diff --git a/src/db/dbAccess.c b/src/db/dbAccess.c
index 72fc054fe..ec5085f74 100644
--- a/src/db/dbAccess.c
+++ b/src/db/dbAccess.c
@@ -968,6 +968,9 @@ long dbPutField(DBADDR *paddr,short dbrType,void *pbuffer,long  nRequest)
 
 			    plink->type = CA_LINK;
 			    plink->value.pv_link.precord = precord;
+			    if(pfldDes->field_type==DBF_INLINK) {
+				plink->value.pv_link.pvlMask |= pvlOptInpNative;
+			    }
 			    dbCaAddLink(plink);
 			    if(pfldDes->field_type==DBF_FWDLINK) {
 				pperiod = strrchr(plink->value.pv_link.pvname,
@@ -1078,7 +1081,7 @@ long dbPut(DBADDR *paddr,short dbrType,void *pbuffer,long nRequest)
 	    status = putSpecial(paddr,0);
 	    if(status) return(status);
 	}
-	if((no_elements<=1) && (!prset || !(prset->put_array_info))) {
+	if(no_elements<=1) {
 		status = (*dbFastPutConvertRoutine[dbrType][field_type])
 			(pbuffer,paddr->pfield, paddr);
 	} else {
diff --git a/src/db/dbCa.c b/src/db/dbCa.c
index 2a57d0b4d..56622bf1f 100644
--- a/src/db/dbCa.c
+++ b/src/db/dbCa.c
@@ -47,8 +47,30 @@ void scanOnce(void *precord);
 static ELLLIST caList;	/* Work list for dbCaTask */
 static SEM_ID caListSem; /*Mutual exclusions semaphores for caList*/
 static SEM_ID caWakeupSem; /*wakeup semaphore for dbCaTask*/
-void dbCaTask(); /*The Channel Access Task*/
+void dbCaTask(void); /*The Channel Access Task*/
+
+/* caLink locking
+ * 1) dbCaTask never locks because ca_xxx calls can block
+ * 2) Everything else locks.
+ * The above means that everything MUST be ok while dbCaTask is executing
+ * Key to making things work is as follows
+ * 1) pcaLink->link_action only read/changed while caListSem held
+ * 2) If any void *p fields in caLink need to be changed free entire caLink
+ *    and allocate a brand new one.
+*/
 
+static void addAction(caLink *pca, short link_action)
+{ 
+    int callAdd = FALSE;
+
+    semTake(caListSem,WAIT_FOREVER);
+    if(pca->link_action==0) callAdd = TRUE;
+    pca->link_action |= link_action;
+    if(callAdd) ellAdd(&caList,&pca->node);
+    semGive(caListSem);
+    if(callAdd) semGive(caWakeupSem);
+}
+
 void dbCaLinkInit(void)
 {
 	ellInit(&caList);
@@ -75,28 +97,25 @@ void dbCaAddLink( struct link *plink)
 		printf("dbCaAddLink: semBCreate failed\n");
 		taskSuspend(0);
 	}
-	semTake(caListSem,WAIT_FOREVER);
-	pca->link_action = CA_CONNECT;
-	ellAdd(&caList,&pca->node);
-	semGive(caListSem);
-	semGive(caWakeupSem);
+	addAction(pca,CA_CONNECT);
 	return;
 }
 
 void dbCaRemoveLink( struct link *plink)
 {
-	caLink	*pca = (caLink *)plink->value.pv_link.pvt;
+    caLink	*pca = (caLink *)plink->value.pv_link.pvt;
+    STATUS		semStatus;
 
-	if(!pca) return;
-	semTake(caListSem,WAIT_FOREVER);
-	pca->link_action = CA_DELETE;
-	if(!pca->link_action){/*If not on work list add it*/
-		ellAdd(&caList,&pca->node);
-	}
-	plink->value.pv_link.pvt = 0;
-	pca->plink = 0;
-	semGive(caListSem);
-	semGive(caWakeupSem);
+    if(!pca) return;
+    semStatus = semTake(pca->lock,WAIT_FOREVER);
+    if(semStatus!=OK) {
+	epicsPrintf("dbCaRemoveLink: semStatus!OK\n");
+	return; 
+    }
+    pca->plink = 0;
+    plink->value.pv_link.pvt = 0;
+    semGive(pca->lock);
+    addAction(pca,CA_DELETE);
 }
 
