers, value)
-        else
-          @table[index_or_header] = value
+
+      # write headers
+      begin
+        headers = obj_template.csv_headers
+      rescue NoMethodError
+        headers = obj_template.instance_variables.sort
+        if obj_template.class.ancestors.find { |cls| cls.to_s =~ /\AStruct\b/ }
+          headers += obj_template.members.map { |mem| "#{mem}=" }.sort
         end
-      else                 # set column
-        if value.is_a? Array  # multiple values
-          @table.each_with_index do |row, i|
-            if row.header_row?
-              row[index_or_header] = index_or_header
-            else
-              row[index_or_header] = value[i]
-            end
-          end
-        else                  # repeated value
-          @table.each do |row|
-            if row.header_row?
-              row[index_or_header] = index_or_header
+      end
+      csv << headers
+
+      # serialize each object
+      ary_of_objs.each do |obj|
+        begin
+          csv << obj.csv_dump(headers)
+        rescue NoMethodError
+          csv << headers.map do |var|
+            if var[0] == ?@
+              obj.instance_variable_get(var)
             else
-              row[index_or_header] = value
+              obj[var[0..-2]]
             end
           end
         end
       end
+
+      if io.is_a? String
+        csv.string
+      else
+        csv.close
+      end
     end
-    
+
     # 
-    # The mixed mode default is to treat a list of indices as row access,
-    # returning the rows indicated.  Anything else is considered columnar
-    # access.  For columnar access, the return set has an Array for each row
-    # with the values indicated by the headers in each Array.  You can force
-    # column or row mode using by_col!() or by_row!().
-    # 
-    # You cannot mix column and row access.
-    # 
-    def values_at(*indices_or_headers)
-      if @mode == :row or  # by indices
-         ( @mode == :col_or_row and indices_or_headers.all? do |index|
-                                      index.is_a?(Integer)         or
-                                      ( index.is_a?(Range)         and
-                                        index.first.is_a?(Integer) and
-                                        index.last.is_a?(Integer) )
-                                    end )
-        @table.values_at(*indices_or_headers)
-      else                 # by headers
-        @table.map { |row| row.values_at(*indices_or_headers) }
+    # :call-seq:
+    #   filter( options = Hash.new ) { |row| ... }
+    #   filter( input, options = Hash.new ) { |row| ... }
+    #   filter( input, output, options = Hash.new ) { |row| ... }
+    # 
+    # This method is a convenience for building Unix-like filters for CSV data.
+    # Each row is yielded to the provided block which can alter it as needed.  
+    # After the block returns, the row is appended to +output+ altered or not.
+    # 
+    # The +input+ and +output+ arguments can be anything FasterCSV::new() accepts
+    # (generally String or IO objects).  If not given, they default to 
+    # <tt>ARGF</tt> and <tt>$stdout</tt>.
+    # 
+    # The +options+ parameter is also filtered down to FasterCSV::new() after some
+    # clever key parsing.  Any key beginning with <tt>:in_</tt> or 
+    # <tt>:input_</tt> will have that leading identifier stripped and will only
+    # be used in the +options+ Hash for the +input+ object.  Keys starting with
+    # <tt>:out_</tt> or <tt>:output_</tt> affect only +output+.  All other keys 
+    # are assigned to both objects.
+    # 
+    # The <tt>:output_row_sep</tt> +option+ defaults to
+    # <tt>$INPUT_RECORD_SEPARATOR</tt> (<tt>$/</tt>).
+    # 
+    def self.filter(*args)
+      # parse options for input, output, or both
+      in_options, out_options = Hash.new, {:row_sep => $INPUT_RECORD_SEPARATOR}
+      if args.last.is_a? Hash
+        args.pop.each do |key, value|
+          case key.to_s
+          when /\Ain(?:put)?_(.+)\Z/
+            in_options[$1.to_sym] = value
+          when /\Aout(?:put)?_(.+)\Z/
+            out_options[$1.to_sym] = value
+          else
+            in_options[key]  = value
+            out_options[key] = value
+          end
+        end
+      end
+      # build input and output wrappers
+      input   = FasterCSV.new(args.shift || ARGF,    in_options)
+      output  = FasterCSV.new(args.shift || $stdout, out_options)
+
+      # read, yield, write
+      input.each do |row|
+        yield row
+        output << row
       end
     end
 
     # 
-    # Adds a new row to the bottom end of this table.  You can provide an Array,
-    # which will be converted to a FasterCSV::Row (inheriting the table's
-    # headers()), or a FasterCSV::Row.
+    # This method is intended as the primary interface for reading CSV files.  You
+    # pass a +path+ and any +options+ you wish to set for the read.  Each row of
+    # file will be passed to the provided +block+ in turn.
     # 
-    # This method returns the table for chaining.
+    # The +options+ parameter can be anything FasterCSV::new() understands.
     # 
-    def <<(row_or_array)
-      if row_or_array.is_a? Array  # append Array
-        @table << Row.new(headers, row_or_array)
-      else                         # append Row
-        @table << row_or_array
+    def self.foreach(path, options = Hash.new, &block)
+      open(path, "rb", options) do |csv|
+        csv.each(&block)
       end
-      
-      self  # for chaining
     end
-    
-    # 
-    # A shortcut for appending multiple rows.  Equivalent to:
+
     # 
-    #   rows.each { |row| self << row }
+    # :call-seq:
+    #   generate( str, options = Hash.new ) { |faster_csv| ... }
+    #   generate( options = Hash.new ) { |faster_csv| ... }
     # 
-    # This method returns the table for chaining.
+    # This method wraps a String you provide, or an empty default String, in a 
+    # FasterCSV object which is passed to the provided block.  You can use the 
+    # block to append CSV rows to the String and when the block exits, the 
+    # final String will be returned.
     # 
-    def push(*rows)
-      rows.each { |row| self << row }
-      
-      self  # for chaining
-    end
-
+    # Note that a passed String *is* modfied by this method.  Call dup() before
+    # passing if you need a new String.
     # 
-    # Removes and returns the indicated column or row.  In the default mixed
-    # mode indices refer to rows and everything else is assumed to be a column
-    # header.  Use by_col!() or by_row!() to force the lookup.
+    # The +options+ parameter can be anthing FasterCSV::new() understands.
     # 
-    def delete(index_or_header)
-      if @mode == :row or  # by index
-         (@mode == :col_or_row and index_or_header.is_a? Integer)
-        @table.delete_at(index_or_header)
-      else                 # by header
-        @table.map { |row| row.delete(index_or_header).last }
+    def self.generate(*args)
+      # add a default empty String, if none was given
+      if args.first.is_a? String
+        io = StringIO.new(args.shift)
+        io.seek(0, IO::SEEK_END)
+        args.unshift(io)
+      else
+        args.unshift("")
       end
+      faster_csv = new(*args)  # wrap
+      yield faster_csv         # yield for appending
+      faster_csv.string        # return final String
     end
-    
+
     # 
-    # Removes any column or row for which the block returns +true+.  In the
-    # default mixed mode or row mode, iteration is the standard row major
-    # walking of rows.  In column mode, interation will +yield+ two element
-    # tuples containing the column name and an Array of values for that column.
+    # This method is a shortcut for converting a single row (Array) into a CSV 
+    # String.
     # 
-    # This method returns the table for chaining.
+    # The +options+ parameter can be anthing FasterCSV::new() understands.
     # 
-    def delete_if(&block)
-      if @mode == :row or @mode == :col_or_row  # by index
-        @table.delete_if(&block)
-      else                                      # by header
-        to_delete = Array.new
-        headers.each_with_index do |header, i|
-          to_delete << header if block[[header, self[header]]]
-        end
-        to_delete.map { |header| delete(header) }
-      end
-      
-      self  # for chaining
+    # The <tt>:row_sep</tt> +option+ defaults to <tt>$INPUT_RECORD_SEPARATOR</tt>
+    # (<tt>$/</tt>) when calling this method.
+    # 
+    def self.generate_line(row, options = Hash.new)
+      options = {:row_sep => $INPUT_RECORD_SEPARATOR}.merge(options)
+      (new("", options) << row).string
     end
-    
-    include Enumerable
-    
+
     # 
-    # In the default mixed mode or row mode, iteration is the standard row major
-    # walking of rows.  In column mode, interation will +yield+ two element
-    # tuples containing the column name and an Array of values for that column.
+    # This method will return a FasterCSV instance, just like FasterCSV::new(), 
+    # but the instance will be cached and returned for all future calls to this 
+    # method for the same +data+ object (tested by Object#object_id()) with the
+    # same +options+.
     # 
-    # This method returns the table for chaining.
+    # If a block is given, the instance is passed to the block and the return
+    # value becomes the return value of the block.
     # 
-    def each(&block)
-      if @mode == :col
-        headers.each { |header| block[[header, self[header]]] }
+    def self.instance(data = $stdout, options = Hash.new)
+      # create a _signature_ for this method call, data object and options
+      sig = [data.object_id] +
+            options.values_at(*DEFAULT_OPTIONS.keys.sort_by { |sym| sym.to_s })
+
+      # fetch or create the instance for this signature
+      @@instances ||= Hash.new
+      instance    =   (@@instances[sig] ||= new(data, options))
+
+      if block_given?
+        yield instance  # run block, if given, returning result
       else
-        @table.each(&block)
+        instance        # or return the instance
       end
-      
-      self  # for chaining
     end
-    
-    # Returns +true+ if all rows of this table ==() +other+'s rows.
-    def ==(other)
-      @table == other.table
-    end
-    
+
     # 
-    # Returns the table as an Array of Arrays.  Headers will be the first row,
-    # then all of the field rows will follow.
+    # This method is the reading counterpart to FasterCSV::dump().  See that
+    # method for a detailed description of the process.
     # 
-    def to_a
-      @table.inject([headers]) do |array, row|
-        if row.header_row?
-          array
-        else
-          array + [row.fields]
-        end
-      end
-    end
-    
+    # You can customize loading by adding a class method called csv_load() which 
+    # will be passed a Hash of meta information, an Array of headers, and an Array
+    # of fields for the object the method is expected to return.
     # 
-    # Returns the table as a complete CSV String.  Headers will be listed first,
-    # then all of the field rows.
+    # Remember that all fields will be Strings after this load.  If you need
+    # something else, use +options+ to setup converters or provide a custom
+    # csv_load() implementation.
     # 
-    def to_csv(options = Hash.new)
-      @table.inject([headers.to_csv(options)]) do |rows, row|
-        if row.header_row?
-          rows
-        else
-          rows + [row.fields.to_csv(options)]
-        end
-      end.join
-    end
-    alias_method :to_s, :to_csv
-    
-    def inspect
-      "#<#{self.class} mode:#{@mode} row_count:#{to_a.size}>"
-    end
-  end
+    def self.load(io_or_str, options = Hash.new)
+      csv = FasterCSV.new(io_or_str, options)
 
