taskjuggler 0.1.1 → 0.2.0

data/lib/taskjuggler/TaskScenario.rb

@@ -23,6 +23,15 @@ class TaskJuggler
     # Create a new TaskScenario object.
     def initialize(task, scenarioIdx, attributes)
       super
+      # Attributed are only really created when they are accessed the first
+      # time. So make sure some needed attributes really exist so we don't
+      # have to check for existance each time we access them.
+      %w( allocate assignedresources booking charge chargeset complete
+          criticalness depends duration effort end forward length
+          maxend maxstart minend minstart milestone pathcriticalness
+          precedes scheduled shifts start status ).each do |attr|
+        @property[attr, @scenarioIdx]
+      end
 
       # A list of all allocated leaf resources.
       @candidates = []
@@ -33,59 +42,79 @@ class TaskJuggler
     # scheduling.
     def prepareScheduling
       @property['startpreds', @scenarioIdx] = []
-      @property['startsuccs', @scenarioIdx] =[]
+      @property['startsuccs', @scenarioIdx] = []
       @property['endpreds', @scenarioIdx] = []
       @property['endsuccs', @scenarioIdx] = []
 
       @isRunAway = false
 
-      # The following variables are only used during scheduling
-      @lastSlot = nil
+      # And as global scoreboard index
+      @currentSlotIdx = nil
       # The 'done' variables count scheduled values in number of time slots.
       @doneDuration = 0
       @doneLength = 0
       # Due to the 'efficiency' factor the effort slots must be a float.
       @doneEffort = 0.0
 
+      @projectionMode = @project.scenario(@scenarioIdx).get('projection')
+
       @startIsDetermed = nil
       @endIsDetermed = nil
-      @tentativeStart = @tentativeEnd = nil
 
       # To avoid multiple calls to propagateDate() we use these flags to know
       # when we've done it already.
       @startPropagated = false
       @endPropagated = false
 
+      markMilestone
       # Milestones may only have start or end date even when the 'scheduled'
       # attribute is set. For further processing, we need to add the missing
       # date.
-      if a('milestone') && a('scheduled')
-        @property['end', @scenarioIdx] = a('start') if a('start') && !a('end')
-        @property['start', @scenarioIdx] = a('end') if !a('start') && a('end')
-        Log << "Milestone #{@property.fullId}: #{a('start')} -> #{a('end')}"
+      if @milestone
+        @end = @start if @start && !@end
+        @start = @end if !@start && @end
+      end
+
+      # For start-end-tasks without allocation, we don't have to do
+      # anything but to set the 'scheduled' flag.
+      if @start && @end && @effort == 0 && @length == 0 && @duration == 0 &&
+         @allocate.empty?
+        @scheduled = true
+        Log << "Task #{@property.fullId}: #{@start} -> #{@end}"
       end
 
       # Collect the limits of this task and all parent tasks into a single
       # Array.
-      @limits = []
+      @allLimits = []
       task = @property
       # Reset the counters of all limits of this task.
       task['limits', @scenarioIdx].reset if task['limits', @scenarioIdx]
       until task.nil?
         if task['limits', @scenarioIdx]
-          @limits << task['limits', @scenarioIdx]
+          @allLimits << task['limits', @scenarioIdx]
         end
         task = task.parent
       end
 
       # Collect the mandatory allocations.
       @mandatories = []
-      a('allocate').each do |allocation|
+      @allocate.each do |allocation|
         @mandatories << allocation if allocation.mandatory
+        allocation.lockedResource = nil
       end
 
       bookBookings
-      markMilestone
+
+      @durationType =
+        if @effort > 0
+          :effortTask
+        elsif @length > 0
+          :lengthTask
+        elsif @duration > 0
+          :durationTask
+        else
+          :startEndTask
+        end
     end
 
     # The parser only stores the full task IDs for each of the dependencies.
@@ -100,16 +129,16 @@ class TaskJuggler
     # points to the dependent task and the boolean specifies whether the
     # dependency originates from the end of the task or not.
     def Xref
-      @property['depends', @scenarioIdx].each do |dependency|
+      @depends.each do |dependency|
         depTask = checkDependency(dependency, 'depends')
-        a('startpreds').push([ depTask, dependency.onEnd ])
+        @startpreds.push([ depTask, dependency.onEnd ])
         depTask[dependency.onEnd ? 'endsuccs' : 'startsuccs', @scenarioIdx].
           push([ @property, false ])
       end
 
-      @property['precedes', @scenarioIdx].each do |dependency|
+      @precedes.each do |dependency|
         predTask = checkDependency(dependency, 'precedes')
-        a('endsuccs').push([ predTask, dependency.onEnd ])
+        @endsuccs.push([ predTask, dependency.onEnd ])
         predTask[dependency.onEnd ? 'endpreds' : 'startpreds', @scenarioIdx].
           push([@property, true ])
       end
@@ -123,8 +152,8 @@ class TaskJuggler
 
     def propagateInitialValues
       unless @startPropagated
-        if a('start')
-          propagateDate(a('start'), false)
+        if @start
+          propagateDate(@start, false)
         elsif @property.parent.nil? &&
               @property.canInheritDate?(@scenarioIdx, false)
           propagateDate(@project['start'], false)
@@ -132,8 +161,8 @@ class TaskJuggler
       end
 
       unless @endPropagated
-        if a('end')
-          propagateDate(a('end'), true)
+        if @end
+          propagateDate(@end, true)
         elsif @property.parent.nil? &&
               @property.canInheritDate?(@scenarioIdx, true)
           propagateDate(@project['end'], true)
@@ -146,7 +175,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
     def preScheduleCheck
       # Accounts can have sub accounts added after being used in a chargetset.
       # So we need to re-test here.
-      a('chargeset').each do |chargeset|
+      @chargeset.each do |chargeset|
         chargeset.each do |account, share|
           unless account.leaf?
             error('account_no_leaf',
@@ -157,36 +186,36 @@ class TaskJuggler
 
       # Leaf tasks can be turned into containers after bookings have been added.
       # We need to check for this.
-      unless @property.leaf? || a('booking').empty?
+      unless @property.leaf? || @booking.empty?
         error('container_booking',
               "Container task #{@property.fullId} may not have bookings.")
       end
 
       # Milestones may not have bookings.
-      if a('milestone') && !a('booking').empty?
+      if @milestone && !@booking.empty?
         error('milestone_booking',
               "Milestone #{@property.fullId} may not have bookings.")
       end
 
       # All 'scheduled' tasks must have a fixed start and end date.
-      if a('scheduled') && (a('start').nil? || a('end').nil?)
+      if @scheduled && (@start.nil? || @end.nil?)
         error('not_scheduled',
               "Task #{@property.fullId} is marked as scheduled but does not " +
               'have a fixed start and end date.')
       end
 
       # If an effort has been specified resources must be allocated as well.
-      if a('effort') > 0 && a('allocate').empty?
+      if @effort > 0 && @allocate.empty?
         error('effort_no_allocations',
               "Task #{@property.fullId} has an effort but no resource " +
               "allocations.")
       end
 
       durationSpecs = 0
-      durationSpecs += 1 if a('effort') > 0
-      durationSpecs += 1 if a('length') > 0
-      durationSpecs += 1 if a('duration') > 0
-      durationSpecs += 1 if a('milestone')
+      durationSpecs += 1 if @effort > 0
+      durationSpecs += 1 if @length > 0
+      durationSpecs += 1 if @duration > 0
+      durationSpecs += 1 if @milestone
 
       # The rest of this function performs a number of plausibility tests with
       # regards to task start and end critiria. To explain the various cases,
@@ -207,7 +236,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
                 "Container task #{@property.fullId} may not have a duration " +
                 "or be marked as milestones.")
         end
-      elsif a('milestone')
+      elsif @milestone
         if durationSpecs > 1
           error('milestone_duration',
                 "Milestone task #{@property.fullId} may not have a duration.")
@@ -223,9 +252,9 @@ class TaskJuggler
         # already handled by 'start_undetermed' or 'end_undetermed'
 
