diff --git a/tecs/Makefile b/tecs/Makefile
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2778b88d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tecs/Makefile
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+#---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Makefile for the TECS Client library
+#
+# Markus Zolliker, March 2000
+#--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+OBJ=   tecc.o client.o coc.o buf.o errhdl.o util.o
+
+#---------- for Redhat linux
+#cc= GCC
+#cflags= -i/USR/LOCAL/INCLUDE -i. -i../ -dlinux   -G -C
+
+#------------ for DigitalUnix
+CC=cc
+CFLAGS= -I/data/koenneck/include -I. -I../   -std1 -g -c
+#------------ for DigitalUnix with Fortify
+#CFLAGS= -I/data/koenneck/include -DFORTIFY -I. -I../   -std1 -g -c
+
+#------------ for CYGNUS toolchain on Win32
+#CC=gcc
+#CFLAGS= -I. -I../ -DCYGNUS -g -c
+
+.c.o:
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $*.c
+
+tecsl: $(OBJ)
+	- rm libtecsl.a
+	ar cr libtecsl.a $(OBJ)
+	ranlib libtecsl.a
+
+clean:
+	rm *.o
+	rm *.a
diff --git a/tecs/buf.c b/tecs/buf.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..074636db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tecs/buf.c
@@ -0,0 +1,162 @@
+#include <math.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <strings.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include "buf.h"
+
+#define TWO28 268435456.0
+#define MAXINT 2147483647
+
+/* static char *null="\0"; */
+
+int buf_get_int(buf_type *buf)
+{ char *b;
+  int *res;
+
+  b=buf->buf;
+  if (b==NULL) return(0);
+  if (b[0]!=1 || buf->size<5) {buf->buf=NULL; return(0); }
+  b++;
+  res=(int *)b;
+  b+=4;
+  buf->size-=5;
+  buf->buf=b;
+  return(*res);
+}
+
+char *buf_get_str(buf_type *buf)
+{ char *b;
+  int l;
+
+  b=buf->buf;
+  if (b==NULL) return("");
+  if (b[0]==1 || b[0]==2) return("");
+  l=strlen(b);
+  if (buf->size<=l) {buf->buf=NULL; return(""); }
+  buf->buf+=l+1;
+  buf->size-=l+1;
+  return(b);
+}
+
+float buf_get_float(buf_type *buf)
+{ char *b;
+  float res;
+  int *mant, iexp;
+
+  b=buf->buf;
+  if (b==NULL) return(0.0);
+  if (b[0]!=2 || buf->size<6) { buf->buf=NULL; return(0.0); }
+  iexp=b[1];
+  b+=2;
+  mant=(int *)b;
+  b+=4;
+  buf->size-=6;
+  res=(float)ldexp(*mant/TWO28, iexp);
+  buf->buf=b;
+  return res;
+}
+
+int buf_size(buf_type *buf)
+{
+  if (buf->buf==NULL) return(-1);
+  return (buf->size);
+}
+
+void buf_put_int(buf_type *buf, int val)
+{ char *b;
+
+  b=buf->buf;
+  if (b==NULL) return;
+  b[0]=1;
+  b++;
+  if (buf->size<=4) {buf->buf=NULL; return; }
+  *(int *)b=val;
+  b+=4;
+  buf->size-=5;
+  buf->buf=b;
+  return;
+}
+
+void buf_put_str(buf_type *buf, char *str)
+{ char *b;
+  int l;
+
+  if (str[0]<=2 && str[0]!='\0') { buf->buf=NULL; return; };
+  b=buf->buf;
+  if (b==NULL) return;
+  l=strlen(str);
+  if (buf->size<=l) { buf->buf=NULL; return; }
+  strcpy(b, str);
+  buf->buf+=l+1;
+  buf->size-=l+1;
+}
+
+int buf_nint(float val)
+{ int res;
+
+  if (val<0) {
+    if (val<-MAXINT) {
+      return(-MAXINT);
+    } else {
+      return(val-0.5);
+    }
+  } else {
+    if (val>MAXINT) {
+      return(MAXINT);
+    } else {
+      return(val+0.5);
+    }
+  }
+}
+  
+void buf_put_float(buf_type *buf, float val)
+{ char *b;
+  double d;
+  int iexp;
+  int mant;
+
+  b=buf->buf;
+  if (b==NULL) return;
+  if (buf->size<=4) {buf->buf=NULL; return; }
+  d=frexp((double)val, &iexp);
+  mant=buf_nint(d*TWO28);
+  if (iexp>127) iexp=127;
+  if (iexp<-128) iexp=-128;
+  b[0]=2;
+  b[1]=iexp;
+  b+=2;
+  *(int *)b=mant;
+  b+=4;
+  buf->size-=6;
+  buf->buf=b;
+}
+
+void buf_put_end(buf_type *buf)
+{ buf->buf=buf->start;
+  buf->usize=buf->isize-buf->size;
+  buf->size=buf->usize;
+}
+
+void buf_put_start(buf_type *buf)
+{ buf->buf=buf->start;
+  buf->size=buf->isize;
+}
+
+void buf_reset(buf_type *buf)
+{ buf->buf=buf->start;
+  buf->size=buf->usize;
+}
+
+buf_type *buf_create(size_t size)
+{ buf_type *buf;
+
+  buf=malloc(sizeof(*buf));
+  buf->start=malloc(size);
+  buf->isize=size;
