From 0a772bdc42fd7d0d2e1e9a909aba59c37e1a86d6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Kevin Day <kevin@kevux.org>
Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:28:53 -0600
Subject: [PATCH] Update: add the kit-0.4.x script files

Kit 0.4.x is still being developed, but I should make what I have available now.
This will allow for kit to install kit via the kevux undernet repository.
---
 sources/sh/kit-distribution        |  84 ++++
 sources/sh/kit-dynamic             | 541 +++++++++++++++++++++++
 sources/sh/kit-fss                 |  82 ++++
 sources/sh/kit-log                 |  52 +++
 sources/sh/kit-message             | 128 ++++++
 sources/sh/kit-operation           |  43 ++
 sources/sh/kit-operation-access    | 170 ++++++++
 sources/sh/kit-operation-attribute | 170 ++++++++
 sources/sh/kit-operation-directory | 112 +++++
 sources/sh/kit-operation-file      | 156 +++++++
 sources/sh/kit-operation-group     | 100 +++++
 sources/sh/kit-operation-library   | 140 ++++++
 sources/sh/kit-operation-mode      | 169 ++++++++
 sources/sh/kit-operation-path      |  97 +++++
 sources/sh/kit-operation-shell     |  32 ++
 sources/sh/kit-operation-strip     | 100 +++++
 sources/sh/kit-operation-version   | 131 ++++++
 sources/sh/kit-package             | 859 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 sources/sh/kit-permission          |  64 +++
 sources/sh/kit-procedure           |  34 ++
 sources/sh/kit-read                |   5 +
 sources/sh/kit-reserved            | 300 +++++++++++++
 sources/sh/kit-rule                | 298 +++++++++++++
 23 files changed, 3867 insertions(+)
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-distribution
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-dynamic
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-fss
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-log
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-message
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-operation
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-operation-access
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-operation-attribute
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-operation-directory
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-operation-file
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-operation-group
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-operation-library
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-operation-mode
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-operation-path
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-operation-shell
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-operation-strip
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-operation-version
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-package
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-permission
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-procedure
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-read
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-reserved
 create mode 100755 sources/sh/kit-rule

diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-distribution b/sources/sh/kit-distribution
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..ef67ed9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-distribution
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+kit_distribution_unset() {
+  unset kit_distribution_load
+}
+
+kit_distribution_load() {
+  local i=0
+
+  kit_log_message
+  kit_log_message message "obtaining and reading data for distribution '$distribution', version '$distribution_version', flavor '$distribution_flavor'"
+
+  if [[ ! -d $system_cache_path ]] ; then
+    kit_message_shell "mkdir -p $system_cache_path"
+    mkdir -p $system_cache_path
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_message_error "Failed to create the directory '$c_notice$system_cache_path$c_error'"
+      cleanup_before_exit
+      return
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  if [[ ! -d $distribution_base ]] ; then
+    kit_message_shell "git clone --progress $remote_depth -q -o $remote_branch -n $remote_url_git$distribution_path$distribution_flavor $distribution_base"
+    git clone --progress $remote_depth -q -o $remote_branch -n $remote_url_git$distribution_path$distribution_flavor $distribution_base
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 || ! -d $distribution_base ]] ; then
+      kit_message_error "Failed to clone '$c_notice$remote_url_git$distribution_path$distribution_flavor$c_error' with branch of '$c_notice$remote_branch$c_error' to '$c_notice$distribution_base$c_error'"
+      exit -1
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "cd $distribution_base"
+    cd $distribution_base
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_message_error "Failed to change to the directory '$c_notice$distribution_base$c_error'$c_reset"
+      cleanup_before_exit
+      exit -1
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "git checkout"
+    git checkout
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_message_error "Failed to checkout repository at '${c_notice}$distribution_base$c_error'"
+      cleanup_before_exit
+      exit -1
+    fi
+  else
+    kit_message_shell "cd $distribution_base"
+    cd $distribution_base
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_message_error "Failed to change to the directory '$c_notice$distribution_base$c_error'$c_reset"
+      cleanup_before_exit
+      exit -1
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $kit_operation == "update" && $(standard_is_empty $targets) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_shell "git pull --quiet --progress"
+    git pull --quiet --progress
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_message_error "Failed to update repository at '${c_notice}$distribution_base$c_error'$c_reset"
+      cleanup_before_exit
+      exit -1
+    fi
+
+    echo -e "${c_highlight}The branch '${c_notice}$remote_branch$c_highlight' and flavor '${c_notice}$distribution_flavor$c_highlight' for the distribution '${c_notice}$distribution$c_highlight' has been updated.$c_reset"
+  elif [[ $kit_operation == "reset" && $(standard_is_empty $targets) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_shell "git reset --hard --quiet"
+    git reset --hard --quiet
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_message_error "Failed to reset repository at '${c_notice}$distribution_base$c_error'$c_reset"
+      cleanup_before_exit
+      exit -1
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_highlight "The branch '${c_notice}$remote_branch$c_highlight' and flavor '${c_notice}$distribution_flavor$c_highlight' for the distribution '${c_notice}$distribution$c_highlight' has been reset."
+  fi
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-dynamic b/sources/sh/kit-dynamic
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..08d192b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-dynamic
@@ -0,0 +1,541 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+kit_dynamic_unset() {
+  unset kit_dynamic_error
+  unset kit_dynamic_is
+  unset kit_dynamic_set
+  unset kit_dynamic_get
+  unset kit_dynamic_required_load_names
+  unset kit_dynamic_process
+  unset kit_dynamic_process_inline
+  unset kit_dynamic_optional_load_names
+  unset kit_dynamic_inline_load_names
+  unset kit_dynamic_inline_resume
+  unset kit_dynamic_strategy_prepare
+  unset kit_dynamic_strategy_load
+  unset kit_dynamic_sanitize
+  unset kit_dynamic_safe_expand
+}
+
+kit_dynamic_error() {
+  kit_message_error "$*"
+
+  cleanup_before_exit
+  exit -6
+}
+
+kit_dynamic_is() {
+  local name=$1
+
+  echo -n $(echo $dynamic_variables | grep -s -o "\<$name=[[:digit:]]*\>" | sed -e "s|$name=||")
+}
+
+kit_dynamic_set() {
+  local name=$1
+  local value=$2
+  local position=
+
+  position=$(kit_dynamic_is $name)
+
+  if [[ $position == "" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $dynamic_total == "" ]] ; then
+      dynamic_total=0
+    fi
+    dynamic_data[$dynamic_total]=$value
+    dynamic_variables="${dynamic_variables}$name=$dynamic_total "
+    let dynamic_total++
+  else
+    dynamic_data[$position]=$value
+  fi
+
+  kit_log_message save dynamic "$name" "$value"
+}
+
+kit_dynamic_get() {
+  local name=$1
+  local name_custom=$2
+  local position=
+  local file=
+  local list=
+
+  if [[ $name == "" ]] ; then
+    dynamic=
+    return
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $name_custom) == "" ]] ; then
+    name_custom=$name
+  fi
+
+  dynamic=
+  position=$(kit_dynamic_is "$name")
+
+  # loading priority is: memory (dynamic_data), system settings, and then distribution settings.
+  if [[ $position != "" && $position -ge 0 ]] ; then
+    dynamic=${dynamic_data[$position]}
+
+    kit_log_message load dynamic "$name" "$dynamic"
+  else
+    for file in "$system_settings_path$system_settings_file" "$distribution_settings_path$distribution_settings_file" ; do
+      if [[ -f $file ]] ; then
+        for list in "$name_custom" "$system_settings_name" ; do
+
+          if [[ $(fss_basic_list_read -n $list -t $file) -gt 0 && $(fss_basic_list_read -c 0 -n $list $file | fss_basic_read -t -n $name) -gt 0 ]] ; then
+            kit_log_message load dynamic "$name" "fss_basic_list_read -c 0 -n $list $file | fss_basic_read -c 0 -n $name"
+            dynamic=$(fss_basic_list_read -c 0 -n $list $file | fss_basic_read -c 0 -n $name)
+            kit_dynamic_set "$name" "$dynamic"
+            return
+          fi
+        done
+      fi
+    done
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_dynamic_required_load_names() {
+  local path=$1
+  local file=$2
+
+  dynamic_required=
+
+  if [[ -f $path$file ]] ; then
+    dynamic_required=$(grep -s -o '\[\[[[:alnum:]_]*]]' $path$file | sort | uniq | sed -e 's|^\[\[||g' -e 's|]]$||g')
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_dynamic_process() {
+  local type=$1
+  local path=$2
+  local file=$3
+  local name_custom=$4
+  local name=
+  local variable=
+  local dynamic=
+  local position=
+  local reserved=
+  local answer=
+  local sanitized=
+  local variables=
+  local processed=
+  local expanded=
+  local dynamic_inline=
+
+  if [[ $type == "required" ]] ; then
+    variables=$dynamic_required
+  elif [[ $type == "optional" ]] ; then
+    variables=$dynamic_optional
+  elif [[ $type == "inline" ]] ; then
+    kit_dynamic_inline_load_names
+    variables="$dynamic_inline"
+    name_custom=$2
+  else
+    return
+  fi
+
+  while [[ $variables != "" ]] ; do
+
+    for name in $variables ; do
+      if [[ $type == "required" ]] ; then
+        variable="[[$name]]"
+      elif [[ $type == "optional" ]] ; then
+        variable="[<$name>]"
+      elif [[ $type == "inline" ]] ; then
+        variable="[{$name}]"
+
+        # process variables only once, strip recursive names (preventing infinite recursion)
+        if [[ $(echo "$processed" | grep -s -o "\<$name\>") != "" ]] ; then
+          line=$(echo -n "$line" | sed -e "s|\[{$name}]||g")
+          continue;
+        fi
+      fi
+
+      position=$(kit_reserved_is $name)
+      kit_dynamic_strategy_load $name
+
+      if [[ $position == "global" || $(echo "$parent" | grep -s -o "\<$position\>") != "" || $position == $self ]] ; then
+        kit_reserved_get "$name"
+
+        if [[ $strategy_length -gt 0 ]] ; then
+          kit_dynamic_sanitize "$name" "$reserved"
+
+          if [[ $? -eq 0 ]] ; then
+            if [[ $type == "required" ]] ; then
+              sed -i -e "s|\[\[$name]]|$sanitized|g" $path$file
+            elif [[ $type == "optional" ]] ; then
+              sed -i -e "s|\[<$name>]|$sanitized|g" $path$file
+            elif [[ $type == "inline" ]] ; then
+              line=$(echo -n "$line" | sed -e "s|\[{$name}]||g")
+              processed="$processed$name "
+            fi
+          else
+            if [[ $strategy_type == "list" ]] ; then
+              kit_dynamic_error "'$c_notice$reserved$c_error' is not a valid choice for '$c_notice$name$c_error'$c_reset"
+            fi
+          fi
+        else
+          if [[ $type == "required" ]] ; then
+            sed -i -e "s|\[\[$name]]|$reserved|g" $path$file
+          elif [[ $type == "optional" ]] ; then
+            sed -i -e "s|\[<$name>]|$reserved|g" $path$file
+          elif [[ $type == "inline" ]] ; then
+            line=$(echo -n "$line" | sed -e "s|\[{$name}]|$reserved|g")
+            processed="$processed$name "
+          fi
+        fi
+      else
+        kit_dynamic_get "$name" "$name_custom"
+        position=$(kit_dynamic_is $name)
+
+        if [[ $(standard_is_empty $position) == "" ]] ; then
+          if [[ $type == "required" ]] ; then
+            answer=
+
+            while [[ $answer == "" ]] ; do
+              echo
+              echo -e "Define the value for the variable $c_notice$name$c_reset (required)."
+              echo -n "# "
+              read answer
+
+              if [[ $strategy_length -gt 0 ]] ; then
+                kit_dynamic_sanitize "$name" "$answer"
+
+                if [[ $? -eq 0 ]] ; then
+                  answer=$sanitized
+                  break;
+                else
+                  if [[ $strategy_type == "list" ]] ; then
+                    kit_message_error "'$c_notice$answer$c_error' is not a valid choice for '$c_notice$name$c_error'$c_reset"
+                  fi
+
+                  answer=
+                fi
+              fi
+            done
+
+            kit_dynamic_set "$name" "$answer"
+            sed -i -e "s|\[\[$name]]|$answer|g" $path$file
+          elif [[ $type == "optional" ]] ; then
+            sed -i -e "s|\[<$name>]||g" $path$file
+          elif [[ $type == "inline" ]] ; then
+            line=$(echo -n "$line" | sed -e "s|\[{$name}]||g")
+            processed="$processed$name "
+          fi
+        else
+          if [[ $strategy_length -gt 0 ]] ; then
+            kit_dynamic_sanitize "$name" "$dynamic"
+
+            if [[ $? -eq 0 ]] ; then
+              if [[ $type == "required" ]] ; then
+                sed -i -e "s|\[\[$name]]|$sanitized|g" $path$file
+              elif [[ $type == "optional" ]] ; then
+                sed -i -e "s|\[<$name>]|$sanitized|g" $path$file
+              elif [[ $type == "inline" ]] ; then
+                line=$(echo -n "$line" | sed -e "s|\[{$name}]|$sanitized|g")
+                processed="$processed$name "
+              fi
+            else
+              if [[ $strategy_type == "list" ]] ; then
+                kit_dynamic_error "'$c_notice$dynamic$c_error' is not a valid choice for '$c_notice$name$c_error'$c_reset"
+              fi
+            fi
+          else
+            if [[ $type == "required" ]] ; then
+              sed -i -e "s|\[\[$name]]|$dynamic|g" $path$file
+            elif [[ $type == "optional" ]] ; then
+              sed -i -e "s|\[<$name>]|$dynamic|g" $path$file
+            elif [[ $type == "inline" ]] ; then
+              line=$(echo -n "$line" | sed -e "s|\[{$name}]|$dynamic|g")
+              processed="$processed$name "
+            fi
+          fi
+        fi
+      fi
+    done
+
+
+    # allow a limited form of recursion on inline variables
+    if [[ $type == "inline" ]] ; then
+      kit_dynamic_inline_load_names
+      variables=$dynamic_inline
+    else
+      variables=
+    fi
+  done
+}
+
+kit_dynamic_optional_load_names() {
+  local path=$1
+  local file=$2
+
+  dynamic_optional=
+
+  if [[ -f $path$file ]] ; then
+    dynamic_optional=$(grep -s -o '\[<[[:alnum:]_]*>]' $path$file | sort | uniq | sed -e 's|^\[<||g' -e 's|>]$||g')
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_dynamic_inline_load_names() {
+  dynamic_inline=$(echo -n "$line" | grep -s -o '\[{[[:alnum:]_]*}]' | sort | uniq | sed -e 's|^\[{||g' -e 's|}]$||g')
+}
+
+kit_dynamic_inline_resume() {
+  local name=
+  local count=
+  local total=
+  local position=
+  local data=
+
+  if [[ ! -f $resume_path$resume_file ]] ; then
+    kit_message_log warning "Failed to load the resume file '$c_notice$resume_path$resume_file$c_error', it does not exist"
+    return
+  fi
+
+  total=$(fss_extended_read -n variable -t $resume_path$resume_file)
+
+  if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+    kit_dynamic_error "Failed to load the resume file '$c_notice$resume_path$resume_file$c_error'"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $total) == "" ]] ; then
+    return
+  fi
+
+  let count=0
+
+  while [[ $count -lt $total ]] ; do
+    name=$(fss_extended_read -n variable -s 0 -c 0 $resume_path$resume_file)
+
+    if [[ $(echo "$inline_variables" | grep -s -o "\[{$name}]") != "" ]] ; then
+      data=$(fss_extended_read -n variable -s 1 -c 0 $resume_path$resume_file)
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_dynamic_error "While loading the inline variable resume data for '$c_notice$name$c_error' from '$c_notice$resume_path$resume_file$c_error'"
+      fi
+
+      position=$(kit_reserved_is $name)
+
+      if [[ $position == "global" || $position == $parent || $position == $self ]] ; then
+        eval $name=\$data
+      else
+        kit_dynamic_set $name "$data"
+      fi
+    fi
+
+    let count++
+  done
+}
+
+kit_dynamic_strategy_prepare() {
+  if [[ ! -f $strategy_path$strategy_file ]] ; then
+    kit_message_shell "fss_basic_list_read $system_cache_path$rule_path_base$rule_path_rule$rule_file -n variables > $strategy_path$strategy_file"
+    fss_basic_list_read $system_cache_path$rule_path_base$rule_path_rule$rule_file -n variables > $strategy_path$strategy_file
+
+    if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+      kit_rule_error "Failed to generate '$c_notice$strategy_path$strategy_file$c_error' from '${c_notice}variable$c_error' of the file '$c_notice$system_cache_path$rule_path_base$rule_path_rule$rule_file$c_error'"
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  kit_log_message load strategy_names "fss_extended_read -o $strategy_path$strategy_file"
+  strategy_names=$(fss_extended_read -o $strategy_path$strategy_file)
+
+  if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+    kit_dynamic_error "Failed to load the strategy names from '$c_notice$strategy_path$strategy_file$c_error'"
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_dynamic_strategy_load() {
+  local name=$1
+  local c=0
+
+  strategy_length=
+  strategy_data=
+
+  kit_log_message load strategy_length "fss_extended_read -n $name -c 0 -t $strategy_path$strategy_file"
+  strategy_length=$(fss_extended_read -n $name -c 0 -t $strategy_path$strategy_file)
+
+  if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+    kit_dynamic_error "Failed to read the '$c_notice$name${c_error}' strategy data length from '$c_notice$strategy_path$strategy_file$c_error'"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $strategy_length) == "" || $strategy_length -eq 0 ]] ; then
+    return
+  fi
+
+  while [[ $c -lt $strategy_length ]] ; do
+    kit_log_message load "strategy_data[$c]" "fss_extended_read -n $name -c 0 -s $c $strategy_path$strategy_file"
+    strategy_data[$c]=$(fss_extended_read -n $name -c 0 -s $c $strategy_path$strategy_file)
+
+    if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+      kit_dynamic_error "Failed to read parameter '$c_notice$c${c_error}' of the '$c_notice$name${c_error}' strategy data from '$c_notice$strategy_path$strategy_file$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    let c++
+  done
+}
+
+kit_dynamic_sanitize() {
+  local variable=$1
+  local data=$2
+  local strategy_type=
+  local c=
+
+  sanitized=
+
+  if [[ ! $strategy_length -gt 0 ]] ; then
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  strategy_type=${strategy_data[0]}
+
+  if [[ $strategy_type == "directory" ]] ; then
+    sanitized=$(echo -n ${strategy_data[1]} | sed -e 's|/*$|/|' -e 's|^/+|/|')
+
+    return 0
+  elif [[ $strategy_type == "list" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $strategy_length -eq 1 ]] ; then
+      return 1
+    fi
+
+    let c=1
+
+    while [[ $c -lt $strategy_length ]] ; do
+      if [[ ${strategy_data[$c]} == $data ]] ; then
+        sanitized=$data
+        return 0
+      fi
+
+      let c++
+    done
+  fi
+
+  return 1
+}
+
+kit_dynamic_safe_expand() {
+  local v=$1
+  local o=
+  local format=
+  local c1=0
+  local t1=
+  local c2=0
+  local t2=
+  local safe=
+  local part=
+
+  expanded=
+
+  if [[ $type == "inline" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_format "$operation"
+
+    if [[ $format == "fss_basic" || $(standard_is_empty $line) == "" ]] ; then
+      line=$(echo "$line" | sed -e "s|\[<$name>]|$v|g")
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_dynamic_error "Failed to convert inline variable from '${c_notice}[<$name>]${c_error}' to '$c_notice$v$c_error'"
+      fi
+
+      return
+    fi
+
+    t1=$(echo "object $line" | fss_extended_read -c 0 -t -n object)
+
+    if [[ ! $t1 -gt 0 ]] ; then
+      return
+    fi
+
+    while [[ $c1 -lt $t1 ]] ; do
+      part=$(fss_extended_read -c 0 -s $c1)
+
+      if [[ $(fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+        kit_dynamic_error "Failed to load inline variable data at position '$c_notice$c1${c_error}' for expansion"
+      fi
+
+      part=$(echo "$part" | sed -e "s|\[{$name}]|$v|g")
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_dynamic_error "Failed to convert inline variable from '${c_notice}[{$name}]${c_error}' to '$c_notice$v$c_error'"
+      fi
+
+      safe=$(fss_extended_write -s -p "$part")
+
+      if [[ $(fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+        kit_dynamic_error "Failed to sanitize the converted inline variable part '$c_notice$part${c_error}'"
+      fi
+
+      expanded="$expanded$safe "
+
+      let c1++
+    done
+
+    line=$expanded
+    return
+  fi
+
+  t2=$(fss_extended_read -t $path$file)
+
+  if [[ ! $t2 -gt 0 ]] ; then
+    return
+  fi
+
+  while [[ $c2 -lt $t2 ]] ; do
+    o=$(fss_extended_read -c $c2 -o $path$file)
+    kit_operation_format "$o"
+
+    # FIXME: these sed commands will potentially fail if the resume file has any non-fss valid lines, FSS read and write functions need to support literal/exact line detection in addition to the usual relative line numbering.