 
@@ -107,6 +126,7 @@ long dbCaGetLink(struct link *plink,short dbrType, char *pdest,
     long		status = 0;
     long		(*pconvert)();
     STATUS		semStatus;
+    short		link_action = 0;
 
     if(!pca) {
 	epicsPrintf("dbCaGetLink: record %s pv_link.pvt is NULL\n",
@@ -116,9 +136,9 @@ long dbCaGetLink(struct link *plink,short dbrType, char *pdest,
     semStatus = semTake(pca->lock,WAIT_FOREVER);
     if(semStatus!=OK) {
 	epicsPrintf("dbCaGetLink: semStatus!OK\n");
-	taskSuspend(0);
+	return(-1);
     }
-    if(ca_field_type(pca->chid) == TYPENOTCONN){
+    if(ca_state(pca->chid) != cs_conn) {
 	pca->sevr = INVALID_ALARM;
 	goto done;
     }
@@ -126,24 +146,11 @@ long dbCaGetLink(struct link *plink,short dbrType, char *pdest,
 	pca->sevr = INVALID_ALARM;
 	goto done;
     }
-    if((pca->dbrType == DBR_ENUM)
-    && (dbDBRnewToDBRold[dbrType] == DBR_STRING)) {
+    if((pca->dbrType == DBR_ENUM) && (dbDBRnewToDBRold[dbrType] == DBR_STRING)){
 	/*Must ask server for DBR_STRING*/
 	if(!pca->pgetString) {
-	    pca->pgetString = dbCalloc(MAX_STRING_SIZE,sizeof(char));
-	    semGive(pca->lock);
-	    semTake(caListSem,WAIT_FOREVER);
-	    if(!pca->link_action){/*If not on work list add it*/
-	        pca->link_action = CA_MONITOR_STRING;
-		ellAdd(&caList,&pca->node);
-	    }
-	    semGive(caListSem);
-	    semGive(caWakeupSem);
-	    semStatus = semTake(pca->lock,WAIT_FOREVER);
-	    if(semStatus!=OK) {
-		epicsPrintf("dbCaGetLink: semStatus!OK\n");
-		taskSuspend(0);
-	    }
+	    plink->value.pv_link.pvlMask |= pvlOptInpString;
+	    link_action |= CA_MONITOR_STRING;
 	}
 	if(!pca->gotInString) {
 	    pca->sevr = INVALID_ALARM;
@@ -154,6 +161,10 @@ long dbCaGetLink(struct link *plink,short dbrType, char *pdest,
        	status = (*(pconvert))(pca->pgetString, pdest, 0);
 	goto done;
     }
+    if(!pca->pgetNative) {
+	plink->value.pv_link.pvlMask |= pvlOptInpNative;
+	link_action |= CA_MONITOR_NATIVE;
+    }
     if(!pca->gotInNative){
 	pca->sevr = INVALID_ALARM;
 	goto done;
@@ -161,7 +172,6 @@ long dbCaGetLink(struct link *plink,short dbrType, char *pdest,
     if(!nelements || *nelements == 1){
 	pconvert=
 	    dbFastGetConvertRoutine[dbDBRoldToDBFnew[pca->dbrType]][dbrType];
-	/*Ignore error routine*/
        	(*(pconvert))(pca->pgetNative, pdest, 0);
     }else{
 	unsigned long ntoget = *nelements;
@@ -174,12 +184,13 @@ long dbCaGetLink(struct link *plink,short dbrType, char *pdest,
 	dbAddr.pfield = pca->pgetNative;
 	/*Following will only be used for pca->dbrType == DBR_STRING*/
 	dbAddr.field_size = MAX_STRING_SIZE;
-	/*Ignore error routine*/
+	/*Ignore error return*/
 	(*(pconvert))(&dbAddr,pdest,ntoget,ntoget,0);
     }
 done:
     if(psevr) *psevr = pca->sevr;
     semGive(pca->lock);
+    if(link_action) addAction(pca,link_action);
     return(status);
 }
 
