diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/comparisons/AbstractComparisonEvaluator.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/comparisons/AbstractComparisonEvaluator.java
index 2b4ea3a..1565cb9 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/comparisons/AbstractComparisonEvaluator.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/comparisons/AbstractComparisonEvaluator.java
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@
     private ComparisonResult compareDateOrTimeWithArg(ATypeTag typeTag2) throws AlgebricksException {
         if (typeTag2 == ATypeTag.NULL) {
             return ComparisonResult.GREATER_THAN;
-        } else if (typeTag2 == ATypeTag.DATETIME) {
+        } else if (typeTag2 == ATypeTag.DATE || typeTag2 == ATypeTag.TIME) {
             int result = dateOrTimeBinaryComp.compare(outLeft.getByteArray(), 1, outLeft.getLength() - 1,
                     outRight.getByteArray(), 1, outRight.getLength() - 1);
             if (result == 0)
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@
             else
                 return ComparisonResult.GREATER_THAN;
         }
-        throw new AlgebricksException("Comparison is undefined between types ADateTime and " + typeTag2 + " .");
+        throw new AlgebricksException("Comparison is undefined between types Date/Time and " + typeTag2 + " .");
     }
 
     private ComparisonResult compareDateTimeWithArg(ATypeTag typeTag2) throws AlgebricksException {
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@
             else
                 return ComparisonResult.GREATER_THAN;
         }
-        throw new AlgebricksException("Comparison is undefined between types ADateTime and " + typeTag2 + " .");
+        throw new AlgebricksException("Comparison is undefined between types Datetime and " + typeTag2 + " .");
     }
 
     private ComparisonResult compareBooleanWithArg(ATypeTag typeTag2) throws AlgebricksException {
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ADateConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ADateConstructorDescriptor.java
index 44fcf7c..a1f9911 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ADateConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ADateConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableDate;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ADateParserFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.GregorianCalendarSystem;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.AsterixBuiltinFunctions;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
@@ -73,8 +72,6 @@
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
 
-                    private ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor charAccessor = new ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor();
-
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
 
@@ -86,8 +83,17 @@
 
                                 int stringLength = (serString[1] & 0xff << 8) + (serString[2] & 0xff << 0);
 
-                                charAccessor.reset(serString, 3, stringLength);
-                                long chrononTimeInMs = ADateParserFactory.parseDatePart(charAccessor, true);
+                                int startOffset = 3;
+                                while (serString[startOffset] == ' ') {
+                                    startOffset++;
+                                }
+                                int endOffset = stringLength - 1 + 3;
+                                while (serString[endOffset] == ' ') {
+                                    endOffset--;
+                                }
+
+                                long chrononTimeInMs = ADateParserFactory.parseDatePart(serString, startOffset,
+                                        endOffset - startOffset + 1);
 
                                 short temp = 0;
                                 if (chrononTimeInMs < 0
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ADateTimeConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ADateTimeConstructorDescriptor.java
index 6a5783b..83f4c8b 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ADateTimeConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ADateTimeConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ADateParserFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ATimeParserFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.AsterixBuiltinFunctions;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
@@ -72,7 +71,6 @@
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
-                    private ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor charAccessor = new ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor();
 
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
@@ -85,25 +83,22 @@
 
                                 int stringLength = (serString[1] & 0xff << 8) + (serString[2] & 0xff << 0);
 
-                                charAccessor.reset(serString, 3, stringLength);
-
                                 // +1 if it is negative (-)
-                                short timeOffset = (short) ((charAccessor.getCharAt(0) == '-') ? 1 : 0);
+                                short timeOffset = (short) ((serString[3] == '-') ? 1 : 0);
 
-                                if (charAccessor.getCharAt(timeOffset + 10) != 'T'
-                                        && charAccessor.getCharAt(timeOffset + 8) != 'T') {
-                                    throw new AlgebricksException(errorMessage + ": missing T");
+                                timeOffset += 8;
+
+                                if (serString[3 + timeOffset] != 'T') {
+                                    timeOffset += 2;
+                                    if (serString[3 + timeOffset] != 'T') {
+                                        throw new AlgebricksException(errorMessage + ": missing T");
+                                    }
                                 }
 