-  # The error thrown when the parser encounters illegal CSV formatting.
-  class MalformedCSVError < RuntimeError; end
-  
-  # 
-  # A FieldInfo Struct contains details about a field's position in the data
-  # source it was read from.  FasterCSV will pass this Struct to some blocks
-  # that make decisions based on field structure.  See 
-  # FasterCSV.convert_fields() for an example.
-  # 
-  # <b><tt>index</tt></b>::  The zero-based index of the field in its row.
-  # <b><tt>line</tt></b>::   The line of the data source this row is from.
-  # <b><tt>header</tt></b>:: The header for the column, when available.
-  # 
-  FieldInfo = Struct.new(:index, :line, :header)
-  
-  # A Regexp used to find and convert some common Date formats.
-  DateMatcher     = / \A(?: (\w+,?\s+)?\w+\s+\d{1,2},?\s+\d{2,4} |
-                            \d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2} )\z /x
-  # A Regexp used to find and convert some common DateTime formats.
-  DateTimeMatcher =
-    / \A(?: (\w+,?\s+)?\w+\s+\d{1,2}\s+\d{1,2}:\d{1,2}:\d{1,2},?\s+\d{2,4} |
-            \d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2}\s\d{2}:\d{2}:\d{2} )\z /x
-  # 
-  # This Hash holds the built-in converters of FasterCSV that can be accessed by
-  # name.  You can select Converters with FasterCSV.convert() or through the
-  # +options+ Hash passed to FasterCSV::new().
-  # 
-  # <b><tt>:integer</tt></b>::    Converts any field Integer() accepts.
-  # <b><tt>:float</tt></b>::      Converts any field Float() accepts.
-  # <b><tt>:numeric</tt></b>::    A combination of <tt>:integer</tt> 
-  #                               and <tt>:float</tt>.
-  # <b><tt>:date</tt></b>::       Converts any field Date::parse() accepts.
-  # <b><tt>:date_time</tt></b>::  Converts any field DateTime::parse() accepts.
-  # <b><tt>:all</tt></b>::        All built-in converters.  A combination of 
-  #                               <tt>:date_time</tt> and <tt>:numeric</tt>.
-  # 
-  # This Hash is intetionally left unfrozen and users should feel free to add
-  # values to it that can be accessed by all FasterCSV objects.
-  # 
-  # To add a combo field, the value should be an Array of names.  Combo fields
-  # can be nested with other combo fields.
-  # 
-  Converters  = { :integer   => lambda { |f| Integer(f)        rescue f },
-                  :float     => lambda { |f| Float(f)          rescue f },
-                  :numeric   => [:integer, :float],
-                  :date      => lambda { |f|
-                    f =~ DateMatcher ? (Date.parse(f) rescue f) : f
-                  },
-                  :date_time => lambda { |f|
-                    f =~ DateTimeMatcher ? (DateTime.parse(f) rescue f) : f
-                  },
-                  :all       => [:date_time, :numeric] }
+      # load meta information
+      meta = Hash[*csv.shift]
+      cls  = meta["class"].split("::").inject(Object) do |c, const|
+        c.const_get(const)
+      end
 
-  # 
-  # This Hash holds the built-in header converters of FasterCSV that can be
-  # accessed by name.  You can select HeaderConverters with
-  # FasterCSV.header_convert() or through the +options+ Hash passed to
-  # FasterCSV::new().
-  # 
-  # <b><tt>:downcase</tt></b>::  Calls downcase() on the header String.
-  # <b><tt>:symbol</tt></b>::    The header String is downcased, spaces are
-  #                              replaced with underscores, non-word characters
-  #                              are dropped, and finally to_sym() is called.
-  # 
-  # This Hash is intetionally left unfrozen and users should feel free to add
-  # values to it that can be accessed by all FasterCSV objects.
-  # 
-  # To add a combo field, the value should be an Array of names.  Combo fields
-  # can be nested with other combo fields.
-  # 
-  HeaderConverters = {
-    :downcase => lambda { |h| h.downcase },
-    :symbol   => lambda { |h|
-      h.downcase.tr(" ", "_").delete("^a-z0-9_").to_sym
-    }
-  }
-  
-  # 
-  # The options used when no overrides are given by calling code.  They are:
-  # 
-  # <b><tt>:col_sep</tt></b>::            <tt>","</tt>
-  # <b><tt>:row_sep</tt></b>::            <tt>:auto</tt>
-  # <b><tt>:quote_char</tt></b>::         <tt>'"'</tt>
-  # <b><tt>:converters</tt></b>::         +nil+
-  # <b><tt>:unconverted_fields</tt></b>:: +nil+
-  # <b><tt>:headers</tt></b>::            +false+
-  # <b><tt>:return_headers</tt></b>::     +false+
-  # <b><tt>:header_converters</tt></b>::  +nil+
-  # <b><tt>:skip_blanks</tt></b>::        +false+
-  # <b><tt>:force_quotes</tt></b>::       +false+
-  # 
-  DEFAULT_OPTIONS = { :col_sep            => ",",
-                      :row_sep            => :auto,
-                      :quote_char         => '"', 
-                      :converters         => nil,
-                      :unconverted_fields => nil,
-                      :headers            => false,
-                      :return_headers     => false,
-                      :header_converters  => nil,
-                      :skip_blanks        => false,
-                      :force_quotes       => false }.freeze
-  
-  # 
-  # This method will build a drop-in replacement for many of the standard CSV
-  # methods.  It allows you to write code like:
-  # 
-  #   begin
-  #     require "faster_csv"
-  #     FasterCSV.build_csv_interface
-  #   rescue LoadError
-  #     require "csv"
-  #   end
-  #   # ... use CSV here ...
-  # 
-  # This is not a complete interface with completely identical behavior.
-  # However, it is intended to be close enough that you won't notice the
-  # difference in most cases.  CSV methods supported are:
-  # 
-  # * foreach()
-  # * generate_line()
-  # * open()
-  # * parse()
-  # * parse_line()
-  # * readlines()
-  # 
-  # Be warned that this interface is slower than vanilla FasterCSV due to the
-  # extra layer of method calls.  Depending on usage, this can slow it down to 
-  # near CSV speeds.
-  # 
-  def self.build_csv_interface
-    Object.const_set(:CSV, Class.new).class_eval do
-      def self.foreach(path, rs = :auto, &block)  # :nodoc:
-        FasterCSV.foreach(path, :row_sep => rs, &block)
-      end
-      
-      def self.generate_line(row, fs = ",", rs = "")  # :nodoc:
-        FasterCSV.generate_line(row, :col_sep => fs, :row_sep => rs)
-      end
-      
-      def self.open(path, mode, fs = ",", rs = :auto, &block)  # :nodoc:
-        if block and mode.include? "r"
-          FasterCSV.open(path, mode, :col_sep => fs, :row_sep => rs) do |csv|
-            csv.each(&block)
+      # load headers
+      headers = csv.shift
+
+      # unserialize each object stored in the file
+      results = csv.inject(Array.new) do |all, row|
+        begin
+          obj = cls.csv_load(meta, headers, row)
+        rescue NoMethodError
+          obj = cls.allocate
+          headers.zip(row) do |name, value|
+            if name[0] == ?@
+              obj.instance_variable_set(name, value)
+            else
+              obj.send(name, value)
+            end
           end
-        else
-          FasterCSV.open(path, mode, :col_sep => fs, :row_sep => rs, &block)
         end
+        all << obj
       end
-      
-      def self.parse(str_or_readable, fs = ",", rs = :auto, &block)  # :nodoc:
-        FasterCSV.parse(str_or_readable, :col_sep => fs, :row_sep => rs, &block)
-      end
-      
-      def self.parse_line(src, fs = ",", rs = :auto)  # :nodoc:
-        FasterCSV.parse_line(src, :col_sep => fs, :row_sep => rs)
-      end
-      
-      def self.readlines(path, rs = :auto)  # :nodoc:
-        FasterCSV.readlines(path, :row_sep => rs)
-      end
-    end
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # This method allows you to serialize an Array of Ruby objects to a String or
-  # File of CSV data.  This is not as powerful as Marshal or YAML, but perhaps
-  # useful for spreadsheet and database interaction.
-  # 
-  # Out of the box, this method is intended to work with simple data objects or
-  # Structs.  It will serialize a list of instance variables and/or
-  # Struct.members().
-  # 
-  # If you need need more complicated serialization, you can control the process
-  # by adding methods to the class to be serialized.
-  # 
-  # A class method csv_meta() is responsible for returning the first row of the
-  # document (as an Array).  This row is considered to be a Hash of the form
-  # key_1,value_1,key_2,value_2,...  FasterCSV::load() expects to find a class
-  # key with a value of the stringified class name and FasterCSV::dump() will
-  # create this, if you do not define this method.  This method is only called
-  # on the first object of the Array.
-  # 
-  # The next method you can provide is an instance method called csv_headers().
-  # This method is expected to return the second line of the document (again as
-  # an Array), which is to be used to give each column a header.  By default,
-  # FasterCSV::load() will set an instance variable if the field header starts
-  # with an @ character or call send() passing the header as the method name and
-  # the field value as an argument.  This method is only called on the first
-  # object of the Array.
-  # 
-  # Finally, you can provide an instance method called csv_dump(), which will
-  # be passed the headers.  This should return an Array of fields that can be
-  # serialized for this object.  This method is called once for every object in
-  # the Array.
-  # 
-  # The +io+ parameter can be used to serialize to a File, and +options+ can be
-  # anything FasterCSV::new() accepts.
-  # 
-  def self.dump(ary_of_objs, io = "", options = Hash.new)
-    obj_template = ary_of_objs.first
-    
-    csv = FasterCSV.new(io, options)
-    
-    # write meta information
-    begin
-      csv << obj_template.class.csv_meta
-    rescue NoMethodError
-      csv << [:class, obj_template.class]
-    end
 