@@ -190,7 +201,7 @@ long dbCaPutLink(struct link *plink,short dbrType,
     long	(*pconvert)();
     long	status = 0;
     STATUS	semStatus;
-    short	link_action;
+    short	link_action = 0;
 
     if(!pca) {
 	epicsPrintf("dbCaPutLink: record %s pv_link.pvt is NULL\n",
@@ -201,22 +212,30 @@ long dbCaPutLink(struct link *plink,short dbrType,
     semStatus = semTake(pca->lock,WAIT_FOREVER);
     if(semStatus!=OK) {
 	epicsPrintf("dbCaGetLink: semStatus!OK\n");
-	taskSuspend(0);
+	return(-1);
     }
     if(ca_state(pca->chid) != cs_conn) {
 	semGive(pca->lock);
 	return(-1);
     }
-    if((pca->dbrType == DBR_ENUM)
-    && (dbDBRnewToDBRold[dbrType] == DBR_STRING)) {
+    if((pca->dbrType == DBR_ENUM) && (dbDBRnewToDBRold[dbrType] == DBR_STRING)){
 	/*Must send DBR_STRING*/
-	if(!pca->pputString)
+	if(!pca->pputString) {
 	    pca->pputString = dbCalloc(MAX_STRING_SIZE,sizeof(char));
+	    plink->value.pv_link.pvlMask |= pvlOptOutString;
+	}
 	pconvert=dbFastPutConvertRoutine[dbrType][dbDBRoldToDBFnew[DBR_STRING]];
 	status = (*(pconvert))(psource,pca->pputString, 0);
-	link_action = CA_WRITE_STRING;
+	link_action |= CA_WRITE_STRING;
 	pca->gotOutString = TRUE;
+	if(pca->newOutString) pca->nNoWrite++;
+	pca->newOutString = TRUE;
     } else {
+	if(!pca->pputNative) {
+	    pca->pputNative = dbCalloc(pca->nelements,
+		dbr_value_size[ca_field_type(pca->chid)]);
+	    plink->value.pv_link.pvlMask |= pvlOptOutString;
+	}
 	if(nelements == 1){
 	    pconvert = dbFastPutConvertRoutine
 		[dbrType][dbDBRoldToDBFnew[pca->dbrType]];
@@ -231,20 +250,13 @@ long dbCaPutLink(struct link *plink,short dbrType,
 	    dbAddr.field_size = MAX_STRING_SIZE;
 	    status = (*(pconvert))(&dbAddr,psource,nelements,pca->nelements,0);
 	}
-	link_action = CA_WRITE_NATIVE;
+	link_action |= CA_WRITE_NATIVE;
 	pca->gotOutNative = TRUE;
+	if(pca->newOutNative) pca->nNoWrite++;
+	pca->newOutNative = TRUE;
     }
-    if(pca->newWrite) pca->nNoWrite++;
-    pca->newWrite = TRUE;
     semGive(pca->lock);
-    /* link it into the action list */
-    semTake(caListSem,WAIT_FOREVER);
-    if(!pca->link_action && ca_write_access(pca->chid)){
-	pca->link_action = link_action;
-	ellAdd(&caList,&pca->node);
-    }
-    semGive(caListSem);
-    semGive(caWakeupSem);
+    addAction(pca,link_action);
     return(status);
 }
 
@@ -253,16 +265,22 @@ static void eventCallback(struct event_handler_args arg)
 	caLink		*pca = (caLink *)arg.usr;
 	struct link	*plink;
 	long		size;
+	STATUS		semStatus;
+	dbCommon	*precord = 0;
 
 	if(!pca) {
 		epicsPrintf("eventCallback why was arg.usr NULL\n");
 		return;
 	}
+	semStatus = semTake(pca->lock,WAIT_FOREVER);
+	if(semStatus!=OK) {
+	    epicsPrintf("dbCa eventTask: semStatus!OK\n");
+	    return;
+	}
 	plink = pca->plink;
+	if(!plink) goto done;
+	precord = (dbCommon *)plink->value.pv_link.precord;
 	if(arg.status != ECA_NORMAL) {
-		dbCommon	*precord = 0;
-
-		if(plink) precord = (dbCommon *)plink->value.pv_link.precord;
 		if(precord) {
 			if(arg.status!=ECA_NORDACCESS)
 			epicsPrintf("dbCa: eventCallback record %s error %s\n",
@@ -271,16 +289,14 @@ static void eventCallback(struct event_handler_args arg)
 			epicsPrintf("dbCa: eventCallback error %s\n",
 				ca_message(arg.status));
 		}
-		return;
+		goto done;
 	}
 	if(!arg.dbr) {
 		epicsPrintf("eventCallback why was arg.dbr NULL\n");
-		return;
+		goto done;
 	}
-	semTake(pca->lock,WAIT_FOREVER);
 	size = arg.count * dbr_value_size[arg.type];
-	if((arg.type==DBR_STS_STRING)
-	&& (ca_field_type(pca->chid)==DBR_ENUM)) {
+	if((arg.type==DBR_STS_STRING) && (ca_field_type(pca->chid)==DBR_ENUM)) {
 	    memcpy(pca->pgetString,dbr_value_ptr(arg.dbr,arg.type),size);
 	    pca->gotInString = TRUE;
 	} else switch (arg.type){
@@ -299,17 +315,14 @@ static void eventCallback(struct event_handler_args arg)
 	    break;
 	}
 	pca->sevr=(unsigned short)((struct dbr_sts_double *)arg.dbr)->severity;
-	plink = pca->plink;
-	if(plink) {
+	if(precord) {
 	    struct pv_link *ppv_link = &(plink->value.pv_link);
-	    dbCommon	*precord = ppv_link->precord;
 