+  return(buf);
+}
+
+void buf_free(buf_type *buf)
+{ free(buf->buf);
+  free(buf);
+}
diff --git a/tecs/buf.h b/tecs/buf.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3727d9e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tecs/buf.h
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+typedef struct { char *buf; char *start; int size; int usize; int isize, dummy; } buf_type;
+
+/* input */
+void buf_reset(buf_type *buf);
+int buf_get_int(buf_type *buf);
+char *buf_get_str(buf_type *buf);
+float buf_get_float(buf_type *buf);
+int buf_size(buf_type *buf);
+
+/* output */
+void buf_put_start(buf_type *buf);
+void buf_put_int(buf_type *buf, int val);
+void buf_put_str(buf_type *buf, char *str);
+void buf_put_float(buf_type *buf, float val);
+void buf_put_end(buf_type *buf);
+
+/* common */
+buf_type *buf_create(size_t size);
+void buf_free(buf_type *buf);
+void buf_log(buf_type *buf);
diff --git a/tecs/client.c b/tecs/client.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d1cc2a1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tecs/client.c
@@ -0,0 +1,180 @@
+#include <assert.h>
+#include "client.h"
+#include "util.h"
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+int CocOpen(CocConn *conn)
+{
+  int i, cnt, try, port, tryConn, tmo;
+  struct sockaddr_in sadr;
+  char *p, *q;
+
+  try=2;
+  tryConn=1;
+  tmo=0;
+  while (try>0) {
+    try--;
+    while (tryConn>0) {
+      port=CocPORT;
+      cnt=CocPORTS;
+      tryConn--;
+      while (cnt>0) {
+        ERR_SI(conn->fd=socket(AF_INET, SOCK_STREAM, 0));
+        ERR_I(CocCreateSockAdr(&sadr, conn->host, port));
+        i=connect(conn->fd, (struct sockaddr *)&sadr, sizeof(sadr));
+        if (i>=0) return(0);
+        if (errno!=ECONNREFUSED) { ERR_COD(errno); }
+        port++; cnt--;
+      }
+      util_delay(tmo); tmo+=100;
+    }
+    if (conn->startcmd[0]=='\0' || try<=0) { ERR_COD(ECONNREFUSED); }
+    p=conn->startcmd;
+    q=strchr(p,' ');
+    while (q!=NULL) {
+      p=q+1;
+      q=strchr(p,' ');
+    };
+    printf("start server %s\n", p);
+    ERR_I(system(conn->startcmd));
+    util_delay(100); tmo=200;
+    tryConn=5;
+  }
+  ERR_COD(ECONNREFUSED);
+  OnError: return(-1);
+}
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+void CocInitClient(CocConn *conn, char *host, char *magic, int bufsize, char *startcmd)
+{ void *e;
+
+  if (bufsize==0) bufsize=1024;
+  conn->cmdbuf=buf_create(bufsize);
+  conn->resbuf=buf_create(bufsize);
+  str_copy(conn->host, host);
+  str_copy(conn->magic, magic);
+  str_copy(conn->startcmd, startcmd);
+  conn->fd=-1;
+  conn->varList=NULL;
+  CocVarList(&conn->varList);
+}
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+int CocSendMagic(CocConn *conn, char *magic) {
+  char *err;
+
+  if (magic[0]!='#') ERR_MSG("magic must start with '#'");
+  buf_put_start(conn->resbuf); /* use return buffer for command in order to preserve command buffer */
+  buf_put_str(conn->resbuf, magic);
+  buf_put_end(conn->resbuf);
+  if (conn->resbuf->buf==NULL) ERR_MSG("buffer full");
+  ERR_SI(send(conn->fd, conn->resbuf->buf, conn->resbuf->size, 0));
+  ERR_I(CocRecv(conn->fd, conn->resbuf));
+  err=buf_get_str(conn->resbuf);
+  if (*err!='\0') { ErrMsg(err); ErrTxt(": (response from server)",0); goto OnError; }
+  if (buf_size(conn->resbuf)!=0) ERR_MSG("syntax error");
+  return(0);
+  OnError: return(-1);
+}
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+int CocTryCmd(CocConn *conn)
+{ if (conn->fd<0) {
+    ERR_I(CocOpen(conn));
+    ERR_I(CocSendMagic(conn, conn->magic));
+  }
+  ERR_SI(send(conn->fd, conn->cmdbuf->buf, conn->cmdbuf->size, 0));
+  ERR_I(CocRecv(conn->fd, conn->resbuf));
+  return(0);
+  OnError: return(-1);
+}
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+int CocCmd(CocConn *conn, const char *rwList)
+{ int iret, cnt, setmode, i;
+  char *err;
+  const char *t, *s;
+  char nam[32];
+  CocVar *var;
+
+  buf_put_start(conn->cmdbuf);
+  s=rwList;
+  setmode=0;
+  do {
+    t=strchr(s, ',');
