diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/jobgen/AqlLogicalExpressionJobGen.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/jobgen/AqlLogicalExpressionJobGen.java
index c21043b..9717d6a 100644
--- a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/jobgen/AqlLogicalExpressionJobGen.java
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/jobgen/AqlLogicalExpressionJobGen.java
@@ -34,11 +34,11 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.IOperatorSchema;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.jobgen.impl.JobGenContext;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IAggregateFunctionFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IRunningAggregateFunctionFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IUnnestingFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyRunningAggregateFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyUnnestingFunctionFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.evaluators.ColumnAccessEvalFactory;
 
 public class AqlLogicalExpressionJobGen implements ILogicalExpressionJobGen {
@@ -49,10 +49,10 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(AggregateFunctionCallExpression expr,
+    public ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(AggregateFunctionCallExpression expr,
             IVariableTypeEnvironment env, IOperatorSchema[] inputSchemas, JobGenContext context)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        IEvaluatorFactory[] args = codegenArguments(expr, env, inputSchemas, context);
+        ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args = codegenArguments(expr, env, inputSchemas, context);
         IFunctionDescriptor fd;
         AqlMetadataProvider mp = (AqlMetadataProvider) context.getMetadataProvider();
         AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations compiledDecls = mp.getMetadataDeclarations();
@@ -92,10 +92,10 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IRunningAggregateFunctionFactory createRunningAggregateFunctionFactory(StatefulFunctionCallExpression expr,
+    public ICopyRunningAggregateFunctionFactory createRunningAggregateFunctionFactory(StatefulFunctionCallExpression expr,
             IVariableTypeEnvironment env, IOperatorSchema[] inputSchemas, JobGenContext context)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        IEvaluatorFactory[] args = codegenArguments(expr, env, inputSchemas, context);
+        ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args = codegenArguments(expr, env, inputSchemas, context);
         IFunctionDescriptor fd;
         AqlMetadataProvider mp = (AqlMetadataProvider) context.getMetadataProvider();
         AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations compiledDecls = mp.getMetadataDeclarations();
@@ -129,10 +129,10 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IUnnestingFunctionFactory createUnnestingFunctionFactory(UnnestingFunctionCallExpression expr,
+    public ICopyUnnestingFunctionFactory createUnnestingFunctionFactory(UnnestingFunctionCallExpression expr,
             IVariableTypeEnvironment env, IOperatorSchema[] inputSchemas, JobGenContext context)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        IEvaluatorFactory[] args = codegenArguments(expr, env, inputSchemas, context);
+        ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args = codegenArguments(expr, env, inputSchemas, context);
         IFunctionDescriptor fd;
         AqlMetadataProvider mp = (AqlMetadataProvider) context.getMetadataProvider();
         AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations compiledDecls = mp.getMetadataDeclarations();
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(ILogicalExpression expr, IVariableTypeEnvironment env,
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(ILogicalExpression expr, IVariableTypeEnvironment env,
             IOperatorSchema[] inputSchemas, JobGenContext context) throws AlgebricksException {
         switch (expr.getExpressionTag()) {
             case VARIABLE: {
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@
         }
     }
 
-    private IEvaluatorFactory createVariableEvaluatorFactory(VariableReferenceExpression expr,
+    private ICopyEvaluatorFactory createVariableEvaluatorFactory(VariableReferenceExpression expr,
             IOperatorSchema[] inputSchemas, JobGenContext context) throws AlgebricksException {
         LogicalVariable variable = expr.getVariableReference();
         for (IOperatorSchema scm : inputSchemas) {
@@ -193,10 +193,10 @@
         throw new AlgebricksException("Variable " + variable + " could not be found in any input schema.");
     }
 