+    if [[ $format == "fss_basic" ]] ; then
+      if [[ $type == "required" ]] ; then
+        sed -i -e "${c2}s|\[\[$name]]|$v|g" $path$file
+
+        if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+          kit_dynamic_error "Failed to convert required variable from '${c_notice}[[$name]]${c_error}' to '$c_notice$v$c_error' at line '$c_notice$c2${c_error}' of '$c_notice$path$file${c_error}'"
+        fi
+      elif [[ $type == "optional" ]] ; then
+        sed -i -e "${c2}s|\[<$name>]|$v|g" $path$file
+
+        if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+          kit_dynamic_error "Failed to convert optional variable from '${c_notice}[<$name>]${c_error}' to '$c_notice$v$c_error' at line '$c_notice$c2${c_error}' of '$c_notice$path$file${c_error}'"
+        fi
+      fi
+    elif [[ $format == "fss_extended" ]] ; then
+      # FIXME: looks like a bug in fss_*_read where -c 0 -t does not give the total for extended content of that line.., for now grab the object name and use it with -n to get the total
+      t1=$(fss_extended_read -c $c2 -t -n $o $path$file)
+      c1=0
+
+      if [[ ! $t1 -gt 0 ]] ; then
+        return
+      fi
+
+      while [[ $c1 -lt $t1 ]] ; do
+        part=$(fss_extended_read -c $c2 -s $c1 $path$file)
+
+        if [[ $(fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+          kit_dynamic_error "Failed to load $type variable data at position '$c_notice$c1${c_error}' of line '$c_notice$c2${c_error}' of '$c_notice$path$file${c_error}' for expansion"
+        fi
+
+        if [[ $type == "required" ]] ; then
+          part=$(echo "$part" | sed -e "s|\[\[$name]]|$v|g")
+        elif [[ $type == "optional" ]] ; then
+          part=$(echo "$part" | sed -e "s|\[<$name>]|$v|g")
+        fi
+
+        if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+          kit_dynamic_error "Failed to convert $type variable from '${c_notice}[{$name}]${c_error}' of line '$c_notice$c2${c_error}' of '$c_notice$path$file${c_error}' to '$c_notice$v$c_error'"
+        fi
+
+        safe=$(fss_extended_write -s -p "$part")
+
+        if [[ $(fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+          kit_dynamic_error "Failed to sanitize the converted $type variable part '$c_notice$part${c_error}' of line '$c_notice$c2${c_error}' of '$c_notice$path$file${c_error}'"
+        fi
+
+        expanded="$expanded$safe "
+
+        let c1++
+      done
+
+      sed -i -e "${c2}s|^.*$|$expanded|g" $path$file
+    fi
+
+    let c2++
+  done
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-fss b/sources/sh/kit-fss
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..d031a47
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-fss
@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+kit_fss_unset() {
+  unset kit_kit_has_fss_error
+  unset kit_fss_exit_on_error
+  unset kit_fss_read
+  unset kit_fss_read_path
+}
+
+
+kit_fss_has_error() {
+  local code=$?
+
+  fss_return_code -e $code
+
+  if [[ $? -eq 1 ]] ; then
+    echo -n $code
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_fss_exit_on_error() {
+  local return_code=$1
+  local message=$2
+
+  if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error $return_code) != "" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_error "$message"
+    cleanup_before_exit
+    exit -1
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_fss_read() {
+  local file=$1
+  local variable=$2
+  local list=$3
+  local name=$4
+  local count=$5
+  local select=$6
+  local data=
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $file) == "" || $(standard_is_empty $variable) == "" || $(standard_is_empty $list) == "" || $(standard_is_empty $count) == "" ]] ;then
+    kit_fss_exit_on_error $? "Invalid arguments passed to the '${c_notice}kit_fss_read$c_error' function while trying to process the file '$c_notice$file$c_error'"
+  elif [[ $name == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_log_message load variable "$variable" "fss_basic_list_read $file -n $list | fss_extended_read -o"
+    data=$(fss_basic_list_read $file -n $list | fss_extended_read -o)
+  elif [[ $select == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_log_message load variable "$variable" "fss_basic_list_read $file -n $list | fss_basic_read -c $count -n $name"
+    data=$(fss_basic_list_read $file -n $list | fss_basic_read -c $count -n $name)
+  else
+    kit_log_message load variable "$variable" "fss_basic_list_read $file -n $list | fss_extended_read -c $count -s $select -n $name"
+    data=$(fss_basic_list_read $file -n $list | fss_extended_read -c $count -s $select -n $name)
+  fi
+
+  kit_fss_exit_on_error $? "Failed to read '$c_notice${list}:$name${c_error}' data from '$c_notice$file$c_error'"
+  eval $variable=\$data
+}
+
+kit_fss_read_path() {
+  local file=$1
+  local variable=$2
+  local list=$3
+  local name=$4
+  local count=$5
+  local select=$6
+  local data=
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $file) == "" || $(standard_is_empty $variable) == "" || $(standard_is_empty $list) == "" || $(standard_is_empty $count) == "" ]] ;then
+    kit_fss_exit_on_error $? "Invalid arguments passed to the '${c_notice}kit_fss_read_path$c_error' function while trying to process the file '$c_notice$file$c_error'"
+  elif [[ $name == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_log_message load variable "$variable" "fss_basic_list_read $file -n $list | fss_extended_read -o | sed -e 's|/*$|/|'"
+    data=$(fss_basic_list_read $file -n $list | fss_extended_read -o | sed -e 's|/*$|/|')
+  elif [[ $select == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_log_message load variable "$variable" "fss_basic_list_read $file -n $list | fss_basic_read -c $count -n $name | sed -e 's|/*$|/|'"
+    data=$(fss_basic_list_read $file -n $list | fss_basic_read -c $count -n $name | sed -e 's|/*$|/|')
+  else
+    kit_log_message load variable "$variable" "fss_basic_list_read $file -n $list | fss_extended_read -c $count -s $select -n $name | sed -e 's|/*$|/|'"
+    data=$(fss_basic_list_read $file -n $list | fss_extended_read -c $count -s $select -n $name | sed -e 's|/*$|/|')
+  fi
+
+  kit_fss_exit_on_error $? "Failed to read '$c_notice${list}:$name${c_error}' data from '$c_notice$file$c_error'"
+  eval $variable=\$data
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-log b/sources/sh/kit-log
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..1fbcadb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-log
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+kit_log_unset() {
+  unset kit_log_section
+  unset kit_log_message
+  unset kit_log_message_raw
+}
+
+kit_log_section() {
+  if [[ ! -f $logs_path$logs_file ]] ; then
+    echo -e "# fss-0002\n" >> $logs_path$logs_file
+  fi
+
+  echo >> $logs_path$logs_file
+  echo "$(standard_datetimestamp_safe):" >> $logs_path$logs_file
+}
+
+kit_log_message() {
+  local count=2
+  local total=$#
+  local string=
+
+  if [[ ! -f $logs_path$logs_file ]] ; then
+    kit_log_section
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $total -eq 0 ]] ; then
+    echo >> $logs_path$logs_file
+  else
+    string=$(fss_extended_write -s -o "$1")
+    echo -n "  $string" >> $logs_path$logs_file
+
+    while [[ $count -le $total ]] ; do
+      string=$(fss_extended_write -p -s "${!count}")
+      echo -n "$string" >> $logs_path$logs_file
+
+      let count++
+    done
+
+    echo >> $logs_path$logs_file
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_log_message_raw() {
+  local total=$#
+
+  if [[ $total -eq 0 ]] ; then
+    echo >> $logs_path$logs_file
+  else
+    echo "  $arguments" >> $logs_path$logs_file
+  fi
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-message b/sources/sh/kit-message
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..30def67
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-message
@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+kit_message_unset() {
+  unset kit_message_log
+  unset kit_message_error
+  unset kit_message_warning
+  unset kit_message_highlight
+  unset kit_message_important
+  unset kit_message_shell
+  unset kit_message_operation
+  unset kit_message
+  unset kit_message_error_no_log
+  unset kit_message_warning_no_log
+  unset kit_message_highlight_no_log
+  unset kit_message_important_no_log
+  unset kit_message_help
+}
+
+kit_message_log() {
+  kit_log_message $1 "$(echo ${@:2} | sed -e 's|\\033\[[[:digit:]];[[:digit:]]*m||g' -e 's|\\033\[[[:digit:]]*m||g')"
+}
+
+kit_message_error() {
+  echo -e "${c_error}ERROR: $*$c_reset"
+
+  kit_message_log error "$*"
+}
+
+kit_message_warning() {
+  echo -e "${c_warning}WARNING: $*$c_reset"
+
+  kit_message_log warning "$*"
+}
+
+kit_message_highlight() {
+  echo -e "$c_highlight$*$c_reset"
+
+  kit_message_log message "$*"
+}
+
+kit_message_important() {
+  echo -e "$c_important$*$c_reset"
+
+  kit_message_log message "$*"
+}
+
+kit_message_shell() {
+  if [[ $verbose == "y" ]] ; then
+    echo -e "$c_important$*$c_reset"
+  fi
+
+  kit_message_log shell "$*"
+}
+
+kit_message_operation() {
+  kit_message_log operation "$*"
+}
+
+kit_message() {
+  echo -e "$*"
+
+  kit_message_log message "$*"
+}
+
+kit_message_error_no_log() {
+  echo -e "${c_error}ERROR: $*$c_reset"
+}
+
+kit_message_warning_no_log() {
+  echo -e "${c_warning}WARNING: $*$c_reset"
+}
+
+kit_message_highlight_no_log() {
+  echo -e "$c_highlight$*$c_reset"
+}
+
+kit_message_important_no_log() {
+  echo -e "$c_important$*$c_reset"
+}
+
+kit_message_help() {
+  standard_help_title
+  echo -e "$c_highlight$system_name$c_reset $c_notice<${c_reset}operations$c_notice>$c_reset $c_notice[${c_reset}targets$c_notice]$c_reset $c_notice[${c_reset}options$c_notice]$c_reset"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}install${c_reset}    Add a new package to the system"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}procedure${c_reset}  Process a procedure on the system"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}alter${c_reset}      Upgrade/Downgrade/Reinstall an existing target on the system"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}uninstall${c_reset}  Remove a package from the system"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}update${c_reset}     Obtain the latest information for a given repository"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}reset${c_reset}      Forcibly reset all local changes made to a given repository"
+  echo
+  standard_help_options
+  echo -e " -${c_important}u${c_reset}, --${c_important}url${c_reset}                Alter url-specific options"
+  echo -e " -${c_important}d${c_reset}, --${c_important}distribution${c_reset}       Alter distribution-specific options"
+  echo -e " -${c_important}t${c_reset}, --${c_important}target${c_reset}             Alter target-specific options"
+  echo -e " -${c_important}c${c_reset}, --${c_important}cache${c_reset}              Local cache directory (i.e: /home/kit/)"
+  echo -e " -${c_important}r${c_reset}, --${c_important}resume${c_reset}             Resume from a previous instance"
+  echo -e " -${c_important}a${c_reset}, --${c_important}action${c_reset}             Specify a specific action, see below"
+  echo -e " -${c_important}s${c_reset}, --${c_important}settings${c_reset}           Change the settings path (i.e: /etc/kit)"
+  echo -e " -${c_important}v${c_reset}, --${c_important}verbose${c_reset}            Display additional information while running"
+  echo -e " -${c_important}b${c_reset}, --${c_important}installation_base${c_reset}  Override the base path of the system"
+  echo -e " +${c_important}c${c_reset}, ++${c_important}cleanup${c_reset}            Do not delete files after execution"
+  echo
+  echo -e "${c_highlight}Url Options:$c_reset"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}git${c_reset}  Entire remote repository url (i.e: git://packages.kevux/)"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}web${c_reset}  Entire remote web url (i.e: https://packages.kevux/)"
+  echo
+  echo -e "${c_highlight}Distribution Options:$c_reset"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}name${c_reset}     Distribution name (i.e: turtle)"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}version${c_reset}  Distribution version (i.e: 0.9)"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}flavor${c_reset}   Distribution flavor (i.e: core)"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}branch${c_reset}   Distribution flavor branch (i.e: master)"
+  echo
+  echo -e "${c_highlight}Target Options:$c_reset"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}type${c_reset}  Specify a type of a target to operate on (i.e: source)"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}what${c_reset}  Specify a group of parts of a target to operate on (i.e: runtime)"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}huh${c_reset}   What part of the target to operate on (i.e: kernel)"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}oh${c_reset}    What sub-part of the target to operate on (i.e: main)"
+  echo
+  echo -e "${c_highlight}Action Options for Alter Command:$c_reset" # TODO: consider making these actions available to the procedure operation
+  echo -e " ${c_important}upgrade${c_reset}    Only install the package if it is an newer version (default)"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}downgrade${c_reset}  Only install the package if it is an older version"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}force${c_reset}      Always install the package"
+  echo
+  echo -e "${c_highlight}Types of Targets:$c_reset"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}package${c_reset}    Something that can be added, altered, or removed"
+  echo -e " ${c_important}procedure${c_reset}  A series of operations to perform"
+  echo
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-operation b/sources/sh/kit-operation
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..45cbb41
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-operation
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# This contains all functions shared between the different kit operation scripts.