+    if (t==NULL) t=s+strlen(s);
+    if (*s=='[') {
+      if (!setmode) buf_put_str(conn->cmdbuf, "[");
+      s++;
+      setmode=1;
+    }
+    i=t-s;
+    assert(i<32);
+    str_ncpy(nam, s, i+1);
+    if (setmode) {
+      if (nam[i-1]==']') { nam[i-1]='\0'; setmode=0; }
+      buf_put_str(conn->cmdbuf, nam);
+      ERR_I(CocPutVar(conn->varList, conn->cmdbuf, nam));
+      if (!setmode) buf_put_str(conn->cmdbuf, "]");
+    } else {
+      var=CocFindVar(conn->varList, nam);
+      if (var==NULL) ERR_MSG("variable not found");
+      buf_put_str(conn->cmdbuf, nam);
+    }
+    s=t+1;
+  } while (*t!='\0');
+
+  buf_put_end(conn->cmdbuf);
+  if (conn->cmdbuf->buf==NULL) ERR_MSG("out buffer full");
+  cnt=3;
+  while (1) {
+    cnt--;
+    if (cnt<=0) {
+      ERR_I(CocTryCmd(conn));
+      break;
+    }
+    iret=CocTryCmd(conn);
+    if (iret>=0) break;
+    close(conn->fd);
+    conn->fd=-1;
+    if (ErrCode!=ECONNRESET && ErrCode!=EPIPE) goto OnError;
+    ErrShow("try again, error was");
+  }
+  err=buf_get_str(conn->resbuf);
+  if (*err!='\0') { ErrMsg(err); ErrTxt(": (response from server)",0 ); goto OnError; }
+
+  /* read values */
+  s=rwList;
+  setmode=0;
+  do {
+    t=strchr(s, ',');
+    if (t==NULL) t=s+strlen(s);
+    if (*s=='[') {
+      s++;
+      setmode=1;
+    }
+    i=t-s;
+    if (!setmode) {
+      str_ncpy(nam, s, i+1);
+      if (nam[i-1]==']') { nam[i-1]='\0'; setmode=0; }
+      ERR_I(CocGetVar(conn->varList, conn->resbuf, nam));
+    }
+    s=t+1;
+  } while (*t!='\0');
+  if (buf_size(conn->resbuf)!=0) ERR_MSG("syntax error");
+  return(0);
+
+  OnError: return(-1);
+}
+
+void CocCloseClient(CocConn *conn) {
+  close(conn->fd);
+  buf_free(conn->cmdbuf);
+  buf_free(conn->resbuf);
+  CocFreeVarList(&conn->varList);
+}
diff --git a/tecs/client.h b/tecs/client.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c32f0fcc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tecs/client.h
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+#include "coc.h"
+
+typedef struct {
+  int fd, dummy;
+  CocVar *varList;
+  buf_type *cmdbuf; /* for sending command */
+  buf_type *resbuf; /* for response */
+  char host[64];
+  char magic[32];
+  char startcmd[64];
+} CocConn;
+
+void CocInitClient(CocConn *conn, char *host, char *magic, int bufsize, char *startcmd);
+int CocSendMagic(CocConn *conn, char *magic);
+int CocCmd(CocConn *conn, const char *rwList);
+void CocCloseClient(CocConn *conn);
diff --git a/tecs/coc.c b/tecs/coc.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b5914907
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tecs/coc.c
@@ -0,0 +1,161 @@
+#include <assert.h>
+#include "coc.h"
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+/* CreateSocketAddress stolen from Tcl. Thanks to John Ousterhout */
+
+CocVar *serverVarList=NULL;
+static CocVar **varListHdl=&serverVarList;
+int CocRD=0;
+int CocWR=0;
+
+int CocCreateSockAdr(
+    struct sockaddr_in *sockaddrPtr,    /* Socket address */
+    const char *host,                   /* Host.  NULL implies INADDR_ANY */
+    int port)                           /* Port number */
+{
+    struct hostent *hostent;            /* Host database entry */
+    struct in_addr addr;                /* For 64/32 bit madness */
+
+    (void) memset((char *) sockaddrPtr, '\0', sizeof(struct sockaddr_in));
+    sockaddrPtr->sin_family = AF_INET;
+    sockaddrPtr->sin_port = htons((unsigned short) (port & 0xFFFF));
+    if (host == NULL) {
+        addr.s_addr = INADDR_ANY;
+    } else {
+        hostent = gethostbyname(host);
+        if (hostent != NULL) {
+            memcpy((char *) &addr,
+                (char *) hostent->h_addr_list[0], (size_t) hostent->h_length);
+        } else {
+            addr.s_addr = inet_addr(host);
+            if (addr.s_addr == (unsigned long)-1) {
+                return -1;       /* error */
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    /*
+     * There is a rumor that this assignment may require care on
+     * some 64 bit machines.