-	    if(precord) {
-		if((ppv_link->pvlMask&pvlOptCP)
-		|| ((ppv_link->pvlMask&pvlOptCPP)&&(precord->scan==0)))
-				scanOnce(precord);
-	    }
+	    if((ppv_link->pvlMask&pvlOptCP)
+	    || ((ppv_link->pvlMask&pvlOptCPP)&&(precord->scan==0)))
+		scanOnce(precord);
 	}
+done:
 	semGive(pca->lock);
 }
 
@@ -317,12 +330,19 @@ static void accessRightsCallback(struct access_rights_handler_args arg)
 {
 	caLink		*pca = (caLink *)ca_puser(arg.chid);
 	struct link	*plink;
+	STATUS		semStatus;
 
 	if(!pca) {
 		epicsPrintf("accessRightsCallback why was arg.usr NULL\n");
 		return;
 	}
-	if(ca_read_access(arg.chid) || ca_write_access(arg.chid)) return;
+	if(ca_state(pca->chid) != cs_conn) return;/*connectionCallback will handle*/
+	semStatus = semTake(pca->lock,WAIT_FOREVER);
+	if(semStatus!=OK) {
+	    epicsPrintf("dbCa accessRightsCallback: semStatus!OK\n");
+	    return;
+	}
+	if(ca_read_access(arg.chid) || ca_write_access(arg.chid)) goto done;
 	plink = pca->plink;
 	if(plink) {
 	    struct pv_link *ppv_link = &(plink->value.pv_link);
@@ -331,65 +351,72 @@ static void accessRightsCallback(struct access_rights_handler_args arg)
 	    if(precord) {
 		if((ppv_link->pvlMask&pvlOptCP)
 		|| ((ppv_link->pvlMask&pvlOptCPP)&&(precord->scan==0)))
-				scanOnce(precord);
+			scanOnce(precord);
 	    }
 	}
+done:
+	semGive(pca->lock);
 }
 
 static void connectionCallback(struct connection_handler_args arg)
 {
     caLink	*pca;
-    int	status;
+    short	link_action = 0;
+    struct link	*plink;
+    STATUS	semStatus;
 
     pca = ca_puser(arg.chid);
     if(!pca) return;
-    if(ca_state(arg.chid) != cs_conn){
-	pca->nDisconnect++;
+    semStatus = semTake(pca->lock,WAIT_FOREVER);
+    if(semStatus!=OK) {
+	epicsPrintf("dbCa connectionCallback: semStatus!OK\n");
 	return;
     }
-    semTake(pca->lock,WAIT_FOREVER);
-    if((pca->nelements != ca_element_count(arg.chid))
-    || (pca->dbrType != ca_field_type(arg.chid))){
-	DBLINK	*plink = pca->plink;
+    plink = pca->plink;
+    if(!plink) goto done;
+    if(ca_state(arg.chid) != cs_conn){
+	struct pv_link *ppv_link = &(plink->value.pv_link);
+	dbCommon	*precord = ppv_link->precord;
 