+
+kit_operation_unset() {
+  unset kit_operation_error
+  unset kit_operation_message
+  unset kit_operation_format
+}
+
+kit_operation_error() {
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $operation) != "" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_error_no_log "Operation $c_notice$operation$c_error on line #$c_notice$line_number$c_error from '$c_notice$resume_rule_path$resume_rule_file$c_error':$c_reset\n  ${c_error}$line"
+  fi
+
+  kit_message_error "$*"
+
+  cleanup_before_exit
+  exit -5
+}
+
+kit_operation_warning() {
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $operation) != "" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_warning_no_log "Operation $c_notice$operation$c_warning on line #$c_notice$line_number$c_warning from '$c_notice$resume_rule_path$resume_rule_file$c_warning':$c_reset\n  ${c_warning}$line"
+  fi
+
+  kit_message_warning "$*"
+}
+
+kit_operation_message() {
+  kit_log_message message "Now processing line #$line_number of $resume_rule_path$resume_rule_file, $operation operation"
+
+  kit_message_operation "$operation" "$line"
+}
+
+kit_operation_format() {
+  local operation=$1
+
+  format=fss_extended
+
+  if [[ $operation == "shell" ]] ; then
+    format=fss_basic
+  fi
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-operation-access b/sources/sh/kit-operation-access
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..191c54f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-operation-access
@@ -0,0 +1,170 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# the access operation saves the access control list variable settings so that the access permission may be applied in subsequent file, directory, or library operations.
+# with this operation, file and directory permissions are store in separate variables and only get applied for their appropriate type.
+#
+# arguments
+#   type:
+#     - this designates what category the permission belongs under.
+#     - can be one of the following: file, directory, both.
+#   name:
+#     - this is name used to represent the permission.
+#     - this is a reference to the actual permissions in the appropriate settings.permissions file either on the local system settings or in the distribution settings.
+
+kit_operation_access_unset() {
+  unset kit_operation_access_apply
+  unset kit_operation_access_resume
+  unset kit_operation_access
+}
+
+kit_operation_access_apply() {
+  local type=$1
+  local filepath=$2
+  local recursive=$(echo "${@:3}" | grep -s -o "\<recursive\>")
+  local dereference=$(echo "${@:3}" | grep -s -o "\<dereference\>")
+  local permission=
+  local filepaths=
+  local i=
+
+  if [[ $type == "file" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $permission_access_file == "none" ]] ; then
+      return
+    fi
+
+    get_permissions_data access_file "$permission_access_file"
+
+    if [[ $(standard_is_empty $permission) == "" ]] ; then
+      return
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $(standard_is_empty $recursive) == "" ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "chacl $permission $filepath"
+      chacl $permission $filepath
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to set access '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the file '$c_notice$filepath$c_error'"
+      fi
+    else
+      kit_message_shell "chacl -R $permission $filepath"
+      chacl -R $permission $filepath
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to set access '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the files at '$c_notice$filepath$c_error'"
+      fi
+    fi
+  elif [[ $type == "directory" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $permission_access_directory == "none" ]] ; then
+      return
+    fi
+
+    get_permissions_data access_directory "$permission_access_directory"
+
+    if [[ $(standard_is_empty $permission) == "" ]] ; then
+      return
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $(standard_is_empty $recursive) == "" ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "chacl $permission $filepath"
+      chacl $permission $filepath
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to set access '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the directory '$c_notice$filepath$c_error'"
+      fi
+    else
+      kit_message_shell "chacl -R $permission $filepath"
+      chacl -R $permission $filepath
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to set access '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the files at '$c_notice$filepath$c_error'"
+      fi
+    fi
+  elif [[ $type == "both" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $permission_access_file != "none" ]] ; then
+      get_permissions_data access_file "$permission_access_file"
+
+      if [[ $(standard_is_empty $permission) != "" ]] ; then
+        filepaths=$(find $filepath -type f)
+
+        for i in $filepaths ; do
+          kit_message_shell "chacl $permission $i"
+          chacl $permission $i
+
+          if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+            kit_operation_error "Failed to set access '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the file '$c_notice$i$c_error'"
+          fi
+        done
+      fi
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $permission_access_directory != "none" ]] ; then
+      get_permissions_data access_directory "$permission_access_directory"
+
+      if [[ $(standard_is_empty $permission) != "" ]] ; then
+        filepaths=$(find $filepath -type d)
+
+        for i in $filepaths ; do
+          kit_message_shell "chacl $permission $i"
+          chacl $permission $i
+
+          if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+            kit_operation_error "Failed to set access '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the directory '$c_notice$i$c_error'"
+          fi
+        done
+      fi
+    fi
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_operation_access_resume() {
+  local name=
+  local line=
+
+  if [[ $(fss_basic_read -t -n permission_access_directory $resume_path$resume_file) -gt 0 ]] ; then
+    line=$(fss_basic_read -n permission_access_directory -c 0 $resume_path$resume_file)
+
+    if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Error while processing the access data '${c_notice}permission_access_directory$c_error' from the resume file '$c_notice$resume_path$resume_file$c_error', cannot resume"
+    fi
+
+    permission_access_directory=$line
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(fss_basic_read -t -n permission_access_file $resume_path$resume_file) -gt 0 ]] ; then
+    line=$(fss_basic_read -n permission_access_file -c 0 $resume_path$resume_file)
+
+    if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Error while processing the access data '${c_notice}permission_access_file$c_error' from the resume file '$c_notice$resume_path$resume_file$c_error', cannot resume"
+    fi
+
+    permission_access_file=$line
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_operation_access() {
+  local type=
+  local name=
+
+  # operation controls
+  local parent=$parent-$self
+  local self=operation
+
+  kit_operation_message
+
+  type=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 0)
+  name=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 1)
+
+  if [[ $type != "file" && $type != "directory" && $type != "both" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "For the '$c_notice$operation$c_error' operation, the '${c_notice}type$c_error' parameter can only be one of: file, directory, or both"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $name) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "The '${c_notice}name$c_error' parameter for the '$c_notice$operation$c_error' operation is missing"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $type == "directory" || $type == "both" ]] ; then
+    permission_access_directory=$name
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $type == "file" || $type == "both" ]] ; then
+    permission_access_file=$name
+  fi
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-operation-attribute b/sources/sh/kit-operation-attribute
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..4aa7fb2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-operation-attribute
@@ -0,0 +1,170 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# the attribute operation saves the attribute variable settings so that the file attributes may be applied in subsequent file, directory, or library operations.
+# with this operation, file and directory permissions are store in separate variables and only get applied for their appropriate type.
+#
+# arguments
+#   type:
+#     - this designates what category the permission belongs under.
+#     - can be one of the following: file, directory, both.
+#   name:
+#     - this is name used to represent the permission.
+#     - this is a reference to the actual permissions in the appropriate settings.permissions file either on the local system settings or in the distribution settings.
+
+kit_operation_attribute_unset() {
+  unset kit_operation_attribute_apply
+  unset kit_operation_attribute_resume
+  unset kit_operation_attribute
+}
+
+kit_operation_attribute_apply() {
+  local type=$1
+  local filepath=$2
+  local recursive=$(echo "${@:3}" | grep -s -o "\<recursive\>")
+  local dereference=$(echo "${@:3}" | grep -s -o "\<dereference\>")
+  local permission=
+  local filepaths=
+  local i=
+
+  if [[ $type == "file" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $permission_attribute_file == "none" ]] ; then
+      return
+    fi
+
+    kit_permission_get attr_file "$permission_attribute_file"
+
+    if [[ $(standard_is_empty $permission) == "" ]] ; then
+      return
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $(standard_is_empty $recursive) == "" ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "chattr $permission $filepath"
+      chattr $permission $filepath
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to set attributes '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the file '$c_notice$filepath$c_error'"
+      fi
+    else
+      kit_message_shell "chattr -R $permission $filepath"
+      chattr -R $permission $filepath
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to set attributes '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the files at '$c_notice$filepath$c_error'"
+      fi
+    fi
+  elif [[ $type == "directory" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $permission_attribute_directory == "none" ]] ; then
+      return
+    fi
+
+    kit_permission_get attr_directory "$permission_attribute_directory"
+
+    if [[ $(standard_is_empty $permission) == "" ]] ; then
+      return
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $(standard_is_empty $recursive) == "" ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "chattr $permission $filepath"
+      chattr $permission $filepath
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to set attributes '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the directory '$c_notice$filepath$c_error'"
+      fi
+    else
+      kit_message_shell "chattr -R $permission $filepath"
+      chattr -R $permission $filepath
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to set attributes '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the files at '$c_notice$filepath$c_error'"
+      fi
+    fi
+  elif [[ $type == "both" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $permission_attribute_file != "none" ]] ; then
+      kit_permission_get attr_file "$permission_attribute_file"
+
+      if [[ $(standard_is_empty $permission) != "" ]] ; then
+        filepaths=$(find $filepath -type f)
+
+        for i in $filepaths ; do
+          kit_message_shell "chattr $permission $i"
+          chattr $permission $i
+
+          if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+            kit_operation_error "Failed to set attributes '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the file '$c_notice$i$c_error'"
+          fi
+        done
+      fi
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $permission_attribute_directory != "none" ]] ; then
+      kit_permission_get attr_directory "$permission_attribute_directory"
+
+      if [[ $(standard_is_empty $permission) != "" ]] ; then
+        filepaths=$(find $filepath -type d)
+
+        for i in $filepaths ; do
+          kit_message_shell "chattr $permission $i"
+          chattr $permission $i
+
+          if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+            kit_operation_error "Failed to set attributes '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the directory '$c_notice$i$c_error'"
+          fi
+        done
+      fi
+    fi
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_operation_attribute_resume() {
+  local name=
+  local line=
+
+  if [[ $(fss_basic_read -t -n permission_attribute_directory $resume_path$resume_file) -gt 0 ]] ; then
+    line=$(fss_basic_read -n permission_attribute_directory -c 0 $resume_path$resume_file)
+
+    if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Error while processing the attribute data '${c_notice}permission_attribute_directory$c_error' from the resume file '$c_notice$resume_path$resume_file$c_error', cannot resume"
+    fi
+
+    permission_attribute_directory=$line
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(fss_basic_read -t -n permission_attribute_file $resume_path$resume_file) -gt 0 ]] ; then
+    line=$(fss_basic_read -n permission_attribute_file -c 0 $resume_path$resume_file)
+
+    if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Error while processing the attribute data '${c_notice}permission_attribute_file$c_error' from the resume file '$c_notice$resume_path$resume_file$c_error', cannot resume"
+    fi
+
+    permission_attribute_file=$line
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_operation_attribute() {
+  local type=
+  local name=
+
+  # operation controls
+  local parent=$parent-$self
+  local self=operation
+
+  kit_operation_message
+
+  type=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 0)
+  name=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 1)
+
+  if [[ $type != "file" && $type != "directory" && $type != "both" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "For the '$c_notice$operation$c_error' operation, the '${c_notice}type$c_error' parameter can only be one of: file, directory, or both"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $name) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "The '${c_notice}name$c_error' parameter for the '$c_notice$operation$c_error' operation is missing"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $type == "directory" || $type == "both" ]] ; then
+    permission_attribute_directory=$name
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $type == "file" || $type == "both" ]] ; then
+    permission_attribute_file=$name
+  fi
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-operation-directory b/sources/sh/kit-operation-directory
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..2f287d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-operation-directory
@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# There are different variants of the file operation: directory, directory_dereference.
+#
+# Operation 'directory':
+# - Installs a file without any special considerations.
+# - This will install symbolic links as symbolic links.
+#
+# Operation 'directory_dereference':
+# - Installs a directory, but dereferences all symbolic links, so symbolic links do not get copied and instead the actual files get copied.
+#
+# Arguments:
+#   name:
+#   - the name of the directory to install.
+#   - this is the name the directory is installed as.
+#   destination:
+#   - the directory name in which the directory will be installed to.
+#   source (conditionally optional):
+#   - if omitted, then the directory is created an not copied.
+#   - can only be ommitted for directory operation.
+#   - this is either the source directory or source file.
+#   - if it is a directory, then the file name is derived from the name argument above.
+#   source_name (optional):
+#   - The name of the directory in the source path if the name the directory is installed as is different than it is copied from.
+
+kit_operation_directory_unset() {
+  unset kit_operation_directory
+}
+
+kit_operation_directory() {
+  local name=
+  local destination=
+  local source=
+  local source_name=
+  local library_source=
+  local library_medium=
+  local filepath=
+  local dereference=
+
+  # operation controls
+  local parent=$parent-$self
+  local self=operation
+
+  kit_operation_message
+
+  name=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 0)
+  destination=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 1)
+  source=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 2)
+  source_name=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 3)
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $name) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "Missing file name"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $destination) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "Missing destination path"
+  fi
+
+  destination=$(echo $destination | sed -e 's|/*$|/|' -e 's|/*$|/|')
+
+  if [[ $operation == "directory_dereference" ]] ; then
+    dereference="dereference"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $source) == "" ]] ; then
+    if [[ ! -f $installation_base$destination$name ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "mkdir -p $installation_base$destination$name"
+      mkdir -p $installation_base$destination$name
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to create the directory '$c_notice$installation_base$destination$name$c_error'"
+      fi
+
+      kit_operation_attribute_apply directory "$installation_base$destination$name" $dereference
+      kit_operation_group_apply "$installation_base$destination$name" $dereference
+      kit_operation_mode_apply directory "$installation_base$destination$name" $dereference
+      #kit_operation_acess_apply directory "$installation_base$destination$name" $dereference
+    fi
+  else
+    source=$(echo $source | sed -e 's|/*$|/|' -e 's|/*$|/|')
+
+    if [[ $(standard_is_empty $source_name) == "" ]] ; then
+      filepath=$source
+    else
+      filepath=$source$source_name
+    fi
+
+    if [[ ! -d $filepath ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Directory path '$c_notice$filepath$c_error' is not a valid directory"
+    fi
+
+    kit_operation_attribute_apply both "$installation_base$filepath" $dereference
+    kit_operation_group_apply "$installation_base$filepath" $dereference
+    kit_operation_mode_apply both "$installation_base$filepath" $dereference
+    #kit_operation_acess_apply both "$installation_base$filepath" $dereference
+
+    if [[ $operation == "directory" ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "cp -faR $filepath $installation_base$destination$name"
+      cp -faR $filepath $installation_base$destination$name
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to install the directory '$c_notice$filepath$c_error' to '$c_notice$installation_base$destination$name$c_error'"
+      fi
+    elif [[ $operation == "directory_dereference" ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "cp -faLR $filepath $installation_base$destination$name"
+      cp -faLR $filepath $installation_base$destination$name
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to install the directory '$c_notice$filepath$c_error' to '$c_notice$installation_base$destination$name$c_error'"
+      fi
+    fi
+  fi
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-operation-file b/sources/sh/kit-operation-file
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..0542f13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-operation-file
@@ -0,0 +1,156 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# There are different variants of the file operation: file, file_dereference, file_safe, file_new, file_new_dereference, executable, executable_dereference, and executable_safe.
+#
+# Operation 'file':
+# - Installs a file without any special considerations.
+# - This will install symbolic links as symbolic links.
+#
+# Operation 'file_new':
+# - Identical to operation file, except files are only copied if a file does not already exist at the destination path.