         # err2: differnt start and end dates
-        if a('start') && a('end') && a('start') != a('end')
+        if @start && @end && @start != @end
           error('milestone_start_end',
-                "Start (#{a('start')}) and end (#{a('end')}) dates of " +
+                "Start (#{@start}) and end (#{@end}) dates of " +
                 "milestone task #{@property.fullId} must be identical.")
         end
       else
@@ -268,8 +297,8 @@ class TaskJuggler
         #   -  <-- -D
         #   -  <-- |D
         if durationSpecs == 0 &&
-           ((a('forward') && a('end').nil? && !hasDependencies(true)) ||
-            (!a('forward') && a('start').nil? && !hasDependencies(false)))
+           ((@forward && @end.nil? && !hasDependencies(true)) ||
+            (!@forward && @start.nil? && !hasDependencies(false)))
           error('task_underspecified',
                 "Task #{@property.fullId} has too few specifations to be " +
                 "scheduled.")
@@ -296,8 +325,8 @@ class TaskJuggler
         startSpeced = @property.provided('start', @scenarioIdx)
         endSpeced = @property.provided('end', @scenarioIdx)
         if ((startSpeced && endSpeced) ||
-            (hasDependencies(false) && a('forward') && endSpeced) ||
-            (hasDependencies(true) && !a('forward') && startSpeced)) &&
+            (hasDependencies(false) && @forward && endSpeced) ||
+            (hasDependencies(true) && !@forward && startSpeced)) &&
            durationSpecs > 0 && !@property.provided('scheduled', @scenarioIdx)
           error('task_overspecified',
                 "Task #{@property.fullId} has a start, an end and a " +
@@ -305,7 +334,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
         end
       end
 
-      if !a('booking').empty? && !a('forward') && !a('scheduled')
+      if !@booking.empty? && !@forward && !@scheduled
         error('alap_booking',
               'A task scheduled in ALAP mode may only have bookings if it ' +
               'has been marked as fully scheduled. Keep in mind that ' +
@@ -313,14 +342,14 @@ class TaskJuggler
               'switch the task to ALAP mode.')
       end
 
-      a('startsuccs').each do |task, onEnd|
+      @startsuccs.each do |task, onEnd|
         unless task['forward', @scenarioIdx]
           task.data[@scenarioIdx].error(
             'onstart_wrong_direction',
             'Tasks with on-start dependencies must be ASAP scheduled')
         end
       end
-      a('endpreds').each do |task, onEnd|
+      @endpreds.each do |task, onEnd|
         if task['forward', @scenarioIdx]
           task.data[@scenarioIdx].error(
             'onend_wrong_direction',
@@ -340,7 +369,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
 
       if (parent = @property.parent)
         # Add the assigned resources to the parent task list.
-        a('assignedresources').each do |resource|
+        @assignedresources.each do |resource|
           unless parent['assignedresources', @scenarioIdx].include?(resource)
             parent['assignedresources', @scenarioIdx] << resource
           end
@@ -371,65 +400,65 @@ class TaskJuggler
       end
 
       # Make sure the task is marked complete
-      unless a('scheduled')
+      unless @scheduled
         error('not_scheduled',
               "Task #{@property.fullId} has not been marked as scheduled.")
       end
 
       # If the task has a follower or predecessor that is a runaway this task
       # is also incomplete.
-      (a('startsuccs') + a('endsuccs')).each do |task, onEnd|
+      (@startsuccs + @endsuccs).each do |task, onEnd|
         return false if task.isRunAway(@scenarioIdx)
       end
-      (a('startpreds') + a('endpreds')).each do |task, onEnd|
+      (@startpreds + @endpreds).each do |task, onEnd|
         return false if task.isRunAway(@scenarioIdx)
       end
 
       # Check if the start time is ok
-      if a('start').nil?
+      if @start.nil?
         error('task_start_undef',
               "Task #{@property.fullId} has undefined start time")
       end
-      if a('start') < @project['start'] || a('start') > @project['end']
+      if @start < @project['start'] || @start > @project['end']
         error('task_start_range',
-              "The start time (#{a('start')}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
+              "The start time (#{@start}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
               "is outside the project interval (#{@project['start']} - " +
               "#{@project['end']})")
       end
-      if !a('minstart').nil? && a('start') < a('minstart')
+      if !@minstart.nil? && @start < @minstart
         warning('minstart',
-               "The start time (#{a('start')}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
-               "is too early. Must be after #{a('minstart')}.")
+               "The start time (#{@start}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
+               "is too early. Must be after #{@minstart}.")
       end
-      if !a('maxstart').nil? && a('start') > a('maxstart')
+      if !@maxstart.nil? && @start > @maxstart
         warning('maxstart',
-               "The start time (#{a('start')}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
-               "is too late. Must be before #{a('maxstart')}.")
+               "The start time (#{@start}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
+               "is too late. Must be before #{@maxstart}.")
       end
       # Check if the end time is ok
       error('task_end_undef',
-            "Task #{@property.fullId} has undefined end time") if a('end').nil?
-      if a('end') < @project['start'] || a('end') > @project['end']
+            "Task #{@property.fullId} has undefined end time") if @end.nil?
+      if @end < @project['start'] || @end > @project['end']
         error('task_end_range',
-              "The end time (#{a('end')}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
+              "The end time (#{@end}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
               "is outside the project interval (#{@project['start']} - " +
               "#{@project['end']})")
       end
-      if !a('minend').nil? && a('end') < a('minend')
+      if !@minend.nil? && @end < @minend
         warning('minend',
-                "The end time (#{a('end')}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
-                "is too early. Must be after #{a('minend')}.")
+                "The end time (#{@end}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
+                "is too early. Must be after #{@minend}.")
       end
-      if !a('maxend').nil? && a('end') > a('maxend')
+      if !@maxend.nil? && @end > @maxend
         warning('maxend',
-                "The end time (#{a('end')}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
-                "is too late. Must be before #{a('maxend')}.")
+                "The end time (#{@end}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
+                "is too late. Must be before #{@maxend}.")
       end
       # Make sure the start is before the end
-      if a('start') > a('end')
+      if @start > @end
         error('start_after_end',
-              "The start time (#{a('start')}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
-              "is after the end time (#{a('end')}).")
+              "The start time (#{@start}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
+              "is after the end time (#{@end}).")
       end
 
 
@@ -437,33 +466,33 @@ class TaskJuggler
       unless (parent = @property.parent).nil? ||
               parent['start', @scenarioIdx].nil? ||
               parent['end', @scenarioIdx].nil?
-        if a('start') < parent['start', @scenarioIdx]
+        if @start < parent['start', @scenarioIdx]
           error('task_start_in_parent',
-                "The start date (#{a('start')}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
-                "is before the start date of the enclosing task " +
-                "#{parent['start', @scenarioIdx]}. ")
+                "The start date (#{@start}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
+                "is before the start date (#{parent['start', @scenarioIdx]}) " +
+                "of the enclosing task.")
         end
-        if a('end') > parent['end', @scenarioIdx]
+        if @end > parent['end', @scenarioIdx]
           error('task_end_in_parent',
-                "The end date (#{a('end')}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
-                "is after the end date of the enclosing task " +
-                "#{parent['end', @scenarioIdx]}. ")
+                "The end date (#{@end}) of task #{@property.fullId} " +
+                "is after the end date (#{parent['end', @scenarioIdx]}) " +
+                "of the enclosing task.")
         end
       end
 
       # Check that all preceding tasks start/end before this task.
-      @property['depends', @scenarioIdx].each do |dependency|
+      @depends.each do |dependency|
         task = dependency.task
         limit = task[dependency.onEnd ? 'end' : 'start', @scenarioIdx]
         next if limit.nil?
-        if a('start') < limit
+        if @start < limit
           error('task_pred_before',
-                "Task #{@property.fullId} must start after " +
-                "#{dependency.onEnd ? 'end' : 'start'} of task " +
+                "Task #{@property.fullId} (#{@start}) must start after " +
+                "#{dependency.onEnd ? 'end' : 'start'} (#{limit}) of task " +
                 "#{task.fullId}.")
         end
         if dependency.gapDuration > 0
-          if limit + dependency.gapDuration > a('start')
+          if limit + dependency.gapDuration > @start
             error('task_pred_before_gd',
                   "Task #{@property.fullId} must start " +
                   "#{dependency.gapDuration / (60 * 60 * 24)} days after " +
@@ -474,7 +503,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
           end
         end
         if dependency.gapLength > 0
-          if calcLength(limit, a('start')) < dependency.gapLength
+          if calcLength(limit, @start) < dependency.gapLength
             error('task_pred_before_gl',
                   "Task #{@property.fullId} must start " +
                   "#{@project.slotsToDays(dependency.gapLength)} " +
@@ -488,17 +517,18 @@ class TaskJuggler
       end
 