-    private IEvaluatorFactory createScalarFunctionEvaluatorFactory(AbstractFunctionCallExpression expr,
+    private ICopyEvaluatorFactory createScalarFunctionEvaluatorFactory(AbstractFunctionCallExpression expr,
             IVariableTypeEnvironment env, IOperatorSchema[] inputSchemas, JobGenContext context)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        IEvaluatorFactory[] args = codegenArguments(expr, env, inputSchemas, context);
+        ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args = codegenArguments(expr, env, inputSchemas, context);
         FunctionIdentifier fi = expr.getFunctionIdentifier();
         ComparisonKind ck = AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions.getComparisonType(fi);
         if (ck != null) {
@@ -226,18 +226,18 @@
 
     }
 
-    private IEvaluatorFactory createConstantEvaluatorFactory(ConstantExpression expr, IOperatorSchema[] inputSchemas,
+    private ICopyEvaluatorFactory createConstantEvaluatorFactory(ConstantExpression expr, IOperatorSchema[] inputSchemas,
             JobGenContext context) throws AlgebricksException {
         AqlMetadataProvider mp = (AqlMetadataProvider) context.getMetadataProvider();
         IDataFormat format = mp == null ? FormatUtils.getDefaultFormat() : mp.getMetadataDeclarations().getFormat();
         return format.getConstantEvalFactory(expr.getValue());
     }
 
-    private IEvaluatorFactory[] codegenArguments(AbstractFunctionCallExpression expr, IVariableTypeEnvironment env,
+    private ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] codegenArguments(AbstractFunctionCallExpression expr, IVariableTypeEnvironment env,
             IOperatorSchema[] inputSchemas, JobGenContext context) throws AlgebricksException {
         List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> arguments = expr.getArguments();
         int n = arguments.size();
-        IEvaluatorFactory[] args = new IEvaluatorFactory[n];
+        ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args = new ICopyEvaluatorFactory[n];
         int i = 0;
         for (Mutable<ILogicalExpression> a : arguments) {
             args[i++] = createEvaluatorFactory(a.getValue(), env, inputSchemas, context);
@@ -246,10 +246,10 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory createSerializableAggregateFunctionFactory(
+    public ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory createSerializableAggregateFunctionFactory(
             AggregateFunctionCallExpression expr, IVariableTypeEnvironment env, IOperatorSchema[] inputSchemas,
             JobGenContext context) throws AlgebricksException {
-        IEvaluatorFactory[] args = codegenArguments(expr, env, inputSchemas, context);
+        ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args = codegenArguments(expr, env, inputSchemas, context);
         IFunctionDescriptor fd;
         AqlMetadataProvider mp = (AqlMetadataProvider) context.getMetadataProvider();
         AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations compiledDecls = mp.getMetadataDeclarations();
diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/ConstantFoldingRule.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/ConstantFoldingRule.java
index a8e6961..2310ba5 100644
--- a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/ConstantFoldingRule.java
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/ConstantFoldingRule.java
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.AggregateFunctionCallExpression;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.ConstantExpression;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.IVariableTypeEnvironment;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.LogicalExpressionJobGenToExpressionRuntimeProviderAdapter;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.ScalarFunctionCallExpression;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.StatefulFunctionCallExpression;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.UnnestingFunctionCallExpression;
@@ -59,12 +60,13 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.visitors.ILogicalExpressionVisitor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.jobgen.impl.JobGenContext;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.rewriter.base.IAlgebraicRewriteRule;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IScalarEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IScalarEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.api.IPointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.primitive.VoidPointable;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.comm.util.ByteBufferInputStream;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 
 public class ConstantFoldingRule implements IAlgebraicRewriteRule {
 
@@ -104,8 +106,9 @@
             AqlBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider.INSTANCE, AqlTypeTraitProvider.INSTANCE,
             AqlBinaryBooleanInspectorImpl.INSTANCE, AqlBinaryIntegerInspector.INSTANCE,
             AqlPrinterFactoryProvider.INSTANCE, AqlNullWriterFactory.INSTANCE, null,
-            AqlLogicalExpressionJobGen.INSTANCE, AqlExpressionTypeComputer.INSTANCE, AqlNullableTypeComputer.INSTANCE,
-            null, null, null, GlobalConfig.DEFAULT_FRAME_SIZE, null);
+            new LogicalExpressionJobGenToExpressionRuntimeProviderAdapter(AqlLogicalExpressionJobGen.INSTANCE),
+            AqlExpressionTypeComputer.INSTANCE, AqlNullableTypeComputer.INSTANCE, null, null, null,
+            GlobalConfig.DEFAULT_FRAME_SIZE, null);
 
     private static final IOperatorSchema[] _emptySchemas = new IOperatorSchema[] {};
 