+#
+# Operation 'file_dereference':
+# - Installs a file, but dereferences all symbolic links, so symbolic links do not get copied and instead the actual files get copied.
+#
+# Operation 'file_new_dereference':
+# - Identical to operation file_dereference, except files are only copied if a file does not already exist at the destination path.
+#
+# Operation 'file_safe':
+# - Installs a file, but a backup is made.
+# - This must and only should be used for files that are being used by the installer.
+# - This prevents the installer from crashing when the installer or files used by the installer get replaced during the runtime of the installer.
+#
+# Operations 'executable', 'executable_dereference', 'executable_safe':
+# - These are identical to the file equivalents, except they conditionally get stripped.
+#
+# Arguments:
+#   name:
+#   - the name of the file to install.
+#   - this is the name the file is installed as.
+#   destination:
+#   - the directory name in which the file will be installed to.
+#   source (conditionally optional):
+#   - if omitted, then the file is created an not copied.
+#   - can only be ommitted for file operation.
+#   - this is either the source directory or source file.
+#   - if it is a directory, then the file name is derived from the name argument above.
+
+kit_operation_file_unset() {
+  unset kit_operation_file
+}
+
+kit_operation_file() {
+  local name=
+  local destination=
+  local source=
+  local library_source=
+  local library_medium=
+  local filepath=
+  local dereference=
+
+  # operation controls
+  local parent=$parent-$self
+  local self=operation
+
+  kit_operation_message
+
+  name=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 0)
+  destination=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 1)
+  source=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 2)
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $name) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "Missing file name"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $destination) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "Missing destination path"
+  fi
+
+  destination=$(echo $destination | sed -e 's|/*$|/|' -e 's|/*$|/|')
+
+  if [[ ! -d $destination ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "Destination path '$c_notice$destination$c_error' is not a valid directory"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $operation == "file_dereference" || $operation == "executable_dereference" ]] ; then
+    dereference="dereference"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $source) == "" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $operation == "file_dereference" || $operation == "file_new_dereference" || $operation == "file_safe" || $operation == "executable" || $operation == "executable_dereference" || $operation == "executable_safe" ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Cannot use the '$c_notice$operation$c_error' operation without specifying a source file"
+    fi
+
+    if [[ ! -f $installation_base$destination$name ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "touch $installation_base$destination$name"
+      touch $installation_base$destination$name
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to create the file '$c_notice$installation_base$destination$name$c_error'"
+      fi
+
+      kit_operation_attribute_apply file "$installation_base$destination$name" $dereference
+      kit_operation_group_apply "$installation_base$destination$name" $dereference
+      kit_operation_mode_apply file "$installation_base$destination$name" $dereference
+      #kit_operation_acess_apply file "$installation_base$destination$name" $dereference
+    fi
+  else
+    if [[ -d $source ]] ; then
+      source=$(echo $source | sed -e 's|/*$|/|' -e 's|/*$|/|')
+      filepath=$source$name
+    else
+      filepath=$source
+    fi
+
+    if [[ ! -f $filepath ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Source path '$c_notice$filepath$c_error' is not a valid filepath"
+    fi
+
+    # do nothing if file already exists for *_new commands
+    if [[ $operation == "file_new" || $operation == "file_new_dereference" ]] ; then
+      if [[ -f "$installation_base$destination$name" ]] ; then
+        return
+      fi
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $operation == "executable" || $operation == "executable_dereference" || $operation == "executable_safe" ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_strip_apply executable "$filepath"
+    fi
+
+    kit_operation_attribute_apply file "$installation_base$filepath" $dereference
+    kit_operation_group_apply "$installation_base$filepath" $dereference
+    kit_operation_mode_apply file "$installation_base$filepath" $dereference
+    #kit_operation_acess_apply both "$installation_base$filepath" $dereference
+
+    if [[ $operation == "file" || $operation == "file_new" || $operation == "executable" ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "cp -fa $filepath $installation_base$destination$name"
+      cp -fa $filepath $installation_base$destination$name
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to install the file '$c_notice$filepath$c_error' to '$c_notice$installation_base$destination$name$c_error'"
+      fi
+    elif [[ $operation == "file_dereference" || $operation == "file_new_dereference" || $operation == "executable_dereference" ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "cp -faLf $filepath $installation_base$destination$name"
+      cp -faLf $filepath $installation_base$destination$name
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to install the file '$c_notice$filepath$c_error' to '$c_notice$installation_base$destination$name$c_error'"
+      fi
+    elif [[ $operation == "file_safe" || $operation == "executable_safe" ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "cp -fa --backup=simple --suffix=~ $filepath $installation_base$destination$name"
+      cp -fa --backup=simple --suffix=~ $filepath $installation_base$destination$name
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to install the file '$c_notice$filepath$c_error' to '$c_notice$installation_base$destination$name$c_error'"
+      fi
+
+      if [[ -f $installation_base$part2$part1${part3}~ ]] ; then
+        kit_message_shell "rm -f $installation_base$destination$name~"
+        rm -f $installation_base$destination$name~
+
+        if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+          kit_operation_warning "Failed to remove the backup file '$c_notice$installation_base$destination$name~$c_error'"
+        fi
+      fi
+    fi
+  fi
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-operation-group b/sources/sh/kit-operation-group
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..679f219
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-operation-group
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# the group operation saves the group variable settings so that the group may be applied in subsequent file, directory, or library operations.
+#
+# arguments
+#   type:
+#     - this designates what category the permission belongs under.
+#     - this is a reference to the list object name in the appropriate settings.permissions file either on the local system settings or in the distribution settings.
+#   name:
+#     - this is name used to represent the permission.
+#     - this is a reference to the actual permissions in the appropriate settings.permissions file either on the local system settings or in the distribution settings.
+
+kit_operation_group_unset() {
+  unset kit_operation_group_apply
+  unset kit_operation_group_resume
+  unset kit_operation_group
+}
+
+kit_operation_group_apply() {
+  local filepath=$1
+  local recursive=$(echo "${@:2}" | grep -s -o "\<recursive\>")
+  local dereference=$(echo "${@:2}" | grep -s -o "\<dereference\>")
+  local permission=
+
+  if [[ $permission_group_type == "none" ]] ; then
+    return
+  fi
+
+  kit_permission_get "$permission_group_type" "$permission_group_name"
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $permission) == "" ]] ; then
+    return
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $recursive) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_shell "chgrp $permission $filepath"
+    chgrp $permission $filepath
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Failed to set group '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the file '$c_notice$filepath$c_error'"
+    fi
+  else
+    kit_message_shell "chgrp -R $permission $filepath"
+    chgrp -R $permission $filepath
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Failed to set group '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the files at '$c_notice$filepath$c_error'"
+    fi
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_operation_group_resume() {
+  local name=
+  local line=
+
+  if [[ $(fss_basic_read -t -n permission_group_type $resume_path$resume_file) -gt 0 ]] ; then
+    line=$(fss_basic_read -n permission_group_type -c 0 $resume_path$resume_file)
+
+    if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Error while processing the group data '${c_notice}permission_group_type$c_error' from the resume file '$c_notice$resume_path$resume_file$c_error', cannot resume"
+    fi
+
+    permission_group_type=$line
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(fss_basic_read -t -n permission_group_name $resume_path$resume_file) -gt 0 ]] ; then
+    line=$(fss_basic_read -n permission_group_name -c 0 $resume_path$resume_file)
+
+    if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Error while processing the group data '${c_notice}permission_group_name$c_error' from the resume file '$c_notice$resume_path$resume_file$c_error', cannot resume"
+    fi
+
+    permission_group_name=$line
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_operation_group() {
+  local type=
+  local name=
+
+  # operation controls
+  local parent=$parent-$self
+  local self=operation
+
+  kit_operation_message
+
+  type=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 0)
+  name=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 1)
+
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $type) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "The '${c_notice}type$c_error' parameter for the '$c_notice$operation$c_error' operation is missing"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $name) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "The '${c_notice}name$c_error' parameter for the '$c_notice$operation$c_error' operation is missing"
+  fi
+
+  permission_group_type=$type
+  permission_group_name=$name
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-operation-library b/sources/sh/kit-operation-library
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..06eb7f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-operation-library
@@ -0,0 +1,140 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# the library installs a library file.
+# while installing, it handles stripping, settings permissions, and even symbolic linkage for shared libraries.
+#
+# arguments:
+#   type:
+#   - the type of the library to install, can be: static, dynamic, or binutils
+#     - binutils: the non-standard dynamic library that is common amongst a handfull of the older GNU projects.
+#     - dynamic: standard shared library, produces 3 files, for eample: libexample.so, libexample.so.1, libexample.so.1.0.0.
+#     - static: standard static library, ends in .a, for example: libexample.a.
+#     - module: a dynamic library whose naming system is commonly used for dynamic loaded modules, for example: example.so.
+#   name:
+#   - the name of the library, without extensions, such as 'libexample' (as opposed to 'libexample.so' or 'libexample.a').
+#   - this is the name the library is installed as.
+#   destination:
+#   - this is the destination path.
+#   - this must be a directory and not a file.
+#   source:
+#   - this is either the source directory or source file.
+#   - if it is a directory, then the file name is derived from the name argument above.
+#
+
+kit_operation_library_unset() {
+  unset kit_operation_library
+}
+
+kit_operation_library() {
+  local type=
+  local name=
+  local destination=
+  local source=
+  local library_source=
+  local library_medium=
+
+  # operation controls
+  local parent=$parent-$self
+  local self=operation
+
+  kit_operation_message
+
+  type=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 0)
+  name=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 1)
+  destination=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 2)
+  source=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 3)
+
+  if [[ $type != "static" && $type != "dynamic" && $type != "module" && $type != "binutils" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "Invalid type, must be one of: static, dynamic, module, or binutils"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $name) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "Missing library name"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $destination) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "Missing destination path"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $source) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "Missing source path"
+  fi
+
+  destination=$(echo $destination | sed -e 's|/*$|/|' -e 's|/*$|/|')
+  source=$(echo $source | sed -e 's|/*$|/|' -e 's|/*$|/|')
+
+  if [[ ! -d $destination ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "Destination path '$c_notice$destination$c_error' is not a valid directory"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ ! -d $source ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "Source path '$c_notice$source$c_error' is not a valid directory"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $type == "static" ]] ; then
+    library_source="${name}.a"
+  elif [[ $type == "dynamic" ]] ; then
+    library_source=$(find $source -maxdepth 1 -name "${name}.so*" -type f | line)
+
+    if [[ $(standard_is_empty $library_source) == "" ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Failed to find the library '$c_notice$source${name}.so$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    library_medium=$(echo $library_source | grep -s -o "${name}\.so\.[^.]*")
+    library_source=$(echo $library_source | grep -s -o "${name}\.so\..*$")
+  elif [[ $type == "module" ]] ; then
+    library_source="${name}.so"
+
+    if [[ ! -f $source$library_source ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Failed to find the library '$c_notice$source$library_source$c_error'"
+    fi
+  elif [[ $type == "binutils" ]] ; then
+    library_source=$(find $source -maxdepth 1 -name "${name}-${package_version}.so" -type f | line)
+
+    if [[ $(standard_is_empty $library_source) == "" ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Failed to find the library '$c_notice$source${name}-${package_version}.so$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    library_source="${name}-${package_version}.so"
+  fi
+
+  kit_operation_strip_apply library "$source$library_source"
+  kit_operation_attribute_apply file "$source$library_source"
+  kit_operation_group_apply "$source$library_source"
+  kit_operation_mode_apply file "$source$library_source"
+  #kit_operation_acess_apply file "$source$library_source"
+
+  kit_message_shell "cp --backup=simple --suffix=~ -a $source$library_source $installation_base$destination"
+  cp --backup=simple --suffix=~ -a $source$library_source $installation_base$destination
+
+  if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "Failed to copy the library '$c_notice$source$library_source$c_error' to '$c_notice$installation_base$destination$c_error'"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ -f $installation_base$destination${library_source}~ ]] ; then
+    kit_message_shell "rm -f $installation_base$destination${library_source}~"
+    rm -f $installation_base$destination${library_source}~
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $type == "dynamic" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_shell "ln -sf $library_source $installation_base$destination${library_medium}"
+    ln -sf $library_source $installation_base$destination${library_medium}
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Failed to create a symbolic link of '$c_notice$library_medium$c_error' to '$c_notice$library_source$c_error' at the path '$c_notice$installation_base$destination$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "ln -sf $library_medium $installation_base$destination${name}.so"
+    ln -sf $library_medium $installation_base$destination${name}.so
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Failed to create a symbolic link of '$c_notice${name}.so$c_error' to '$c_notice$library_medium$c_error' at the path '$c_notice$installation_base$destination$c_error'"
+    fi
+  elif [[ $type == "binutils" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_shell "ln -sf $library_source $installation_base$destination${name}.so"
+    ln -sf $library_source $installation_base$destination${name}.so
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Failed to create a symbolic link of '$c_notice${name}.so$c_error' to '$c_notice$library_source$c_error' at the path '$c_notice$installation_base$destination$c_error'"
+    fi
+  fi
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-operation-mode b/sources/sh/kit-operation-mode
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..670a3f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-operation-mode
@@ -0,0 +1,169 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# the mode operation saves the mode variable settings so that the file mode may be applied in subsequent file, directory, or library operations.
+# with this operation, file and directory permissions are store in separate variables and only get applied for their appropriate type.
+#
+# arguments
+#   tyoe:
+#     - this designates what category the permission belongs under.
+#     - can be one of the following: file, directory, both.
+#   name:
+#     - this is name used to represent the permission.
+#     - this is a reference to the actual permissions in the appropriate settings.permissions file either on the local system settings or in the distribution settings.
+
+kit_operation_mode_unset() {
+  unset kit_operation_mode_apply
+  unset kit_operation_mode_resume
+  unset kit_operation_mode
+}
+
+kit_operation_mode_apply() {
+  local type=$1
+  local filepath=$2
+  local recursive=$3
+  local permission=
+  local filepaths=
+  local i=
+
+  if [[ $type == "file" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $permission_mode_file == "none" ]] ; then
+      return
+    fi
+
+    kit_permission_get mode_file "$permission_mode_file"
+
+    if [[ $(standard_is_empty $permission) == "" ]] ; then
+      return
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $(standard_is_empty $recursive) == "" ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "chmod $permission $filepath"
+      chmod $permission $filepath
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to set mode '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the file '$c_notice$filepath$c_error'"
+      fi
+    else
+      kit_message_shell "chmod -R $permission $filepath"
+      chmod -R $permission $filepath
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to set mode '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the files at '$c_notice$filepath$c_error'"
+      fi
+    fi
+  elif [[ $type == "directory" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $permission_mode_directory == "none" ]] ; then
+      return
+    fi
+
+    kit_permission_get mode_directory "$permission_mode_directory"
+
+    if [[ $(standard_is_empty $permission) == "" ]] ; then
+      return
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $(standard_is_empty $recursive) == "" ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "chmod $permission $filepath"
+      chmod $permission $filepath
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to set mode '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the directory '$c_notice$filepath$c_error'"
+      fi
+    else
+      kit_message_shell "chmod -R $permission $filepath"
+      chmod -R $permission $filepath
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to set mode '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the files at '$c_notice$filepath$c_error'"
+      fi
+    fi
+  elif [[ $type == "both" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $permission_mode_file != "none" ]] ; then
+      kit_permission_get mode_file "$permission_mode_file"
+
+      if [[ $(standard_is_empty $permission) != "" ]] ; then
+        filepaths=$(find $filepath -type f)
+
+        for i in $filepaths ; do
+          kit_message_shell "chmod $permission $i"
+          chmod $permission $i
+
+          if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+            kit_operation_error "Failed to set mode '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the file '$c_notice$i$c_error'"
+          fi
+        done
+      fi
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $permission_mode_directory != "none" ]] ; then
+      kit_permission_get mode_directory "$permission_mode_directory"
+
+      if [[ $(standard_is_empty $permission) != "" ]] ; then
+        filepaths=$(find $filepath -type d)
+
+        for i in $filepaths ; do
+          kit_message_shell "chmod $permission $i"
+          chmod $permission $i
+
+          if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+            kit_operation_error "Failed to set mode '$c_notice$permission$c_error' on the directory '$c_notice$i$c_error'"
+          fi
+        done
+      fi
+    fi
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_operation_mode_resume() {
+  local name=
+  local line=
+
+  if [[ $(fss_basic_read -t -n permission_mode_directory $resume_path$resume_file) -gt 0 ]] ; then
+    line=$(fss_basic_read -n permission_mode_directory -c 0 $resume_path$resume_file)
+
+    if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Error while processing the mode data '${c_notice}permission_mode_directory$c_error' from the resume file '$c_notice$resume_path$resume_file$c_error', cannot resume"
+    fi
+
+    permission_mode_directory=$line
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(fss_basic_read -t -n permission_mode_file $resume_path$resume_file) -gt 0 ]] ; then
+    line=$(fss_basic_read -n permission_mode_file -c 0 $resume_path$resume_file)
+
+    if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Error while processing the mode data '${c_notice}permission_mode_file$c_error' from the resume file '$c_notice$resume_path$resume_file$c_error', cannot resume"
+    fi
+
+    permission_mode_file=$line
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_operation_mode() {
+  local type=
+  local name=
+
+  # operation controls
+  local parent=$parent-$self
+  local self=operation
+
+  kit_operation_message
+
+  type=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 0)
+  name=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 1)
+
+  if [[ $type != "file" && $type != "directory" && $type != "both" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "For the '$c_notice$operation$c_error' operation, the '${c_notice}type$c_error' parameter can only be one of: file, directory, or both"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $name) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "The '${c_notice}name$c_error' parameter for the '$c_notice$operation$c_error' operation is missing"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $type == "directory" || $type == "both" ]] ; then
+    permission_mode_directory=$name
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $type == "file" || $type == "both" ]] ; then
+    permission_mode_file=$name
+  fi
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-operation-path b/sources/sh/kit-operation-path
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..e31a22c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-operation-path
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# the path operation is used to perform a directory change operation while processing a script.