-                                // if extended form 11, else 9
-                                timeOffset += (charAccessor.getCharAt(timeOffset + 13) == ':') ? (short) (11)
-                                        : (short) (9);
+                                long chrononTimeInMs = ADateParserFactory.parseDatePart(serString, 3, timeOffset);
 
-                                long chrononTimeInMs = ADateParserFactory.parseDatePart(charAccessor, false);
-
-                                charAccessor.reset(serString, 3 + timeOffset, stringLength - timeOffset);
-
-                                chrononTimeInMs += ATimeParserFactory.parseTimePart(charAccessor);
+                                chrononTimeInMs += ATimeParserFactory.parseTimePart(serString, 3 + timeOffset + 1,
+                                        stringLength - timeOffset - 1);
 
                                 aDateTime.setValue(chrononTimeInMs);
                                 datetimeSerde.serialize(aDateTime, out);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ADurationConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ADurationConstructorDescriptor.java
index b2b3f4e..a84ae1d 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ADurationConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ADurationConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableDuration;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ADurationParserFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.AsterixBuiltinFunctions;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
@@ -43,8 +42,6 @@
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
 
-    private final static ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor charAccessor = new ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor();
-
     public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
         public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
             return new ADurationConstructorDescriptor();
@@ -85,9 +82,7 @@
 
                                 int stringLength = (serString[1] & 0xff << 8) + (serString[2] & 0xff << 0);
 
-                                charAccessor.reset(serString, 3, stringLength);
-
-                                ADurationParserFactory.parseDuration(charAccessor, aDuration);
+                                ADurationParserFactory.parseDuration(serString, 3, stringLength, aDuration);
 
                                 durationSerde.serialize(aDuration, out);
                             } else if (serString[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalFromDateConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalFromDateConstructorDescriptor.java
index e1a12f8..0414874 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalFromDateConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalFromDateConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInterval;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ADateParserFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.GregorianCalendarSystem;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
@@ -78,8 +77,6 @@
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
 
-                    private ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor charAccessor = new ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor();
-
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
 
@@ -100,17 +97,15 @@
                                         + (argOut0.getByteArray()[2] & 0xff << 0);
 
                                 // start date
-                                charAccessor.reset(argOut0.getByteArray(), 3, stringLength);
-                                long intervalStart = ADateParserFactory.parseDatePart(charAccessor, true)
-                                        / GregorianCalendarSystem.CHRONON_OF_DAY;
-                                // end date
+                                long intervalStart = ADateParserFactory.parseDatePart(argOut0.getByteArray(), 3,
+                                        stringLength) / GregorianCalendarSystem.CHRONON_OF_DAY;
 
+                                // end date
                                 stringLength = (argOut1.getByteArray()[1] & 0xff << 8)
                                         + (argOut1.getByteArray()[2] & 0xff << 0);
 
-                                charAccessor.reset(argOut1.getByteArray(), 3, stringLength);
-                                long intervalEnd = ADateParserFactory.parseDatePart(charAccessor, true)
-                                        / GregorianCalendarSystem.CHRONON_OF_DAY;
+                                long intervalEnd = ADateParserFactory.parseDatePart(argOut1.getByteArray(), 3,
+                                        stringLength) / GregorianCalendarSystem.CHRONON_OF_DAY;
 
                                 if (intervalEnd < intervalStart) {
                                     throw new AlgebricksException(
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalFromDateTimeConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalFromDateTimeConstructorDescriptor.java
index 72a8e37..6b3e2b6 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalFromDateTimeConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalFromDateTimeConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ADateParserFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ATimeParserFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
@@ -78,8 +77,6 @@
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
 
-                    private ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor charAccessor = new ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor();
-
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
 
@@ -95,47 +92,43 @@
                                 nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, out);
                             } else if (argOut0.getByteArray()[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG
                                     && argOut1.getByteArray()[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
-                                // start date
-
+                                // start datetime
                                 int stringLength = (argOut0.getByteArray()[1] & 0xff << 8)
                                         + (argOut0.getByteArray()[2] & 0xff << 0);
 