-    # write headers
-    begin
-      headers = obj_template.csv_headers
-    rescue NoMethodError
-      headers = obj_template.instance_variables.sort
-      if obj_template.class.ancestors.find { |cls| cls.to_s =~ /\AStruct\b/ }
-        headers += obj_template.members.map { |mem| "#{mem}=" }.sort
-      end
+      csv.close unless io_or_str.is_a? String
+
+      results
     end
-    csv << headers
-    
-    # serialize each object
-    ary_of_objs.each do |obj|
-      begin
-        csv << obj.csv_dump(headers)
-      rescue NoMethodError
-        csv << headers.map do |var|
-          if var[0] == ?@
-            obj.instance_variable_get(var)
-          else
-            obj[var[0..-2]]
-          end
+
+    # 
+    # :call-seq:
+    #   open( filename, mode="rb", options = Hash.new ) { |faster_csv| ... }
+    #   open( filename, mode="rb", options = Hash.new )
+    # 
+    # This method opens an IO object, and wraps that with FasterCSV.  This is
+    # intended as the primary interface for writing a CSV file.
+    # 
+    # You may pass any +args+ Ruby's open() understands followed by an optional
+    # Hash containing any +options+ FasterCSV::new() understands.
+    # 
+    # This method works like Ruby's open() call, in that it will pass a FasterCSV
+    # object to a provided block and close it when the block termminates, or it
+    # will return the FasterCSV object when no block is provided.  (*Note*: This
+    # is different from the standard CSV library which passes rows to the block.  
+    # Use FasterCSV::foreach() for that behavior.)
+    # 
+    # An opened FasterCSV object will delegate to many IO methods, for 
+    # convenience.  You may call:
+    # 
+    # * binmode()
+    # * close()
+    # * close_read()
+    # * close_write()
+    # * closed?()
+    # * eof()
+    # * eof?()
+    # * fcntl()
+    # * fileno()
+    # * flush()
+    # * fsync()
+    # * ioctl()
+    # * isatty()
+    # * pid()
+    # * pos()
+    # * reopen()
+    # * seek()
+    # * stat()
+    # * sync()
+    # * sync=()
+    # * tell()
+    # * to_i()
+    # * to_io()
+    # * tty?()
+    # 
+    def self.open(*args)
+      # find the +options+ Hash
+      options = if args.last.is_a? Hash then args.pop else Hash.new end
+      # default to a binary open mode
+      args << "rb" if args.size == 1
+      # wrap a File opened with the remaining +args+
+      csv     = new(File.open(*args), options)
+
+      # handle blocks like Ruby's open(), not like the CSV library
+      if block_given?
+        begin
+          yield csv
+        ensure
+          csv.close
         end
+      else
+        csv
       end
     end
-    
-    if io.is_a? String
-      csv.string
-    else
-      csv.close
-    end
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # :call-seq:
-  #   filter( options = Hash.new ) { |row| ... }
-  #   filter( input, options = Hash.new ) { |row| ... }
-  #   filter( input, output, options = Hash.new ) { |row| ... }
-  # 
-  # This method is a convenience for building Unix-like filters for CSV data.
-  # Each row is yielded to the provided block which can alter it as needed.  
-  # After the block returns, the row is appended to +output+ altered or not.
-  # 
-  # The +input+ and +output+ arguments can be anything FasterCSV::new() accepts
-  # (generally String or IO objects).  If not given, they default to 
-  # <tt>ARGF</tt> and <tt>$stdout</tt>.
-  # 
-  # The +options+ parameter is also filtered down to FasterCSV::new() after some
-  # clever key parsing.  Any key beginning with <tt>:in_</tt> or 
-  # <tt>:input_</tt> will have that leading identifier stripped and will only
-  # be used in the +options+ Hash for the +input+ object.  Keys starting with
-  # <tt>:out_</tt> or <tt>:output_</tt> affect only +output+.  All other keys 
-  # are assigned to both objects.
-  # 
-  # The <tt>:output_row_sep</tt> +option+ defaults to
-  # <tt>$INPUT_RECORD_SEPARATOR</tt> (<tt>$/</tt>).
-  # 
-  def self.filter(*args)
-    # parse options for input, output, or both
-    in_options, out_options = Hash.new, {:row_sep => $INPUT_RECORD_SEPARATOR}
-    if args.last.is_a? Hash
-      args.pop.each do |key, value|
-        case key.to_s
-        when /\Ain(?:put)?_(.+)\Z/
-          in_options[$1.to_sym] = value
-        when /\Aout(?:put)?_(.+)\Z/
-          out_options[$1.to_sym] = value
-        else
-          in_options[key]  = value
-          out_options[key] = value
+
+    # 
+    # :call-seq:
+    #   parse( str, options = Hash.new ) { |row| ... }
+    #   parse( str, options = Hash.new )
+    # 
+    # This method can be used to easily parse CSV out of a String.  You may either
+    # provide a +block+ which will be called with each row of the String in turn,
+    # or just use the returned Array of Arrays (when no +block+ is given).
+    # 
+    # You pass your +str+ to read from, and an optional +options+ Hash containing
+    # anything FasterCSV::new() understands.
+    # 
+    def self.parse(*args, &block)
+      csv = new(*args)
+      if block.nil?  # slurp contents, if no block is given
+        begin
+          csv.read
+        ensure
+          csv.close
         end
+      else           # or pass each row to a provided block
+        csv.each(&block)
       end
     end
-    # build input and output wrappers
-    input   = FasterCSV.new(args.shift || ARGF,    in_options)
-    output  = FasterCSV.new(args.shift || $stdout, out_options)
-    
-    # read, yield, write
-    input.each do |row|
-      yield row
-      output << row
-    end
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # This method is intended as the primary interface for reading CSV files.  You
-  # pass a +path+ and any +options+ you wish to set for the read.  Each row of
-  # file will be passed to the provided +block+ in turn.
-  # 
-  # The +options+ parameter can be anything FasterCSV::new() understands.
-  # 
-  def self.foreach(path, options = Hash.new, &block)
-    open(path, "rb", options) do |csv|
-      csv.each(&block)
+
+    # 
+    # This method is a shortcut for converting a single line of a CSV String into 
+    # a into an Array.  Note that if +line+ contains multiple rows, anything 
+    # beyond the first row is ignored.
+    # 
+    # The +options+ parameter can be anything FasterCSV::new() understands.
+    # 
+    def self.parse_line(line, options = Hash.new)
+      new(line, options).shift
     end
-  end
 
-  # 
-  # :call-seq:
-  #   generate( str, options = Hash.new ) { |faster_csv| ... }
-  #   generate( options = Hash.new ) { |faster_csv| ... }
-  # 
-  # This method wraps a String you provide, or an empty default String, in a 
-  # FasterCSV object which is passed to the provided block.  You can use the 
-  # block to append CSV rows to the String and when the block exits, the 
-  # final String will be returned.
-  # 
-  # Note that a passed String *is* modfied by this method.  Call dup() before
-  # passing if you need a new String.
-  # 
-  # The +options+ parameter can be anthing FasterCSV::new() understands.
-  # 
-  def self.generate(*args)
-    # add a default empty String, if none was given
-    if args.first.is_a? String
-      io = StringIO.new(args.shift)
-      io.seek(0, IO::SEEK_END)
-      args.unshift(io)
-    else
-      args.unshift("")
+    # 
+    # Use to slurp a CSV file into an Array of Arrays.  Pass the +path+ to the 
+    # file and any +options+ FasterCSV::new() understands.
+    # 
+    def self.read(path, options = Hash.new)
+      open(path, "rb", options) { |csv| csv.read }
     end
-    faster_csv = new(*args)  # wrap
-    yield faster_csv         # yield for appending
-    faster_csv.string        # return final String
-  end
 