       # Check that all following tasks end before this task
-      @property['precedes', @scenarioIdx].each do |dependency|
+      @precedes.each do |dependency|
         task = dependency.task
         limit = task[dependency.onEnd ? 'end' : 'start', @scenarioIdx]
         next if limit.nil?
-        if limit < a('end')
+        if limit < @end
           error('task_succ_after',
-                "Task #{@property.fullId} must end before " +
-                "#{dependency.onEnd ? 'end' : 'start'} of task #{task.fullId}.")
+                "Task #{@property.fullId} (#{@end}) must end before " +
+                "#{dependency.onEnd ? 'end' : 'start'} (#{limit}) of task " +
+                "#{task.fullId}.")
         end
         if dependency.gapDuration > 0
-          if limit - dependency.gapDuration < a('end')
+          if limit - dependency.gapDuration < @end
             error('task_succ_after_gd',
                   "Task #{@property.fullId} must end " +
                   "#{dependency.gapDuration / (60 * 60 * 24)} days before " +
@@ -509,7 +539,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
           end
         end
         if dependency.gapLength > 0
-          if calcLength(a('end'), limit) < dependency.gapLength
+          if calcLength(@end, limit) < dependency.gapLength
             error('task_succ_after_gl',
                   "Task #{@property.fullId} must end " +
                   "#{@project.slotsToDays(dependency.gapLength)} " +
@@ -522,12 +552,24 @@ class TaskJuggler
         end
       end
 
-      if a('milestone') && a('start') != a('end')
+      if @milestone && @start != @end
         error('milestone_times_equal',
               "Milestone #{@property.fullId} must have identical start and " +
               "end date.")
       end
 
+      if @effort == 0 && !@milestone && !@allocate.empty? &&
+         @assignedresources.empty?
+        # The user used an 'allocate' for the task, but did not specify any
+        # 'effort'. Actual allocations will only happen when resources are
+        # available by chance. If there are no assigned resources, we generate
+        # a warning as this is probably not what the user intended.
+        warning('allocate_no_assigned',
+                "Task #{@property.id} has resource allocation requested, but " +
+                "did not get any resources assigned. Either use 'effort' " +
+                "to ensure allocations or use a higher 'priority'.")
+      end
+
       @errors == 0
     end
 
@@ -618,12 +660,12 @@ class TaskJuggler
             #    -->| o---->
             #       +--------
             #
-            if (forward && a('forward')) || a('milestone')
+            if (forward && @forward) || @milestone
               checkForLoops(path, true, false, true)
             end
           end
         else
-          if a('startpreds').empty?
+          if @startpreds.empty?
             #
             #         ^
             #         |
@@ -645,7 +687,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
             #          ^
             #          |
             #
-            a('startpreds').each do |task, targetEnd|
+            @startpreds.each do |task, targetEnd|
               task.checkForLoops(@scenarioIdx, path, targetEnd, true, forward)
             end
           end
@@ -672,12 +714,12 @@ class TaskJuggler
             #     <----o |<--
             #    --------+
             #
-            if (!forward && !a('forward')) || a('milestone')
+            if (!forward && !@forward) || @milestone
               checkForLoops(path, false, false, false)
             end
           end
         else
-          if a('endsuccs').empty?
+          if @endsuccs.empty?
             #
             #          ^
             #          |
@@ -698,7 +740,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
             #          ^
             #          |
             #
-            a('endsuccs').each do |task, targetEnd|
+            @endsuccs.each do |task, targetEnd|
               task.checkForLoops(@scenarioIdx, path, targetEnd, true, forward)
             end
           end
@@ -715,7 +757,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
     # list of leaf resources that are allocated to this task.
     def candidates
       @candidates = []
-      a('allocate').each do |allocation|
+      @allocate.each do |allocation|
         allocation.candidates.each do |candidate|
           candidate.allLeaves.each do |resource|
             @candidates << resource unless @candidates.include?(resource)
@@ -730,9 +772,9 @@ class TaskJuggler
     # stores it in @candidates. It also adds the allocated effort to
     # the 'alloctdeffort' counter of each resource.
     def countResourceAllocations
-      return if @candidates.empty? || a('effort') <= 0
+      return if @candidates.empty? || @effort <= 0
 
-      avgEffort = a('effort') / @candidates.length
+      avgEffort = @effort / @candidates.length
       @candidates.each do |resource|
         resource['alloctdeffort', @scenarioIdx] += avgEffort
       end
@@ -744,20 +786,20 @@ class TaskJuggler
     # exception are milestones which get an arbitrary value between 0 and 2
     # based on their priority.
     def calcCriticalness
-      @property['criticalness', @scenarioIdx] = 0.0
-      @property['pathcriticalness', @scenarioIdx] = nil
+      @criticalness = 0.0
+      @pathcriticalness = nil
 
       # Users feel that milestones are somewhat important. So we use an
       # arbitrary value larger than 0 for them. We make it priority dependent,
       # so the user has some control over it. Priority 0 is 0, 500 is 1.0 and
       # 1000 is 2.0. These values are pretty much randomly picked and probably
       # require some more tuning based on real projects.
-      if a('milestone')
-        @property['criticalness', @scenarioIdx] = a('priority') / 500.0
+      if @milestone
+        @criticalness = @priority / 500.0
       end
 
       # Task without efforts of allocations are not critical.
-      return if a('effort') <= 0 || @candidates.empty?
+      return if @effort <= 0 || @candidates.empty?
 
       # Determine the average criticalness of all allocated resources.
       criticalness = 0.0
@@ -768,7 +810,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
 
       # The task criticalness is the product of effort and average resource
       # criticalness.
-      @property['criticalness', @scenarioIdx] = a('effort') * criticalness
+      @criticalness = @effort * criticalness
     end
 
     # The path criticalness is a measure for the overall criticalness of the
@@ -781,8 +823,8 @@ class TaskJuggler
       # If we have computed this already, just return the value. If we are only
       # at the end of the task, we do not include the criticalness of this task
       # as it is not really part of the path.
-      if a('pathcriticalness')
-        return a('pathcriticalness') - (atEnd ? 0 : a('criticalness'))
+      if @pathcriticalness
+        return @pathcriticalness - (atEnd ? 0 : @criticalness)
       end
 
       maxCriticalness = 0.0
@@ -808,7 +850,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
           # For leaf tasks, we check all pathes through the start successors and
           # then the pathes through the end successors of this task and all its
           # parent tasks.
-          a('startsuccs').each do |task, onEnd|
+          @startsuccs.each do |task, onEnd|
             if (criticalness = task.calcPathCriticalness(@scenarioIdx, onEnd)) >
               maxCriticalness
               maxCriticalness = criticalness
@@ -819,23 +861,23 @@ class TaskJuggler
             maxCriticalness = criticalness
           end
 
-          maxCriticalness += a('criticalness')
+          maxCriticalness += @criticalness
         end
       end
 
-      @property['pathcriticalness', @scenarioIdx] = maxCriticalness
+      @pathcriticalness = maxCriticalness
     end
 
     # Check if the task is ready to be scheduled. For this it needs to have at
     # least one specified end date and a duration criteria or the other end
     # date.
     def readyForScheduling?
-      return false if a('scheduled') || @isRunAway
+      return false if @scheduled || @isRunAway
 
-      if a('forward')
-        return true if a('start') && (hasDurationSpec? || a('end'))
+      if @forward
+        return true if @start && (hasDurationSpec? || @end)
       else
-        return true if a('end') && (hasDurationSpec? || a('start'))
+        return true if @end && (hasDurationSpec? || @start)
       end
 
       false
@@ -846,31 +888,39 @@ class TaskJuggler
     # or end date has been determined and other tasks may be ready for
     # scheduling now.
     def schedule
-      # Is the task scheduled from start to end or vice versa?
-      forward = a('forward')
-      # The task may not excede the project interval.
-      limit = @project[forward ? 'end' : 'start']
-      # Number of seconds per time slot.
-      slotDuration = @project['scheduleGranularity']
-      slot = nextSlot(slotDuration)
+      # Compute the date of the next slot this task wants to have scheduled.
+      # This must either be the first slot ever or it must be directly
+      # adjecent to the previous slot. If this task has not yet been scheduled
+      # at all, @currentSlotIdx is still nil. Otherwise it contains the index
+      # of the last scheduled slot.
+      if @forward
+        # On first call, the @currentSlotIdx is not set yet. We set it to the
+        # start slot index or the 'now' slot if we are in projection mode and
+        # the tasks has allocations.
+        if @currentSlotIdx.nil?
+          @currentSlotIdx = @project.dateToIdx(
+            @projectionMode && (@project['now'] > @start) && !@allocate.empty? ?
+            @project['now'] : @start)
+        end
+      else
+        # On first call, the @currentSlotIdx is not set yet. We set it to the
+        # slot index of the slot before the end slot.
+        if @currentSlotIdx.nil?
+          @currentSlotIdx = @project.dateToIdx(@end) - 1
+        end
+      end
 