-                                charAccessor.reset(argOut0.getByteArray(), 3, stringLength);
                                 // get offset for time part: +1 if it is negative (-)
-                                short timeOffset = (short) ((charAccessor.getCharAt(0) == '-') ? 1 : 0);
-
-                                if (charAccessor.getCharAt(timeOffset + 10) != 'T'
-                                        && charAccessor.getCharAt(timeOffset + 8) != 'T') {
-                                    throw new AlgebricksException(errorMessage + ": missing T");
+                                short timeOffset = (short) ((argOut0.getByteArray()[3] == '-') ? 1 : 0);
+                                timeOffset += 8;
+                                if (argOut0.getByteArray()[3 + timeOffset] != 'T') {
+                                    timeOffset += 2;
+                                    if (argOut0.getByteArray()[3 + timeOffset] != 'T') {
+                                        throw new AlgebricksException(errorMessage + ": missing T");
+                                    }
                                 }
 
-                                // if extended form 11, else 9
-                                timeOffset += (charAccessor.getCharAt(timeOffset + 13) == ':') ? (short) (11)
-                                        : (short) (9);
-                                long intervalStart = ADateParserFactory.parseDatePart(charAccessor, false);
-                                charAccessor.reset(argOut0.getByteArray(), 3 + timeOffset, stringLength - timeOffset);
-                                intervalStart += ATimeParserFactory.parseTimePart(charAccessor);
+                                long intervalStart = ADateParserFactory.parseDatePart(argOut0.getByteArray(), 3,
+                                        timeOffset);
+                                intervalStart += ATimeParserFactory.parseTimePart(argOut0.getByteArray(),
+                                        3 + timeOffset + 1, stringLength - timeOffset - 1);
 
-                                // end date
-
+                                // end datetime
                                 stringLength = (argOut1.getByteArray()[1] & 0xff << 8)
                                         + (argOut1.getByteArray()[2] & 0xff << 0);
 
-                                charAccessor.reset(argOut1.getByteArray(), 3, stringLength);
                                 // get offset for time part: +1 if it is negative (-)
-                                timeOffset = (short) ((charAccessor.getCharAt(0) == '-') ? 1 : 0);
-
-                                if (charAccessor.getCharAt(timeOffset + 10) != 'T'
-                                        && charAccessor.getCharAt(timeOffset + 8) != 'T') {
-                                    throw new AlgebricksException(errorMessage + ": missing T");
+                                timeOffset = (short) ((argOut1.getByteArray()[3] == '-') ? 1 : 0);
+                                timeOffset += 8;
+                                if (argOut1.getByteArray()[3 + timeOffset] != 'T') {
+                                    timeOffset += 2;
+                                    if (argOut1.getByteArray()[3 + timeOffset] != 'T') {
+                                        throw new AlgebricksException(errorMessage + ": missing T");
+                                    }
                                 }
 
-                                // if extended form 11, else 9
-                                timeOffset += (charAccessor.getCharAt(timeOffset + 13) == ':') ? (short) (11)
-                                        : (short) (9);
-                                long intervalEnd = ADateParserFactory.parseDatePart(charAccessor, false);
-                                charAccessor.reset(argOut1.getByteArray(), 3 + timeOffset, stringLength - timeOffset);
-                                intervalEnd += ATimeParserFactory.parseTimePart(charAccessor);
+                                long intervalEnd = ADateParserFactory.parseDatePart(argOut1.getByteArray(), 3,
+                                        timeOffset);
+                                intervalEnd += ATimeParserFactory.parseTimePart(argOut1.getByteArray(),
+                                        3 + timeOffset + 1, stringLength - timeOffset - 1);
 
                                 if (intervalEnd < intervalStart) {
                                     throw new AlgebricksException(
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalFromTimeConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalFromTimeConstructorDescriptor.java
index 3ce722a..042a33b 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalFromTimeConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalFromTimeConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInterval;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ATimeParserFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.GregorianCalendarSystem;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
@@ -78,8 +77,6 @@
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
 
-                    private ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor charAccessor = new ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor();
-
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
 
@@ -96,23 +93,21 @@
                             } else if (argOut0.getByteArray()[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG
                                     && argOut1.getByteArray()[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 // start date
-
                                 int stringLength = (argOut0.getByteArray()[1] & 0xff << 8)
                                         + (argOut0.getByteArray()[2] & 0xff << 0);
 