-  # 
-  # This method is a shortcut for converting a single row (Array) into a CSV 
-  # String.
-  # 
-  # The +options+ parameter can be anthing FasterCSV::new() understands.
-  # 
-  # The <tt>:row_sep</tt> +option+ defaults to <tt>$INPUT_RECORD_SEPARATOR</tt>
-  # (<tt>$/</tt>) when calling this method.
-  # 
-  def self.generate_line(row, options = Hash.new)
-    options = {:row_sep => $INPUT_RECORD_SEPARATOR}.merge(options)
-    (new("", options) << row).string
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # This method will return a FasterCSV instance, just like FasterCSV::new(), 
-  # but the instance will be cached and returned for all future calls to this 
-  # method for the same +data+ object (tested by Object#object_id()) with the
-  # same +options+.
-  # 
-  # If a block is given, the instance is passed to the block and the return
-  # value becomes the return value of the block.
-  # 
-  def self.instance(data = $stdout, options = Hash.new)
-    # create a _signature_ for this method call, data object and options
-    sig = [data.object_id] +
-          options.values_at(*DEFAULT_OPTIONS.keys.sort_by { |sym| sym.to_s })
-    
-    # fetch or create the instance for this signature
-    @@instances ||= Hash.new
-    instance    =   (@@instances[sig] ||= new(data, options))
-
-    if block_given?
-      yield instance  # run block, if given, returning result
-    else
-      instance        # or return the instance
+    # Alias for FasterCSV::read().
+    def self.readlines(*args)
+      read(*args)
     end
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # This method is the reading counterpart to FasterCSV::dump().  See that
-  # method for a detailed description of the process.
-  # 
-  # You can customize loading by adding a class method called csv_load() which 
-  # will be passed a Hash of meta information, an Array of headers, and an Array
-  # of fields for the object the method is expected to return.
-  # 
-  # Remember that all fields will be Strings after this load.  If you need
-  # something else, use +options+ to setup converters or provide a custom
-  # csv_load() implementation.
-  # 
-  def self.load(io_or_str, options = Hash.new)
-    csv = FasterCSV.new(io_or_str, options)
-    
-    # load meta information
-    meta = Hash[*csv.shift]
-    cls  = meta["class"].split("::").inject(Object) do |c, const|
-      c.const_get(const)
+
+    # 
+    # A shortcut for:
+    # 
+    #   FasterCSV.read( path, { :headers           => true,
+    #                           :converters        => :numeric,
+    #                           :header_converters => :symbol }.merge(options) )
+    # 
+    def self.table(path, options = Hash.new)
+      read( path, { :headers           => true,
+                    :converters        => :numeric,
+                    :header_converters => :symbol }.merge(options) )
     end
-    
-    # load headers
-    headers = csv.shift
-    
-    # unserialize each object stored in the file
-    results = csv.inject(Array.new) do |all, row|
-      begin
-        obj = cls.csv_load(meta, headers, row)
-      rescue NoMethodError
-        obj = cls.allocate
-        headers.zip(row) do |name, value|
-          if name[0] == ?@
-            obj.instance_variable_set(name, value)
-          else
-            obj.send(name, value)
-          end
-        end
+
+    # 
+    # This constructor will wrap either a String or IO object passed in +data+ for
+    # reading and/or writing.  In addition to the FasterCSV instance methods, 
+    # several IO methods are delegated.  (See FasterCSV::open() for a complete 
+    # list.)  If you pass a String for +data+, you can later retrieve it (after
+    # writing to it, for example) with FasterCSV.string().
+    # 
+    # Note that a wrapped String will be positioned at the beginning (for 
+    # reading).  If you want it at the end (for writing), use 
+    # FasterCSV::generate().  If you want any other positioning, pass a preset 
+    # StringIO object instead.
+    # 
+    # You may set any reading and/or writing preferences in the +options+ Hash.  
+    # Available options are:
+    # 
+    # <b><tt>:col_sep</tt></b>::            The String placed between each field.
+    # <b><tt>:row_sep</tt></b>::            The String appended to the end of each
+    #                                       row.  This can be set to the special
+    #                                       <tt>:auto</tt> setting, which requests
+    #                                       that FasterCSV automatically discover
+    #                                       this from the data.  Auto-discovery
+    #                                       reads ahead in the data looking for
+    #                                       the next <tt>"\r\n"</tt>,
+    #                                       <tt>"\n"</tt>, or <tt>"\r"</tt>
+    #                                       sequence.  A sequence will be selected
+    #                                       even if it occurs in a quoted field,
+    #                                       assuming that you would have the same
+    #                                       line endings there.  If none of those
+    #                                       sequences is found, 
+    #                                       or the stream is only available for
+    #                                       output, the default
+    #                                       <tt>$INPUT_RECORD_SEPARATOR</tt>
+    #                                       (<tt>$/</tt>) is used.  Obviously,
+    #                                       discovery takes a little time.  Set
+    #                                       manually if speed is important.  Also
+    #                                       note that IO objects should be opened
+    #                                       in binary mode on Windows if this
+    #                                       feature will be used as the
+    #                                       line-ending translation can cause
+    #                                       problems with resetting the document
+    #                                       position to where it was before the
+    #                                       read ahead.
+    # <b><tt>:quote_char</tt></b>::         The character used to quote fields.
+    #                                       This has to be a single character
+    #                                       String.  This is useful for
+    #                                       application that incorrectly use
+    #                                       <tt>'</tt> as the quote character
+    #                                       instead of the correct <tt>"</tt>.
+    #                                       FasterCSV will always consider a
+    #                                       double sequence this character to be
+    #                                       an escaped quote.
+    # <b><tt>:encoding</tt></b>::           The encoding to use when parsing the
+    #                                       file. Defaults to your <tt>$KCODE</tt>
+    #                                       setting. Valid values: <tt>`n’</tt> or
+    #                                       <tt>`N’</tt> for none, <tt>`e’</tt> or
+    #                                       <tt>`E’</tt> for EUC, <tt>`s’</tt> or
+    #                                       <tt>`S’</tt> for SJIS, and
+    #                                       <tt>`u’</tt> or <tt>`U’</tt> for UTF-8
+    #                                       (see Regexp.new()).
+    # <b><tt>:field_size_limit</tt></b>::   This is a maximum size FasterCSV will
+    #                                       read ahead looking for the closing
+    #                                       quote for a field.  (In truth, it
+    #                                       reads to the first line ending beyond
+    #                                       this size.)  If a quote cannot be
+    #                                       found within the limit FasterCSV will
+    #                                       raise a MalformedCSVError, assuming
+    #                                       the data is faulty.  You can use this
+    #                                       limit to prevent what are effectively
+    #                                       DoS attacks on the parser.  However,
+    #                                       this limit can cause a legitimate
+    #                                       parse to fail and thus is set to
+    #                                       +nil+, or off, by default.
+    # <b><tt>:converters</tt></b>::         An Array of names from the Converters
+    #                                       Hash and/or lambdas that handle custom
+    #                                       conversion.  A single converter
+    #                                       doesn't have to be in an Array.
+    # <b><tt>:unconverted_fields</tt></b>:: If set to +true+, an
+    #                                       unconverted_fields() method will be
+    #                                       added to all returned rows (Array or
+    #                                       FasterCSV::Row) that will return the
+    #                                       fields as they were before convertion.
+    #                                       Note that <tt>:headers</tt> supplied
+    #                                       by Array or String were not fields of
+    #                                       the document and thus will have an
+    #                                       empty Array attached.
+    # <b><tt>:headers</tt></b>::            If set to <tt>:first_row</tt> or 
+    #                                       +true+, the initial row of the CSV
+    #                                       file will be treated as a row of
+    #                                       headers.  If set to an Array, the
+    #                                       contents will be used as the headers.
+    #                                       If set to a String, the String is run
+    #                                       through a call of
+    #                                       FasterCSV::parse_line() with the same
+    #                                       <tt>:col_sep</tt>, <tt>:row_sep</tt>,
+    #                                       and <tt>:quote_char</tt> as this
+    #                                       instance to produce an Array of
+    #                                       headers.  This setting causes
+    #                                       FasterCSV.shift() to return rows as
+    #                                       FasterCSV::Row objects instead of
+    #                                       Arrays and FasterCSV.read() to return
+    #                                       FasterCSV::Table objects instead of
+    #                                       an Array of Arrays.
+    # <b><tt>:return_headers</tt></b>::     When +false+, header rows are silently
+    #                                       swallowed.  If set to +true+, header
+    #                                       rows are returned in a FasterCSV::Row
+    #                                       object with identical headers and
+    #                                       fields (save that the fields do not go
+    #                                       through the converters).
+    # <b><tt>:write_headers</tt></b>::      When +true+ and <tt>:headers</tt> is
+    #                                       set, a header row will be added to the
+    #                                       output. Note that if the table only
+    #                                       contains header rows,
+    #                                       <tt>:return_headers</tt> must also be
+    #                                       set in order for a header row to be
+    #                                       output.
+    # <b><tt>:header_converters</tt></b>::  Identical in functionality to
+    #                                       <tt>:converters</tt> save that the
+    #                                       conversions are only made to header
+    #                                       rows.
+    # <b><tt>:skip_blanks</tt></b>::        When set to a +true+ value, FasterCSV
+    #                                       will skip over any rows with no
+    #                                       content.
+    # <b><tt>:force_quotes</tt></b>::       When set to a +true+ value, FasterCSV
+    #                                       will quote all CSV fields it creates.
+    # 
+    # See FasterCSV::DEFAULT_OPTIONS for the default settings.
+    # 
+    # Options cannot be overriden in the instance methods for performance reasons,
+    # so be sure to set what you want here.
+    # 
+    def initialize(data, options = Hash.new)
+      # build the options for this read/write
+      options = DEFAULT_OPTIONS.merge(options)
+
+      # create the IO object we will read from
+      @io = if data.is_a? String then StringIO.new(data) else data end
+
+      init_separators(options)
+      init_parsers(options)
+      init_converters(options)
+      init_headers(options)
+
+      unless options.empty?
+        raise ArgumentError, "Unknown options:  #{options.keys.join(', ')}."
       end
-      all << obj
+
+      # track our own lineno since IO gets confused about line-ends is CSV fields
+      @lineno = 0
     end
-    
-    csv.close unless io_or_str.is_a? String
-    
-    results
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # :call-seq:
-  #   open( filename, mode="rb", options = Hash.new ) { |faster_csv| ... }
-  #   open( filename, mode="rb", options = Hash.new )
-  # 
-  # This method opens an IO object, and wraps that with FasterCSV.  This is
-  # intended as the primary interface for writing a CSV file.
-  # 
-  # You may pass any +args+ Ruby's open() understands followed by an optional
-  # Hash containing any +options+ FasterCSV::new() understands.
-  # 
-  # This method works like Ruby's open() call, in that it will pass a FasterCSV
-  # object to a provided block and close it when the block termminates, or it
-  # will return the FasterCSV object when no block is provided.  (*Note*: This
-  # is different from the standard CSV library which passes rows to the block.  
-  # Use FasterCSV::foreach() for that behavior.)
-  # 
-  # An opened FasterCSV object will delegate to many IO methods, for 
-  # convenience.  You may call:
-  # 
-  # * binmode()
-  # * close()
-  # * close_read()
-  # * close_write()
-  # * closed?()
-  # * eof()
-  # * eof?()
-  # * fcntl()
-  # * fileno()
-  # * flush()
-  # * fsync()
-  # * ioctl()
-  # * isatty()
-  # * pid()
-  # * pos()
-  # * reopen()
-  # * seek()
-  # * stat()
-  # * sync()
-  # * sync=()
-  # * tell()
-  # * to_i()
-  # * to_io()
-  # * tty?()
-  # 
-  def self.open(*args)
-    # find the +options+ Hash
-    options = if args.last.is_a? Hash then args.pop else Hash.new end
-    # default to a binary open mode
-    args << "rb" if args.size == 1
-    # wrap a File opened with the remaining +args+
-    csv     = new(File.open(*args), options)
-    
-    # handle blocks like Ruby's open(), not like the CSV library
-    if block_given?
-      begin
-        yield csv
-      ensure
-        csv.close
-      end
-    else
-      csv
+
+    # 
+    # The line number of the last row read from this file.  Fields with nested 
+    # line-end characters will not affect this count.
+    # 
+    attr_reader :lineno
+
+    ### IO and StringIO Delegation ###
+
+    extend Forwardable
+    def_delegators :@io, :binmode, :close, :close_read, :close_write, :closed?,
+                         :eof, :eof?, :fcntl, :fileno, :flush, :fsync, :ioctl,
+                         :isatty, :pid, :pos, :reopen, :seek, :stat, :string,
+                         :sync, :sync=, :tell, :to_i, :to_io, :tty?
+
+    # Rewinds the underlying IO object and resets FasterCSV's lineno() counter.
+    def rewind
+      @headers = nil
+      @lineno  = 0
+
+      @io.rewind
     end
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # :call-seq:
-  #   parse( str, options = Hash.new ) { |row| ... }
-  #   parse( str, options = Hash.new )
-  # 
-  # This method can be used to easily parse CSV out of a String.  You may either
-  # provide a +block+ which will be called with each row of the String in turn,
-  # or just use the returned Array of Arrays (when no +block+ is given).
-  # 
-  # You pass your +str+ to read from, and an optional +options+ Hash containing
-  # anything FasterCSV::new() understands.
-  # 
-  def self.parse(*args, &block)
-    csv = new(*args)
-    if block.nil?  # slurp contents, if no block is given
-      begin
-        csv.read
-      ensure
-        csv.close
+
+    ### End Delegation ###
+
+    # 
+    # The primary write method for wrapped Strings and IOs, +row+ (an Array or
+    # FasterCSV::Row) is converted to CSV and appended to the data source.  When a
+    # FasterCSV::Row is passed, only the row's fields() are appended to the
+    # output.
+    # 
+    # The data source must be open for writing.
+    # 
+    def <<(row)
+      # make sure headers have been assigned
+      if header_row? and [Array, String].include? @use_headers.class
+        parse_headers  # won't read data for Array or String
+        self << @headers if @write_headers
       end
-    else           # or pass each row to a provided block
-      csv.each(&block)
-    end
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # This method is a shortcut for converting a single line of a CSV String into 
-  # a into an Array.  Note that if +line+ contains multiple rows, anything 
-  # beyond the first row is ignored.
-  # 
-  # The +options+ parameter can be anthing FasterCSV::new() understands.
-  # 
-  def self.parse_line(line, options = Hash.new)
-    new(line, options).shift
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # Use to slurp a CSV file into an Array of Arrays.  Pass the +path+ to the 
-  # file and any +options+ FasterCSV::new() understands.
-  # 
-  def self.read(path, options = Hash.new)
-    open(path, "rb", options) { |csv| csv.read }
-  end
-  
-  # Alias for FasterCSV::read().
-  def self.readlines(*args)
-    read(*args)
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # A shortcut for:
-  # 
-  #   FasterCSV.read( path, { :headers           => true,
-  #                           :converters        => :numeric,
-  #                           :header_converters => :symbol }.merge(options) )
-  # 
-  def self.table(path, options = Hash.new)
-    read( path, { :headers           => true,
-                  :converters        => :numeric,
-                  :header_converters => :symbol }.merge(options) )
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # This constructor will wrap either a String or IO object passed in +data+ for
-  # reading and/or writing.  In addition to the FasterCSV instance methods, 
-  # several IO methods are delegated.  (See FasterCSV::open() for a complete 
-  # list.)  If you pass a String for +data+, you can later retrieve it (after
-  # writing to it, for example) with FasterCSV.string().
-  # 
-  # Note that a wrapped String will be positioned at at the beginning (for 
-  # reading).  If you want it at the end (for writing), use 
-  # FasterCSV::generate().  If you want any other positioning, pass a preset 
-  # StringIO object instead.
-  # 
-  # You may set any reading and/or writing preferences in the +options+ Hash.  
-  # Available options are:
-  # 
-  # <b><tt>:col_sep</tt></b>::            The String placed between each field.
-  # <b><tt>:row_sep</tt></b>::            The String appended to the end of each
-  #                                       row.  This can be set to the special
-  #                                       <tt>:auto</tt> setting, which requests
-  #                                       that FasterCSV automatically discover
-  #                                       this from the data.  Auto-discovery
-  #                                       reads ahead in the data looking for
-  #                                       the next <tt>"\r\n"</tt>,
-  #                                       <tt>"\n"</tt>, or <tt>"\r"</tt>
-  #                                       sequence.  A sequence will be selected
-  #                                       even if it occurs in a quoted field,
-  #                                       assuming that you would have the same
-  #                                       line endings there.  If none of those
-  #                                       sequences is found, +data+ is
-  #                                       <tt>ARGF</tt>, <tt>STDIN</tt>,
-  #                                       <tt>STDOUT</tt>, or <tt>STDERR</tt>,
-  #                                       or the stream is only available for
-  #                                       output, the default
-  #                                       <tt>$INPUT_RECORD_SEPARATOR</tt>
-  #                                       (<tt>$/</tt>) is used.  Obviously,
-  #                                       discovery takes a little time.  Set
-  #                                       manually if speed is important.  Also
-  #                                       note that IO objects should be opened
-  #                                       in binary mode on Windows if this
-  #                                       feature will be used as the
-  #                                       line-ending translation can cause
-  #                                       problems with resetting the document
-  #                                       position to where it was before the
-  #                                       read ahead.
-  # <b><tt>:quote_char</tt></b>::         The character used to quote fields.
-  #                                       This has to be a single character
-  #                                       String.  This is useful for
-  #                                       application that incorrectly use
-  #                                       <tt>'</tt> as the quote character
-  #                                       instead of the correct <tt>"</tt>.
-  #                                       FasterCSV will always consider a
-  #                                       double sequence this character to be
-  #                                       an escaped quote.
-  # <b><tt>:encoding</tt></b>::           The encoding to use when parsing the
-  #                                       file. Defaults to your <tt>$KDOCE</tt>
-  #                                       setting. Valid values: <tt>`n’</tt> or
-  #                                       <tt>`N’</tt> for none, <tt>`e’</tt> or
-  #                                       <tt>`E’</tt> for EUC, <tt>`s’</tt> or
-  #                                       <tt>`S’</tt> for SJIS, and
-  #                                       <tt>`u’</tt> or <tt>`U’</tt> for UTF-8
-  #                                       (see Regexp.new()).
-  # <b><tt>:field_size_limit</tt></b>::   This is a maximum size FasterCSV will
-  #                                       read ahead looking for the closing
-  #                                       quote for a field.  (In truth, it
-  #                                       reads to the first line ending beyond
-  #                                       this size.)  If a quote cannot be
-  #                                       found within the limit FasterCSV will
-  #                                       raise a MalformedCSVError, assuming
-  #                                       the data is faulty.  You can use this
-  #                                       limit to prevent what are effectively
-  #                                       DoS attacks on the parser.  However,
-  #                                       this limit can cause a legitimate
-  #                                       parse to fail and thus is set to
-  #                                       +nil+, or off, by default.
-  # <b><tt>:converters</tt></b>::         An Array of names from the Converters
-  #                                       Hash and/or lambdas that handle custom
-  #                                       conversion.  A single converter
-  #                                       doesn't have to be in an Array.
-  # <b><tt>:unconverted_fields</tt></b>:: If set to +true+, an
-  #                                       unconverted_fields() method will be
-  #                                       added to all returned rows (Array or
-  #                                       FasterCSV::Row) that will return the
-  #                                       fields as they were before convertion.
-  #                                       Note that <tt>:headers</tt> supplied
-  #                                       by Array or String were not fields of
-  #                                       the document and thus will have an
-  #                                       empty Array attached.
-  # <b><tt>:headers</tt></b>::            If set to <tt>:first_row</tt> or 
-  #                                       +true+, the initial row of the CSV
-  #                                       file will be treated as a row of
-  #                                       headers.  If set to an Array, the
-  #                                       contents will be used as the headers.
-  #                                       If set to a String, the String is run
-  #                                       through a call of
-  #                                       FasterCSV::parse_line() with the same
-  #                                       <tt>:col_sep</tt>, <tt>:row_sep</tt>,
-  #                                       and <tt>:quote_char</tt> as this
-  #                                       instance to produce an Array of
-  #                                       headers.  This setting causes
-  #                                       FasterCSV.shift() to return rows as
-  #                                       FasterCSV::Row objects instead of
-  #                                       Arrays and FasterCSV.read() to return
-  #                                       FasterCSV::Table objects instead of
-  #                                       an Array of Arrays.
-  # <b><tt>:return_headers</tt></b>::     When +false+, header rows are silently
-  #                                       swallowed.  If set to +true+, header
-  #                                       rows are returned in a FasterCSV::Row
-  #                                       object with identical headers and
-  #                                       fields (save that the fields do not go
-  #                                       through the converters).
-  # <b><tt>:write_headers</tt></b>::      When +true+ and <tt>:headers</tt> is
-  #                                       set, a header row will be added to the
-  #                                       output.
-  # <b><tt>:header_converters</tt></b>::  Identical in functionality to
-  #                                       <tt>:converters</tt> save that the
-  #                                       conversions are only made to header
-  #                                       rows.
-  # <b><tt>:skip_blanks</tt></b>::        When set to a +true+ value, FasterCSV
-  #                                       will skip over any rows with no
-  #                                       content.
-  # <b><tt>:force_quotes</tt></b>::       When set to a +true+ value, FasterCSV
-  #                                       will quote all CSV fields it creates.
-  # 
-  # See FasterCSV::DEFAULT_OPTIONS for the default settings.
-  # 
-  # Options cannot be overriden in the instance methods for performance reasons,
-  # so be sure to set what you want here.
-  # 
-  def initialize(data, options = Hash.new)
-    # build the options for this read/write
-    options = DEFAULT_OPTIONS.merge(options)
-    
-    # create the IO object we will read from
-    @io = if data.is_a? String then StringIO.new(data) else data end
-    
-    init_separators(options)
-    init_parsers(options)
-    init_converters(options)
-    init_headers(options)
-    
-    unless options.empty?
-      raise ArgumentError, "Unknown options:  #{options.keys.join(', ')}."
+
+      # Handle FasterCSV::Row objects and Hashes
+      row = case row
+            when self.class::Row then row.fields
+            when Hash            then @headers.map { |header| row[header] }
+            else                      row
+            end
+
+      @headers =  row if header_row?
+      @lineno  += 1
+
+      @io << row.map(&@quote).join(@col_sep) + @row_sep  # quote and separate
+
+      self  # for chaining
     end
-    
-    # track our own lineno since IO gets confused about line-ends is CSV fields
-    @lineno = 0
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # The line number of the last row read from this file.  Fields with nested 
-  # line-end characters will not affect this count.
-  # 
-  attr_reader :lineno
-  
-  ### IO and StringIO Delegation ###
-  
-  extend Forwardable
-  def_delegators :@io, :binmode, :close, :close_read, :close_write, :closed?,
-                       :eof, :eof?, :fcntl, :fileno, :flush, :fsync, :ioctl,
-                       :isatty, :pid, :pos, :reopen, :seek, :stat, :string,
-                       :sync, :sync=, :tell, :to_i, :to_io, :tty?
-  
-  # Rewinds the underlying IO object and resets FasterCSV's lineno() counter.
-  def rewind
-    @headers = nil
-    @lineno  = 0
-    
-    @io.rewind
-  end
+    alias_method :add_row, :<<
+    alias_method :puts,    :<<
 