       # Schedule all time slots from slot in the scheduling direction until
       # the task is completed or a problem has been found.
-      while !scheduleSlot(slot, slotDuration)
-        if forward
-          # The task is scheduled from start to end.
-          slot += slotDuration
-          if slot > limit
-            markAsRunaway
-            return false
-          end
-        else
-          # The task is scheduled from end to start.
-          slot -= slotDuration
-          if slot < limit
-            markAsRunaway
-            return false
-          end
+      # The task may not excede the project interval.
+      lowerLimit = @project.dateToIdx(@project['start'])
+      upperLimit = @project.dateToIdx(@project['end'])
+      delta = @forward ? 1 : -1
+      while scheduleSlot
+        @currentSlotIdx += delta
+        if @currentSlotIdx < lowerLimit || upperLimit < @currentSlotIdx
+          markAsRunaway
+          return false
         end
       end
 
@@ -896,21 +946,21 @@ class TaskJuggler
       # For leaf tasks, propagate start may set the date. Container task dates
       # are only set in scheduleContainer().
       if @property.leaf?
-        @property[thisEnd, @scenarioIdx] = date
-        Log << "Task #{@property.fullId}: #{a('start')} -> #{a('end')}"
+        instance_variable_set(('@' + thisEnd).intern, date)
+        Log << "Task #{@property.fullId}: #{@start} -> #{@end}"
       end
 
-      if a('milestone')
+      if @milestone
         # Start and end date of a milestone are identical.
-        @property['scheduled', @scenarioIdx] = true
+        @scheduled = true
         if a(otherEnd).nil?
           propagateDate(a(thisEnd), !atEnd)
         end
-        Log << "Milestone #{@property.fullId}: #{a('start')} -> #{a('end')}"
-      elsif !a('scheduled') && a('start') && a('end') &&
-            !(a('length') == 0 && a('duration') == 0 && a('effort') == 0 &&
-              !a('allocate').empty?)
-        @property['scheduled', @scenarioIdx] = true
+        Log << "Milestone #{@property.fullId}: #{@start} -> #{@end}"
+      elsif !@scheduled && @start && @end &&
+            !(@length == 0 && @duration == 0 && @effort == 0 &&
+              !@allocate.empty?)
+        @scheduled = true
         Log << "Task #{@property.fullId} has been scheduled"
       end
 
@@ -920,21 +970,21 @@ class TaskJuggler
       # allocation. In these cases, bookResource() has to propagate the final
       # date.
       if atEnd
-        if ignoreEffort || a('effort') == 0
-          a('endpreds').each do |task, onEnd|
+        if ignoreEffort || @effort == 0
+          @endpreds.each do |task, onEnd|
             propagateDateToDep(task, onEnd)
           end
         end
-        a('endsuccs').each do |task, onEnd|
+        @endsuccs.each do |task, onEnd|
           propagateDateToDep(task, onEnd)
         end
       else
-        if ignoreEffort || a('effort') == 0
-          a('startsuccs').each do |task, onEnd|
+        if ignoreEffort || @effort == 0
+          @startsuccs.each do |task, onEnd|
             propagateDateToDep(task, onEnd)
           end
         end
-        a('startpreds').each do |task, onEnd|
+        @startpreds.each do |task, onEnd|
           propagateDateToDep(task, onEnd)
         end
       end
@@ -988,24 +1038,24 @@ class TaskJuggler
 
       # Check for tasks that have no start and end spec, no duration spec but
       # allocates. They can inherit the start and end date.
-      return true if hasThatSpec && !hasDurationSpec && !a('allocate').empty?
+      return true if hasThatSpec && !hasDurationSpec && !@allocate.empty?
 
-      if a('forward') ^ atEnd
+      if @forward ^ atEnd
         # the scheduling direction is pointing away from this end
-        return true if hasDurationSpec || !a('booking').empty?
+        return true if hasDurationSpec || !@booking.empty?
 
         return hasThatSpec
       else
         # the scheduling direction is pointing towards this end
         return a(thatEnd) && !hasDurationSpec &&
-               a('booking').empty? #&& a('allocate').empty?
+               @booking.empty? #&& @allocate.empty?
       end
     end
 
     # Find the smallest possible interval that encloses all child tasks. Abort
     # the operation if any of the child tasks are not yet scheduled.
     def scheduleContainer
-      return if a('scheduled') || !@property.container?
+      return if @scheduled || !@property.container?
 
       nStart = nil
       nEnd = nil
@@ -1028,19 +1078,19 @@ class TaskJuggler
 
       startSet = endSet = false
       # Propagate the dates to other dependent tasks.
-      if a('start').nil? || a('start') > nStart
-        @property['start', @scenarioIdx] = nStart
+      if @start.nil? || @start > nStart
+        @start = nStart
         startSet = true
       end
-      if a('end').nil? || a('end') < nEnd
-        @property['end', @scenarioIdx] = nEnd
+      if @end.nil? || @end < nEnd
+        @end = nEnd
         endSet = true
       end
-      unless a('start') && a('end')
-        raise "Start (#{a('start')}) and end (#{a('end')}) must be set"
+      unless @start && @end
+        raise "Start (#{@start}) and end (#{@end}) must be set"
       end
-      @property['scheduled', @scenarioIdx] = true
-      Log << "Container task #{@property.fullId} completed: #{a('start')} -> #{a('end')}"
+      @scheduled = true
+      Log << "Container task #{@property.fullId} completed: #{@start} -> #{@end}"
 
       # If we have modified the start or end date, we need to communicate this
       # new date to surrounding tasks.
@@ -1050,7 +1100,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
 
     # Return true if the task has a effort, length or duration setting.
     def hasDurationSpec?
-      a('length') > 0 || a('duration') > 0 || a('effort') > 0 || a('milestone')
+      @length > 0 || @duration > 0 || @effort > 0 || @milestone
     end
 
     # Find the earliest possible start date for the task. This date must be
@@ -1059,7 +1109,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
     def earliestStart
       # This is the date that we will return.
       startDate = nil
-      a('depends').each do |dependency|
+      @depends.each do |dependency|
         potentialStartDate =
           dependency.task[dependency.onEnd ? 'end' : 'start', @scenarioIdx]
         return nil if potentialStartDate.nil?
@@ -1101,7 +1151,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
       # task B depends on A and they are specified this way:
       # task A: | --> D-
       # task B: -D <-- |
-      if a('end') && startDate > a('end')
+      if @end && startDate > @end
         error('weak_start_dep',
               "Task #{@property.fullId} has a too weak start dependencies " +
               "to be scheduled properly.")
@@ -1116,7 +1166,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
     def latestEnd
       # This is the date that we will return.
       endDate = nil
-      a('precedes').each do |dependency|
+      @precedes.each do |dependency|
         potentialEndDate =
           dependency.task[dependency.onEnd ? 'end' : 'start', @scenarioIdx]
         return nil if potentialEndDate.nil?
@@ -1158,7 +1208,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
       # task A precedes B and they are specified this way:
       # task A: | --> D-
       # task B: -D <-- |
-      if a('start') && (endDate.nil? || endDate > a('start'))
+      if @start && (endDate.nil? || endDate > @start)
         error('weak_end_dep',
               "Task #{@property.fullId} has a too weak end dependencies " +
               "to be scheduled properly.")
@@ -1170,14 +1220,14 @@ class TaskJuggler
     def addBooking(booking)
       # This append operation will not trigger a copy to sub-scenarios.
       # Bookings are only valid for the scenario they are defined in.
-      @property['booking', @scenarioIdx] << booking
+      @booking << booking
     end
 
     def query_complete(query)
       # If we haven't calculated the value yet, calculate it first.
-      unless (complete = a('complete'))
+      unless (complete = @complete)
         calcCompletion
-        complete = a('complete')
+        complete = @complete
       end
 
       query.sortable = query.numerical = complete
@@ -1195,7 +1245,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
                    query.scopeProperty)
         query.string = query.currencyFormat.format(cost)
       else
-        query.string = 'No cost account'
+        query.string = 'No \'balance\' defined!'
       end
     end
 
@@ -1203,7 +1253,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
     # all tasks. Also for those who did not have a 'duration' attribute.
     def query_duration(query)
       query.sortable = query.numerical = duration =
-        (a('end') - a('start')) / (60 * 60 * 24)
+        (@end - @start) / (60 * 60 * 24)
       query.string = query.scaleDuration(duration)
     end
 
@@ -1245,7 +1295,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
       list = []
 
       # First gather the task that depend on the start of this task.
-      a('startsuccs').each do |task, onEnd|
+      @startsuccs.each do |task, onEnd|
         if onEnd
           date = task['end', query.scenarioIdx].to_s(query.timeFormat)
           dep = "[->]"
@@ -1256,7 +1306,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
         list << generateDepencyListItem(query, task, dep, date)
       end
       # Than add the tasks that depend on the end of this task.
-      a('endsuccs').each do |task, onEnd|
+      @endsuccs.each do |task, onEnd|
         if onEnd
           date = task['end', query.scenarioIdx].to_s(query.timeFormat)
           dep = "]->]"
@@ -1274,7 +1324,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
       list = []
 