+# this is better than doing cd directly because if the script is every stopped and resumed later, this state will be reset.
+# the path operation is always relative to the source or binary directory.
+#
+# arguments:
+#   path (optional):
+#   - when defined, this is the path to change to, previous path will be reset.
+#
+# if no arguments are specified, then the resume path is reset and directory is changed to the original source or binary directory.
+
+kit_operation_path_unset() {
+  unset kit_operation_path
+  unset kit_operation_path_resume
+}
+
+kit_operation_path() {
+  local part=
+  local temporary=
+
+  # operation controls
+  local parent=$parent-$self
+  local self=operation
+
+  kit_operation_message
+
+  part=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 0)
+
+  if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "Failed to process the '$c_notice$operation$c_error' operation data"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $part) == "" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $(standard_is_empty $path_previous) == "" ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "The original path is not properly defined, cannot reset path"
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "cd $path_previous"
+    cd $path_previous
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Failed to go to the path '$c_notice$path_previous$c_error', cannot reset path"
+    fi
+
+    sed -i -e '/^[[:space:]]*path_original\>[[:space:]]*/d' $resume_path$resume_file
+    sed -i -e '/^[[:space:]]*path_current\>[[:space:]]*/d' $resume_path$resume_file
+
+    path_current=$PWD
+  else
+    if [[ ! -d $part ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "The path '$c_notice$part$c_error' is not a valid directory"
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "cd $path_previous"
+    cd "$path_previous"
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Failed to go to the path '$c_notice$path_previous$c_error', cannot reset path"
+    fi
+
+    sed -i -e '/^[[:space:]]*path_original\>[[:space:]]*/d' $resume_path$resume_file
+    temporary=$(fss_extended_write -s -p "$path_previous")
+    echo "$(fss_extended_write -s -o path_original)$temporary" >> $resume_path$resume_file
+
+    kit_message_shell "cd $part"
+    cd $part
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Failed to go to the path '$c_notice$part$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    path_current=$PWD
+    temporary=$(fss_extended_write -s -p "$path_current")
+
+    sed -i -e '/^[[:space:]]*path_current\>[[:space:]]*/d' $resume_path$resume_file
+    echo "$(fss_extended_write -s -o path_current)$temporary" >> $resume_path$resume_file
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_operation_path_resume() {
+  path_current=$path_previous
+
+  if [[ $(fss_extended_read -n path_current -t $resume_path$resume_file) -gt 0 ]] ; then
+    path_current=$(fss_extended_read -n path_current -c 0 -s 0 $resume_path$resume_file)
+
+    if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" || ! -d $path_current ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "The current path '$c_notice$path_current$c_error' as specified in the resume file '$c_notice$resume_path$resume_file$c_error' is not a valid directory, cannot resume"
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "cd $path_current"
+    cd $path_current
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Failed to go to the path '$c_notice$path_current$c_error', cannot resume"
+    fi
+  fi
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-operation-shell b/sources/sh/kit-operation-shell
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..b8f95e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-operation-shell
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# this performs a shell command.
+# a shell command is a powerful and very flexible operation, but is also potentially dangereous.
+# whenever there is a non-shell operation equivalent, it is safer and better to use those instead.
+#
+# future versions will have a shell_safe operation that will execute the specified command as a non-root user, reducing the risks of this operation.
+#
+# unlike all of the previous commands, the shell command uses fss-0000 (basic) format, which does not accept individual arguments, but instead takes the entire content as is.
+
+kit_operation_shell_unset() {
+  unset kit_operation_shell
+}
+
+kit_operation_shell() {
+
+  # operation controls
+  local parent=$parent-$self
+  local self=operation
+
+  kit_operation_message
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $line) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "No shell command given"
+  fi
+
+  kit_message_shell "$line"
+  eval $line
+
+  if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "Something went wrong while executing the shell command"
+  fi
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-operation-strip b/sources/sh/kit-operation-strip
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..67b944a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-operation-strip
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# the strip operation removes debugging information from executables and libraries.
+# the executable and library operations already perform strips, so this is only needed if strip is explicitly needed.
+#
+# arguments:
+#   filetype:
+#   - the type of file to strip, either executable or library.
+#   filepath/directory:
+#   - if this is a filepath, then strip will be performed on the specified file.
+#   - if this is a directory, then strip will be performed on all binaries (executables & libraries) within the specified folder (not recursively).
+#
+# variables:
+#   strip:
+#   - "yes" (default): all strip commands will be performed.
+#   - "explicit": only strip commands given by this operation will be performed.
+#   - "implicit": only automatic strip commands will be performed (aka: the strip operation does nothing).
+#   - "no": no strip commands will be performed (aka: the strip operation does nothing).
+
+kit_operation_strip_unset() {
+  unset kit_operation_strip
+  unset kit_operation_strip_apply
+}
+
+kit_operation_strip() {
+  local filetype=
+  local filepath=
+
+  # operation controls
+  local parent=$parent-$self
+  local self=operation
+
+  kit_operation_message
+
+  filetype=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 0)
+  filepath=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 1)
+
+  kit_operation_strip_apply "$filetype" "$filepath"
+}
+
+kit_operation_strip_apply() {
+  local filetype=$1
+  local filepath=$2
+
+  local i=
+  local files=
+
+  if [[ $strip == "yes" || $strip == "explicit" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $filetype != "executable" && $filetype != "library" ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "The strip filetype parameter '$c_notice$filetype$c_error' is invalid, must be either: executable or library"
+    fi
+
+    if [[ -d $filepath ]] ; then
+      if [[ $filetype == "executable" ]] ; then
+        files=$(find $filepath -maxdepth 1 -type f)
+
+        for i in $files ; do
+          if [[ $(file -L -b $i | grep -s -o '\<executable\>') != "" ]] ; then
+            kit_message_shell "strip --strip-debug $i"
+            strip --strip-debug $i
+
+            if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+              kit_operation_error "Failed to strip the executable '$c_notice$i$c_error'"
+            fi
+          fi
+        done
+      elif [[ $filetype == "library" ]] ; then
+        files=$(find $filepath -maxdepth 1 -type f)
+
+        for i in $files ; do
+          if [[ $(file -L -b $i | grep -s -o '\<shared object\>') != "" || $(file -L -b $i | grep -s -o '\<ar archive\>') != "" ]] ; then
+            kit_message_shell "strip --strip-debug $i"
+            strip --strip-debug $i
+
+            if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+              kit_operation_error "Failed to strip the library '$c_notice$i$c_error'"
+            fi
+          fi
+        done
+      fi
+    elif [[ -f $filepath ]] ; then
+      if [[ $filetype == "executable" ]] ; then
+        if [[ $(file -L -b $filepath | grep -s -o '\<executable\>') != "" ]] ; then
+          kit_message_shell "strip --strip-debug $filepath"
+          strip --strip-debug $filepath
+        else
+          kit_operation_error "Cannot strip '$c_notice$filepath$c_error' because it is not an executable"
+        fi
+      elif [[ $filetype == "library" ]] ; then
+        if [[ $(file -L -b $filepath | grep -s -o '\<shared object\>') != "" || $(file -L -b $filepath | grep -s -o '\<ar archive\>') != "" ]] ; then
+          kit_message_shell "strip --strip-debug $filepath"
+          strip --strip-debug $filepath
+        else
+          kit_operation_error "Cannot strip '$c_notice$filepath$c_error' because it is not a library"
+        fi
+      fi
+    else
+      kit_operation_error "The strip filepath or directory '$c_notice$filepath$c_error' is invalid"
+    fi
+  fi
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-operation-version b/sources/sh/kit-operation-version
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..c0820c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-operation-version
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# this provides an operation to obtain or set the version number for a particular package.
+#
+# arguments:
+#   type:
+#   - this is the version type to specify.
+#   - must be one of the following: major, minor, or micro.
+#   command:
+#   - this is the method in which to obtain or define the version.
+#   - must be one of the following: shell or set.
+#   data:
+#   - when the command is 'set', this is the version number.
+#   - when command is 'shell', this is the shell command to perform to obtain the version number.
+
+kit_operation_version_unset() {
+  unset kit_operation_version
+  unset kit_operation_version_resume
+}
+
+kit_operation_version() {
+  local type=
+  local command=
+  local data=
+  local version=
+  local temporary=
+
+  # operation controls
+  local parent=$parent-$self
+  local self=operation
+
+  kit_operation_message
+
+  type=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 0)
+  command=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 1)
+  data=$(echo object $line | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s 2)
+
+  if [[ $type != "major" && $type != "minor" && $type != "micro" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "Invalid version type '$c_notice$type$c_error'"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $command != "shell" && $command != "set" ]] ; then
+    kit_operation_error "Invalid version command '$c_notice$command$c_error', must be one of the following: set or shell"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $command == "set" ]] ; then
+    version=$data
+  elif [[ $command == "shell" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $(standard_is_empty $data) == "" ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "For the '$c_notice$command$c_error' command, the actual command was not supplied."
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "$data"
+    version=$(eval $data)
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_operation_error "Something went wrong while executing the shell command for the version operation"
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $type == "major" ]] ; then
+    kit_reserved_set about_version_major "$version"
+  elif [[ $type == "minor" ]] ; then
+    kit_reserved_set about_version_minor "$version"
+  elif [[ $type == "micro" ]] ; then
+    kit_reserved_set about_version_micro "$version"
+  fi
+
+  # the version information has changed so reset the package version information
+  if [[ $about_version_major != "" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $about_version_minor != "" ]] ; then
+      if [[ $about_version_micro != "" ]] ; then
+        package_version=${about_version_major}.${about_version_minor}.${about_version_micro}
+      else
+        package_version=${about_version_major}.${about_version_minor}
+      fi
+    else
+      package_version=${about_version_major}
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  kit_message_log message "The package_version number is now: '$package_version'"
+
+  sed -i -e '/^[[:space:]]*about_version_major\>[[:space:]]*/d' $resume_path$resume_file
+  sed -i -e '/^[[:space:]]*about_version_micro\>[[:space:]]*/d' $resume_path$resume_file
+  sed -i -e '/^[[:space:]]*about_version_minor\>[[:space:]]*/d' $resume_path$resume_file
+
+  temporary=$(fss_extended_write -s -p "$about_version_major")
+  echo "$(fss_extended_write -s -o about_version_major)$temporary" >> $resume_path$resume_file
+  temporary=$(fss_extended_write -s -p "$about_version_minor")
+  echo "$(fss_extended_write -s -o about_version_minor)$temporary" >> $resume_path$resume_file
+  temporary=$(fss_extended_write -s -p "$about_version_micro")
+  echo "$(fss_extended_write -s -o about_version_micro)$temporary" >> $resume_path$resume_file
+}
+
+kit_operation_version_resume() {
+  local type=
+  local version=
+
+  for type in about_version_major about_version_minor about_version_micro ; do
+    if [[ $(fss_extended_read -n $type -t $resume_path$resume_file) -gt 0 ]] ; then
+      version=$(fss_extended_read -n $type -c 0 -s 0 $resume_path$resume_file)
+
+      if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+        kit_operation_error "Failed to load '$c_notice$type$c_error' from the file '$c_notice$resume_path$resume_file$c_error'"
+      fi
+
+
+      if [[ $type == "about_version_major" ]] ; then
+        kit_reserved_set about_version_major "$version"
+      elif [[ $type == "about_version_minor" ]] ; then
+        kit_reserved_set about_version_minor "$version"
+      elif [[ $type == "about_version_micro" ]] ; then
+        kit_reserved_set about_version_micro "$version"
+      fi
+    fi
+  done
+
+
+  # the version information may have changed so reset the package version information
+  if [[ $about_version_major != "" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $about_version_minor != "" ]] ; then
+      if [[ $about_version_micro != "" ]] ; then
+        package_version=${about_version_major}.${about_version_minor}.${about_version_micro}
+      else
+        package_version=${about_version_major}.${about_version_minor}
+      fi
+    else
+      package_version=${about_version_major}
+    fi
+  fi
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-package b/sources/sh/kit-package
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..20a1b11
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-package
@@ -0,0 +1,859 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+kit_package_unset() {
+  unset kit_package_read
+  unset kit_package_read_path
+  unset kit_package_error
+  unset kit_package_repository_load_rules
+  unset kit_package_repository_load_premade
+  unset kit_package_repository_load_source
+  unset kit_package_repository_load_binary
+  unset kit_package_repository_load_data
+  unset kit_package_version_check
+  unset kit_package_version_save
+  unset kit_package
+  unset kit_package_individual
+}
+
+kit_package_read() {
+  kit_fss_read $package_path$package_file "$1" "$2" "$3" "$4" "$5"
+}
+
+kit_package_read_path() {
+  kit_fss_read_path $package_path$package_file "$1" "$2" "$3" "$4" "$5"
+}
+
+kit_package_error() {
+  kit_message_error "While processing the package '$c_notice$package$c_error', '$c_notice$package_what$c_error', '$c_notice$package_huh$c_error', '$c_notice$package_oh$c_error', '$c_notice$package_type$c_error' for the '$c_notice$distribution $distribution_version $distribution_flavor$c_error' distribution."
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $*) != "" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_error "$*"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $self == "package" ]] ; then
+    cleanup_before_exit
+    exit -2
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_package_repository_load_rules() {
+  local path=$package_path_url$package_repository$package_path_rules
+  local operation=$1
+  local previous_path=$PWD
+
+  if [[ ! -d "$system_cache_path$path" ]] ; then
+    # note: this is also the "load" operation, which only does something when $system_cache_path$path does not exist.
+    kit_message_shell "git clone $remote_depth -q -n -o $rule_branch $package_url$path $system_cache_path$path"
+    git clone -q -n -o $rule_branch $package_url$path $system_cache_path$path
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 || ! -d $system_cache_path$path ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to clone '$c_notice$package_url$path$c_error' with branch of '$c_notice$rule_branch$c_error' to '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "cd $system_cache_path$path"
+    cd $system_cache_path$path
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to change to the directory '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "git checkout"
+    git checkout
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to checkout rules repository at '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error' for package '$c_notice$package$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $rule_revision != "HEAD" ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "git reset --hard --quiet $rule_revision"
+      git reset --hard --quiet $rule_revision
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_package_error "Failed to reset rules repository at '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error' to '$c_notice$rule_revision$c_error' for package '$c_notice$package$c_error'"
+      fi
+    fi
+  elif [[ $operation == "update" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_shell "cd $system_cache_path$path"
+    cd $system_cache_path$path
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to change to the directory '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "git fetch --quiet"
+    git fetch --quiet
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to fetch rules repository at '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error' for package '$c_notice$package$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "git pull --quiet --progress"
+    git pull --quiet --progress
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to update rules repository at '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error' for package '$c_notice$package$c_error'"
+    fi
+  elif [[ $operation == "reset" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_shell "cd $system_cache_path$path"
+    cd $system_cache_path$path
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to change to the directory '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $rule_revision == "HEAD" ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "git reset --hard --quiet"
+      git reset --hard --quiet
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_package_error "Failed to reset rules repository at '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error' for package '$c_notice$package$c_error'"
+      fi
+    else
+      kit_message_shell "git reset --hard --quiet $rule_revision"
+      git reset --hard --quiet $rule_revision
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_package_error "Failed to reset rules repository at '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error' to '$c_notice$rule_revision$c_error' for package '$c_notice$package$c_error'"
+      fi
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $operation == "update" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_highlight "The '${c_notice}rules$c_highlight' repository for the package '${c_notice}$package$c_highlight' has been updated."