-  ### End Delegation ###
-  
-  # 
-  # The primary write method for wrapped Strings and IOs, +row+ (an Array or
-  # FasterCSV::Row) is converted to CSV and appended to the data source.  When a
-  # FasterCSV::Row is passed, only the row's fields() are appended to the
-  # output.
-  # 
-  # The data source must be open for writing.
-  # 
-  def <<(row)
-    # make sure headers have been assigned
-    if header_row? and [Array, String].include? @use_headers.class
-      parse_headers  # won't read data for Array or String
-      self << @headers if @write_headers
+    # 
+    # :call-seq:
+    #   convert( name )
+    #   convert { |field| ... }
+    #   convert { |field, field_info| ... }
+    # 
+    # You can use this method to install a FasterCSV::Converters built-in, or 
+    # provide a block that handles a custom conversion.
+    # 
+    # If you provide a block that takes one argument, it will be passed the field
+    # and is expected to return the converted value or the field itself.  If your
+    # block takes two arguments, it will also be passed a FieldInfo Struct, 
+    # containing details about the field.  Again, the block should return a 
+    # converted field or the field itself.
+    # 
+    def convert(name = nil, &converter)
+      add_converter(:converters, self.class::Converters, name, &converter)
     end
-    
-    # Handle FasterCSV::Row objects and Hashes
-    row = case row
-          when self.class::Row then row.fields
-          when Hash            then @headers.map { |header| row[header] }
-          else                      row
-          end
 