       # First gather the task that depend on the start of this task.
-      a('startpreds').each do |task, onEnd|
+      @startpreds.each do |task, onEnd|
         if onEnd
           date = task['end', query.scenarioIdx].to_s(query.timeFormat)
           dep = "]->["
@@ -1285,7 +1335,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
         list << generateDepencyListItem(query, task, dep, date)
       end
       # Than add the tasks that depend on the end of this task.
-      a('endpreds').each do |task, onEnd|
+      @endpreds.each do |task, onEnd|
         if onEnd
           date = task['end', query.scenarioIdx].to_s(query.timeFormat)
           dep = "]->]"
@@ -1305,9 +1355,10 @@ class TaskJuggler
       return '' unless @property.leaf?
 
       list = []
-      a('assignedresources').each do |resource|
+      @assignedresources.each do |resource|
         if resource.allocated?(@scenarioIdx,
-                               Interval.new(query.start, query.end), @property)
+                               TimeInterval.new(query.start, query.end),
+                               @property)
           if query.listItem
             rti = RichText.new(query.listItem, RTFHandlers.create(@project),
                                @project.messageHandler).
@@ -1334,15 +1385,15 @@ class TaskJuggler
                    query.scopeProperty)
         query.string = query.currencyFormat.format(revenue)
       else
-        query.string = 'No revenue account'
+        query.string = 'No \'balance\' defined!'
       end
     end
 
     def query_status(query)
       # If we haven't calculated the completion yet, calculate it first.
-      if (status = a('status')).empty?
+      if (status = @status).empty?
         calcCompletion
-        status = a('status')
+        status = @status
       end
 
       query.string = status
@@ -1374,8 +1425,8 @@ class TaskJuggler
     # Compute the total time _resource_ or all resources are allocated during
     # interval specified by _startIdx_ and _endIdx_.
     def getAllocatedTime(startIdx, endIdx, resource = nil)
-      return 0.0 if a('milestone') || startIdx >= endIdx ||
-                    (resource && !a('assignedresources').include?(resource))
+      return 0.0 if @milestone || startIdx >= endIdx ||
+                    (resource && !@assignedresources.include?(resource))
 
       key = [ self, :TaskScenarioAllocatedTime, startIdx, endIdx, resource ].hash
       @dCache.cached(key) do
@@ -1391,7 +1442,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
                                                        startIdx, endIdx,
                                                        @property)
           else
-            a('assignedresources').each do |r|
+            @assignedresources.each do |r|
               allocatedTime += r.getAllocatedTime(@scenarioIdx, startIdx, endIdx,
                                                   @property)
             end
@@ -1405,8 +1456,8 @@ class TaskJuggler
     # interval specified by _startIdx_ and _endIdx_. The effective work is the
     # actual work multiplied by the efficiency of the resource.
     def getEffectiveWork(startIdx, endIdx, resource = nil)
-      return 0.0 if a('milestone') || startIdx >= endIdx ||
-                    (resource && !a('assignedresources').include?(resource))
+      return 0.0 if @milestone || startIdx >= endIdx ||
+                    (resource && !@assignedresources.include?(resource))
 
       key = [ self, :TaskScenarioEffectiveWork, startIdx, endIdx, resource ].hash
       @dCache.cached(key) do
@@ -1421,7 +1472,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
             workLoad += resource.getEffectiveWork(@scenarioIdx, startIdx, endIdx,
                                                   @property)
           else
-            a('assignedresources').each do |r|
+            @assignedresources.each do |r|
               workLoad += r.getEffectiveWork(@scenarioIdx, startIdx, endIdx,
                                              @property)
             end
@@ -1441,9 +1492,9 @@ class TaskJuggler
       @dCache.cached(key) do
         workLoad = @dCache.load(key)
         il = IntervalList.new
-        il << Interval.new(@project['start'], @project['end'])
+        il << TimeInterval.new(@project['start'], @project['end'])
         if @property.leaf?
-          unless (resources = a('assignedresources')).empty?
+          unless (resources = @assignedresources).empty?
             # The task has assigned resources, so we can use their common time
             # off intervals.
             resources.each do |resource|
@@ -1480,7 +1531,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
       end
 
 
-      a('startsuccs').each do |dep|
+      @startsuccs.each do |dep|
         unless dep[1]
           # must be a start->start dependency
           return true if dep[0].isDependencyOf(@scenarioIdx, task, depth)
@@ -1489,7 +1540,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
 
       return false if depth == 1
 
-      a('endsuccs').each do |dep|
+      @endsuccs.each do |dep|
         unless dep[1]
           # must be an end->start dependency
           return true if dep[0].isDependencyOf(@scenarioIdx, task, depth - 1)
@@ -1517,7 +1568,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
     # Returns true of the _resource_ is assigned to this task or any of its
     # children.
     def hasResourceAllocated?(interval, resource)
-      return false unless a('assignedresources').include?(resource)
+      return false unless @assignedresources.include?(resource)
 
       if @property.leaf?
         return resource.allocated?(@scenarioIdx, interval, @property)
@@ -1531,147 +1582,99 @@ class TaskJuggler
     end
 
   private
-    def scheduleSlot(slot, slotDuration)
-      # Tasks must always be scheduled in a single contigous fashion. @lastSlot
-      # indicates the slot that was used for the previous call. Depending on the
-      # scheduling direction the next slot must be scheduled either right before
-      # or after this slot. If the current slot is not directly aligned, we'll
-      # wait for another call with a proper slot. The function returns true
-      # only if a slot could be scheduled.
-      if a('forward')
-        # On first call, the @lastSlot is not set yet. We set it to the slot
-        # before the start slot.
-        if @lastSlot.nil?
-          @lastSlot = a('start') - slotDuration
-          @tentativeEnd = slot + slotDuration
-        end
-
-        return false unless slot == @lastSlot + slotDuration
-      else
-        # On first call, the @lastSlot is not set yet. We set it to the slot
-        # to the end slot.
-        if @lastSlot.nil?
-          @lastSlot = a('end')
-          @tentativeStart = slot
-        end
-
-        return false unless slot == @lastSlot - slotDuration
-      end
-      @lastSlot = slot
 
-      if a('length') > 0 || a('duration') > 0
-        # The doneDuration counts the number of scheduled slots. It is increased
-        # by one with every scheduled slot. The doneLength is only increased for
-        # global working time slots.
-        bookResources(slot, slotDuration)
-        @doneDuration += 1
-        if @project.isWorkingTime(slot, slot + slotDuration)
-          @doneLength += 1
+    def scheduleSlot
+      # Tasks must always be scheduled in a single contigous fashion.
+      # Depending on the scheduling direction the next slot must be scheduled
+      # either right before or after this slot. If the current slot is not
+      # directly aligned, we'll wait for another call with a proper slot. The
+      # function returns false if the task has been completely scheduled.
+      case @durationType
+      when :effortTask
+        bookResources if @doneEffort < @effort
+        if @doneEffort >= @effort
+          # The specified effort has been reached. The task has been fully
+          # scheduled now.
+          if @forward
+            propagateDate(@project.idxToDate(@currentSlotIdx + 1), true, true)
+          else
+            propagateDate(@project.idxToDate(@currentSlotIdx), false, true)
+          end
+          return false
         end
+      when :lengthTask
+        bookResources
+        # The doneLength is only increased for global working time slots.
+        @doneLength += 1 if @project.isWorkingTime(@currentSlotIdx)
 
         # If we have reached the specified duration or lengths, we set the end
         # or start date and propagate the value to neighbouring tasks.
-        if (a('length') > 0 && @doneLength >= a('length')) ||
-           (a('duration') > 0 && @doneDuration >= a('duration'))
-          if a('forward')
-            propagateDate(slot + slotDuration, true)
+        if @doneLength >= @length
+          if @forward
+            propagateDate(@project.idxToDate(@currentSlotIdx + 1), true)
           else
-            propagateDate(slot, false)
+            propagateDate(@project.idxToDate(@currentSlotIdx), false)
           end
-          return true
+          return false
         end
-      elsif a('effort') > 0
-        bookResources(slot, slotDuration) if @doneEffort < a('effort')
-        if @doneEffort >= a('effort')
-          # The specified effort has been reached. The task has been fully
-          # scheduled now.
-          if a('forward')
-            propagateDate(@tentativeEnd, true, true)
+      when :durationTask
+        # The doneDuration counts the number of scheduled slots. It is increased
+        # by one with every scheduled slot.
+        bookResources
+        @doneDuration += 1
+
+        # If we have reached the specified duration or lengths, we set the end
+        # or start date and propagate the value to neighbouring tasks.
+        if @doneDuration >= @duration
+          if @forward
+            propagateDate(@project.idxToDate(@currentSlotIdx + 1), true)
           else
-            propagateDate(@tentativeStart, false, true)
+            propagateDate(@project.idxToDate(@currentSlotIdx), false)
           end
-          return true
-        end
-      elsif a('milestone')
-        if a('forward')
-          propagateDate(a('start'), true)
-        else
-          propagateDate(a('end'), false)
+          return false
         end
-        return true
-      elsif a('start') && a('end')
+      when :startEndTask
         # Task with start and end date but no duration criteria
-        if a('allocate').empty?
-          # For start-end-tasks without allocation, we don't have to do
-          # anything but to set the 'scheduled' flag.
-          @property['scheduled', @scenarioIdx] = true
-          @property.parents.each do |parent|
-            parent.scheduleContainer(@scenarioIdx)
-          end
-          return true
-        end
-
-        bookResources(slot, slotDuration)
+        bookResources
 