-                                charAccessor.reset(argOut0.getByteArray(), 3, stringLength);
-                                long intervalStart = ATimeParserFactory.parseTimePart(charAccessor);
+                                long intervalStart = ATimeParserFactory.parseTimePart(argOut0.getByteArray(), 3,
+                                        stringLength);
                                 if (intervalStart < 0) {
                                     intervalStart += GregorianCalendarSystem.CHRONON_OF_DAY;
                                 }
 
                                 // end date
-
                                 stringLength = (argOut1.getByteArray()[1] & 0xff << 8)
                                         + (argOut1.getByteArray()[2] & 0xff << 0);
 
-                                charAccessor.reset(argOut1.getByteArray(), 3, stringLength);
-                                long intervalEnd = ATimeParserFactory.parseTimePart(charAccessor);
+                                long intervalEnd = ATimeParserFactory.parseTimePart(argOut1.getByteArray(), 3,
+                                        stringLength);
                                 if (intervalEnd < 0) {
                                     intervalEnd += GregorianCalendarSystem.CHRONON_OF_DAY;
                                 }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalStartFromDateConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalStartFromDateConstructorDescriptor.java
index 23fdb07..d5a0db9 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalStartFromDateConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalStartFromDateConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ADateParserFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ADurationParserFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.DurationArithmeticOperations;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.GregorianCalendarSystem;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
@@ -82,8 +81,6 @@
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
 
-                    private ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor charAccessor = new ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor();
-
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
 
@@ -99,20 +96,20 @@
                                 nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, out);
                             } else if (argOut0.getByteArray()[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG
                                     && argOut1.getByteArray()[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
-                                // start date
 
+                                // start date
                                 int stringLength = (argOut0.getByteArray()[1] & 0xff << 8)
                                         + (argOut0.getByteArray()[2] & 0xff << 0);
 
-                                charAccessor.reset(argOut0.getByteArray(), 3, stringLength);
-                                long intervalStart = ADateParserFactory.parseDatePart(charAccessor, true);
-                                // duration
+                                long intervalStart = ADateParserFactory.parseDatePart(argOut0.getByteArray(), 3,
+                                        stringLength);
 
+                                // duration
                                 stringLength = (argOut1.getByteArray()[1] & 0xff << 8)
                                         + (argOut1.getByteArray()[2] & 0xff << 0);
 
-                                charAccessor.reset(argOut1.getByteArray(), 3, stringLength);
-                                ADurationParserFactory.parseDuration(charAccessor, aDuration);
+                                ADurationParserFactory
+                                        .parseDuration(argOut1.getByteArray(), 3, stringLength, aDuration);
 
                                 long intervalEnd = DurationArithmeticOperations.addDuration(intervalStart,
                                         aDuration.getMonths(), aDuration.getMilliseconds());
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalStartFromDateTimeConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalStartFromDateTimeConstructorDescriptor.java
index 91c45df..d821fc3 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalStartFromDateTimeConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalStartFromDateTimeConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ADateParserFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ADurationParserFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ATimeParserFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.DurationArithmeticOperations;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
@@ -82,8 +81,6 @@
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
 
-                    private ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor charAccessor = new ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor();
-
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
 
@@ -104,29 +101,29 @@
                                 int stringLength = (argOut0.getByteArray()[1] & 0xff << 8)
                                         + (argOut0.getByteArray()[2] & 0xff << 0);
 
-                                charAccessor.reset(argOut0.getByteArray(), 3, stringLength);
                                 // get offset for time part: +1 if it is negative (-)
-                                short timeOffset = (short) ((charAccessor.getCharAt(0) == '-') ? 1 : 0);
+                                short timeOffset = (short) ((argOut0.getByteArray()[3] == '-') ? 1 : 0);
 
-                                if (charAccessor.getCharAt(timeOffset + 10) != 'T'
-                                        && charAccessor.getCharAt(timeOffset + 8) != 'T') {
-                                    throw new AlgebricksException(errorMessage + ": missing T");
+                                timeOffset += 8;
+
+                                if (argOut0.getByteArray()[3 + timeOffset] != 'T') {
+                                    timeOffset += 2;
+                                    if (argOut0.getByteArray()[3 + timeOffset] != 'T') {
+                                        throw new AlgebricksException(errorMessage + ": missing T");
+                                    }
                                 }
 