-    @headers =  row if header_row?
-    @lineno  += 1
+    # 
+    # :call-seq:
+    #   header_convert( name )
+    #   header_convert { |field| ... }
+    #   header_convert { |field, field_info| ... }
+    # 
+    # Identical to FasterCSV.convert(), but for header rows.
+    # 
+    # Note that this method must be called before header rows are read to have any
+    # effect.
+    # 
+    def header_convert(name = nil, &converter)
+      add_converter( :header_converters,
+                     self.class::HeaderConverters,
+                     name,
+                     &converter )
+    end
 
-    @io << row.map(&@quote).join(@col_sep) + @row_sep  # quote and separate
-    
-    self  # for chaining
-  end
-  alias_method :add_row, :<<
-  alias_method :puts,    :<<
-  
-  # 
-  # :call-seq:
-  #   convert( name )
-  #   convert { |field| ... }
-  #   convert { |field, field_info| ... }
-  # 
-  # You can use this method to install a FasterCSV::Converters built-in, or 
-  # provide a block that handles a custom conversion.
-  # 
-  # If you provide a block that takes one argument, it will be passed the field
-  # and is expected to return the converted value or the field itself.  If your
-  # block takes two arguments, it will also be passed a FieldInfo Struct, 
-  # containing details about the field.  Again, the block should return a 
-  # converted field or the field itself.
-  # 
-  def convert(name = nil, &converter)
-    add_converter(:converters, self.class::Converters, name, &converter)
-  end
+    include Enumerable
 
-  # 
-  # :call-seq:
-  #   header_convert( name )
-  #   header_convert { |field| ... }
-  #   header_convert { |field, field_info| ... }
-  # 
-  # Identical to FasterCSV.convert(), but for header rows.
-  # 
-  # Note that this method must be called before header rows are read to have any
-  # effect.
-  # 
-  def header_convert(name = nil, &converter)
-    add_converter( :header_converters,
-                   self.class::HeaderConverters,
-                   name,
-                   &converter )
-  end
-  
-  include Enumerable
-  
-  # 
-  # Yields each row of the data source in turn.
-  # 
-  # Support for Enumerable.
-  # 
-  # The data source must be open for reading.
-  # 
-  def each
-    while row = shift
-      yield row
-    end
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # Slurps the remaining rows and returns an Array of Arrays.
-  # 
-  # The data source must be open for reading.
-  # 
-  def read
-    rows = to_a
-    if @use_headers
-      Table.new(rows)
-    else
-      rows
+    # 
+    # Yields each row of the data source in turn.
+    # 
+    # Support for Enumerable.
+    # 
+    # The data source must be open for reading.
+    # 
+    def each
+      while row = shift
+        yield row
+      end
     end
-  end
-  alias_method :readlines, :read
-  
-  # Returns +true+ if the next row read will be a header row.
-  def header_row?
-    @use_headers and @headers.nil?
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # The primary read method for wrapped Strings and IOs, a single row is pulled
-  # from the data source, parsed and returned as an Array of fields (if header
-  # rows are not used) or a FasterCSV::Row (when header rows are used).
-  # 
-  # The data source must be open for reading.
-  # 
-  def shift
-    #########################################################################
-    ### This method is purposefully kept a bit long as simple conditional ###
-    ### checks are faster than numerous (expensive) method calls.         ###
-    #########################################################################
-    
-    # handle headers not based on document content
-    if header_row? and @return_headers and
-       [Array, String].include? @use_headers.class
-      if @unconverted_fields
-        return add_unconverted_fields(parse_headers, Array.new)
+
+    # 
+    # Slurps the remaining rows and returns an Array of Arrays.
+    # 
+    # The data source must be open for reading.
+    # 
+    def read
+      rows = to_a
+      if @use_headers
+        Table.new(rows)
       else
-        return parse_headers
+        rows
       end
     end
-    
-    # begin with a blank line, so we can always add to it
-    line = ""
-
-    # 
-    # it can take multiple calls to <tt>@io.gets()</tt> to get a full line,
-    # because of \r and/or \n characters embedded in quoted fields
-    # 
-    loop do
-      # add another read to the line
-      line  += @io.gets(@row_sep) rescue return nil
-      # copy the line so we can chop it up in parsing
-      parse =  line.dup
-      parse.sub!(@parsers[:line_end], "")
-      
-      # 
-      # I believe a blank line should be an <tt>Array.new</tt>, not 
-      # CSV's <tt>[nil]</tt>
-      # 
-      if parse.empty?
-        @lineno += 1
-        if @skip_blanks
-          line = ""
-          next
-        elsif @unconverted_fields
-          return add_unconverted_fields(Array.new, Array.new)
-        elsif @use_headers
-          return FasterCSV::Row.new(Array.new, Array.new)
+    alias_method :readlines, :read
+
+    # Returns +true+ if the next row read will be a header row.
+    def header_row?
+      @use_headers and @headers.nil?
+    end
+
+    # 
+    # The primary read method for wrapped Strings and IOs, a single row is pulled
+    # from the data source, parsed and returned as an Array of fields (if header
+    # rows are not used) or a FasterCSV::Row (when header rows are used).
+    # 
+    # The data source must be open for reading.
+    # 
+    def shift
+      #########################################################################
+      ### This method is purposefully kept a bit long as simple conditional ###
+      ### checks are faster than numerous (expensive) method calls.         ###
+      #########################################################################
+
+      # handle headers not based on document content
+      if header_row? and @return_headers and
+         [Array, String].include? @use_headers.class
+        if @unconverted_fields
+          return add_unconverted_fields(parse_headers, Array.new)
         else
-          return Array.new
+          return parse_headers
         end
       end
 
+      # begin with a blank line, so we can always add to it
+      line = String.new
+
       # 
-      # shave leading empty fields if needed, because the main parser chokes 
-      # on these
-      # 
-      csv = if parse.sub!(@parsers[:leading_fields], "")
-        [nil] * ($&.length / @col_sep.length)
-      else
-        Array.new
-      end
-      # 
-      # then parse the main fields with a hyper-tuned Regexp from 
-      # Mastering Regular Expressions, Second Edition
+      # it can take multiple calls to <tt>@io.gets()</tt> to get a full line,
+      # because of \r and/or \n characters embedded in quoted fields
       # 
-      parse.gsub!(@parsers[:csv_row]) do
-        csv << if $1.nil?     # we found an unquoted field
-          if $2.empty?        # switch empty unquoted fields to +nil+...
-            nil               # for CSV compatibility
+      loop do
+        # add another read to the line
+        if read_line = @io.gets(@row_sep)
+         line += read_line
+        else
+         return nil
+        end
+        # copy the line so we can chop it up in parsing
+        parse =  line.dup
+        parse.sub!(@parsers[:line_end], "")
+
+        # 
+        # I believe a blank line should be an <tt>Array.new</tt>, not 
+        # CSV's <tt>[nil]</tt>
+        # 
+        if parse.empty?
+          @lineno += 1
+          if @skip_blanks
+            line = ""
+            next
+          elsif @unconverted_fields
+            return add_unconverted_fields(Array.new, Array.new)
+          elsif @use_headers
+            return FasterCSV::Row.new(Array.new, Array.new)
           else
-            # I decided to take a strict approach to CSV parsing...
-            if $2.count("\r\n").zero?  # verify correctness of field...
-              $2
-            else
-              # or throw an Exception
-              raise MalformedCSVError, "Unquoted fields do not allow " +
-                                       "\\r or \\n (line #{lineno + 1})."
+            return Array.new
+          end
+        end
+
+        # parse the fields with a mix of String#split and regular expressions
+        csv           = Array.new
+        current_field = String.new
+        field_quotes  = 0
+        parse.split(@col_sep, -1).each do |match|
+          if current_field.empty? && match.count(@quote_and_newlines).zero?
+            csv           << (match.empty? ? nil : match)
+          elsif (current_field.empty? ? match[0] : current_field[0]) ==
+                @quote_char[0]
+            current_field << match
+            field_quotes += match.count(@quote_char)
+            if field_quotes % 2 == 0
+              in_quotes = current_field[@parsers[:quoted_field], 1]
+              if !in_quotes || in_quotes[@parsers[:stray_quote]]
+                raise MalformedCSVError,
+                      "Missing or stray quote in line #{lineno + 1}"
+              end
+              current_field = in_quotes
+              current_field.gsub!(@quote_char * 2, @quote_char) # unescape contents
+              csv           << current_field
+              current_field =  String.new
+              field_quotes  =  0
+            else # we found a quoted field that spans multiple lines
+              current_field << @col_sep
             end
+          elsif match.count("\r\n").zero?
+            raise MalformedCSVError, "Illegal quoting in line #{lineno + 1}."
+          else
+            raise MalformedCSVError, "Unquoted fields do not allow " +
+                                     "\\r or \\n (line #{lineno + 1})."
           end
-        else                  # we found a quoted field...
-          $1.gsub(@quote_char * 2, @quote_char)  # unescape contents
         end
-        ""  # gsub!'s replacement, clear the field
-      end
 
-      # if parse is empty?(), we found all the fields on the line...
-      if parse.empty?
-        @lineno += 1
+        # if parse is empty?(), we found all the fields on the line...
+        if field_quotes % 2 == 0
+          @lineno += 1
 
-        # save fields unconverted fields, if needed...
-        unconverted = csv.dup if @unconverted_fields
+          # save fields unconverted fields, if needed...
+          unconverted = csv.dup if @unconverted_fields
 
-        # convert fields, if needed...
-        csv = convert_fields(csv) unless @use_headers or @converters.empty?
-        # parse out header rows and handle FasterCSV::Row conversions...
-        csv = parse_headers(csv)  if     @use_headers
+          # convert fields, if needed...
+          csv = convert_fields(csv) unless @use_headers or @converters.empty?
+          # parse out header rows and handle FasterCSV::Row conversions...
+          csv = parse_headers(csv)  if     @use_headers
+
+          # inject unconverted fields and accessor, if requested...
+          if @unconverted_fields and not csv.respond_to? :unconverted_fields
+            add_unconverted_fields(csv, unconverted)
+          end
 
-        # inject unconverted fields and accessor, if requested...
-        if @unconverted_fields and not csv.respond_to? :unconverted_fields
-          add_unconverted_fields(csv, unconverted)
+          # return the results
+          break csv
         end
+        # if we're not empty?() but at eof?(), a quoted field wasn't closed...
+        if @io.eof?
+          raise MalformedCSVError, "Unclosed quoted field on line #{lineno + 1}."
+        elsif @field_size_limit and current_field.size >= @field_size_limit
+          raise MalformedCSVError, "Field size exceeded on line #{lineno + 1}."
+        end
+        # otherwise, we need to loop and pull some more data to complete the row
+      end
+    end
+    alias_method :gets,     :shift
+    alias_method :readline, :shift
 