         # Depending on the scheduling direction we can mark the task as
         # scheduled once we have reached the other end.
-        if (a('forward') && slot + slotDuration >= a('end')) ||
-           (!a('forward') && slot <= a('start'))
-          @property['scheduled', @scenarioIdx] = true
+        currentSlot = @project.idxToDate(@currentSlotIdx)
+        if (@forward && currentSlot + @project['scheduleGranularity'] >= @end) ||
+           (!@forward && currentSlot <= @start)
+          @scheduled = true
           @property.parents.each do |parent|
             parent.scheduleContainer(@scenarioIdx)
           end
-          return true
+          return false
         end
+      else
+        raise "Unknown task duration type #{@durationType}"
       end
 
-      false
+      true
     end
 
-    # Return the date of the next slot this task wants to have scheduled. This
-    # must either be the first slot ever or it must be directly adjecent to the
-    # previous slot. If this task has not yet been scheduled at all, @lastSlot
-    # is still nil. Otherwise it contains the date of the last scheduled slot.
-    def nextSlot(slotDuration)
-      return nil if a('scheduled') || @isRunAway
+    def bookResources
+      # First check if there is any resource at all for this slot.
+      return true unless @project.anyResourceAvailable?(@currentSlotIdx)
 
-      if a('forward')
-        @lastSlot.nil? ? a('start') : @lastSlot + slotDuration
-      else
-        @lastSlot.nil? ? a('end') - slotDuration : @lastSlot - slotDuration
-      end
-    end
-
-    def bookResources(date, slotDuration)
-      # If there are no allocations defined, we can't do any bookings.
-      # In projection mode we do not allow allocations prior to the current
-      # date. If the scenario is not scheduled in projection mode, this
-      # restriction only applies to tasks with bookings.
-      if a('allocate').empty? ||
-         ((@project.scenario(@scenarioIdx).get('projection') ||
-          !a('booking').empty?) &&
-          date < @project['now'])
-        return
-      end
+      # If the task has resource independent allocation limits we need to make
+      # sure that none of them is already exceeded.
+      return unless limitsOk?(@currentSlotIdx)
 
       # If the task has shifts to limit the allocations, we check that we are
       # within a defined shift interval. If yes, we need to be on shift to
       # continue.
-      if (shifts = a('shifts')) && shifts.assigned?(date)
-         return if !shifts.onShift?(date)
+      if @shifts && @shifts.assigned?(@currentSlotIdx)
+         return if !@shifts.onShift?(@currentSlotIdx)
       end
 
-      # If the task has resource independent allocation limits we need to make
-      # sure that none of them is already exceeded.
-      return unless limitsOk?(date)
-
-      sbIdx = @project.dateToIdx(date, false)
-
       # We first have to make sure that if there are mandatory resources
       # that these are all available for the time slot.
       takenMandatories = []
       @mandatories.each do |allocation|
-        return unless allocation.onShift?(date)
+        return unless allocation.onShift?(@currentSlotIdx)
 
         # For mandatory allocations with alternatives at least one of the
         # alternatives must be available.
@@ -1681,8 +1684,8 @@ class TaskJuggler
           # group must be available.
           allAvailable = true
           candidate.allLeaves.each do |resource|
-            if !limitsOk?(date, resource) ||
-               !resource.available?(@scenarioIdx, sbIdx) ||
+            if !limitsOk?(@currentSlotIdx, resource) ||
+               !resource.available?(@scenarioIdx, @currentSlotIdx) ||
                takenMandatories.include?(resource)
               # We've found a mandatory resource that is not available for
               # the slot.
@@ -1702,19 +1705,19 @@ class TaskJuggler
         return unless found
       end
 
-      a('allocate').each do |allocation|
-        next unless allocation.onShift?(date)
+      @allocate.each do |allocation|
+        next unless allocation.onShift?(@currentSlotIdx)
 
-        # In case we have a persistent allocation we need to check if there is
-        # already a locked resource and use it.
-        if allocation.persistent && !allocation.lockedResource.nil?
-          bookResource(allocation.lockedResource, sbIdx, date)
+        # In case we have a persistent allocation we need to check if there
+        # is already a locked resource and use it.
+        if allocation.lockedResource
+          bookResource(allocation.lockedResource)
         else
           # If not, we create a list of candidates in the proper order and
           # assign the first one available.
           allocation.candidates(@scenarioIdx).each do |candidate|
-            if bookResource(candidate, sbIdx, date)
-              allocation.lockedResource = candidate
+            if bookResource(candidate)
+              allocation.lockedResource = candidate if allocation.persistent
               break
             end
           end
@@ -1722,49 +1725,46 @@ class TaskJuggler
       end
     end
 
-    def bookResource(resource, sbIdx, date)
+    def bookResource(resource)
       booked = false
       resource.allLeaves.each do |r|
         # Prevent overbooking when multiple resources are allocated and
         # available. If the task has allocation limits we need to make sure
         # that none of them is already exceeded.
-        break if a('effort') > 0 && @doneEffort >= a('effort') ||
-                 !limitsOk?(date, resource)
+        break if @effort > 0 && @doneEffort >= @effort ||
+                 !limitsOk?(@currentSlotIdx, resource)
 
-        if r.book(@scenarioIdx, sbIdx, @property)
+        if r.book(@scenarioIdx, @currentSlotIdx, @property)
           # For effort based task we adjust the the start end (as defined by
           # the scheduling direction) to align with the first booked time
           # slot.
-          if a('effort') > 0 && a('assignedresources').empty?
-            if a('forward')
-              @property['start', @scenarioIdx] = @project.idxToDate(sbIdx)
+          if @effort > 0 && @assignedresources.empty?
+            if @forward
+              @start = @project.idxToDate(@currentSlotIdx)
               Log << "Task #{@property.fullId} first assignment: " +
-                     "#{a('start')} -> #{a('end')}"
-              a('startsuccs').each do |task, onEnd|
-                task.propagateDate(@scenarioIdx, a('start'), false, true)
+                     "#{@start} -> #{@end}"
+              @startsuccs.each do |task, onEnd|
+                task.propagateDate(@scenarioIdx, @start, false, true)
               end
             else
-              @property['end', @scenarioIdx] = @project.idxToDate(sbIdx + 1)
+              @end = @project.idxToDate(@currentSlotIdx + 1)
               Log << "Task #{@property.fullId} last assignment: " +
-                     "#{a('start')} -> #{a('end')}"
-              a('endpreds').each do |task, onEnd|
-                task.propagateDate(@scenarioIdx, a('end'), true, true)
+                     "#{@start} -> #{@end}"
+              @endpreds.each do |task, onEnd|
+                task.propagateDate(@scenarioIdx, @end, true, true)
               end
             end
           end
 
-          @tentativeStart = @project.idxToDate(sbIdx)
-          @tentativeEnd = @project.idxToDate(sbIdx + 1)
-
           @doneEffort += r['efficiency', @scenarioIdx]
           # Limits do not take efficiency into account. Limits are usage limits,
           # not effort limits.
-          @limits.each do |limit|
-            limit.inc(date, resource)
+          @allLimits.each do |limit|
+            limit.inc(@currentSlotIdx, resource)
           end
 
-          unless a('assignedresources').include?(r)
-            @property['assignedresources', @scenarioIdx] << r
+          unless @assignedresources.include?(r)
+            @assignedresources << r
           end
           booked = true
         end
@@ -1773,13 +1773,13 @@ class TaskJuggler
       booked
     end
 