-	if(plink) plink->value.pv_link.getCvt = 0;
-	free(pca->pgetNative);
-	free(pca->pputNative);
-	pca->pgetNative = NULL;
-	pca->pputNative = NULL;
-	pca->gotInNative = FALSE;
-	pca->gotOutNative = FALSE;
-	pca->gotInString = FALSE;
+	pca->nDisconnect++;
+	if(precord) {
+	    if((ppv_link->pvlMask&pvlOptCP)
+	    || ((ppv_link->pvlMask&pvlOptCPP)&&(precord->scan==0)))
+		scanOnce(precord);
+	}
+	goto done;
     }
-    if(pca->pgetNative == NULL){
-	short	element_size;
-
-	pca->nelements = ca_element_count(arg.chid);
-	pca->dbrType = ca_field_type(arg.chid);
-	element_size = dbr_value_size[ca_field_type(arg.chid)];
-	pca->pgetNative = dbCalloc(pca->nelements,element_size);
-	pca->pputNative = dbCalloc(pca->nelements,element_size);
-	status = ca_add_array_event(
-	    ca_field_type(arg.chid)+DBR_STS_STRING, ca_element_count(arg.chid),
-	    arg.chid, eventCallback,pca,0.0,0.0,0.0,0);
-	if(status!=ECA_NORMAL)
-	    epicsPrintf("dbCaTask ca_search_and_connect %s\n",
-		ca_message(status));
-	if(pca->pgetString) {
-	    status = ca_add_array_event(DBR_STS_STRING,1,
-		arg.chid, eventCallback,pca,0.0,0.0,0.0,0);
-	    if(status!=ECA_NORMAL)
-		epicsPrintf("dbCaTask ca_search_and_connect %s\n",
-		    ca_message(status));
+    if(pca->gotFirstConnection) {
+	if((pca->nelements != ca_element_count(arg.chid))
+	|| (pca->dbrType != ca_field_type(arg.chid))){
+	    /* field type or nelements changed */
+	    /*Only safe thing is to delete old caLink and allocate a new one*/
+	    pca->plink = 0;
+	    plink->value.pv_link.pvt = 0;
+	    semGive(pca->lock);
+	    addAction(pca,CA_DELETE);
+	    dbCaAddLink(plink);
+	    return;
 	}
     }
-    semGive(pca->lock);
-    semTake(caListSem,WAIT_FOREVER);
-    if(pca->gotOutNative && !pca->link_action) {
-	pca->link_action = CA_WRITE_NATIVE;
-	ellAdd(&caList,&pca->node);
+    pca->gotFirstConnection = TRUE;
+    pca->nelements = ca_element_count(arg.chid);
+    pca->dbrType = ca_field_type(arg.chid);
+    if((plink->value.pv_link.pvlMask & pvlOptInpNative) && (!pca->pgetNative)){
+	link_action |= CA_MONITOR_NATIVE;
     }
-    semGive(caListSem);
+    if((plink->value.pv_link.pvlMask & pvlOptInpString) && (!pca->pgetString)){
+	link_action |= CA_MONITOR_STRING;
+    }
+    if((plink->value.pv_link.pvlMask & pvlOptOutNative) && (pca->gotOutNative)){
+	link_action |= CA_WRITE_NATIVE;
+    }
+    if((plink->value.pv_link.pvlMask & pvlOptOutString) && (pca->gotOutString)){
+	link_action |= CA_WRITE_STRING;
+    }
+done:
+    semGive(pca->lock);
+    if(link_action) addAction(pca,link_action);
 }
 