-        # return the results
-        break csv
+    # Returns a simplified description of the key FasterCSV attributes.
+    def inspect
+      str = "<##{self.class} io_type:"
+      # show type of wrapped IO
+      if    @io == $stdout then str << "$stdout"
+      elsif @io == $stdin  then str << "$stdin"
+      elsif @io == $stderr then str << "$stderr"
+      else                      str << @io.class.to_s
       end
-      # if we're not empty?() but at eof?(), a quoted field wasn't closed...
-      if @io.eof?
-        raise MalformedCSVError, "Unclosed quoted field on line #{lineno + 1}."
-      elsif parse =~ @parsers[:bad_field]
-        raise MalformedCSVError, "Illegal quoting on line #{lineno + 1}."
-      elsif @field_size_limit and parse.length >= @field_size_limit
-        raise MalformedCSVError, "Field size exceeded on line #{lineno + 1}."
+      # show IO.path(), if available
+      if @io.respond_to?(:path) and (p = @io.path)
+        str << " io_path:#{p.inspect}"
       end
-      # otherwise, we need to loop and pull some more data to complete the row
-    end
-  end
-  alias_method :gets,     :shift
-  alias_method :readline, :shift
-  
-  # Returns a simplified description of the key FasterCSV attributes.
-  def inspect
-    str = "<##{self.class} io_type:"
-    # show type of wrapped IO
-    if    @io == $stdout then str << "$stdout"
-    elsif @io == $stdin  then str << "$stdin"
-    elsif @io == $stderr then str << "$stderr"
-    else                      str << @io.class.to_s
-    end
-    # show IO.path(), if available
-    if @io.respond_to?(:path) and (p = @io.path)
-      str << " io_path:#{p.inspect}"
-    end
-    # show other attributes
-    %w[ lineno     col_sep     row_sep
-        quote_char skip_blanks encoding ].each do |attr_name|
-      if a = instance_variable_get("@#{attr_name}")
-        str << " #{attr_name}:#{a.inspect}"
+      # show other attributes
+      %w[ lineno     col_sep     row_sep
+          quote_char skip_blanks encoding ].each do |attr_name|
+        if a = instance_variable_get("@#{attr_name}")
+          str << " #{attr_name}:#{a.inspect}"
+        end
       end
+      if @use_headers
+        str << " headers:#{(@headers || true).inspect}"
+      end
+      str << ">"
     end
-    if @use_headers
-      str << " headers:#{(@headers || true).inspect}"
-    end
-    str << ">"
-  end
-  
-  private
-  
-  # 
-  # Stores the indicated separators for later use.
-  # 
-  # If auto-discovery was requested for <tt>@row_sep</tt>, this method will read
-  # ahead in the <tt>@io</tt> and try to find one.  +ARGF+, +STDIN+, +STDOUT+,
-  # +STDERR+ and any stream open for output only with a default
-  # <tt>@row_sep</tt> of <tt>$INPUT_RECORD_SEPARATOR</tt> (<tt>$/</tt>).
-  # 
-  # This method also establishes the quoting rules used for CSV output.
-  # 
-  def init_separators(options)
-    # store the selected separators
-    @col_sep    = options.delete(:col_sep)
-    @row_sep    = options.delete(:row_sep)
-    @quote_char = options.delete(:quote_char)
-
-    if @quote_char.length != 1
-      raise ArgumentError, ":quote_char has to be a single character String"
-    end
-    
-    # automatically discover row separator when requested
-    if @row_sep == :auto
-      if [ARGF, STDIN, STDOUT, STDERR].include?(@io) or
-        (defined?(Zlib) and @io.class == Zlib::GzipWriter)
-        @row_sep = $INPUT_RECORD_SEPARATOR
-      else
+
+    private
+
+    # 
+    # Stores the indicated separators for later use.
+    # 
+    # If auto-discovery was requested for <tt>@row_sep</tt>, this method will read
+    # ahead in the <tt>@io</tt> and try to find one.  +ARGF+, +STDIN+, +STDOUT+,
+    # +STDERR+ and any stream open for output only with a default
+    # <tt>@row_sep</tt> of <tt>$INPUT_RECORD_SEPARATOR</tt> (<tt>$/</tt>).
+    # 
+    # This method also establishes the quoting rules used for CSV output.
+    # 
+    def init_separators(options)
+      # store the selected separators
+      @col_sep            = options.delete(:col_sep)
+      @row_sep            = options.delete(:row_sep)
+      @quote_char         = options.delete(:quote_char)
+      @quote_and_newlines = "\r\n#{@quote_char}"
+
+      if @quote_char.length != 1
+        raise ArgumentError, ":quote_char has to be a single character String"
+      end
+
+      # automatically discover row separator when requested
+      if @row_sep == :auto
         begin
-          saved_pos = @io.pos  # remember where we were
+          #
+          # remember where we were (pos() will raise an axception if @io is pipe
+          # or not opened for reading)
+          #
+          saved_pos = @io.pos
           while @row_sep == :auto
-            # 
-            # if we run out of data, it's probably a single line 
-            # (use a sensible default)
-            # 
-            if @io.eof?
-              @row_sep = $INPUT_RECORD_SEPARATOR
-              break
-            end
-      
+            #
+            # if we run out of data, it's probably a single line
+            # (ensure will set default value)
+            #
+            break if @io.eof?
+
             # read ahead a bit
             sample =  @io.read(1024)
             sample += @io.read(1) if sample[-1..-1] == "\r" and not @io.eof?
-      
+
             # try to find a standard separator
             if sample =~ /\r\n?|\n/
               @row_sep = $&
               break
             end
           end
+
           # tricky seek() clone to work around GzipReader's lack of seek()
           @io.rewind
           # reset back to the remembered position
@@ -1741,231 +1775,225 @@ class FasterCSV
             saved_pos -= 1024
           end
           @io.read(saved_pos) if saved_pos.nonzero?
-        rescue IOError  # stream not opened for reading
-          @row_sep = $INPUT_RECORD_SEPARATOR
+        rescue IOError         # not opened for reading
+          # do nothing:  ensure will set default
+        rescue NoMethodError   # Zlib::GzipWriter doesn't have eof?
+          # do nothing:  ensure will set default
+        rescue SystemCallError # pipe
+          # do nothing:  ensure will set default
+        ensure
+          #
+          # set default if we failed to detect
+          # (stream not opened for reading, a pipe, or a single line of data)
+          #
+          @row_sep = $INPUT_RECORD_SEPARATOR if @row_sep == :auto
         end
       end
-    end
-    
-    # establish quoting rules
-    do_quote = lambda do |field|
-      @quote_char                                      +
-      String(field).gsub(@quote_char, @quote_char * 2) +
-      @quote_char
-    end
-    @quote = if options.delete(:force_quotes)
-      do_quote
-    else
-      lambda do |field|
-        if field.nil?  # represent +nil+ fields as empty unquoted fields
-          ""
-        else
-          field = String(field)  # Stringify fields
-          # represent empty fields as empty quoted fields
-          if field.empty? or
-             field.count("\r\n#{@col_sep}#{@quote_char}").nonzero?
-            do_quote.call(field)
+
+      # establish quoting rules
+      do_quote = lambda do |field|
+        @quote_char                                      +
+        String(field).gsub(@quote_char, @quote_char * 2) +
+        @quote_char
+      end
+      @quote = if options.delete(:force_quotes)
+        do_quote
+      else
+        lambda do |field|
+          if field.nil?  # represent +nil+ fields as empty unquoted fields
+            ""
           else
-            field  # unquoted field
+            field = String(field)  # Stringify fields
+            # represent empty fields as empty quoted fields
+            if field.empty? or
+               field.count("\r\n#{@col_sep}#{@quote_char}").nonzero?
+              do_quote.call(field)
+            else
+              field  # unquoted field
+            end
           end
         end
       end
     end
-  end
-  
-  # Pre-compiles parsers and stores them by name for access during reads.
-  def init_parsers(options)
-    # store the parser behaviors
-    @skip_blanks      = options.delete(:skip_blanks)
-    @encoding         = options.delete(:encoding)  # nil will use $KCODE
-    @field_size_limit = options.delete(:field_size_limit)
-
-    # prebuild Regexps for faster parsing
-    esc_col_sep = Regexp.escape(@col_sep)
-    esc_row_sep = Regexp.escape(@row_sep)
-    esc_quote   = Regexp.escape(@quote_char)
-    @parsers = {
-      # for empty leading fields
-      :leading_fields => Regexp.new("\\A(?:#{esc_col_sep})+", nil, @encoding),
-      # The Primary Parser
-      :csv_row        => Regexp.new(<<-END_PARSER, Regexp::EXTENDED, @encoding),
-      \\G(?:\\A|#{esc_col_sep})              # anchor the match
-      (?: #{esc_quote}( (?>[^#{esc_quote}]*) # find quoted fields
-                        (?> #{esc_quote*2}
-                            [^#{esc_quote}]* )* )#{esc_quote}
-          |                                  # ... or ...
-          ([^#{esc_quote}#{esc_col_sep}]*)   # unquoted fields
-          )
-      (?=#{esc_col_sep}|\\z)                 # ensure we are at field's end
-      END_PARSER
-      # a test for unescaped quotes
-      :bad_field      => Regexp.new(<<-END_BAD, Regexp::EXTENDED, @encoding),
-      \\A#{esc_col_sep}?                    # starts with an optional comma
-      (?: #{esc_quote} (?>[^#{esc_quote}]*) # an extra quote
-                       (?> #{esc_quote*2}
-                           [^#{esc_quote}]* )*
-                       #{esc_quote}[^#{esc_quote}]
-          |                                 # ... or ...
-          [^#{esc_quote}#{esc_col_sep}]+
-          #{esc_quote}                      # unescaped quote
-          )
-      END_BAD
-      # safer than chomp!()
-      :line_end       => Regexp.new("#{esc_row_sep}\\z", nil, @encoding)
-    }
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # Loads any converters requested during construction.
-  # 
-  # If +field_name+ is set <tt>:converters</tt> (the default) field converters
-  # are set.  When +field_name+ is <tt>:header_converters</tt> header converters
-  # are added instead.
-  # 
-  # The <tt>:unconverted_fields</tt> option is also actived for 
-  # <tt>:converters</tt> calls, if requested.
-  # 
-  def init_converters(options, field_name = :converters)
-    if field_name == :converters
-      @unconverted_fields = options.delete(:unconverted_fields)
+
+    # Pre-compiles parsers and stores them by name for access during reads.
+    def init_parsers(options)
+      # store the parser behaviors
+      @skip_blanks      = options.delete(:skip_blanks)
+      @encoding         = options.delete(:encoding)  # nil will use $KCODE
+      @field_size_limit = options.delete(:field_size_limit)
+
+      # prebuild Regexps for faster parsing
+      esc_col_sep = Regexp.escape(@col_sep)
+      esc_row_sep = Regexp.escape(@row_sep)
+      esc_quote   = Regexp.escape(@quote_char)
+      @parsers = {
+        :any_field    => Regexp.new( "[^#{esc_col_sep}]+",
+                                     Regexp::MULTILINE,
+                                     @encoding ),
+        :quoted_field => Regexp.new( "^#{esc_quote}(.*)#{esc_quote}$",
+                                     Regexp::MULTILINE,
+                                     @encoding ),
+        :stray_quote  => Regexp.new( "[^#{esc_quote}]#{esc_quote}[^#{esc_quote}]",
+                                     Regexp::MULTILINE,
+                                     @encoding ),
+        # safer than chomp!()
+        :line_end     => Regexp.new("#{esc_row_sep}\\z", nil, @encoding)
+      }
     end
 