+     */
+
+    sockaddrPtr->sin_addr.s_addr = addr.s_addr;
+    return 0;
+}
+
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+int CocRecv(int fd, buf_type *buf)
+{
+  struct timeval tmo={0,1};
+  fd_set mask;
+  int i, ret;
+
+  tmo.tv_sec=5; /* timeout 5 sec. */
+
+  FD_ZERO(&mask);
+  FD_SET(fd, &mask);
+  ERR_SI(i=select(fd+1,&mask,NULL,NULL,&tmo));
+  if (i==0) ERR_MSG("time out");
+
+  buf_put_start(buf);
+  ERR_SI(ret=recv(fd, buf->buf, buf->isize, 0));
+  if (ret==0) { ERR_COD(ECONNRESET); }
+  buf->usize=ret;
+  buf_reset(buf);
+  return(ret);
+  OnError: return(-1);
+}
+
+void CocVarList(CocVar **varList) {
+  assert(varList!=NULL);
+  varListHdl=varList;
+}
+
+CocVar *CocFindVar(CocVar *varList, const char *name) {
+  CocVar *p;
+
+  p=varList;
+  while (p!=NULL && 0!=strcmp(p->name,name)) p=p->next;
+  return(p);
+}
+
+void CocDefVar(const char *name, void *var, int type, int *flag) {
+  CocVar *p;
+
+  assert(varListHdl!=NULL);
+  p=CocFindVar(*varListHdl, name);
+  if (p==NULL) {
+    p=malloc(sizeof(*p));
+    p->next=*varListHdl;
+    *varListHdl=p;
+  }
+  str_copy(p->name, name);
+  p->var=var;
+  p->type=type;
+  p->flag=flag;
+}
+
+int CocGetVar(CocVar *varList, buf_type *buf, const char *name) {
+  CocVar *var;
+
+  var=CocFindVar(varList, name);
+  if (var==NULL) ERR_MSG("undefined variable");
+  if (varList==serverVarList) { /* we are the server */
+    if (var->flag==&CocRD) ERR_MSG("variable is read only");
+  }
+  if (var->type==-1) {
+    *(int *)var->var=buf_get_int(buf);
+  } else if (var->type==-2) {
+    *(float *)var->var=buf_get_float(buf);
+  } else if (var->type>1) {
+    str_ncpy((char *)var->var, buf_get_str(buf), var->type);
+  } else {
+    ERR_MSG("unknown type");
+  }
+  if (varList==serverVarList) { /* we are the server */
+    if (var->flag!=NULL) (*var->flag)++;
+  }
+  return(0);
+  OnError: return(-1);
+}
+
+int CocPutVar(CocVar *varList, buf_type *buf, const char *name) {
+  CocVar *var;
+  char *c;
+
+  var=CocFindVar(varList, name);
+  if (var==NULL) ERR_MSG("undefined variable");
+  if (varList!=serverVarList) { /* we are a client */
+    if (var->flag==&CocRD) ERR_MSG("variable is read only");
+  }
+  if (var->type==-1) {
+    buf_put_int(buf, *(int *)var->var);
+  } else if (var->type==-2) {
+    buf_put_float(buf, *(float *)var->var);
+  } else if (var->type>1) {
+    c=var->var;
+    if (c[0]<=2 && c[0]!=0) { ERR_MSG("illegal string"); }
+    buf_put_str(buf, c);
+  } else {
+    ERR_MSG("unknown type");
+  }
+  if (varList!=serverVarList) { /* we are a client */
+    if (var->flag!=NULL) (*var->flag)++;
+  }
+  return(0);
+  OnError: return(-1);
+}
+
+void CocFreeVarList(CocVar **varList) {
+  CocVar *p, *v;
+
+  if (varList==NULL) varList=&serverVarList;
+  v=*varList;
+  while (v!=NULL) {
+    p=v;
+    v=p->next;
+    p->next=NULL;
+    free(p);
+  }
+  *varList=NULL;
+}
diff --git a/tecs/coc.h b/tecs/coc.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..13b11e49
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tecs/coc.h
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+#include <sys/types.h>
+#include <sys/socket.h>
+#include <sys/time.h>
+#include <netinet/in.h>
+#include <arpa/inet.h>
+#include <netdb.h>
+#include <signal.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <strings.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <stdarg.h>
+#include "errhdl.h"
+#include "buf.h"
+#include "util.h"
+
+#define CocPORT 9751
+#define CocPORTS 3
+
+int CocCreateSockAdr(
+    struct sockaddr_in *sockaddrPtr,    /* Socket address */
+    const char *host,                   /* Host.  NULL implies INADDR_ANY */
+    int port);                          /* Port number */
+int CocRecv(int fd, buf_type *buf);
+
+typedef struct { void *next; char name[32]; void *var; int *flag; int type; } CocVar;
+
+extern int CocRD;
+extern int CocWR;
+CocVar *serverVarList;
+
+void CocDefVar(const char *name, void *var, int type, int *flag);