+  elif [[ $operation == "reset" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_highlight "The '${c_notice}rules$c_highlight' repository for the package '${c_notice}$package$c_highlight' has been reset."
+  fi
+
+  kit_message_shell "cd $previous_path"
+  cd $previous_path
+}
+
+kit_package_repository_load_premade() {
+  local path=$package_path_url$package_repository$package_path_premade
+  local operation=$1
+  local previous_path=$PWD
+
+  # note: whether or not premade files exist is determined by the rules in question, therefore this can only update and reset rules if the directories already exist
+  if [[ ! -d $system_cache_path$path ]] ; then
+    return
+  elif [[ $operation == "update" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_shell "cd $system_cache_path$path"
+    cd $system_cache_path$path
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to change to the directory '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "git fetch --quiet"
+    git fetch --quiet
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to fetch premade repository at '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error' for package '$c_notice$package$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "git pull --quiet --progress"
+    git pull --quiet --progress
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to update premade repository at '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error' for package '$c_notice$package$c_error'"
+    fi
+  elif [[ $operation == "reset" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_shell "cd $system_cache_path$path"
+    cd $system_cache_path$path
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to change to the directory '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $premade_revision == "HEAD" ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "git reset --hard --quiet"
+      git reset --hard --quiet
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_package_error "Failed to reset premade repository at '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error' for package '$c_notice$package$c_error'"
+      fi
+    else
+      kit_message_shell "git reset --hard --quiet $premade_revision"
+      git reset --hard --quiet $premade_revision
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_package_error "Failed to reset premade repository at '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error' to '$c_notice$premade_revision$c_error' for package '$c_notice$package$c_error'"
+      fi
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $operation == "update" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_highlight "The '${c_notice}premade$c_highlight' repository for the package '${c_notice}$package$c_highlight' has been updated."
+  elif [[ $operation == "reset" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_highlight "The '${c_notice}premade$c_highlight' repository for the package '${c_notice}$package$c_highlight' has been reset."
+  fi
+
+  kit_message_shell "cd $previous_path"
+  cd $previous_path
+
+  if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+    kit_package_error "Failed to change to the directory '$c_notice$previous_path$c_error'"
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_package_repository_load_source() {
+  local path=$package_path_url$package_repository$package_major_minor_path$package_path_source
+  local operation=$1
+  local previous_path=$PWD
+
+  if [[ ! -d $system_cache_path$path ]] ; then
+    # note: this is also the "load" operation, which only does something when $system_cache_path$path does not exist.
+    kit_message_shell "git clone $remote_depth -q -n -o $source_branch $package_url$path $system_cache_path$path"
+    git clone -q -n -o $source_branch $package_url$path $system_cache_path$path
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 || ! -d $system_cache_path$path ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to clone '$c_notice$package_url$path$c_error' with branch of '$c_notice$source_branch$c_error' to '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "cd $system_cache_path$path"
+    cd $system_cache_path$path
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to change to the directory '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "git checkout"
+    git checkout
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to checkout source repository at '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error' for package '$c_notice$package$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $source_revision != "HEAD" ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "git reset --hard --quiet $source_revision"
+      git reset --hard --quiet $source_revision
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_package_error "Failed to reset source repository at '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error' to '$c_notice$source_revision$c_error' for package '$c_notice$package$c_error'"
+      fi
+    fi
+  elif [[ $operation == "update" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_shell "cd $system_cache_path$path"
+    cd $system_cache_path$path
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to change to the directory '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "git fetch --quiet"
+    git fetch --quiet
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to fetch source repository at '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error' for package '$c_notice$package$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "git pull --quiet --progress"
+    git pull --quiet --progress
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to update source repository at '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error' for package '$c_notice$package$c_error'"
+    fi
+  elif [[ $operation == "reset" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_shell "cd $system_cache_path$path"
+    cd $system_cache_path$path
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to change to the directory '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $source_revision == "HEAD" ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "git reset --hard --quiet"
+      git reset --hard --quiet
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_package_error "Failed to reset sources repository at '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error' for package '$c_notice$package$c_error'"
+      fi
+    else
+      kit_message_shell "git reset --hard --quiet $source_revision"
+      git reset --hard --quiet $source_revision
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_package_error "Failed to reset sources repository at '$c_notice$system_cache_path$path$c_error' to '$c_notice$source_revision$c_error' for package '$c_notice$package$c_error'"
+      fi
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $operation == "update" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_highlight "The '${c_notice}source$c_highlight' repository for the package '${c_notice}$package$c_highlight' has been updated."
+  elif [[ $operation == "reset" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_highlight "The '${c_notice}source$c_highlight' repository for the package '${c_notice}$package$c_highlight' has been reset."
+  fi
+
+  kit_message_shell "cd $previous_path"
+  cd $previous_path
+
+  if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+    kit_package_error "Failed to change to the directory '$c_notice$previous_path$c_error'"
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_package_repository_load_binary() {
+  local path=$package_path_url$package_repository$package_major_minor_path$package_path_binary
+
+  # TODO
+}
+
+kit_package_repository_load_data() {
+  local path=$package_path_url$package_repository$package_path_data
+
+  # TODO
+}
+
+kit_package_version_check() {
+  local path=$system_versions_path
+  local file=${package}.version
+  local version_string=
+  local version_raw=
+  local version_major=
+  local version_minor=
+  local version_micro=
+  local version_what=
+  local version_huh=
+  local c=0
+  local t=
+  local c2=
+  local t2=
+  local w=
+  local h=
+
+  version_difference=new
+
+  if [[ ! -f $path$file ]] ; then
+    return
+  fi
+
+  t=$(fss_basic_list_read -n version -t $path$file)
+
+  if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+    kit_package_error "Failed to read '${c_notice}version${c_error}' data from '$c_notice$path$file$c_error'"
+  fi
+
+  while [[ $c -lt $t ]] ; do
+    kit_fss_read "$path$file" version_string version string $c
+    kit_fss_read "$path$file" version_raw version raw $c
+    kit_fss_read "$path$file" version_major version major $c
+    kit_fss_read "$path$file" version_minor version minor $c
+    kit_fss_read "$path$file" version_micro version micro $c
+
+    t2=$(fss_basic_list_read -n "${version_string}-$version_raw" -t $path$file)
+
+    if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to read '${c_notice}${version_string}-$version_raw${c_error}' data from '$c_notice$path$file$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $t2 -gt 0 ]] ; then
+      let c2=0
+      t2=$(fss_basic_list_read -n ${version_string}-$version_raw $path$file | fss_extended_read -t)
+
+      if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+        kit_package_error "Failed to read '${c_notice}${version_string}-$version_raw${c_error}' data from '$c_notice$path$file$c_error'"
+      fi
+
+      while [[ $c2 -lt $t2 ]] ; do
+        w=$(fss_basic_list_read -n ${version_string}-$version_raw $path$file | fss_extended_read -c $c2 -o)
+
+        if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+          kit_package_error "Failed to read '${c_notice}${version_string}-$version_raw${c_error}' data from '$c_notice$path$file$c_error'"
+        fi
+
+        h=$(fss_basic_list_read -n ${version_string}-$version_raw $path$file | fss_extended_read -c $c2 -s 0)
+
+        if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+          kit_package_error "Failed to read '${c_notice}${version_string}-$version_raw${c_error}' data from '$c_notice$path$file$c_error'"
+        fi
+
+        if [[ $package_what == $w && $package_huh == $h ]] ; then
+          if [[ $version_major -lt $about_version_major ]] ; then
+            version_difference="newer"
+            return;
+          elif [[ $version_major -eq $about_version_major ]] ; then
+            if [[ $version_minor == "x" || $about_version_minor == "x" ]] ; then
+              version_difference="x"
+              return
+            elif [[ $(standard_is_empty $version_minor) != "" ]] ; then
+              if [[ $(standard_is_empty $about_version_minor) != "" ]] ; then
+                version_difference="same"
+                return
+              fi
+
+              version_difference="unknown"
+              return
+            else
+              if [[ $(standard_is_empty $version_minor) != "" ]] ; then
+                if [[ $version_micro == "x" || $about_version_micro == "x" ]] ; then
+                  version_difference="x"
+                  return
+                elif [[ $(standard_is_empty $about_version_micro) != "" ]] ; then
+                  version_difference="same"
+                  return
+                fi
+
+                version_difference="unknown"
+                return
+              elif [[ $version_micro -lt $about_version_micro ]] ; then
+                version_difference="newer"
+                return;
+              elif [[ $version_micro -eq $about_version_micro ]] ; then
+                version_difference="same"
+                return;
+              else
+                version_difference="older"
+                return;
+              fi
+            fi
+          else
+            version="older"
+            return;
+          fi
+        fi
+      done
+    fi
+
+    let c++
+  done
+}
+
+kit_package_version_save() {
+
+  # control variables
+  local list_name=${package_version}-$package_version_raw
+
+  # converted version information variables
+  local safe_version_string=$(fss_extended_write -s -p "$package_version")
+  local safe_version_raw=$(fss_extended_write -s -p "$package_version_raw")
+  local safe_version_major=$(fss_extended_write -s -p "$about_version_major")
+  local safe_version_minor=$(fss_extended_write -s -p "$about_version_minor")
+  local safe_version_micro=$(fss_extended_write -s -p "$about_version_micro")
+  local safe_version_name=$(fss_basic_list_write -s -o "$list_name")
+  local safe_version_what=$(fss_extended_write -s -o "$package_what")
+  local safe_version_huh=$(fss_extended_write -s -p "$package_huh")
+  local safe_version_oh=$(fss_extended_write -s -p "$package_oh")
+
+
+  # TODO: add support for multiple version files and objects
+
+  # create new version information
+  echo -e "# fss-0002\n" > $system_versions_path${package}.version
+
+  echo >> $system_versions_path${package}.version
+  echo "$(fss_basic_list_write -s -o version)" >> $system_versions_path${package}.version
+  echo "  $(fss_extended_write -s -o string)$safe_version_string" >> $system_versions_path${package}.version
+  echo "  $(fss_extended_write -s -o raw)$safe_version_raw" >> $system_versions_path${package}.version
+  echo "  $(fss_extended_write -s -o major)$safe_version_major" >> $system_versions_path${package}.version
+  echo "  $(fss_extended_write -s -o minor)$safe_version_minor" >> $system_versions_path${package}.version
+  echo "  $(fss_extended_write -s -o micro)$safe_version_micro" >> $system_versions_path${package}.version
+  echo >> $system_versions_path${package}.version
+
+  echo >> $system_versions_path${package}.version
+  echo "$safe_version_name" >> $system_versions_path${package}.version
+  echo "  $safe_version_what$safe_version_huh$safe_version_oh" >> $system_versions_path${package}.version
+  echo >> $system_versions_path${package}.version
+}
+
+kit_package_individual() {
+
+  # package variables
+  local package_what=$1
+  local package_huh=$2
+  local package_oh=$3
+  local package_version_raw=
+
+  # control variables
+  local version_difference=
+  local previous_path=$PWD
+  local parent=package
+
+  # other variables
+  local skip=
+
+
+  # TODO: add support for other operations, such as uninstall
+  # load all appropriate repositories
+  if [[ $kit_operation == "install" || ( $kit_operation == "alter" && $action != "force" ) ]] ; then
+    kit_package_version_check
+
+    # TODO: also keep in mind that some of the options here might require comparing the git revisions to see if the packages are actually the same (this is expensive)
+    if [[ $kit_operation == "install" ]] ; then
+      if [[ $version_difference != "new" ]] ; then
+        kit_message_warning "Skipping '${c_notice}$package_what$c_error' '${c_notice}$package_huh$c_error' '${c_notice}$package_oh$c_error' of package '${c_notice}$package$c_error' because the package is already installed, try the alter operation instead."
+        skip="yes"
+      fi
+    elif [[ $kit_operation == "alter" ]] ; then
+      if [[ $action == "upgrade" ]] ; then
+        if [[ $version_difference != "newer" && $version_difference != "x" ]] ; then
+          kit_message_warning "Skipping '${c_notice}$package_what$c_error' '${c_notice}$package_huh$c_error' '${c_notice}$package_oh$c_error' of package '${c_notice}$package$c_error' because the package is already installed, try the alter operation instead."
+          skip="yes"
+        fi
+      elif [[ $action == "downgrade" ]] ; then
+        if [[ $version_difference != "older" && $version_difference != "x" ]] ; then
+          kit_message_warning "Skipping '${c_notice}$package_what$c_error' '${c_notice}$package_huh$c_error' '${c_notice}$package_oh$c_error' of package '${c_notice}$package$c_error' because the package is already installed, try the alter operation instead."