-                                // if extended form 11, else 9
-                                timeOffset += (charAccessor.getCharAt(timeOffset + 13) == ':') ? (short) (11)
-                                        : (short) (9);
-                                long intervalStart = ADateParserFactory.parseDatePart(charAccessor, false);
-                                charAccessor.reset(argOut0.getByteArray(), 3 + timeOffset, stringLength - timeOffset);
-                                intervalStart += ATimeParserFactory.parseTimePart(charAccessor);
+                                long intervalStart = ADateParserFactory.parseDatePart(argOut0.getByteArray(), 3,
+                                        timeOffset);
+                                intervalStart += ATimeParserFactory.parseTimePart(argOut0.getByteArray(),
+                                        3 + timeOffset + 1, stringLength - timeOffset - 1);
 
                                 // duration
-
                                 stringLength = (argOut1.getByteArray()[1] & 0xff << 8)
                                         + (argOut1.getByteArray()[2] & 0xff << 0);
 
-                                charAccessor.reset(argOut1.getByteArray(), 3, stringLength);
-                                ADurationParserFactory.parseDuration(charAccessor, aDuration);
+                                ADurationParserFactory
+                                        .parseDuration(argOut1.getByteArray(), 3, stringLength, aDuration);
 
                                 long intervalEnd = DurationArithmeticOperations.addDuration(intervalStart,
                                         aDuration.getMonths(), aDuration.getMilliseconds());
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalStartFromTimeConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalStartFromTimeConstructorDescriptor.java
index e576fef..8135598 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalStartFromTimeConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AIntervalStartFromTimeConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ADurationParserFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ATimeParserFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.DurationArithmeticOperations;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.GregorianCalendarSystem;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
@@ -82,8 +81,6 @@
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
 
-                    private ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor charAccessor = new ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor();
-
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
 
@@ -104,8 +101,8 @@
                                 int stringLength = (argOut0.getByteArray()[1] & 0xff << 8)
                                         + (argOut0.getByteArray()[2] & 0xff << 0);
 
-                                charAccessor.reset(argOut0.getByteArray(), 3, stringLength);
-                                int intervalStart = ATimeParserFactory.parseTimePart(charAccessor);
+                                int intervalStart = ATimeParserFactory.parseTimePart(argOut0.getByteArray(), 3,
+                                        stringLength);
 
                                 if (intervalStart < 0) {
                                     intervalStart += GregorianCalendarSystem.CHRONON_OF_DAY;
@@ -116,8 +113,8 @@
                                 stringLength = (argOut1.getByteArray()[1] & 0xff << 8)
                                         + (argOut1.getByteArray()[2] & 0xff << 0);
 
-                                charAccessor.reset(argOut1.getByteArray(), 3, stringLength);
-                                ADurationParserFactory.parseDuration(charAccessor, aDuration);
+                                ADurationParserFactory
+                                        .parseDuration(argOut1.getByteArray(), 3, stringLength, aDuration);
 
                                 if (aDuration.getMonths() != 0) {
                                     throw new AlgebricksException("Cannot add a year-month duration to a time value.");
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ATimeConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ATimeConstructorDescriptor.java
index caff78b..f2ad400 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ATimeConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ATimeConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ATime;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ATimeParserFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.GregorianCalendarSystem;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.AsterixBuiltinFunctions;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
@@ -73,8 +72,6 @@
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
 
-                    private ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor charAccessor = new ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor();
-
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
 
@@ -86,8 +83,7 @@
 
                                 int stringLength = (serString[1] & 0xff << 8) + (serString[2] & 0xff << 0);
 
-                                charAccessor.reset(serString, 3, stringLength);
-                                int chrononTimeInMs = ATimeParserFactory.parseTimePart(charAccessor);
+                                int chrononTimeInMs = ATimeParserFactory.parseTimePart(serString, 3, stringLength);
 
                                 if (chrononTimeInMs < 0) {
                                     chrononTimeInMs += GregorianCalendarSystem.CHRONON_OF_DAY;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CodePointToStringDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CodePointToStringDescriptor.java
index 5dcb838..55fe563 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CodePointToStringDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CodePointToStringDescriptor.java
@@ -93,9 +93,6 @@
                     private ICopyEvaluatorFactory listEvalFactory = args[0];
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInputList = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                     private ICopyEvaluator evalList = listEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInputList);
-                    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
-                    private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
-                            .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
 