 void dbCaTask()
@@ -409,24 +436,7 @@ void dbCaTask()
 		link_action = pca->link_action;
 		pca->link_action = 0;
 		semGive(caListSem); /*Give it back immediately*/
-		switch(link_action) {
-		case CA_CONNECT:
-		    status = ca_search_and_connect(
-				  pca->plink->value.pv_link.pvname,
-				  &(pca->chid),
-				  connectionCallback,(void *)pca);
-		    if(status!=ECA_NORMAL) {
-			epicsPrintf("dbCaTask ca_search_and_connect %s\n",
-				ca_message(status));
-			break;
-		    }
-		    status = ca_replace_access_rights_event(pca->chid,
-				accessRightsCallback);
-		    if(status!=ECA_NORMAL)
-			epicsPrintf("dbCaTask ca_replace_access_rights_event %s\n",
-				ca_message(status));
-		    break;
-		case CA_DELETE:
+		if(link_action&CA_DELETE) {/*This must be first*/
 		    if(pca->chid) ca_clear_channel(pca->chid);	
 		    free(pca->pgetNative);
 		    free(pca->pputNative);
@@ -434,42 +444,66 @@ void dbCaTask()
 		    free(pca->pputString);
 		    semDelete(pca->lock);
 		    free(pca);
-		    break;
-		case CA_WRITE_NATIVE:
-		    if(ca_state(pca->chid) == cs_conn){
-			status = ca_array_put(
+		    continue; /*No other link_action makes sense*/
+		}
+		if(link_action&CA_CONNECT) {
+		    status = ca_search_and_connect(
+				  pca->plink->value.pv_link.pvname,
+				  &(pca->chid),
+				  connectionCallback,(void *)pca);
+		    if(status!=ECA_NORMAL) {
+			epicsPrintf("dbCaTask ca_search_and_connect %s\n",
+				ca_message(status));
+		        continue;
+		    }
+		    status = ca_replace_access_rights_event(pca->chid,
+				accessRightsCallback);
+		    if(status!=ECA_NORMAL)
+			epicsPrintf("dbCaTask replace_access_rights_event %s\n",
+				ca_message(status));
+		    continue; /*Other options must wait until connect*/
+		}
+		if(ca_state(pca->chid) != cs_conn) continue;
+		if(link_action&CA_WRITE_NATIVE) {
+		    status = ca_array_put(
 			    pca->dbrType,pca->nelements,
 			    pca->chid,pca->pputNative);
-			if(status==ECA_NORMAL){
-			    pca->newWrite = FALSE;
-			}
-		    }
-		    break;
-		case CA_WRITE_STRING:
-		    if(ca_state(pca->chid) == cs_conn){
-			status = ca_array_put(
+		    if(status==ECA_NORMAL) pca->newOutNative = FALSE;
+		}
+		if(link_action&CA_WRITE_STRING) {
+		    status = ca_array_put(
 			    DBR_STRING,1,
 			    pca->chid,pca->pputString);
-			if(status==ECA_NORMAL) {
-			    pca->newWrite = FALSE;
-			}
-		    }
-		    break;
-		case CA_MONITOR_STRING:
-		    if(ca_state(pca->chid) == cs_conn){
-			status = ca_add_array_event(DBR_STS_STRING,1,
-				pca->chid, eventCallback,pca,0.0,0.0,0.0,0);
-			if(status!=ECA_NORMAL)
+		    if(status==ECA_NORMAL) pca->newOutString = FALSE;
+		}
+		if(link_action&CA_MONITOR_NATIVE) {
+		    short  element_size;
+
+		    element_size = dbr_value_size[ca_field_type(pca->chid)];
+		    pca->pgetNative = dbCalloc(pca->nelements,element_size);
+		    status = ca_add_array_event(
+			ca_field_type(pca->chid)+DBR_STS_STRING,
+			ca_element_count(pca->chid),
+			pca->chid, eventCallback,pca,0.0,0.0,0.0,
+			0);
+		    if(status!=ECA_NORMAL)
+		        epicsPrintf("dbCaTask ca_add_array_event %s\n",
+			    ca_message(status));
+		}
+		if(link_action&CA_MONITOR_STRING) {
+		    pca->pgetString = dbCalloc(MAX_STRING_SIZE,sizeof(char));
+		    status = ca_add_array_event(DBR_STS_STRING,1,
+				pca->chid, eventCallback,pca,0.0,0.0,0.0,
+				0);
+		    if(status!=ECA_NORMAL)
 			    epicsPrintf("dbCaTask ca_add_array_event %s\n",
 				ca_message(status));
-		    }
-		    break;
-		}/*switch*/
-	    } else {
+		}
+	    } else { /* caList was empty */
 		semGive(caListSem);
 		break; /*caList is empty*/
 	    }
 	}
-	SEVCHK(ca_flush_io(),0);
+	SEVCHK(ca_flush_io(),"dbCaTask");
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/db/dbCa.h b/src/db/dbCa.h
index d777c2b5a..34e80fd27 100644
--- a/src/db/dbCa.h
+++ b/src/db/dbCa.h
@@ -20,15 +20,16 @@ of this distribution.
 *
 * Modification Log:
 * -----------------
-* .01  08APR96	mrk	Made separate module for dbcal
+* .01  08APR96	mrk	Made separate module for dbcar
 ****************************************************************/
 