-    # Check if all of the task limits are not exceded at the given _date_. If
+    # Check if all of the task limits are not exceded at the given _sbIdx_. If
     # a _resource_ is provided, the limit for that particular resource is
     # checked. If no resource is provided, only non-resource-specific limits
     # are checked.
-    def limitsOk?(date, resource = nil)
-      @limits.each do |limit|
-        return false if !limit.ok?(date, true, resource)
+    def limitsOk?(sbIdx, resource = nil)
+      @allLimits.each do |limit|
+        return false unless limit.ok?(sbIdx, true, resource)
       end
       true
     end
@@ -1797,67 +1797,137 @@ class TaskJuggler
 
     # Register the user provided bookings with the Resource scoreboards. A
     # booking describes the assignment of a Resource to a certain Task for a
-    # specified Interval.
+    # specified TimeInterval.
     def bookBookings
-      scheduled = a('scheduled')
-      slotDuration = @project['scheduleGranularity']
+      firstSlotIdx = nil
+      lastSlotIdx = nil
       findBookings.each do |booking|
         unless booking.resource.leaf?
           error('booking_resource_not_leaf',
                 "Booked resources may not be group resources",
                 booking.sourceFileInfo)
         end
-        unless a('forward') || scheduled
+        unless @forward || @scheduled
           error('booking_forward_only',
                 "Only forward scheduled tasks may have booking statements.")
         end
         booking.intervals.each do |interval|
           startIdx = @project.dateToIdx(interval.start, false)
-          date = interval.start
           endIdx = @project.dateToIdx(interval.end, false)
-          tEnd = nil
           startIdx.upto(endIdx - 1) do |idx|
-            tEnd = date + slotDuration
             if booking.resource.bookBooking(@scenarioIdx, idx, booking)
               # Booking was successful for this time slot.
               @doneEffort += booking.resource['efficiency', @scenarioIdx]
 
-              # Set start and lastSlot if appropriate. The task start will be
-              # set to the begining of the first booked slot. The lastSlot
-              # will be set to the last booked slot
-              @lastSlot = date if @lastSlot.nil? || date > @lastSlot
-              @tentativeEnd = tEnd if @tentativeEnd.nil? || @tentativeEnd < tEnd
-              if !scheduled && (a('start').nil? || date < a('start'))
-                @property['start', @scenarioIdx] = date
-                Log << "Task #{@property.fullId} first booking: " +
-                  "#{a('start')} -> #{a('end')}"
-              end
+              # Store the indexes of the first slot and the slot after the
+              # last slot.
+              firstSlotIdx = idx if !firstSlotIdx || firstSlotIdx > idx
+              lastSlotIdx = idx if !lastSlotIdx || lastSlotIdx < idx
 
-              unless a('assignedresources').include?(booking.resource)
-                @property['assignedresources', @scenarioIdx] << booking.resource
+              unless @assignedresources.include?(booking.resource)
+                @assignedresources << booking.resource
               end
             end
-            if a('length') > 0 && @project.isWorkingTime(date)
-              # For tasks with a 'length' we track the covered work time and
-              # set the task to 'scheduled' when we have enough length.
-              @doneLength += 1
-              if !scheduled && @doneLength >= a('length')
-                @property['end', @scenarioIdx] = tEnd
-                @property['scheduled', @scenarioIdx] = true
-              end
-            end
-            date = tEnd
           end
-          if a('duration') > 0 && @tentativeEnd
-            @doneDuration = ((@tentativeEnd - a('start')) /
-                             @project['scheduleGranularity']).to_i
-            if !scheduled && @doneDuration >= a('duration')
-              @property['end', @scenarioIdx] = @tentativeEnd
-              @property['scheduled', @scenarioIdx] = true
+        end
+      end
+
+      # For effort based tasks, or tasks without a start date, with bookings
+      # that have not yet been marked as scheduled we set the start date to
+      # the date of the first booked slot.
+      if (@start.nil? || (@doneEffort > 0 && @effort > 0)) &&
+         !@scheduled && firstSlotIdx
+        firstSlotDate = @project.idxToDate(firstSlotIdx)
+        if @start.nil? || firstSlotDate > @start
+          @start = firstSlotDate
+          Log << "Task #{@property.fullId} first booking: " +
+            "#{@start} -> #{@end}"
+        end
+      end
+
+      # Check if the the duration criteria has already been reached by the
+      # supplied bookings and set the task end to the last booked slot.
+      # Also the task is marked as scheduled.
+      if lastSlotIdx && !@scheduled
+        tentativeEnd = @project.idxToDate(lastSlotIdx + 1)
+        slotDuration = @project['scheduleGranularity']
+
+        if @effort > 0
+          if @doneEffort >= @effort
+            @end = tentativeEnd
+            @scheduled = true
+          end
+        elsif @length > 0
+          @doneLength = 0
+          startIdx = @project.dateToIdx(date = @start)
+          endIdx = @project.dateToIdx(@project['now'])
+          startIdx.upto(endIdx) do |idx|
+            @doneLength += 1 if @project.isWorkingTime(idx)
+            date += slotDuration
+            # Continue not only until the @length has been reached, but also
+            # the tentativeEnd date. This allows us to detect overbookings.
+            if @doneLength >= @length && date >= tentativeEnd
+              endDate = @project.idxToDate(idx + 1)
+              @end = [ endDate, tentativeEnd ].max
+              @scheduled = true
+              break
             end
           end
+        elsif @duration > 0
+          @doneDuration = ((tentativeEnd - @start) / slotDuration).to_i
+          if @doneDuration >= @duration
+            @end = tentativeEnd
+            @scheduled = true
+          elsif @duration * slotDuration < (@project['now'] - @start)
+            # This handles the case where the bookings don't provide enough
+            # @doneDuration to reach @duration, but the now date would be
+            # after the @start + @duration date.
+            @end = @start + @duration * slotDuration
+            @scheduled = true
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
+      # If the task has bookings, we assume that the bookings describe all
+      # work up to the 'now' date.
+      if @doneEffort > 0
+        @currentSlotIdx = @project.dateToIdx(@project['now'])
+      end
+
+      # Finally, we check if the bookings caused more effort, length or
+      # duration than was requested by the user. This is only flagged as a
+      # warning.
+      if @effort > 0
+        effort = @project.slotsToDays(@doneEffort)
+        effortHours = effort * @project['dailyworkinghours']
+        requestedEffort = @project.slotsToDays(@effort)
+        requestedEffortHours = requestedEffort * @project['dailyworkinghours']
+        if effort > requestedEffort
+          warning('overbooked_effort',
+                  "The total effort (#{effort}d or #{effortHours}h) of the " +
+                  "provided bookings for task #{@property.fullId} exceeds " +
+                  "the specified effort of #{requestedEffort}d or " +
+                  "#{requestedEffortHours}h.")
         end
       end
+      if @length > 0 && @doneLength > @length
+        length = @project.slotsToDays(@doneLength)
+        requestedLength = @project.slotsToDays(@length)
+        warning('overbooked_length',
+                "The total length (#{length}d) of the provided bookings " +
+                "for task #{@property.fullId} exceeds the specified length of " +
+                "#{requestedLength}d.")
+      end
+      if @duration > 0 && @doneDuration > @duration
+        duration = @doneDuration * @project['scheduleGranularity'] /
+                   (60.0 * 60 * 24)
+        requestedDuration = @duration * @project['scheduleGranularity'] /
+                            (60.0 * 60 * 24)
+        warning('overbooked_duration',
+                "The total duration (#{duration}d) of the provided bookings " +
+                "for task #{@property.fullId} exceeds the specified duration " +
+                "of #{requestedDuration}d.")
+      end
     end
 
     # This function checks if the task has a dependency on another task or
@@ -1943,23 +2013,23 @@ class TaskJuggler
       # dependency no matter how it was set.
       unless atEnd
         # Row 1
-        a('startpreds').each do |task, onEnd|
+        @startpreds.each do |task, onEnd|
           if (onEnd && (task['forward', @scenarioIdx] ||
                         task['end', @scenarioIdx])) || !onEnd
             return true
           end
         end
         # Row 2
-        a('startsuccs').each do |task, onEnd|
+        @startsuccs.each do |task, onEnd|
           return true if task[onEnd ? 'end' : 'start', @scenarioIdx]
         end
       else
         # Row 3
-        a('endpreds').each do |task, onEnd|
+        @endpreds.each do |task, onEnd|
           return true if task[onEnd ? 'end' : 'start', @scenarioIdx]
         end
         # Row 4
-        a('endsuccs').each do |task, onEnd|
+        @endsuccs.each do |task, onEnd|
           if (!onEnd && (!task['forward', @scenarioIdx] ||
                          task['start', @scenarioIdx])) || onEnd
             return true
@@ -1977,11 +2047,11 @@ class TaskJuggler
       @isRunAway = true
     end
 
-    # This function determines if a task is really a milestones and marks them
+    # This function determines if a task is a milestones and marks it
     # accordingly.
     def markMilestone
       return if @property.container? || hasDurationSpec? ||
-        !a('booking').empty? || !a('allocate').empty?
+        !@booking.empty? || !@allocate.empty?
 