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
@@ -103,10 +100,6 @@
                             outInputList.reset();
                             evalList.evaluate(tuple);
                             byte[] serOrderedList = outInputList.getByteArray();
-                            if (serOrderedList[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
-                                nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, out);
-                                return;
-                            }
                             if (serOrderedList[0] != SER_ORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 throw new AlgebricksException("Expects an Integer List."
                                         + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(serOrderedList[0]));
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericRoundHalfToEven2Descriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericRoundHalfToEven2Descriptor.java
index 06cf69a..e205bf5 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericRoundHalfToEven2Descriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericRoundHalfToEven2Descriptor.java
@@ -98,13 +98,10 @@
                             return (int) AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                         } else if (argOut.getByteArray()[0] == serInt64TypeTag) {
                             return (int) AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
-                        } else if (argOut.getByteArray()[0] == serFloatTypeTag) {
-                            return (int) AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
-                        } else if (argOut.getByteArray()[0] == serDoubleTypeTag) {
-                            return (int) ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
+                        } else {
+                            throw new AlgebricksException(
+                                    "The precision argument for round-half-to-even should be an integer.");
                         }
-
-                        return 0;
                     }
 
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/StringConcatDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/StringConcatDescriptor.java
index f975579..f53ebe8 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/StringConcatDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/StringConcatDescriptor.java
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
 import java.io.IOException;
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.exceptions.AsterixException;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.functions.FunctionConstants;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.AsterixBuiltinFunctions;
@@ -67,10 +66,6 @@
                             } catch (AsterixException e) {
                                 throw new AlgebricksException(e);
                             }
-                            if (listAccessor.getItemType() == ATypeTag.NULL) {
-                                nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, out);
-                                return;
-                            }
                             try {
                                 // calculate length first
                                 int utf8Len = 0;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/StringJoinDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/StringJoinDescriptor.java
index c379c3e3..67334ce 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/StringJoinDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/StringJoinDescriptor.java
@@ -5,20 +5,16 @@
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.exceptions.AsterixException;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.AOrderedListSerializerDeserializer;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.AsterixBuiltinFunctions;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.api.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.primitive.UTF8StringPointable;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.util.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -37,7 +33,6 @@
         }
     };
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
-    private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_ORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.ORDEREDLIST.serialize();
     private final byte stringTypeTag = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
 
@@ -58,9 +53,6 @@
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInputSep = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                     private ICopyEvaluator evalList = listEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInputList);
                     private ICopyEvaluator evalSep = sepEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInputSep);
-                    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
-                    private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
-                            .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
 
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
@@ -72,20 +64,14 @@
                             outInputSep.reset();
                             evalSep.evaluate(tuple);
                             byte[] serSep = outInputSep.getByteArray();
-                            if (serOrderedList[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
-                                nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, out);
-                                return;
-                            }
                             if (serOrderedList[0] != SER_ORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG) {
-                                throw new AlgebricksException("Expects String List."
+                                throw new AlgebricksException("Expects String List but got "
                                         + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(serOrderedList[0]));
                             }
 
-                            if (serSep[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
-                            }
                             if (serSep[0] != SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
-                                throw new AlgebricksException("Expects String as Seperator."
-                                        + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(serOrderedList[0]));
+                                throw new AlgebricksException("Expects String as Seperator but got "
+                                        + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(serSep[0]));
                             }
 
                             int size = AOrderedListSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfItems(serOrderedList);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/StringToCodePointDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/StringToCodePointDescriptor.java
index fdd45e2..3d845e1 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/StringToCodePointDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/StringToCodePointDescriptor.java
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt32;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.AsterixBuiltinFunctions;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
@@ -43,7 +42,6 @@
         }
     };
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
-    private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
 
     @Override
     public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
@@ -62,9 +60,6 @@
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
 
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
-                    private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
-                            .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
-                    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                     private final ISerializerDeserializer<AInt32> int32Serde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.AINT32);
                     private final AMutableInt32 aInt32 = new AMutableInt32(0);
@@ -123,9 +118,7 @@
 