-/* for input links */
-#define	CA_CONNECT		1
-#define	CA_DELETE		2
-#define	CA_WRITE_NATIVE		3
-#define	CA_WRITE_STRING		4
-#define	CA_MONITOR_STRING	5
+/* link_action mask */
+#define	CA_DELETE			0x1
+#define	CA_CONNECT			0x2
+#define	CA_WRITE_NATIVE			0x4
+#define	CA_WRITE_STRING			0x8
+#define	CA_MONITOR_NATIVE		0x10
+#define	CA_MONITOR_STRING		0x20
 typedef struct caLink
 {
 	ELLNODE		node;
@@ -49,5 +50,7 @@ typedef struct caLink
 	char		gotOutNative;
 	char		gotInString;
 	char		gotOutString;
-	char		newWrite;
+	char		newOutNative;
+	char		newOutString;
+	char		gotFirstConnection;
 }caLink;
diff --git a/src/db/dbConvert.c b/src/db/dbConvert.c
index fa94b1bc4..c9c4e36b5 100644
--- a/src/db/dbConvert.c
+++ b/src/db/dbConvert.c
@@ -1556,8 +1556,6 @@ static long getFloatString(
     if(paddr) prset = dbGetRset(paddr);
     if(prset && (prset->get_precision))
 	status = (*prset->get_precision)(paddr,&precision);
-    else
-	status=S_db_precision;
     if(nRequest==1 && offset==0) {
 	cvtFloatToString(*psrc,pbuffer,precision);
 	return(status);
@@ -1758,8 +1756,6 @@ static long getDoubleString(
     if(paddr) prset = dbGetRset(paddr);
     if(prset && (prset->get_precision))
 	status = (*prset->get_precision)(paddr,&precision);
-    else
-	status=S_db_precision;
     if(nRequest==1 && offset==0) {
 	cvtDoubleToString(*psrc,pbuffer,precision);
 	return(status);
@@ -3768,9 +3764,6 @@ static long putFloatString(
     if(paddr) prset = dbGetRset(paddr);
     if(prset && (prset->get_precision))
 	status = (*prset->get_precision)(paddr,&precision);
-    else
-	status=S_db_precision;
-
     if(nRequest==1 && offset==0) {
 	cvtFloatToString(*pbuffer,pdest,precision);
 	return(status);
@@ -3972,9 +3965,6 @@ static long putDoubleString(
     if(paddr) prset = dbGetRset(paddr);
     if(prset && (prset->get_precision))
 	status = (*prset->get_precision)(paddr,&precision);
-    else
-	status=S_db_precision;
-
     if(nRequest==1 && offset==0) {
 	cvtDoubleToString(*pbuffer,pdest,precision);
 	return(status);
diff --git a/src/db/dbFastLinkConv.c b/src/db/dbFastLinkConv.c
index eccd90808..2a8e8891d 100644
--- a/src/db/dbFastLinkConv.c
+++ b/src/db/dbFastLinkConv.c
@@ -781,8 +781,6 @@ static long cvt_f_st(
  
    if (prset && prset->get_precision)
      status = (*prset->get_precision)(paddr, &precision);
-   else
-     status = S_db_precision;
    cvtFloatToString(*from, to, precision);
    return(status);
  }
@@ -864,8 +862,6 @@ static long cvt_d_st(
  
    if (prset && prset->get_precision)
      status = (*prset->get_precision)(paddr, &precision);
-   else
-     status = S_db_precision;
    cvtDoubleToString(*from, to, precision);
    return(status);
  }
diff --git a/src/db/dbcar.c b/src/db/dbcar.c
index 52dc6fd0b..1de9bc2c4 100644
--- a/src/db/dbcar.c
+++ b/src/db/dbcar.c
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ long dbcar(char	*precordname,int level)
 			    if(!ca_read_access(pca->chid)) noReadAccess++;
 			    if(!ca_write_access(pca->chid)) noWriteAccess++;
 			    if(level>1) {
-				printf("    connected");
+				printf("    connected ");
 				printf("%s",ca_host_name(pca->chid));
 				if(!ca_read_access(pca->chid))
 					printf(" no_read_access");
@@ -95,15 +95,21 @@ long dbcar(char	*precordname,int level)
 				    precord->name,
 				    pdbFldDes->name,
 				    plink->value.pv_link.pvname);
-				printf(" nDisconnect %lu nNoWrite %lu\n",
-				    pca->nDisconnect,pca->nNoWrite);
+				if(nDisconnect)
+				    printf(" nDisconnect %lu",pca->nDisconnect);
+				if(nNoWrite)
+				    printf(" nNoWrite %lu",pca->nNoWrite);
+				printf("\n");
 			    }
 			} else { 
 			    if(level>0) {
 				printf("not_connected %s.%s",
 					precord->name,pdbFldDes->name);
-				printf(" nDisconnect %lu nNoWrite %lu\n",
-				    pca->nDisconnect,pca->nNoWrite);
+				if(nDisconnect)
+				    printf(" nDisconnect %lu",pca->nDisconnect);
+				if(nNoWrite)
+				    printf(" nNoWrite %lu",pca->nNoWrite);
+				printf("\n");
 			    }
 			}
 		    }
diff --git a/src/db/iocInit.c b/src/db/iocInit.c
index 72263283f..0e547fe5b 100644
--- a/src/db/iocInit.c
+++ b/src/db/iocInit.c
@@ -468,6 +468,9 @@ LOCAL long initDatabase(void)
 		    } else {/*It is a CA link*/
 			char	*pperiod;
 