+void CocVarList(CocVar **varlist);
+void CocFreeVarList(CocVar **varList);
+CocVar *CocFindVar(CocVar *varList, const char *name);
+int CocPutVar(CocVar *varList, buf_type *buf, const char *name);
+int CocGetVar(CocVar *varList, buf_type *buf, const char *name);
+void CocDefFlag(int *flag);
+
+#define CocDefInt(V,F)      CocDefVar(#V,&V,-1,&F)
+#define CocDefFlt(V,F)      CocDefVar(#V,&V,-2,&F)
+#define CocDefStr(V,F)      CocDefVar(#V,V,sizeof(V),&F)
+#define CocDefStrPtr(V,S,F) CocDefVar(#V,V,S,&F)
diff --git a/tecs/errhdl.c b/tecs/errhdl.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5563744e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tecs/errhdl.c
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+#include <assert.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include "errhdl.h"
+
+#define SLEN 64
+#define MLEN 64
+
+static char *txt[SLEN];
+static int sp=0;
+
+int ErrCode;
+char *ErrMessage=NULL;
+
+void ErrTxt(char *text, int systemError)
+{
+  if (systemError) { sp=0; ErrCode=errno; ErrMessage=strerror(errno); }
+  if (sp<SLEN) {
+    txt[sp++]=text;
+  }
+}
+
+void ErrMsg(char *msg)
+{
+  ErrCode=-1;
+  ErrMessage=msg; sp=0;
+}
+
+void ErrCod(int code)
+{
+  ErrCode=code;
+  ErrMessage=strerror(code); sp=0;
+}
+
+void ErrWriteGeneral(char *text, void (*outrtn)(), void *arg)
+{
+  int i, l;
+  char buf[256];
+
+  l=strlen(text)+strlen(ErrMessage)+6;
+  assert(l<256);
+  sprintf(buf, "--- %s: %s", text, ErrMessage);
+  for (i=0;i<sp;i++) {
+    if (txt[i][0]==':') {
+      l+=strlen(txt[i]);
+      assert(l<256);
+      strcat(buf, &(txt[i][1]));
+    } else {
+      outrtn(arg, buf);
+      l=strlen(txt[i]);
+      assert(l<256);
+      strcpy(buf, txt[i]);
+    }
+  }
+  outrtn(arg, buf);
+  outrtn(arg, "---");
+}
+
+void ErrOutFil(void *arg, char *text) {
+  fprintf((FILE *)arg, "%s\n", text);
+}
+
+void ErrWrite(FILE *fil, char *text)
+{
+  ErrWriteGeneral(text, ErrOutFil, fil);
+}
+
+void ErrShow(char *text) {
+  ErrWriteGeneral(text, ErrOutFil, stdout);
+}
+
+#ifdef __VMS
+void ErrShowVms(char **text, void (*outrtn)(), void *arg) {
+  char buf[256];
+  int l;
+
+  l=*(short *)text;
+  if (l>=256) l=255;
+  strncpy(buf, text[1], l);
+  buf[l]='\0';  
+  ErrWriteGeneral(buf, outrtn, arg);
+}
+#endif
+
+void ERR_EXIT(char *text) {
+  ErrShow(text); exit(1);
+}
diff --git a/tecs/errhdl.h b/tecs/errhdl.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..69eab42c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tecs/errhdl.h
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <sys/errno.h>
+
+/* ErrHDL Error handling utilities
+   -------------------------------
+   Makes code more readable by hiding annoying error condition checks.
+
+Macros and routines:
+
+  Spelling in uppercase indicates, that it the program flow
+  may be modified (jump to OnError label or program exit).
+
+
+  ERR_x
+
+    Usage                        Error condition     Error message taken from
+    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    ERR_SI(res=routine1(...))    res<0               errno
+    ERR_SP(ptr=routine2(...))    ptr==NULL           errno
+    ERR_I(res=routine3(...))     res<0               stored by routine3 using errhdl mechanism
+    ERR_P(ptr=routine4(...))     ptr==NULL           stored by routine4 using errhdl mechanism
+
+    The result assignment "res=" or "ptr=" is optional.
+
+    Description:
+    The routine routineX is called.
+    If the result indicates an error, the source text  is saved and the
+    program continues at the OnError label.
+    The error message and the source code of the calling instructions is
+    saved for a later call to ErrShow or ErrExit.
+
+  ERR_EXIT("program_name")
+
+    Show error and exit program.
+
+  ERR_MSG("message")
+
+    Signals an error condition. If "message" is replaced by a variable,
+    take care that it is not modified until ErrShow is called.