+          skip="yes"
+        fi
+      fi
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $skip == "yes" ]] ; then
+    # TODO: do any cleanup operations here
+    return
+  fi
+
+  kit_package_repository_load_rules
+
+  if [[ $package_type == "source" ]] ; then
+    kit_package_repository_load_source
+    kit_package_repository_load_premade
+
+    # TODO: at this point, if version_difference=="x" on an alter command attempt a git revision version test
+
+    # TODO: now begin processing the rules
+    kit_message_shell "cd $system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_major_minor_path$package_path_source"
+    cd $system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_major_minor_path$package_path_source
+
+    if [[ $source_revision == "HEAD" ]] ; then
+      package_version_raw=$(git log -1 --format="%h")
+    else
+      package_version_raw=$source_revision
+    fi
+  elif [[ $package_type == "binary" ]] ; then
+    kit_package_repository_load_binary
+    kit_package_repository_load_data
+
+    # TODO: at this point, if version_difference=="x" on an alter command attempt a git revision version test
+
+    # TODO: now begin processing the rules
+    kit_message_shell "cd $system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_major_minor_path$package_path_binary"
+    cd $system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_major_minor_path$package_path_binary
+
+    if [[ $binary_revision == "HEAD" ]] ; then
+      package_version_raw=$(git log -1 --format="%h")
+    else
+      package_version_raw=$binary_revision
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  # process the rules for a given package
+  kit_rule "$package" "$package_what" "$package_huh" "$package_oh" "$package_type" "$package_url" "$package_path_url$package_repository" "$package_path_rules" "$package_path_premade"
+
+  kit_message_highlight "'$c_notice$package_what$c_highlight', '$c_notice$package_huh$c_highlight', '$c_notice$package_oh$c_highlight' of the package '$c_notice$package$c_highlight' has been processed"
+
+  kit_message_shell "cd $previous_path"
+  cd $previous_path
+
+
+  # save version information after install
+  if [[ $kit_operation == "install" || $kit_operation == "alter" ]] ; then
+    kit_package_version_save
+  #elif [[ $kit_operation == "uninstall" ]] ; then
+    # TODO: remove the appropriate "who" (that is, package_what, package_huh, and package_oh) and if there are no who's left, then remove the version file entirely
+  fi
+
+
+  # do cleanup
+  if [[ $do_cleanup == "y" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $package_type == "source" ]] ; then
+      if [[ -d "$system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_path_premade" ]] ; then
+        rm -Rf "$system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_path_premade"
+      fi
+
+      if [[ -d "$system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_major_minor_path$package_path_source" ]] ; then
+        rm -Rf "$system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_major_minor_path$package_path_source"
+        rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty "$system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_major_minor_path"
+      fi
+    fi
+
+    if [[ -d "$system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository" ]] ; then
+      rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty "$system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository"
+    fi
+
+    if [[ -d "$system_cache_path$package_path_url" ]] ; then
+      rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty "$system_cache_path$package_path_url"
+    fi
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_package() {
+
+  # package variables
+  local package=$1
+  local package_path=$2
+  local package_file=$3
+  local package_type=$targets_type
+  local package_what=$targets_what
+  local package_huh=$targets_huh
+  local package_oh=$targets_oh
+  local package_settings_name="package-$package"
+  local package_path_url=package/
+  local package_path_rules=rules/
+  local package_path_source=source/
+  local package_path_premade=premade/
+  local package_path_binary=binary/
+  local package_path_data=data/
+  local package_url=
+  local package_repository=
+  local package_major_minor_path=
+  local package_version=
+  local package_version_raw=
+  local package_version_file=${package}.version
+
+  # package properties
+  local about_name=
+  local about_description=
+  local about_version_major=
+  local about_version_minor=
+  local about_version_micro=
+  local about_categories=
+  local about_flags=
+
+  local rule_branch=
+  local rule_revision=
+  local source_branch=
+  local source_revision=
+  local binary_branch=
+  local binary_revision=
+  local data_branch=
+  local data_revision=
+  local premade_branch=
+  local premade_revision=
+
+  # control variables
+  local self=package
+  local source=
+
+  local logs_file=$package.log
+  local resume_file=$kit_operation-$package.resume
+
+  # other variables
+  local w=
+  local h=
+  local o=
+  local c=
+  local t=
+  local p1=
+  local p2=
+  local p3=
+
+
+  kit_log_section
+  kit_log_message message "obtaining and reading data for the package '$package'"
+
+
+  if [[ ! -f $package_path$package_file ]] ; then
+    kit_package_error "Failed to find the file '${c_notice}$package_path$package_file$c_error'"
+  fi
+
+  # ensure that the package resume file exists
+  if [[ ! -f $resume_path$resume_file || $resume_execution != "yes" ]] ; then
+    echo -e "# fss-0001\n" > $resume_path$resume_file
+  fi
+
+
+  # about:
+  kit_package_read about_name about name 0
+  kit_package_read about_description about description 0
+  kit_package_read about_version_major about version 0 0
+  kit_package_read about_version_minor about version 0 1
+  kit_package_read about_version_micro about version 0 2
+  kit_package_read about_categories about categories 0
+  kit_package_read about_flags about flags 0
+
+  if [[ $about_version_major != "" ]] ; then
+    if [[ $about_version_minor != "" ]] ; then
+      if [[ $about_version_micro != "" ]] ; then
+        package_version=${about_version_major}.${about_version_minor}.${about_version_micro}
+        package_major_minor_path=${about_version_major}.${about_version_minor}/
+      else
+        package_version=${about_version_major}.${about_version_minor}
+        package_major_minor_path=$package_version/
+      fi
+    else
+      package_version=${about_version_major}
+      package_major_minor_path=$package_version/
+    fi
+  fi
+
+
+  # from:
+  kit_package_read_path package_url from url 0
+  kit_package_read_path package_repository from repository 0
+
+
+  # revisions:
+  kit_package_read rule_branch revisions rule 0 0
+  kit_package_read rule_revision revisions rule 0 1
+  kit_package_read source_branch revisions source 0 0
+  kit_package_read source_revision revisions source 0 1
+  kit_package_read binary_branch revisions binary 0 0
+  kit_package_read binary_revision revisions binary 0 1
+  kit_package_read data_branch revisions data 0 0
+  kit_package_read data_revision revisions data 0 1
+  kit_package_read premade_branch revisions premade 0 0
+  kit_package_read premade_revision revisions premade 0 1
+
+  # assign defaults repositories in the event data is missing
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $rule_branch) == "" ]] ; then
+    rule_branch=master
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $rule_revision) == "" ]] ; then
+    rule_revision=HEAD
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $source_branch) == "" ]] ; then
+    source_branch=master
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $source_revision) == "" ]] ; then
+    source_revision=HEAD
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $binary_branch) == "" ]] ; then
+    binary_branch=master
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $binary_revision) == "" ]] ; then
+    binary_revision=HEAD
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $data_branch) == "" ]] ; then
+    data_branch=master
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $data_revision) == "" ]] ; then
+    data_revision=HEAD
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $premade_branch) == "" ]] ; then
+    premade_branch=master
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $premade_revision) == "" ]] ; then
+    premade_revision=HEAD
+  fi
+
+
+
+  # $package_what:
+  if [[ ! $(fss_basic_list_read -n $package_what -t $package_path$package_file) -ge 1 ]] ; then
+    kit_package_error "The list '${c_notice}$package_what${c_error}' is not defined in file '${c_notice}$package_path$package_file${c_error}'"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $(fss_basic_list_read -n $package_what -c 0 $package_path$package_file)) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_package_error "The list '${c_notice}$package_what${c_error}' in file '${c_notice}$package_path$package_file${c_error}' is empty"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $package_huh) == "" ]] ; then
+    package_huh=$(fss_basic_list_read -n $package_what -c 0 $package_path$package_file | fss_extended_read -o | sort | uniq)
+
+    if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+      kit_package_error "Failed to read '${c_notice}${version_string}-$version_raw${c_error}' data from '$c_notice$path$file$c_error'"
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $package_oh) == "" ]] ; then
+    package_oh="object "
+
+    for h in $package_huh ; do
+      package_oh="${package_oh}$(fss_basic_list_read -n $package_what -c 0 $package_path$package_file | fss_extended_read -n $h -c 0 -s 0) "
+    done
+  else
+    o=
+
+    for h in $package_huh ; do
+      o="${o}$package_oh "
+    done
+
+    package_oh="object $o"
+  fi
+
+
+  # TODO: requirements: or dependencies:
+
+
+  # perform update on individual packages if they have been downloaded already, otherwise skip them.
+  if [[ $kit_operation == "update" || $kit_operation == "reset" ]] ; then
+    kit_package_repository_load_rules "$kit_operation"
+
+    if [[ $package_type == "source" ]] ; then
+      kit_package_repository_load_source "$kit_operation"
+      kit_package_repository_load_premade "$kit_operation"
+    elif [[ $package_type == "binary" ]] ; then
+      kit_package_repository_load_binary "$kit_operation"
+      kit_package_repository_load_data "$kit_operation"
+    fi
+
+    # always remove resume file on proper exit
+    if [[ -f $resume_path$resume_file ]] ; then
+      rm -f $resume_path$resume_file
+    fi
+
+    return
+  fi
+
+
+  # operate on individual package parts (what + huh + oh)
+  for w in $package_what ; do
+    let c=0
+    p1=$(fss_extended_write -p -s "$w" | sed -e 's|[[:space:]]*$||')
+
+    for h in $package_huh ; do
+      o=$(echo "$package_oh" | fss_extended_read -c 0 -s $c)
+      p2=$(fss_extended_write -p -s "$h" | sed -e 's|[[:space:]]*$||')
+      p3=$(fss_extended_write -p -s "$o" | sed -e 's|[[:space:]]*$||')
+
+      if [[ ! -f "$resume_path$resume_file" || $(fss_basic_read -n processed $resume_path$resume_file | grep -s -o "^[[:space:]]*$p1[[:space:]]*$p2[[:space:]]*$p3[[:space:]]*$") == "" ]] ; then
+        kit_package_individual $w $h $o
+        echo "$(fss_extended_write -s processed)$p1 $p2 $p3" >> "$resume_path$resume_file"
+      fi
+
+      let c++
+    done
+  done
+
+
+  # do cleanup
+
+  # always remove resume file on proper exit
+  if [[ -f $resume_path$resume_file ]] ; then
+    rm -f $resume_path$resume_file
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $do_cleanup == "y" ]] ; then
+    # TODO: implement locking so that files don't get deleted until there are no instances left
+    if [[ -d $system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_path_rules ]] ; then
+      rm -Rf $system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_path_rules
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $package_type == "source" ]] ; then
+      if [[ -d $system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_major_minor_path$package_path_source ]] ; then
+        rm -Rf $system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_major_minor_path$package_path_source
+      fi
+
+      if [[ -d $system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_path_premade ]] ; then
+        rm -Rf $system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_path_premade
+      fi
+    elif [[ $package_type == "binary" ]] ; then
+      if [[ -d $system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_major_minor_path$package_path_binary ]] ; then
+        rm -Rf $system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_major_minor_path$package_path_binary
+      fi
+
+      # TODO: should data be stored under the directory $package_major_minor_path ?
+      if [[ -d $system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_path_data ]] ; then
+        rm -Rf $system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository$package_path_data
+      fi
+    fi
+
+    if [[ -d $system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository ]] ; then
+      rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty $system_cache_path$package_path_url$package_repository
+    fi
+
+    if [[ -d $system_cache_path$package_path_url ]] ; then
+      rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty $system_cache_path$package_path_url
+    fi
+  fi
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-permission b/sources/sh/kit-permission
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..18c9215
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-permission
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+kit_permission_unset() {
+  unset kit_permission_is
+  unset kit_permission_set
+  unset kit_permission_get
+}
+
+kit_permission_is() {
+  local name=$2
+  local list=$1
+
+  echo -n $(echo -n $permission_variables | grep -s -o "\<${list}_$name=[[:digit:]]*\>" | sed -e "s|$name=||")
+}
+
+kit_permission_set() {
+  local name=$2
+  local value=$3
+  local position=
+  local list=$1
+
+  position=$(kit_permission_is $list $name)
+
+  if [[ $position == "" ]] ; then
+    permission_data[$permission_total]=$value
+    permission_variables="${permission_variables}${list}_$name=$permission_total "
+    let permission_total++
+  else
+    permission_data[$position]=$value
+  fi
+
+  kit_log_message save permission "${list}_$name" "$value"
+}
+
+kit_permission_get() {
+  local name=$2
+  local position=
+  local file=
+  local list=$1
+
+  if [[ $name == "" ]] ; then
+    permission=
+    return
+  fi
+
+  permission=
+  position=$(kit_permission_is $name)
+
+  # loading priority is: memory (permission_data), system settings, and then distribution settings.
+  if [[ $position != "" && $position -ge 0 ]] ; then
+    permission=${permission_data[$position]}
+  else
+    for file in "$system_settings_path$system_permissions_file" "$distribution_settings_path$distribution_permissions_file" ; do
+      if [[ -f $file ]] ; then
+        if [[ $(fss_basic_list_read -n $list -t $file) -gt 0 && $(fss_basic_list_read -c 0 -n $list $file | fss_basic_read -t -n $name) -gt 0 ]] ; then
+          kit_log_message load permission "${list}_$name" "fss_basic_list_read -c 0 -n $list $file | fss_basic_read -c 0 -n $name"
+          permission=$(fss_basic_list_read -c 0 -n $list $file | fss_basic_read -c 0 -n $name)
+          kit_permission_set "$list" "$name" "$permission"
+          return
+        fi
+      fi
+    done
+  fi
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-procedure b/sources/sh/kit-procedure
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..bc6a216
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-procedure
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+kit_procedure_unset() {
+  unset kit_procedure_error
+  unset kit_procedure
+}
+
+kit_procedure_error() {
+  kit_message_error "While processing the procedure '$c_notice$procedure$c_error', '$c_notice$procedure_what$c_error', '$c_notice$procedure_huh$c_error', '$c_notice$procedure_oh$c_error', '$c_notice$procedure_type$c_error' for the '$c_notice$distribution $distribution_version $distribution_flavor$c_error' distribution."
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $*) != "" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_error "$*"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $self == "procedure" ]] ; then
+    cleanup_before_exit
+    exit -3
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_procedure() {
+
+  # procedure variables
+  local procedure=$1
+  local procedure_path=$2
+  local procedure_file=$3
+  local procedure_type=$targets_type
+  local procedure_what=$targets_what
+  local procedure_huh=$targets_huh
+  local procedure_oh=$tarets_oh
+
+  # TODO
+  echo "TODO"
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-read b/sources/sh/kit-read
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..051c6dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-read
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+#kit_read_unset() {
+#  unset kit_read_line
+#}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-reserved b/sources/sh/kit-reserved
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..f7cd5e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-reserved
@@ -0,0 +1,300 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+kit_reserved_unset() {
+  unset kit_reserved_is
+  unset kit_reserved_get
+  unset kit_reserved_set
+  unset kit_reserved_register
+}
+
+kit_reserved_is() {
+  local name=$1
+
+  echo -n $(echo "$reserved_variables" | grep -s -o "\<$name=[[:alpha:]]*\>" | sed -e "s|$name=||")
+}
+
+kit_reserved_set() {
+  local name=$1
+  local value=$2
+  local position=
+
+  position=$(kit_reserved_is $name)
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $position) == "" ]] ; then
+    return
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $position == "global" ]] ; then
+    case $name in
+      "system_settings_path") system_settings_path=$value;;
+      "system_data_path") system_data_path=$value;;
+      "system_cache_path") system_cache_path=$value;;
+      "system_versions_path") system_versions_path=$value;;
+      "system_settings_file") system_settings_file=$value;;
+      "system_permissions_file") system_permissions_file=$value;;
+      "system_environment_file") system_environment_file=$value;;
+      "system_settings_name") system_settings_name=$value;;
+      "installation_base") installation_base=$value;;
+      "remote_url_web") remote_url_web=$value;;
+      "remote_url_git") remote_url_git=$value;;
+      "remote_branch") remote_branch=$value;;
+      "remote_tag") remote_tag=$value;;
+      "remote_depth") remote_depth=$value;;
+      "distribution") distribution=$value;;
+      "distribution_version") distribution_version=$value;;
+      "distribution_flavor") distribution_flavor=$value;;
+      "distribution_path") distribution_path=$value;;
+      "distribution_base") distribution_base=$value;;
+      "distribution_settings") distribution_settings=$value;;
+      "distribution_environment") distribution_environment=$value;;
+      "distribution_permissions") distribution_permissions=$value;;
+      "targets") targets=$value;;
+      "targets_path") targets_path=$value;;
+      "targets_extension") targets_extension=$value;;
+      "targets_type") targets_type=$value;;
+      "targets_what") targets_what=$value;;
+      "targets_huh") targets_huh=$value;;
+      "targets_oh") targets_oh=$value;;
+    esac
+
+    kit_log_message save reserved "$name" "$value"
+    return
+  elif [[ $self == "global" ]] ; then
+    return;
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $position == "package" && ( $self == "package" || $(echo "$parent" | grep -s -o '\<package\>') != "" ) ]] ; then
+    case $name in
+      "package") package=$value;;