       # The following cases qualify for an automatic milestone promotion.
       #   -  --> -
@@ -1992,19 +2062,19 @@ class TaskJuggler
       #   -  <-- |
       #   -  <-- -D
       #   -  <-- |D
-      hasStartSpec = !a('start').nil? || !a('depends').empty?
-      hasEndSpec = !a('end').nil? || !a('precedes').empty?
+      hasStartSpec = !@start.nil? || !@depends.empty?
+      hasEndSpec = !@end.nil? || !@precedes.empty?
 
-      @property['milestone', @scenarioIdx] =
-        (hasStartSpec && a('forward') && !hasEndSpec) ||
-        (!hasStartSpec && !a('forward') && hasEndSpec) ||
-        (!hasStartSpec && !hasEndSpec)
+      @milestone = (hasStartSpec && @forward && !hasEndSpec) ||
+                   (!hasStartSpec && !@forward && hasEndSpec) ||
+                   (!hasStartSpec && !hasEndSpec)
     end
 
     def checkDependency(dependency, depType)
+      depList = instance_variable_get(('@' + depType).intern)
       if (depTask = dependency.resolve(@project)).nil?
         # Remove the broken dependency. It could cause trouble later on.
-        @property[depType, @scenarioIdx].delete(dependency)
+        depList.delete(dependency)
         error('task_depend_unknown',
               "Task #{@property.fullId} has unknown #{depType} " +
               "#{dependency.taskId}")
@@ -2012,14 +2082,14 @@ class TaskJuggler
 
       if depTask == @property
         # Remove the broken dependency. It could cause trouble later on.
-        @property[depType, @scenarioIdx].delete(dependency)
+        depList.delete(dependency)
         error('task_depend_self', "Task #{@property.fullId} cannot " +
               "depend on self")
       end
 
       if depTask.isChildOf?(@property)
         # Remove the broken dependency. It could cause trouble later on.
-        @property[depType, @scenarioIdx].delete(dependency)
+        depList.delete(dependency)
         error('task_depend_child',
               "Task #{@property.fullId} cannot depend on child " +
               "#{depTask.fullId}")
@@ -2027,16 +2097,16 @@ class TaskJuggler
 
       if @property.isChildOf?(depTask)
         # Remove the broken dependency. It could cause trouble later on.
-        @property[depType, @scenarioIdx].delete(dependency)
+        depList.delete(dependency)
         error('task_depend_parent',
               "Task #{@property.fullId} cannot depend on parent " +
               "#{depTask.fullId}")
       end
 
-      @property[depType, @scenarioIdx].each do |dep|
+      depList.each do |dep|
         if dep.task == depTask && !dep.equal?(dependency)
           # Remove the broken dependency. It could cause trouble later on.
-          @property[depType, @scenarioIdx].delete(dependency)
+          depList.delete(dependency)
           error('task_depend_multi',
                 "No need to specify dependency #{depTask.fullId} multiple " +
                 "times for task #{@property.fullId}.")
@@ -2111,23 +2181,21 @@ class TaskJuggler
       # If the user provided a completion degree we are not touching it.
       if @property.provided('complete', @scenarioIdx)
         calcStatus
-        return a('complete')
+        return @complete
       end
 
       # We cannot compute a completion degree without a start or end date.
-      if a('start').nil? || a('end').nil?
-        @property['complete', @scenarioIdx] = 0.0
-        @property['status', @scenarioIdx] = 'unknown'
+      if @start.nil? || @end.nil?
+        @complete = 0.0
+        @status = 'unknown'
         return nil
       end
 
       completion = 0.0
-      if a('milestone')
+      if @milestone
         # Milestones are either 0% or 100% complete.
-        @property['complete', @scenarioIdx] = completion =
-          @property['end', @scenarioIdx] <= @project['now'] ? 100.0 : 0.0
-        @property['status', @scenarioIdx] =
-          a('end') <= @project['now'] ? 'done' : 'not reached'
+        @complete = completion = @end <= @project['now'] ? 100.0 : 0.0
+        @status = @end <= @project['now'] ? 'done' : 'not reached'
       else
         # The task is in progress. Calculate the current completion
         # degree.
@@ -2140,26 +2208,26 @@ class TaskJuggler
             completion += comp
           end
           completion /= @property.children.length
-        elsif a('end') <= @project['now']
+        elsif @end <= @project['now']
           # The task has ended already. It's 100% complete.
           completion = 100.0
-        elsif @project['now'] <= a('start')
+        elsif @project['now'] <= @start
           # The task has not started yet. Its' 0% complete.
           completion = 0.0
-        elsif a('effort') > 0
+        elsif @effort > 0
           # Effort based leaf tasks. The completion degree is the percentage
           # of effort that has been done already.
-          done = getEffectiveWork(@project.dateToIdx(a('start'), false),
+          done = getEffectiveWork(@project.dateToIdx(@start, false),
                                   @project.dateToIdx(@project['now']))
           total = @project.convertToDailyLoad(
-            a('effort') * @project['scheduleGranularity'])
+            @effort * @project['scheduleGranularity'])
           completion = done / total * 100.0
         else
           # Length/duration leaf tasks.
-          completion = ((@project['now'] - a('start')) /
-                        (a('end') - a('start'))) * 100.0
+          completion = ((@project['now'] - @start) /
+                        (@end - @start)) * 100.0
         end
-        @property['complete', @scenarioIdx] = completion
+        @complete = completion
         calcStatus
       end
 
@@ -2168,14 +2236,13 @@ class TaskJuggler
 
     # Calculate the status of the task based on the 'complete' attribute.
     def calcStatus
-      @property['status', @scenarioIdx] =
-        if a('complete') == 0.0
-          'not started'
-        elsif a('complete') >= 100.0
-          'done'
-        else
-          'in progress'
-        end
+      @status = if @complete == 0.0
+                  'not started'
+                elsif @complete >= 100.0
+                  'done'
+                else
+                  'in progress'
+                end
     end
 
     # Recursively compile a list of Task properties which depend on the
@@ -2187,12 +2254,12 @@ class TaskJuggler
       # A target must be a leaf function that has no direct or indirect
       # (through parent) following tasks. Only milestones are recognized as
       # targets.
-      if @property.leaf? && !hasPredecessors && a('milestone')
+      if @property.leaf? && !hasPredecessors && @milestone
         list << @property
         return
       end
 
-      a('startpreds').each do |t, onEnd|
+      @startpreds.each do |t, onEnd|
         t.inputs(@scenarioIdx, list, false)
       end
 
@@ -2220,12 +2287,12 @@ class TaskJuggler
       # A target must be a leaf function that has no direct or indirect
       # (through parent) following tasks. Only milestones are recognized as
       # targets.
-      if @property.leaf? && !hasSuccessors && a('milestone')
+      if @property.leaf? && !hasSuccessors && @milestone
         list << @property
         return
       end
 
-      a('endsuccs').each do |t, onEnd|
+      @endsuccs.each do |t, onEnd|
         t.targets(@scenarioIdx, list, false)
       end
 
@@ -2260,7 +2327,7 @@ class TaskJuggler
 
       # If there are no chargeset defined for this task, we don't need to
       # compute the resource related or other cost.
-      unless a('chargeset').empty?
+      unless @chargeset.empty?
         resourceCost = 0.0
         otherCost = 0.0
 
@@ -2270,27 +2337,27 @@ class TaskJuggler
             resourceCost = resource.cost(@scenarioIdx, startIdx, endIdx,
                                          @property)
           else
-            a('assignedresources').each do |r|
+            @assignedresources.each do |r|
               resourceCost += r.cost(@scenarioIdx, startIdx, endIdx, @property)
             end
           end
         end
 
-        unless a('charge').empty?
+        unless @charge.empty?
           # Add one-time and periodic charges to the amount.
           startDate = startIdx.is_a?(TjTime) ? startIdx :
             @project.idxToDate(startIdx)
           endDate = endIdx.is_a?(TjTime) ? endIdx :
             @project.idxToDate(endIdx)
-          iv = Interval.new(startDate, endDate)
-          a('charge').each do |charge|
+          iv = TimeInterval.new(startDate, endDate)
+          @charge.each do |charge|
             otherCost += charge.turnover(iv)
           end
         end
 
         totalCost = resourceCost + otherCost
         # Now weight the total cost by the share of the account
-        a('chargeset').each do |set|
+        @chargeset.each do |set|
           set.each do |accnt, share|
             if share > 0.0 && (accnt == account || accnt.isChildOf?(account))
               amount += totalCost * share