+
+  ERR_COD(cod)
+
+    Signals an error condition as code from errno.h
+
+  ErrShow("program_name")
+  ErrWrite(fil, "program_name")
+
+    Show actual error message with traceback information to stdout
+    or a file fil
+
+Global Variables (read only)
+
+  int ErrCode
+
+    actual error message code
+    = errno for system errors or
+    = -1 for custom errors signaled by ERRMSG
+
+  char *ErrMessage
+
+    actual error message
+*/
+
+#define ERR_SI(R) { if(0>(R)) { ErrTxt(#R,1); goto OnError; }; }
+#define ERR_SP(R) { if(NULL==(R)) { ErrTxt(#R,1); goto OnError; }; }
+#define ERR_I(R) { if(0>(R)) { ErrTxt(#R,0); goto OnError; }; }
+#define ERR_P(R) { if(NULL==(R)) { ErrTxt(#R,0); goto OnError; }; }
+#define ERR_MSG(R) { ErrMsg(R); goto OnError; }
+#define ERR_COD(R) { ErrCod(R); goto OnError; }
+
+void ErrTxt(char *text, int systemError);
+void ErrMsg(char *msg);
+void ErrCod(int code);
+void ErrShow(char *text);
+void ErrWrite(FILE *fil, char *text);
+void ERR_EXIT(char *text);
+void ErrLog(char *text);
+
+extern int ErrCode;
+extern char *ErrMessage;
diff --git a/tecs/tecc.c b/tecs/tecc.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..15de3b21
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tecs/tecc.c
@@ -0,0 +1,130 @@
+#include "errhdl.h"
+#include "client.h"
+#include "tecc.h"
+
+char command[80], response[80], device[80];
+float tempX, tempP, tempC;
+
+pTecsClient TeccInit(char *server) {
+  CocConn *conn;
+  char buf[80];
+
+  ERR_SP(conn=(CocConn *)malloc(sizeof(*conn)));
+#ifdef __VMS
+  sprintf(buf, "@start_tecs %s", server);
+#else
+  sprintf(buf, "start_tecs %s", server);
+#endif
+  CocInitClient(conn, "", "#rwacs", 0, buf);
+  CocDefFlt(tempX, CocRD);
+  CocDefFlt(tempP, CocRD);
+  CocDefFlt(tempC, CocWR);
+  CocDefStr(device, CocWR);
+  CocDefStr(command, CocWR);
+  CocDefStr(response, CocWR);
+  return((pTecsClient)conn);
+  OnError: return(NULL);
+}
+
+int TeccSetDev(pTecsClient conn, char *dev) {
+  str_copy(device, dev);
+  ERR_I(CocCmd((CocConn *)conn, "[device]"));
+  return(0);
+  OnError: return(-1);
+}
+
+char *TeccGetDev(pTecsClient conn) {
+  ERR_I(CocCmd((CocConn *)conn, "device"));
+  return(device);
+  OnError: return(NULL);
+}
+
+int TeccGet(pTecsClient conn, float *temp) {
+  ERR_I(CocCmd((CocConn *)conn, "tempP"));
+  *temp=tempP;
+  return(0);
+  OnError: return(-1);
+}
+
+int TeccGet3(pTecsClient conn, float temp[3]) {
+  ERR_I(CocCmd((CocConn *)conn, "tempC,tempX,tempP"));
+  temp[0]=tempC;
+  temp[1]=tempX;
+  temp[2]=tempP;
+  return(0);
+  OnError: return(-1);
+}
+
+int TeccSet(pTecsClient conn, float temp) {
+  tempC=temp;
+  ERR_I(CocCmd((CocConn *)conn, "[tempC]"));
+  return(0);
+  OnError: return(-1);
+}
+
+int TeccSend(pTecsClient conn, char *cmd, char *reply, int replyLen) {
+  command[0]='\0';
+  while (0!=strcmp(command, cmd)) {
+    str_copy(command, cmd);
+    strcpy(response,"<none>");
+    ERR_I(CocCmd((CocConn *)conn, "[command,response]"));
+    while (0==strcmp(response,"<none>") && 0==strcmp(command, cmd)) {
+      util_delay(250);
+      ERR_I(CocCmd((CocConn *)conn, "command,response"));
+    }
+  }
+  str_ncpy(reply, response, replyLen);
+  return(0);
+  OnError: return(-1);
+}
+
+void TeccClose(pTecsClient conn) {
+  CocCloseClient((CocConn *)conn);
+  free(conn);
+}
+
+#ifdef __VMS
+
+int TeccSetDevVms(pTecsClient conn, char **dev) {
+  int l;
+
+  l=*(short *)dev;
+  if (l>=sizeof(device)) l=sizeof(device)-1;
+  strncpy(device, dev[1], l);
+  while (l>0 && device[l-1]==' ') l--; /* trim */
+  device[l]='\0';
+  ERR_I(CocCmd((CocConn *)conn, "[device]"));
+  return(0);
+  OnError: return(-1);
+}
+
+int TeccGetDevVms(pTecsClient conn, char **dev) {
+  int l, ld;
+
+  ERR_I(CocCmd((CocConn *)conn, "device"));
+  ld=strlen(device);
+  l=*(short *)dev;
+  if (ld>=l) ld=l;
+  strncpy(dev[1], device, ld);
+  return(ld);
+  OnError: return(-1);
+}
+
+int TeccSendVms(pTecsClient conn, char **cmd, char **reply) {
+  int l, lr;
+  char cbuf[80], rbuf[80];
+
+  l=*(short *)cmd;
+  if (l>=sizeof(cbuf)) l=sizeof(cbuf)-1;