                                 }
                                 listBuilder.write(out, true);
-                            } else if (serString[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG)
-                                nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, out);
-                            else
+                            } else
                                 throw new AlgebricksException("Expects String Type.");
                         } catch (IOException e1) {
                             throw new AlgebricksException(e1.getMessage());
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/temporal/AdjustDateTimeForTimeZoneDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/temporal/AdjustDateTimeForTimeZoneDescriptor.java
index fb01e97..21d098a 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/temporal/AdjustDateTimeForTimeZoneDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/temporal/AdjustDateTimeForTimeZoneDescriptor.java
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ATimeParserFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.GregorianCalendarSystem;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.GregorianCalendarSystem.Fields;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
@@ -81,8 +80,6 @@
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
 
-                    private ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor charAccessor = new ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor();
-
                     private GregorianCalendarSystem calInstance = GregorianCalendarSystem.getInstance();
 
                     @Override
@@ -111,12 +108,7 @@
                                                 + argOut1.getByteArray()[0]);
                             }
 
-                            int stringLength = (argOut1.getByteArray()[1] & 0xff << 8)
-                                    + (argOut1.getByteArray()[2] & 0xff << 0);
-
-                            charAccessor.reset(argOut1.getByteArray(), 3, stringLength);
-
-                            int timezone = ATimeParserFactory.parseTimezonePart(charAccessor, 0);
+                            int timezone = ATimeParserFactory.parseTimezonePart(argOut1.getByteArray(), 3);
 
                             if (!calInstance.validateTimeZone(timezone)) {
                                 throw new AlgebricksException("Wrong format for a time zone string!");
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/temporal/AdjustTimeForTimeZoneDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/temporal/AdjustTimeForTimeZoneDescriptor.java
index 1323664..1f8842e 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/temporal/AdjustTimeForTimeZoneDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/temporal/AdjustTimeForTimeZoneDescriptor.java
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ATimeParserFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.GregorianCalendarSystem;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.temporal.GregorianCalendarSystem.Fields;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
@@ -81,8 +80,6 @@
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
 
-                    private ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor charAccessor = new ByteArrayCharSequenceAccessor();
-
                     private GregorianCalendarSystem calInstance = GregorianCalendarSystem.getInstance();
 
                     @Override
@@ -111,12 +108,7 @@
                                                 + argOut1.getByteArray()[0]);
                             }
 
-                            int stringLength = (argOut0.getByteArray()[1] & 0xff << 8)
-                                    + (argOut0.getByteArray()[2] & 0xff << 0);
-
-                            charAccessor.reset(argOut1.getByteArray(), 3, stringLength);
-
-                            int timezone = ATimeParserFactory.parseTimezonePart(charAccessor, 0);
+                            int timezone = ATimeParserFactory.parseTimezonePart(argOut1.getByteArray(), 3);
 
                             if (!calInstance.validateTimeZone(timezone)) {
                                 throw new AlgebricksException("Wrong format for a time zone string!");
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/temporal/CalendarDuartionFromDateDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/temporal/CalendarDuartionFromDateDescriptor.java
index c6be030..cbd600f 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/temporal/CalendarDuartionFromDateDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/temporal/CalendarDuartionFromDateDescriptor.java
@@ -186,9 +186,9 @@
                                 }
 
                                 if (day < 0) {
-                                    boolean isLeapYear = calInstanct.isLeapYear(year0);
-                                    day += (isLeapYear) ? (GregorianCalendarSystem.DAYS_OF_MONTH_LEAP[month0 - 1])
-                                            : (GregorianCalendarSystem.DAYS_OF_MONTH_ORDI[month0 - 1]);
+                                    boolean isLeapYear = calInstanct.isLeapYear(year1);
+                                    day += (isLeapYear) ? (GregorianCalendarSystem.DAYS_OF_MONTH_LEAP[month1 - 2])
+                                            : (GregorianCalendarSystem.DAYS_OF_MONTH_ORDI[month1 - 2]);
                                     month -= 1;
                                 }
 
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/temporal/CalendarDurationFromDateTimeDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/temporal/CalendarDurationFromDateTimeDescriptor.java
index 2c7a9a7..8df3c7f 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/temporal/CalendarDurationFromDateTimeDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/temporal/CalendarDurationFromDateTimeDescriptor.java
@@ -124,13 +124,13 @@
 