@@ -127,7 +130,7 @@
     private class ConstantFoldingVisitor implements ILogicalExpressionVisitor<Pair<Boolean, ILogicalExpression>, Void>,
             ILogicalExpressionReferenceTransform {
 
-        private ArrayBackedValueStorage resStore = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
+        private IPointable p = VoidPointable.FACTORY.createPointable();
         private ByteBufferInputStream bbis = new ByteBufferInputStream();
         private DataInputStream dis = new DataInputStream(bbis);
 
@@ -175,16 +178,15 @@
                     return new Pair<Boolean, ILogicalExpression>(changed, expr);
                 }
             }
-            IEvaluatorFactory fact = _jobGenCtx.getExpressionJobGen().createEvaluatorFactory(expr, _emptyTypeEnv,
-                    _emptySchemas, _jobGenCtx);
-            IEvaluator eval = fact.createEvaluator(resStore);
-            resStore.reset();
-            eval.evaluate(null);
+            IScalarEvaluatorFactory fact = _jobGenCtx.getExpressionRuntimeProvider().createEvaluatorFactory(expr,
+                    _emptyTypeEnv, _emptySchemas, _jobGenCtx);
+            IScalarEvaluator eval = fact.createScalarEvaluator();
+            eval.evaluate(null, p);
             Object t = _emptyTypeEnv.getType(expr);
-            
+
             @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
             ISerializerDeserializer serde = _jobGenCtx.getSerializerDeserializerProvider().getSerializerDeserializer(t);
-            bbis.setByteBuffer(ByteBuffer.wrap(resStore.getBytes(), resStore.getStartIndex(), resStore.getLength()), 0);
+            bbis.setByteBuffer(ByteBuffer.wrap(p.getByteArray(), p.getStartOffset(), p.getLength()), 0);
             IAObject o;
             try {
                 o = (IAObject) serde.deserialize(dis);
diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceBTreeIndexSearchRule.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceBTreeIndexSearchRule.java
index abaf0e2..9e67b2d 100644
--- a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceBTreeIndexSearchRule.java
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceBTreeIndexSearchRule.java
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.SelectOperator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.UnnestMapOperator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.util.OperatorPropertiesUtil;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 
 public class IntroduceBTreeIndexSearchRule extends IntroduceTreeIndexSearchRule {
 
@@ -624,7 +624,7 @@
             Pair<IAType, Boolean> keyPair = AqlCompiledIndexDecl.getNonNullableKeyFieldType(sk, itemType);
             types.add(keyPair.first);
         }
-        for (Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> t : DatasetUtils
+        for (Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> t : DatasetUtils
                 .getPartitioningFunctions(ddecl)) {
             types.add(t.third);
         }
diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceDynamicTypeCastRule.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceDynamicTypeCastRule.java
index 35a5966..c41d908 100644
--- a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceDynamicTypeCastRule.java
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceDynamicTypeCastRule.java
@@ -43,6 +43,31 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.visitors.VariableUtilities;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.rewriter.base.IAlgebraicRewriteRule;
 