+			if(pdbFldDes->field_type==DBF_INLINK) {
+			    plink->value.pv_link.pvlMask |= pvlOptInpNative;
+			}
 			dbCaAddLink(plink);
 			if(pdbFldDes->field_type==DBF_FWDLINK) {
 			    pperiod = strrchr(plink->value.pv_link.pvname,'.');
diff --git a/src/dbStatic/dbStaticLib.c b/src/dbStatic/dbStaticLib.c
index f34a774af..b5071db3f 100644
--- a/src/dbStatic/dbStaticLib.c
+++ b/src/dbStatic/dbStaticLib.c
@@ -193,9 +193,13 @@ static long putParmString(char **pparm,char *pstring)
 {
     size_t	size;
 
-    size = strlen(pstring) + 1;
-    if(size>=MAX_STRING_SIZE) return(S_dbLib_badLink);
     if(*pparm && (*pparm != pNullString)) free((void *)(*pparm));
+    if(!pstring) return(0);
+    if(!(pstring = strchr(pstring,'@'))) return(0);
+    pstring++;
+    size = strlen(pstring) + 1;
+    if(size==1) return(0);
+    if(size>=MAX_STRING_SIZE) return(S_dbLib_badLink);
     *pparm = dbCalloc(size, sizeof(char *));
     strcpy(*pparm,pstring);
     return(0);
@@ -1909,6 +1913,7 @@ char *dbVerify(DBENTRY *pdbentry,char *pstring)
 	    if(!pflddes->ftPvt) dbInitDeviceMenu(pdbentry);
 	    pdbDeviceMenu = (dbDeviceMenu *)pflddes->ftPvt;
 	    if(!pdbDeviceMenu) return(NULL);
+	    if(pdbDeviceMenu->nChoice == 0) return(NULL);
 	    for (i = 0; i < pdbDeviceMenu->nChoice; i++) {
 		if (!(pchoice = pdbDeviceMenu->papChoice[i]))
 		    continue;
diff --git a/src/dbStatic/dbStaticNoRun.c b/src/dbStatic/dbStaticNoRun.c
index 20dcb18e8..79d78983a 100644
--- a/src/dbStatic/dbStaticNoRun.c
+++ b/src/dbStatic/dbStaticNoRun.c
@@ -227,6 +227,7 @@ int  dbIsDefaultValue(DBENTRY *pdbentry)
 		if(!plink) return(FALSE);
 		if(plink->type!=CONSTANT) return(FALSE);
 		if(plink->value.constantStr == 0) return(TRUE);
+		if(!pflddes->initial) return(FALSE);
 		if(strcmp(plink->value.constantStr,pflddes->initial)==0)
 		   return(TRUE);
 		return(FALSE);
diff --git a/src/dbStatic/dbStaticRun.c b/src/dbStatic/dbStaticRun.c
index 9ad6d2944..8857177ee 100644
--- a/src/dbStatic/dbStaticRun.c
+++ b/src/dbStatic/dbStaticRun.c
@@ -408,6 +408,7 @@ int  dbIsDefaultValue(DBENTRY *pdbentry)
 	    if(!plink) return(FALSE);
 	    if(plink->type!=CONSTANT) return(FALSE);
 	    if(plink->value.constantStr == 0) return(TRUE);
+	    if(!pflddes->initial) return(FALSE);
 	    if(strcmp(plink->value.constantStr,pflddes->initial)==0)
 		return(TRUE);
 	    return(FALSE);
diff --git a/src/dbStatic/link.h b/src/dbStatic/link.h
index b8648b5cb..f7c201c42 100644
--- a/src/dbStatic/link.h
+++ b/src/dbStatic/link.h
@@ -93,6 +93,11 @@ maplinkType pamaplinkType[LINK_NTYPES] = {
 #define pvlOptCP	0x8	/*CA + process on monitor*/
 #define pvlOptCPP	0x10	/*CA + process passive record on monitor*/
 #define pvlOptFWD	0x20	/*Generate ca_put for forward link*/
+#define pvlOptInpNative	0x40	/*Input native*/
+#define pvlOptInpString	0x80	/*Input as string*/
+#define pvlOptOutNative	0x100	/*Output native*/
+#define pvlOptOutString	0x200	/*Output as string*/
+
 typedef long (*LINKCVT)();
 struct pv_link {
 	char	*pvname;	/*pvname to link to*/