-    instance_variable_set("@#{field_name}", Array.new)
-    
-    # find the correct method to add the coverters
-    convert = method(field_name.to_s.sub(/ers\Z/, ""))
-    
-    # load converters
-    unless options[field_name].nil?
-      # allow a single converter not wrapped in an Array
-      unless options[field_name].is_a? Array
-        options[field_name] = [options[field_name]]
-      end
-      # load each converter...
-      options[field_name].each do |converter|
-        if converter.is_a? Proc  # custom code block
-          convert.call(&converter)
-        else                     # by name
-          convert.call(converter)
+    # 
+    # Loads any converters requested during construction.
+    # 
+    # If +field_name+ is set <tt>:converters</tt> (the default) field converters
+    # are set.  When +field_name+ is <tt>:header_converters</tt> header converters
+    # are added instead.
+    # 
+    # The <tt>:unconverted_fields</tt> option is also actived for 
+    # <tt>:converters</tt> calls, if requested.
+    # 
+    def init_converters(options, field_name = :converters)
+      if field_name == :converters
+        @unconverted_fields = options.delete(:unconverted_fields)
+      end
+
+      instance_variable_set("@#{field_name}", Array.new)
+
+      # find the correct method to add the coverters
+      convert = method(field_name.to_s.sub(/ers\Z/, ""))
+
+      # load converters
+      unless options[field_name].nil?
+        # allow a single converter not wrapped in an Array
+        unless options[field_name].is_a? Array
+          options[field_name] = [options[field_name]]
+        end
+        # load each converter...
+        options[field_name].each do |converter|
+          if converter.is_a? Proc  # custom code block
+            convert.call(&converter)
+          else                     # by name
+            convert.call(converter)
+          end
         end
       end
+
+      options.delete(field_name)
     end
-    
-    options.delete(field_name)
-  end
-  
-  # Stores header row settings and loads header converters, if needed.
-  def init_headers(options)
-    @use_headers    = options.delete(:headers)
-    @return_headers = options.delete(:return_headers)
-    @write_headers  = options.delete(:write_headers)
-
-    # headers must be delayed until shift(), in case they need a row of content
-    @headers = nil
-    
-    init_converters(options, :header_converters)
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # The actual work method for adding converters, used by both 
-  # FasterCSV.convert() and FasterCSV.header_convert().
-  # 
-  # This method requires the +var_name+ of the instance variable to place the
-  # converters in, the +const+ Hash to lookup named converters in, and the
-  # normal parameters of the FasterCSV.convert() and FasterCSV.header_convert()
-  # methods.
-  # 
-  def add_converter(var_name, const, name = nil, &converter)
-    if name.nil?  # custom converter
-      instance_variable_get("@#{var_name}") << converter
-    else          # named converter
-      combo = const[name]
-      case combo
-      when Array  # combo converter
-        combo.each do |converter_name|
-          add_converter(var_name, const, converter_name)
+
+    # Stores header row settings and loads header converters, if needed.
+    def init_headers(options)
+      @use_headers    = options.delete(:headers)
+      @return_headers = options.delete(:return_headers)
+      @write_headers  = options.delete(:write_headers)
+
+      # headers must be delayed until shift(), in case they need a row of content
+      @headers = nil
+
+      init_converters(options, :header_converters)
+    end
+
+    # 
+    # The actual work method for adding converters, used by both 
+    # FasterCSV.convert() and FasterCSV.header_convert().
+    # 
+    # This method requires the +var_name+ of the instance variable to place the
+    # converters in, the +const+ Hash to lookup named converters in, and the
+    # normal parameters of the FasterCSV.convert() and FasterCSV.header_convert()
+    # methods.
+    # 
+    def add_converter(var_name, const, name = nil, &converter)
+      if name.nil?  # custom converter
+        instance_variable_get("@#{var_name}") << converter
+      else          # named converter
+        combo = const[name]
+        case combo
+        when Array  # combo converter
+          combo.each do |converter_name|
+            add_converter(var_name, const, converter_name)
+          end
+        else        # individual named converter
+          instance_variable_get("@#{var_name}") << combo
         end
-      else        # individual named converter
-        instance_variable_get("@#{var_name}") << combo
       end
     end
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # Processes +fields+ with <tt>@converters</tt>, or <tt>@header_converters</tt>
-  # if +headers+ is passed as +true+, returning the converted field set.  Any
-  # converter that changes the field into something other than a String halts
-  # the pipeline of conversion for that field.  This is primarily an efficiency
-  # shortcut.
-  # 
-  def convert_fields(fields, headers = false)
-    # see if we are converting headers or fields
-    converters = headers ? @header_converters : @converters
-    
-    fields.enum_for(:each_with_index).map do |field, index|  # map_with_index
-      converters.each do |converter|
-        field = if converter.arity == 1  # straight field converter
-          converter[field]
-        else                             # FieldInfo converter
-          header = @use_headers && !headers ? @headers[index] : nil
-          converter[field, FieldInfo.new(index, lineno, header)]
+
+    # 
+    # Processes +fields+ with <tt>@converters</tt>, or <tt>@header_converters</tt>
+    # if +headers+ is passed as +true+, returning the converted field set.  Any
+    # converter that changes the field into something other than a String halts
+    # the pipeline of conversion for that field.  This is primarily an efficiency
+    # shortcut.
+    # 
+    def convert_fields(fields, headers = false)
+      # see if we are converting headers or fields
+      converters = headers ? @header_converters : @converters
+
+      fields.enum_for(:each_with_index).map do |field, index|  # map_with_index
+        converters.each do |converter|
+          field = if converter.arity == 1  # straight field converter
+            converter[field]
+          else                             # FieldInfo converter
+            header = @use_headers && !headers ? @headers[index] : nil
+            converter[field, FieldInfo.new(index, lineno, header)]
+          end
+          break unless field.is_a? String  # short-curcuit pipeline for speed
         end
-        break unless field.is_a? String  # short-curcuit pipeline for speed
+        field  # return final state of each field, converted or original
       end
-      field  # return final state of each field, converted or original
     end
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # This methods is used to turn a finished +row+ into a FasterCSV::Row.  Header
-  # rows are also dealt with here, either by returning a FasterCSV::Row with
-  # identical headers and fields (save that the fields do not go through the
-  # converters) or by reading past them to return a field row. Headers are also
-  # saved in <tt>@headers</tt> for use in future rows.
-  # 
-  # When +nil+, +row+ is assumed to be a header row not based on an actual row
-  # of the stream.
-  # 
-  def parse_headers(row = nil)
-    if @headers.nil?                # header row
-      @headers = case @use_headers  # save headers
-                 # Array of headers
-                 when Array  then @use_headers
-                 # CSV header String
-                 when String
-                   self.class.parse_line( @use_headers,
-                                          :col_sep    => @col_sep,
-                                          :row_sep    => @row_sep,
-                                          :quote_char => @quote_char )
-                 # first row is headers
-                 else             row
-                 end
-      
-      # prepare converted and unconverted copies
-      row      = @headers                       if row.nil?
-      @headers = convert_fields(@headers, true)
-      
-      if @return_headers                                     # return headers
-        return FasterCSV::Row.new(@headers, row, true)
-      elsif not [Array, String].include? @use_headers.class  # skip to field row
-        return shift
+
+    # 
+    # This methods is used to turn a finished +row+ into a FasterCSV::Row.  Header
+    # rows are also dealt with here, either by returning a FasterCSV::Row with
+    # identical headers and fields (save that the fields do not go through the
+    # converters) or by reading past them to return a field row. Headers are also
+    # saved in <tt>@headers</tt> for use in future rows.
+    # 
+    # When +nil+, +row+ is assumed to be a header row not based on an actual row
+    # of the stream.
+    # 
+    def parse_headers(row = nil)
+      if @headers.nil?                # header row
+        @headers = case @use_headers  # save headers
+                   # Array of headers
+                   when Array  then @use_headers
+                   # CSV header String
+                   when String
+                     self.class.parse_line( @use_headers,
+                                            :col_sep    => @col_sep,
+                                            :row_sep    => @row_sep,
+                                            :quote_char => @quote_char )
+                   # first row is headers
+                   else             row
+                   end
+
+        # prepare converted and unconverted copies
+        row      = @headers                       if row.nil?
+        @headers = convert_fields(@headers, true)
+
+        if @return_headers                                     # return headers
+          return FasterCSV::Row.new(@headers, row, true)
+        elsif not [Array, String].include? @use_headers.class  # skip to field row
+          return shift
+        end
       end
+
+      FasterCSV::Row.new(@headers, convert_fields(row))  # field row
     end
 
-    FasterCSV::Row.new(@headers, convert_fields(row))  # field row
-  end
-  
-  # 
-  # Thiw methods injects an instance variable <tt>unconverted_fields</tt> into
-  # +row+ and an accessor method for it called unconverted_fields().  The
-  # variable is set to the contents of +fields+.
-  # 
-  def add_unconverted_fields(row, fields)
-    class << row
-      attr_reader :unconverted_fields
+    # 
+    # Thiw methods injects an instance variable <tt>unconverted_fields</tt> into
+    # +row+ and an accessor method for it called unconverted_fields().  The
+    # variable is set to the contents of +fields+.
+    # 
+    def add_unconverted_fields(row, fields)
+      class << row
+        attr_reader :unconverted_fields
+      end
+      row.instance_eval { @unconverted_fields = fields }
+      row
     end
-    row.instance_eval { @unconverted_fields = fields }
-    row
   end
 end