+/**
+ * Dynamically cast a variable from its type to a specified required type, in a
+ * recursive way. It enables: 1. bag-based fields in a record, 2. bidirectional
+ * cast of a open field and a matched closed field, and 3. put in null fields
+ * when necessary.
+ * 
+ * Here is an example: A record { "hobby": {{"music", "coding"}}, "id": "001",
+ * "name": "Person Three"} which confirms to closed type ( id: string, name:
+ * string, hobby: {{string}}? ) can be cast to an open type (id: string ), or
+ * vice versa.
+ * 
+ * However, if the input record is a variable, then we don't know its exact
+ * field layout at compile time. For example, records conforming to the same
+ * type can have different field orderings and different open parts. That's why
+ * we need dynamic type casting.
+ * 
+ * Note that as we can see in the example, the ordering of fields of a record is
+ * not required. Since the open/closed part of a record has completely different
+ * underlying memory/storage layout, a cast-record function will change the
+ * layout as specified at runtime.
+ * 
+ * Implementation wise, this rule checks the target dataset type and the input
+ * record type, and if the types are different, then it plugs in an assign with
+ * a cast-record function, and projects away the original (uncast) field.
+ */
 public class IntroduceDynamicTypeCastRule implements IAlgebraicRewriteRule {
 
     @Override
diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceRTreeIndexSearchRule.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceRTreeIndexSearchRule.java
index 3a7dec0..de482dd 100644
--- a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceRTreeIndexSearchRule.java
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceRTreeIndexSearchRule.java
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.SelectOperator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.UnnestMapOperator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.util.OperatorPropertiesUtil;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 
 public class IntroduceRTreeIndexSearchRule extends IntroduceTreeIndexSearchRule {
 
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@
         for (int i = 0; i < numKeys; i++) {
             types.add(nestedKeyType);
         }
-        for (Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> t : DatasetUtils
+        for (Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> t : DatasetUtils
                 .getPartitioningFunctions(ddecl)) {
             types.add(t.third);
         }
diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule.java
index fc0a2e8..7dc35fe 100644
--- a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule.java
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule.java
@@ -1,6 +1,22 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.Arrays;
 import java.util.List;
 
 import org.apache.commons.lang3.mutable.Mutable;
@@ -10,13 +26,16 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AString;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.constants.AsterixConstantValue;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.AsterixBuiltinFunctions;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.base.TypeComputerUtilities;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AUnionType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AbstractCollectionType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.util.NonTaggedFormatUtil;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.base.DefaultOpenFieldType;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.ILogicalExpression;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.ILogicalOperator;
@@ -34,6 +53,32 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.visitors.VariableUtilities;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.rewriter.base.IAlgebraicRewriteRule;
 
+/**
+ * Statically cast a constant from its type to a specified required type, in a
+ * recursive way. It enables: 1. bag-based fields in a record, 2. bidirectional
+ * cast of a open field and a matched closed field, and 3. put in null fields
+ * when necessary. It should be fired before the constant folding rule.
+ * 
+ * This rule is not responsible for type casting between primitive types.
+ * 
+ * Here is an example: A record { "hobby": {{"music", "coding"}}, "id": "001",
+ * "name": "Person Three"} which confirms to closed type ( id: string, name:
+ * string, hobby: {{string}}? ) can be cast to an open type (id: string ), or
+ * vice versa.
+ * 
+ * Implementation wise: first, we match the record's type and its target dataset
+ * type to see if it is "cast-able"; second, if the types are cast-able, we
+ * embed the required type into the original producer expression. If the types
+ * are not cast-able, we throw a compile time exception.
+ * 
+ * Then, at runtime (not in this rule), the corresponding record/list
+ * constructors know what to do by checking the required output type.
+ * 
+ * TODO: right now record/list constructor of the cast result is not done in the
+ * ConstantFoldingRule and has to go to the runtime, because the
+ * ConstantFoldingRule uses ARecordSerializerDeserializer which seems to have
+ * some problem.
+ */
 public class IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule implements IAlgebraicRewriteRule {
 