+  strncpy(cbuf, cmd[1], l);
+  while (l>0 && cbuf[l-1]==' ') l--; /* trim */
+  cbuf[l]='\0';
+  TeccSend(conn, cbuf, rbuf, sizeof(rbuf));
+  lr=strlen(rbuf);
+  l=*(short *)reply;
+  if (lr>=l) lr=l;
+  strncpy(reply[1], rbuf, lr);
+  return(lr);
+  OnError: return(-1);
+}
+#endif
diff --git a/tecs/tecc.h b/tecs/tecc.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e0e3a8cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tecs/tecc.h
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+/*
+  tecc.h: tecs client interface routines
+
+  M. Zolliker March 2000
+------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+typedef struct { int tecc_private; } *pTecsClient;
+/*  hidden structure for a tecs client
+------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+pTecsClient TeccInit(char *server);
+/*  init tecs client (connect to server)
+------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+int TeccSetDev(pTecsClient conn, char *dev);
+/*  set device type
+------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+char *TeccGetDev(pTecsClient conn);
+/*  get device type
+------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+int TeccGet(pTecsClient conn, float *temp);
+/*  set temperature
+------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+int TeccSet(pTecsClient conn, float temp);
+/*  get temperature
+------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+int TeccSend(pTecsClient conn, char *cmd, char *reply, int replyLen);
+/*  send a command transparently to the controller
+    replyLen is the maximal length of reply
+------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+void TeccClose(pTecsClient conn);
+/*  close connection and free ressources
+------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
diff --git a/tecs/util.c b/tecs/util.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7e901e12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tecs/util.c
@@ -0,0 +1,182 @@
+#include <sys/types.h>
+#include <sys/stat.h>
+#include <sys/socket.h>
+#include <sys/time.h>
+#include <assert.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <ctype.h>
+#include "errhdl.h"
+#include "util.h"
+
+/* when changing FBUF_LEN, change also the constant in the fscanf call in subroutine LscExeCmd */
+#define FBUF_LEN 132
+
+char *str_split(char *str, char sep, char *list[], int *n) {
+  int i;
+  char *s, *e;
+
+  s=str;
+  for (i=0; i<*n; i++) {
+    list[i]=s;
+    e=strchr(s, sep);
+    if (e==NULL) { *n=i+1; return(NULL); }
+    s=e+1;
+    e--;
+    while (e>str && *e==' ') e--; /* trim sequence */
+    e[1]='\0';
+  }
+  return(s);
+}
+
+char *str_split1(char *str, char sep) {
+  char *s, *e;
+
+  e=strchr(str, sep);
+  if (e==NULL) {
+    s=NULL;
+    e=str+strlen(str);
+  } else {
+    s=e+1;
+  }
+  e--;
+  while (e>str && *e==' ') e--; /* trim sequence */
+  e[1]='\0';
+  return(s);
+}
+
+char *str_ntrim(char *dest, int ldest, const char *src, int lsrc) {
+  char *s, *e;
+
+  if (lsrc<ldest) ldest=lsrc;
+  if (dest!=src) strncpy(dest, src, ldest);
+  e=dest+ldest-2;
+  while (e>dest && *e==' ') e--; /* trim sequence */
+  e[1]='\0';
+  return(s);
+}
+
+char *str_read_until(FILE *fil, char *term, char *buf, char *end) {
+  char *s;
+  char fmt[24];
+  int i, l, siz;
+  char ch;
+
+  siz=end-buf-1;
+  if (siz<1) return(NULL);
+  sprintf(fmt, "%s%d[^%s%s", "%", siz, term, "]%n%c");
+  i=fscanf(fil, fmt, buf, &l, &ch);
+  if (i<0) { /* eof */
+    buf[0]='\0';
+    return(&buf[0]);
+  } else if (i==0) { /* fscanf returns 0 if first char is terminator */
+    buf[0]=fgetc(fil);
+    return(&buf[0]);
+  } else if (i==1) { /* terminator not found -> read until eof */
+    buf[l]='\0';
+    return(&buf[l]);
+  } else {
+    buf[l]=ch;
+    if (l==siz && NULL==strchr(term, ch)) return(NULL);
+    return(&buf[l]);
+  }
+}
+
+char *str_read_arg(char *file, char *args[], int nargs) {
+  FILE *fil;
+  char *str, *s, *e, *p, *q;
+  char ch;
+  int i, l, size;
+  struct stat statbuf;
+  
+  i=stat(file, &statbuf);
+  if (i<0) ERR_MSG("file not found");
+  size=statbuf.st_size+4;