+      "package_type") package_type=$value;;
+      "package_what") package_what=$value;;
+      "package_huh") package_huh=$value;;
+      "package_oh") package_oh=$value;;
+      "package_settings_name") package_settings_name=$value;;
+      "package_path_url") package_path_url=$value;;
+      "package_path_rules") package_path_rules=$value;;
+      "package_path_source") package_path_source=$value;;
+      "package_path_premade") package_path_premade=$value;;
+      "package_path_binary") package_path_binary=$value;;
+      "package_path_data") package_path_data=$value;;
+      "package_url") package_url=$value;;
+      "package_repository") package_repository=$value;;
+      "package_major_minor_path") package_major_minor_path=$value;;
+      "package_version") package_version=$value;;
+      "package_version_raw") package_version_raw=$value;;
+      "package_version_file") package_version_file=$value;;
+      "about_name") about_name=$value;;
+      "about_description") about_description=$value;;
+      "about_version_major") about_version_major=$value;;
+      "about_version_minor") about_version_minor=$value;;
+      "about_version_micro") about_version_micro=$value;;
+      "about_categories") about_categories=$value;;
+      "about_flags") about_flags=$value;;
+      "rule_branch") rule_branch=$value;;
+      "rule_revision") rule_revision=$value;;
+      "source_branch") source_branch=$value;;
+      "source_revision") source_revision=$value;;
+      "binary_branch") binary_branch=$value;;
+      "binary_revision") binary_revision=$value;;
+      "data_branch") data_branch=$value;;
+      "data_revision") data_revision=$value;;
+    esac
+
+    kit_log_message save reserved "$name" "$value"
+    return
+  elif [[ $self == "package" ]] ; then
+    return;
+  fi
+
+  # TODO: add support for procedure here
+
+  if [[ $position == "rule" && ( $self == "rule" || $(echo "$parent" | grep -s -o '\<rule\>') != "" ) ]] ; then
+    case $name in
+      "rule_what") rule_what=$value;;
+      "rule_huh") rule_huh=$value;;
+      "rule_oh") rule_oh=$value;;
+      "rule_type") rule_type=$value;;
+      "about_from") about_from=$value;;
+      "about_copyright") about_copyright=$value;;
+      "about_flags") about_flags=$value;;
+      "premade_path") premade_path=$value;;
+    esac
+
+    kit_log_message save reserved "$name" "$value"
+    return
+  elif [[ $self == "rule" ]] ; then
+    return;
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_reserved_get() {
+  local name=$1
+  local position=
+  local file=
+  local list=
+
+  reserved=
+  position=$(kit_reserved_is $name)
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $position) == "" ]] ; then
+    return
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $position == "global" ]] ; then
+    case $name in
+      "system_settings_path") reserved=$system_settings_path;;
+      "system_data_path") reserved=$system_data_path;;
+      "system_cache_path") reserved=$system_cache_path;;
+      "system_versions_path") reserved=$system_versions_path;;
+      "system_settings_file") reserved=$system_settings_file;;
+      "system_permissions_file") reserved=$system_permissions_file;;
+      "system_environment_file") reserved=$system_environment_file;;
+      "system_settings_name") reserved=$system_settings_name;;
+      "installation_base") reserved=$installation_base;;
+      "remote_url_web") reserved=$remote_url_web;;
+      "remote_url_git") reserved=$remote_url_git;;
+      "remote_branch") reserved=$remote_branch;;
+      "remote_tag") reserved=$remote_tag;;
+      "remote_depth") reserved=$remote_depth;;
+      "distribution") reserved=$distribution;;
+      "distribution_version") reserved=$distribution_version;;
+      "distribution_flavor") reserved=$distribution_flavor;;
+      "distribution_path") reserved=$distribution_path;;
+      "distribution_base") reserved=$distribution_base;;
+      "distribution_settings") reserved=$distribution_settings;;
+      "distribution_environment") reserved=$distribution_environment;;
+      "distribution_permissions") reserved=$distribution_permissions;;
+      "targets") reserved=$targets;;
+      "targets_path") reserved=$targets_path;;
+      "targets_extension") reserved=$targets_extension;;
+      "targets_type") reserved=$targets_type;;
+      "targets_what") reserved=$targets_what;;
+      "targets_huh") reserved=$targets_huh;;
+      "targets_oh") reserved=$targets_oh;;
+    esac
+
+    kit_log_message load reserved "$name" "$reserved"
+    return
+  elif [[ $self == "global" ]] ; then
+    return;
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $position == "package" && ( $self == "package" || $(echo "$parent" | grep -s -o '\<package\>') != "" ) ]] ; then
+    case $name in
+      "package") reserved=$package;;
+      "package_path") reserved=$package_path;;
+      "package_file") reserved=$package_file;;
+      "package_type") reserved=$package_type;;
+      "package_what") reserved=$package_what;;
+      "package_huh") reserved=$package_huh;;
+      "package_oh") reserved=$package_oh;;
+      "package_settings_name") reserved=$package_settings_name;;
+      "package_path_url") reserved=$package_path_url;;
+      "package_path_rules") reserved=$package_path_rules;;
+      "package_path_source") reserved=$package_path_source;;
+      "package_path_premade") reserved=$package_path_premade;;
+      "package_path_binary") reserved=$package_path_binary;;
+      "package_path_data") reserved=$package_path_data;;
+      "package_url") reserved=$package_url;;
+      "package_repository") reserved=$package_repository;;
+      "package_major_minor_path") reserved=$package_major_minor_path;;
+      "package_version") reserved=$package_version;;
+      "package_version_raw") reserved=$package_version_raw;;
+      "package_version_file") reserved=$package_version_file;;
+      "about_name") reserved=$about_name;;
+      "about_description") reserved=$about_description;;
+      "about_version_major") reserved=$about_version_major;;
+      "about_version_minor") reserved=$about_version_minor;;
+      "about_version_micro") reserved=$about_version_micro;;
+      "about_categories") reserved=$about_categories;;
+      "about_flags") reserved=$about_flags;;
+      "rule_branch") reserved=$rule_branch;;
+      "rule_revision") reserved=$rule_revision;;
+      "source_branch") reserved=$source_branch;;
+      "source_revision") reserved=$source_revision;;
+      "binary_branch") reserved=$binary_branch;;
+      "binary_revision") reserved=$binary_revision;;
+      "data_branch") reserved=$data_branch;;
+      "data_revision") reserved=$data_revision;;
+    esac
+
+    kit_log_message load reserved "$name" "$reserved"
+    return
+  elif [[ $self == "package" ]] ; then
+    return;
+  fi
+
+  # TODO: add support for procedure here
+
+  if [[ $position == "rule" && ( $self == "rule" || $(echo "$parent" | grep -s -o '\<rule\>') != "" ) ]] ; then
+    case $name in
+      "rule_what") reserved=$rule_what;;
+      "rule_huh") reserved=$rule_huh;;
+      "rule_oh") reserved=$rule_oh;;
+      "rule_type") reserved=$rule_type;;
+      "about_from") reserved=$about_from;;
+      "about_copyright") reserved=$about_copyright;;
+      "about_flags") reserved=$about_flags;;
+      "premade_path") reserved=$premade_path;;
+    esac
+
+    kit_log_message load reserved "$name" "$reserved"
+    return
+  elif [[ $self == "rule" ]] ; then
+    return;
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_reserved_register() {
+  local name=
+
+
+  # register global reserved variables
+  for name in system_settings_path system_data_path system_cache_path system_versions_path system_settings_file system_permissions_file system_environment_file system_settings_name installation_base ; do
+    reserved_variables="${reserved_variables}$name=global "
+  done
+
+  for name in remote_url_web remote_url_git remote_branch remote_tag remote_depth ; do
+    reserved_variables="${reserved_variables}$name=global "
+  done
+
+  for name in distribution distribution_version distribution_flavor distribution_path distribution_base distribution_settings_path distribution_settings_file distribution_environment_file distribution_permissions_file ; do
+    reserved_variables="${reserved_variables}$name=global "
+  done
+
+  for name in targets targets_path targets_extension targets_type targets_what targets_huh targets_oh ; do
+    reserved_variables="${reserved_variables}$name=global "
+  done
+
+
+  # register package reserved variables
+  for name in package package_type package_what package_huh package_oh package_settings_name package_path_url package_path_rules package_path_source package_path_premade package_path_binary package_path_data package_url package_repository package_major_minor_path package_version package_version_raw package_version_file ; do
+    reserved_variables="${reserved_variables}$name=package "
+  done
+
+  for name in about_name about_description about_version_major about_version_minor about_version_micro about_categories about_flags ; do
+    reserved_variables="${reserved_variables}$name=package "
+  done
+
+  for name in rule_branch rule_revision source_branch source_revision binary_branch binary_revision data_branch data_revision ; do
+    reserved_variables="${reserved_variables}$name=package "
+  done
+
+
+  # register procedure reserved variables
+  # TODO
+
+
+  # register rule reserved variables
+  for name in rule_what rule_huh rule_oh rule_type ; do
+    reserved_variables="${reserved_variables}$name=rule "
+  done
+
+  for name in about_from about_copyright about_flags ; do
+    reserved_variables="${reserved_variables}$name=rule "
+  done
+
+  for name in premade_path ; do
+    reserved_variables="${reserved_variables}$name=rule "
+  done
+}
diff --git a/sources/sh/kit-rule b/sources/sh/kit-rule
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..3c6317c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sources/sh/kit-rule
@@ -0,0 +1,298 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+kit_rule_unset() {
+  unset kit_rule_read
+  unset kit_rule_read_path
+  unset kit_rule_error
+  unset kit_rule_repository_load_premade
+  unset kit_rule
+}
+
+kit_rule_read() {
+  kit_fss_read $system_cache_path$rule_path_base$rule_path_rule$rule_file "$1" "$2" "$3" "$4" "$5"
+}
+
+kit_rule_read_path() {
+  kit_fss_read_path $system_cache_path$rule_path_base$rule_path_rule$rule_file "$1" "$2" "$3" "$4" "$5"
+}
+
+kit_rule_error() {
+  if [[ $parent == "package" ]] ; then
+    kit_package_error
+  elif [[ $parent == "procedure" ]] ; then
+    kit_procedure_error
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $operation != "" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_error "While processing rule line '$c_notice$line_number$c_error', operation '$c_notice$operation$c_error)."
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $(standard_is_empty $*) != "" ]] ; then
+    kit_message_error "$*"
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $self == "rule" ]] ; then
+    cleanup_before_exit
+    exit -4
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_rule_repository_load_premade() {
+  local previous_path=$PWD
+
+  if [[ ! -d $premade_path ]] ; then
+    kit_message_shell "git clone $remote_depth -q -n -o $premade_branch $rule_url$rule_path_base$rule_path_premade $premade_path"
+    git clone $remote_depth -q -n -o $premade_branch $rule_url$rule_path_base$rule_path_premade $premade_path
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 || ! -d $premade_path ]] ; then
+      kit_rule_error "Failed to clone '$c_notice$rule_path_base$rule_path_premade$c_error' with branch of '$c_notice$premade_branch$c_error' to '$c_notice$premade_path$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "cd $premade_path"
+    cd $premade_path
+
+    if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_rule_error "Failed to change to the directory '$c_notice$premade_path$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "git checkout"
+    git checkout
+
+    if [[ $premade_revision != "HEAD" ]] ; then
+      kit_message_shell "git reset --hard --quiet $premade_revision"
+      git reset --hard --quiet $premade_revision
+
+      if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+        kit_package_error "Failed to reset premade repository at '$c_notice$premade_path$c_error' to '$c_notice$premade_revision$c_error' for package '$c_notice$package$c_error'"
+      fi
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  kit_message_shell "cd $previous_path"
+  cd $previous_path
+
+  if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+    kit_rule_error "Failed to change to the directory '$c_notice$previous_path$c_error'"
+  fi
+}
+
+kit_rule() {
+
+  # passed variables
+  local rule=$1
+  local rule_what=$2
+  local rule_huh=$3
+  local rule_oh=$4
+  local rule_type=$5
+
+  # rule variables
+  local about_from=
+  local about_copyright=
+  local about_flags="$about_flags "
+
+  # permission variables
+  local permission_group_type=
+  local permission_group_name=
+  local permission_mode_directory=none
+  local permission_mode_file=none
+  local permission_attribute_directory=none
+  local permission_attribute_file=none
+  local permission_access_directory=none
+  local permission_access_file=none
+
+  # control variables
+  local self=rule
+  local operation=
+  local line_number=
+  local line=
+  local data=
+  local requires=
+
+  local path_previous=$PWD
+  local path_current=$PWD
+  local rule_url=$6
+  local rule_path_base=$7
+  local rule_path_rule=$8
+  local rule_path_premade=$9
+  local rule_file=$rule_oh.rule
+
+  local premade_path=
+
+  local strategy_path=$resume_path
+  local strategy_file=$kit_operation-$rule-$rule_what-$rule_huh-$rule_oh.variables
+
+  local resume_file=$kit_operation-$rule-$rule_what-$rule_huh-$rule_oh.resume
+  local resume_rule_path=$resume_path
+  local resume_rule_file=$kit_operation-$rule-$rule_what-$rule_huh-$rule_oh.rule
+
+  # dynamic variable management
+  local dynamic_optional=
+  local dynamic_required=
+
+  # strategy data management
+  local strategy_data=
+  local strategy_length=
+  local strategy_names=
+
+  # strategy data management
+  local inline_data=
+  local inline_length=
+  local inline_names=
+
+  # other variables
+  local c=
+  local t=
+  local total=
+  local temporary=
+
+
+  if [[ ! -f $system_cache_path$rule_path_base$rule_path_rule$rule_file ]] ; then
+    kit_rule_error "Failed to find the rules file '$c_notice$system_cache_path$rule_path_base$rule_path_rule$rule_file$c_error'"
+  fi
+
+
+  kit_log_section
+  kit_log_message message "now ${kit_operation}ing '$rule' '$rule_what' '$rule_huh' '$rule_oh' from $rule_type"
+
+
+  # ensure that the rule resume file exists
+  if [[ ! -f $resume_path$resume_file || $resume_execution != "yes" ]] ; then
+    echo -e "# fss-0001\n" > $resume_path$resume_file
+  fi
+
+
+  # about:
+  data=$about_flags
+  kit_rule_read about_from about from 0
+  kit_rule_read about_copyright about copyright 0
+  kit_rule_read about_flags about flags 0
+  about_flags="$about_flags$data "
+  data=
+
+  if [[ $(echo "$about_flags" | grep -s -o '\<premade\>') != "" ]] ; then
+    premade_path="$system_cache_path$rule_path_base$rule_path_premade"
+    kit_rule_repository_load_premade
+  fi
+
+
+  # provides:
+  kit_rule_read provides provides
+
+
+  # requires:
+  kit_rule_read requires requires
+
+
+  # generate and preprocess the strategy list
+  kit_dynamic_strategy_prepare
+
+
+  if [[ ! -f $resume_rule_path$resume_rule_file ]] ; then
+    resume_execution=
+  fi
+
+  # perform resume if requested
+  if [[ $resume_execution == "yes" ]] ; then
+    kit_log_message message "now resuming '$resume_rule_path$resume_rule_file' using '$resume_path$resume_file'"
+
+    # load resume line
+    c=$(fss_extended_read -n line -c 0 -s 0 $resume_path$resume_file)
+
+    if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+      kit_rule_error "Failed to read '$c_notice$resume_path$resume_file$c_error', cannot resume"
+    fi
+
+    if [[ $c -ge 0 ]] ; then
+      let line_number=$c+1
+
+      # process all custom operations that provide resume functions
+      kit_operation_mode_resume
+      kit_operation_group_resume
+      kit_operation_attribute_resume
+      kit_operation_access_resume
+
+      kit_operation_path_resume
+      kit_operation_version_resume
+
+      kit_dynamic_inline_resume
+    else
+      resume_execution=
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $resume_execution != "yes" ]] ; then
+    # $rule_type:
+    if [[ ! $(fss_basic_list_read $system_cache_path$rule_path_base$rule_path_rule$rule_file -t -n $rule_type) -gt 0 ]] ; then
+      kit_rule_error "There is no target type of '$c_notice$rule_type$c_error' defined in the file '$c_notice$system_cache_path$rule_path_base$rule_path_rule$rule_file$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    kit_message_shell "fss_basic_list_read $system_cache_path$rule_path_base$rule_path_rule$rule_file -n $rule_type > $resume_rule_path$resume_rule_file"
+    fss_basic_list_read $system_cache_path$rule_path_base$rule_path_rule$rule_file -n $rule_type > $resume_rule_path$resume_rule_file
+
+    if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" ]] ; then
+      kit_rule_error "Failed to generate '$c_notice$resume_rule_path$resume_rule_file$c_error' from '$c_notice$rule_type$c_error' of the file '$c_notice$system_cache_path$rule_path_base$rule_path_rule$rule_file$c_error'"
+    fi
+
+    kit_dynamic_required_load_names "$resume_rule_path" "$resume_rule_file"
+    kit_dynamic_optional_load_names "$resume_rule_path" "$resume_rule_file"
+
+    kit_dynamic_process required "$resume_rule_path" "$resume_rule_file" "$parent-$rule"
+    kit_dynamic_process optional "$resume_rule_path" "$resume_rule_file" "$parent-$rule"
+
+    let c=0
+  fi
+
+  # begin processing the generated rules file
+  total=$(fss_basic_read -t $resume_rule_path$resume_rule_file)
+
+  if [[ $(kit_fss_has_error) != "" || $(standard_is_empty $total) == "" ]] ; then
+    kit_rule_error "Failed to load the generated rules file '$c_notice$resume_rule_path$resume_rule_file$c_error'"
+  fi
+
+  while [[ $c -lt $total ]] ; do
+    operation=$(fss_basic_read -c $c -o $resume_rule_path$resume_rule_file)
+    line=$(fss_basic_read -c $c $resume_rule_path$resume_rule_file)
+    let line_number=$c+1
+
+    sed -i -e '/^[[:space:]]*line\>/d' $resume_path$resume_file
+    temporary=$(fss_extended_write -s -p "$c")
+    echo "$(fss_extended_write -s -o line)$temporary" >> $resume_path$resume_file
+
+    kit_dynamic_process inline "$parent-$rule"
+
+    case $operation in
+      "shell") kit_operation_shell ;;
+      "version") kit_operation_version ;;
+      "attribute") kit_operation_attribute ;;
+      "mode") kit_operation_mode ;;
+      "group") kit_operation_group ;;
+      "access") kit_operation_access ;;
+      "directory" | "directory_dereference") kit_operation_directory ;;
+      "file" | "file_dereference" | "file_safe" | "file_new" | "file_new_dereference" | "executable" | "executable_dereference" | "executable_safe") kit_operation_file ;;
+      "library") kit_operation_library ;;
+      "strip") kit_operation_strip ;;
+      "path") kit_operation_path ;;
+      *) kit_message_warning "No such operation called '$c_notice$operation$c_reset'"
+    esac
+
+    let c++
+  done
+
+
+  # do cleanup
+
+  # always remove resume file on proper exit
+  if [[ -f $resume_path$resume_file ]] ; then
+    rm -f $resume_path$resume_file
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $do_cleanup == "y" ]] ; then
+    if [[ -f $strategy_path$strategy_file ]] ; then
+      rm -f $strategy_path$strategy_file
+    fi
+
+    if [[ -f $resume_rule_path$resume_rule_file ]] ; then
+      rm -f $resume_rule_path$resume_rule_file
+    fi
+  fi
+}
-- 
1.8.3.1