     @Override
@@ -65,7 +110,7 @@
          * get required record type
          */
         InsertDeleteOperator insertDeleteOperator = (InsertDeleteOperator) op2;
-        AssignOperator oldAssignOperator = (AssignOperator) op3;
+        AssignOperator topAssignOperator = (AssignOperator) op3;
         AqlDataSource dataSource = (AqlDataSource) insertDeleteOperator.getDataSource();
         IAType[] schemaTypes = (IAType[]) dataSource.getSchemaTypes();
         ARecordType requiredRecordType = (ARecordType) schemaTypes[schemaTypes.length - 1];
@@ -74,23 +119,27 @@
          * get input record type to the insert operator
          */
         List<LogicalVariable> usedVariables = new ArrayList<LogicalVariable>();
-        VariableUtilities.getUsedVariables(oldAssignOperator, usedVariables);
+        VariableUtilities.getUsedVariables(topAssignOperator, usedVariables);
+
+        // the used variable should contain the record that will be inserted
+        // but it will not fail in many cases even if the used variable set is
+        // empty
         if (usedVariables.size() == 0)
             return false;
         LogicalVariable oldRecordVariable = usedVariables.get(0);
         LogicalVariable inputRecordVar = usedVariables.get(0);
-        IVariableTypeEnvironment env = oldAssignOperator.computeOutputTypeEnvironment(context);
+        IVariableTypeEnvironment env = topAssignOperator.computeOutputTypeEnvironment(context);
         ARecordType inputRecordType = (ARecordType) env.getVarType(inputRecordVar);
 
-        AbstractLogicalOperator currentOperator = oldAssignOperator;
+        AbstractLogicalOperator currentOperator = topAssignOperator;
         List<LogicalVariable> producedVariables = new ArrayList<LogicalVariable>();
-        boolean changed = false;
 
         /**
          * find the assign operator for the "input record" to the insert_delete
          * operator
          */
         do {
+            context.addToDontApplySet(this, currentOperator);
             if (currentOperator.getOperatorTag() == LogicalOperatorTag.ASSIGN) {
                 producedVariables.clear();
                 VariableUtilities.getProducedVariables(currentOperator, producedVariables);
@@ -101,25 +150,16 @@
                  */
                 if (position >= 0) {
                     AssignOperator originalAssign = (AssignOperator) currentOperator;
-                    List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> expressionPointers = originalAssign.getExpressions();
-                    ILogicalExpression expr = expressionPointers.get(position).getValue();
+                    List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> expressionRefs = originalAssign.getExpressions();
+                    ILogicalExpression expr = expressionRefs.get(position).getValue();
                     if (expr.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
                         ScalarFunctionCallExpression funcExpr = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) expr;
-                        changed = TypeComputerUtilities.setRequiredAndInputTypes(funcExpr, requiredRecordType,
-                                inputRecordType);
-                        changed &= !requiredRecordType.equals(inputRecordType);
-                        if (changed) {
-                            staticTypeCast(funcExpr, requiredRecordType, inputRecordType);
-                            List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> args = funcExpr.getArguments();
-                            int openPartStart = requiredRecordType.getFieldTypes().length * 2;
-                            for (int j = openPartStart; j < args.size(); j++) {
-                                ILogicalExpression arg = args.get(j).getValue();
-                                if (arg.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
-                                    AbstractFunctionCallExpression argFunc = (AbstractFunctionCallExpression) arg;
-                                    TypeComputerUtilities.setOpenType(argFunc, true);
-                                }
-                            }
-                        }
+                        // that expression has been rewritten, and it will not
+                        // fail but just return false
+                        if (TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(funcExpr) != null)
+                            return false;
+                        IVariableTypeEnvironment assignEnv = topAssignOperator.computeOutputTypeEnvironment(context);
+                        rewriteFuncExpr(funcExpr, requiredRecordType, inputRecordType, assignEnv);
                     }
                     context.computeAndSetTypeEnvironmentForOperator(originalAssign);
                 }
@@ -129,10 +169,82 @@
             else
                 break;
         } while (currentOperator != null);
-        return changed;
+        return true;
     }
 