+  if (nargs>0) size+=size/2+100; /* max size */
+  while (1) {
+    ERR_SP(str=malloc(size));
+    e=&str[size-1];
+    ERR_SP(fil=fopen(file, "r"));
+    s=str;
+    while (1) {
+      p=str_read_until(fil, "#!", s, e);
+      if (p==NULL) break;
+      if (*p=='!') {
+        q=str_read_until(fil, "\n", p, e);
+        if (q==NULL) { p=NULL; break; }
+        s=p; *s='\n'; s++;
+      } else if (*p=='#') {
+        ch=fgetc(fil);
+        i=ch-'0';
+        if (i<0 || i>=nargs) {
+          s=p+1; *s=ch; s++;
+        } else {
+          l=strlen(args[i]);
+          if (s+l>=e) { p=NULL; break; }
+          strcpy(p, args[i]);
+          s=p+l;
+        }
+      } else {
+        assert(*p=='\0');
+        break;
+      }
+    }
+    ERR_SI(fclose(fil));
+    if (p!=NULL) break;
+    size=size*3/2; /* allocation not sufficient -> try again */
+    free(str);
+  }
+  assert(strlen(str)<size);
+  return(str);
+  OnError: return(NULL);
+}
+
+void str_replace_char(char *str, char ch, char rep) {
+  char *s;
+
+  assert(ch!='\0' && ch!=rep);
+  s=strchr(str, ch);
+  while (s!=NULL) {
+    *s=rep;
+    s=strchr(s, ch);
+  }
+}
+
+void str_upcase(char *str) {
+  while (*str!='\0') {
+    *str=toupper(*str); str++;
+  }
+}
+
+int str_cmp(const char *str1, const char *str2) {
+  int i;
+  char ch1, ch2;
+  ch1=tolower(*(str1++)); ch2=tolower(*(str2++));
+  i=1;
+  while (ch1!='\0' && ch2!='\0' && ch1==ch2) {
+    ch1=tolower(*(str1++)); ch2=tolower(*(str2++)); i++;
+  }
+  if (ch1<ch2) {
+    return(-i);
+  } else if (ch1>ch2) {
+    return(i);
+  }
+  return(0);
+}
+
+int str_ncpy(char *dst, const char *src, int n) {
+  strncpy(dst, src, n);
+  if (dst[n-1]!='\0') {
+    dst[n-1]='\0';
+    ERR_MSG("destination string too short");
+  }
+  return(0);
+  OnError: return(-1);
+}
+
+void util_delay(int tmo_msec) {
+  struct timeval tmo;
+
+  tmo.tv_sec=tmo_msec / 1000;
+  tmo.tv_usec=(tmo_msec % 1000)*1000+1;
+  select(1,NULL,NULL,NULL,&tmo);
+}
diff --git a/tecs/util.h b/tecs/util.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..77e57077
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tecs/util.h
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+char *str_ntrim(char *dest, int ldest, const char *src, int lsrc);
+/*
+  copy characters 0 to lsrc-1 from src to dest (max ldest chars).
+*/
+
+char *str_split1(char *str, char separator);
+/*
+  trims text before separator in *str and returns
+  a pointer to the first character after separator
+*/
+
+char *str_split(char *str, char sep, char *list[], int *n);
+/*
+  split string into *n strings using separator sep.
+  spaces at the end of the elements are trimmed
+  attention: *str is modified ('\0' placed at the end of the elements)
+  
+  if *n separators are found, result points to string after *n-th separator
+  else result is NULL
+  *n contains number of elements stored in list
+*/
+
+char *str_read_arg(char *file, char *args[], int nargs);
+/*
+  return one string containing the contents of file *file
+  the contents are treated in the following way:
+  - #0,#1,...#n is replaced by the corresponding argument *args[n] (n=0..nargs-1, nargs<10)
+  - at the end of each line spaces and comments separated by ! are trimmed
+*/
+
+void str_replace_char(char *str, char ch, char rep);
+/*
+  replace all occurences of character ch by character rep in string *str
+*/
+
+void str_upcase(char *str);
+/*
+  convert *str to uppercase
+*/
+
+int str_cmp(const char *str1, const char *str2);
+/*
+  compare *str1 with *str2
+  the comparison is not case sensitive
+  if result=0: strings are equal
+  else
+    result>0 <==> *str1>*str2
+    first different character is at position abs(result)-1
+*/
+
+
+int str_ncpy(char *dst, const char *src, int n);
+/*
+  same as strncpy, but dst has always a '\0' at end
+  use str_copy if dst is a character array
+  returns -1, if destination is to short, 0 otherwise
+*/
+
+
+#define str_copy(DST,SRC) str_ncpy(DST,SRC,sizeof(DST))
+
+void util_delay(int tmo_msec);
+/*
+   usleep is not available on VMS 6
+*/