                             if (argOut0.getByteArray()[0] != SER_DATETIME_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 throw new AlgebricksException(
-                                        "Inapplicable input type for parameter 0: expecting ADateTime, but got: "
+                                        "Inapplicable input type for parameter 0: expecting Datetime, but got: "
                                                 + argOut0.getByteArray()[0]);
                             }
 
                             if (argOut1.getByteArray()[0] != SER_DURATION_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 throw new AlgebricksException(
-                                        "Inapplicable input type for parameter 1: expecting ADateTime, but got: "
+                                        "Inapplicable input type for parameter 1: expecting Duration, but got: "
                                                 + argOut1.getByteArray()[0]);
                             }
 
@@ -202,9 +202,9 @@
                                 }
 
                                 if (day < 0) {
-                                    boolean isLeapYear = calInstanct.isLeapYear(year0);
-                                    day += (isLeapYear) ? (GregorianCalendarSystem.DAYS_OF_MONTH_LEAP[month0 - 1])
-                                            : (GregorianCalendarSystem.DAYS_OF_MONTH_ORDI[month0 - 1]);
+                                    boolean isLeapYear = calInstanct.isLeapYear(year1);
+                                    day += (isLeapYear) ? (GregorianCalendarSystem.DAYS_OF_MONTH_LEAP[month1 - 2])
+                                            : (GregorianCalendarSystem.DAYS_OF_MONTH_ORDI[month1 - 2]);
                                     month -= 1;
                                 }
 
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/operators/file/ADMDataParser.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/operators/file/ADMDataParser.java
index 2e64ad4..b32110b 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/operators/file/ADMDataParser.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/operators/file/ADMDataParser.java
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@
                 try {
                     if (checkType(ATypeTag.INTERVAL, objectType, out)) {
                         if (admLexer.next() == AdmLexer.TOKEN_CONSTRUCTOR_OPEN) {
-                            if (admLexer.next() == AdmLexer.TOKEN_STRING_CONS) {
+                            if (admLexer.next() == AdmLexer.TOKEN_STRING_LITERAL) {
                                 AIntervalSerializerDeserializer.parseDate(admLexer.getLastTokenImage(), out);
 
                                 if (admLexer.next() == AdmLexer.TOKEN_CONSTRUCTOR_CLOSE) {
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@
                 try {
                     if (checkType(ATypeTag.INTERVAL, objectType, out)) {
                         if (admLexer.next() == AdmLexer.TOKEN_CONSTRUCTOR_OPEN) {
-                            if (admLexer.next() == AdmLexer.TOKEN_STRING_CONS) {
+                            if (admLexer.next() == AdmLexer.TOKEN_STRING_LITERAL) {
                                 AIntervalSerializerDeserializer.parseTime(admLexer.getLastTokenImage(), out);
 
                                 if (admLexer.next() == AdmLexer.TOKEN_CONSTRUCTOR_CLOSE) {
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@
                 try {
                     if (checkType(ATypeTag.INTERVAL, objectType, out)) {
                         if (admLexer.next() == AdmLexer.TOKEN_CONSTRUCTOR_OPEN) {
-                            if (admLexer.next() == AdmLexer.TOKEN_STRING_CONS) {
+                            if (admLexer.next() == AdmLexer.TOKEN_STRING_LITERAL) {
                                 AIntervalSerializerDeserializer.parseDatetime(admLexer.getLastTokenImage(), out);
 
                                 if (admLexer.next() == AdmLexer.TOKEN_CONSTRUCTOR_CLOSE) {
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/resources/adm.grammar b/asterix-runtime/src/main/resources/adm.grammar
index 56c7212..4d4158f 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/resources/adm.grammar
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/resources/adm.grammar
@@ -26,9 +26,9 @@
 RECTANGLE_CONS = string(rectangle)
 CIRCLE_CONS    = string(circle)
 TIME_CONS      = string(time)
-INTERVAL_TIME_CONS      = string(interval_time)
-INTERVAL_DATE_CONS      = string(interval_date)
-INTERVAL_DATETIME_CONS  = string(interval_datetime)
+INTERVAL_TIME_CONS      = string(interval-time)
+INTERVAL_DATE_CONS      = string(interval-date)
+INTERVAL_DATETIME_CONS  = string(interval-datetime)
 
 NULL_LITERAL   = string(null)
 TRUE_LITERAL   = string(true)