-    private void staticTypeCast(ScalarFunctionCallExpression func, ARecordType reqType, ARecordType inputType) {
+    private void rewriteFuncExpr(ScalarFunctionCallExpression funcExpr, IAType reqType, IAType inputType,
+            IVariableTypeEnvironment env) throws AlgebricksException {
+        if (funcExpr.getFunctionIdentifier() == AsterixBuiltinFunctions.UNORDERED_LIST_CONSTRUCTOR) {
+            rewriteListFuncExpr(funcExpr, (AbstractCollectionType) reqType, (AbstractCollectionType) inputType, env);
+        } else if (funcExpr.getFunctionIdentifier() == AsterixBuiltinFunctions.ORDERED_LIST_CONSTRUCTOR) {
+            rewriteListFuncExpr(funcExpr, (AbstractCollectionType) reqType, (AbstractCollectionType) inputType, env);
+        } else if (reqType.getTypeTag().equals(ATypeTag.RECORD)) {
+            rewriteRecordFuncExpr(funcExpr, (ARecordType) reqType, (ARecordType) inputType, env);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * only called when funcExpr is record constructor
+     * 
+     * @param funcExpr
+     *            record constructor function expression
+     * @param requiredListType
+     *            required record type
+     * @param inputRecordType
+     * @param env
+     *            type environment
+     * @throws AlgebricksException
+     */
+    private void rewriteRecordFuncExpr(ScalarFunctionCallExpression funcExpr, ARecordType requiredRecordType,
+            ARecordType inputRecordType, IVariableTypeEnvironment env) throws AlgebricksException {
+        // if already rewritten, the required type is not null
+        if (TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(funcExpr) != null)
+            return;
+        TypeComputerUtilities.setRequiredAndInputTypes(funcExpr, requiredRecordType, inputRecordType);
+        staticRecordTypeCast(funcExpr, requiredRecordType, inputRecordType, env);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * only called when funcExpr is list constructor
+     * 
+     * @param funcExpr
+     *            list constructor function expression
+     * @param requiredListType
+     *            required list type
+     * @param inputListType
+     * @param env
+     *            type environment
+     * @throws AlgebricksException
+     */
+    private void rewriteListFuncExpr(ScalarFunctionCallExpression funcExpr, AbstractCollectionType requiredListType,
+            AbstractCollectionType inputListType, IVariableTypeEnvironment env) throws AlgebricksException {
+        if (TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(funcExpr) != null)
+            return;
+
+        TypeComputerUtilities.setRequiredAndInputTypes(funcExpr, requiredListType, inputListType);
+        List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> args = funcExpr.getArguments();
+
+        IAType itemType = requiredListType.getItemType();
+        if (itemType == null || itemType.getTypeTag().equals(ATypeTag.ANY))
+            return;
+        IAType inputItemType = inputListType.getItemType();
+        for (int j = 0; j < args.size(); j++) {
+            ILogicalExpression arg = args.get(j).getValue();
+            if (arg.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
+                ScalarFunctionCallExpression argFunc = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) arg;
+                IAType currentItemType = (IAType) env.getType(argFunc);
+                if (inputItemType == null || inputItemType == BuiltinType.ANY) {
+                    currentItemType = (IAType) env.getType(argFunc);
+                    rewriteFuncExpr(argFunc, itemType, currentItemType, env);
+                } else {
+                    rewriteFuncExpr(argFunc, itemType, inputItemType, env);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void staticRecordTypeCast(ScalarFunctionCallExpression func, ARecordType reqType, ARecordType inputType,
+            IVariableTypeEnvironment env) throws AlgebricksException {
         IAType[] reqFieldTypes = reqType.getFieldTypes();
         String[] reqFieldNames = reqType.getFieldNames();
         IAType[] inputFieldTypes = inputType.getFieldTypes();
@@ -142,18 +254,21 @@
         boolean[] nullFields = new boolean[reqFieldTypes.length];
         boolean[] openFields = new boolean[inputFieldTypes.length];
 
-        for (int i = 0; i < nullFields.length; i++)
-            nullFields[i] = false;
-        for (int i = 0; i < openFields.length; i++)
-            openFields[i] = true;
-        for (int i = 0; i < fieldPermutation.length; i++)
-            fieldPermutation[i] = -1;
+        Arrays.fill(nullFields, false);
+        Arrays.fill(openFields, true);
+        Arrays.fill(fieldPermutation, -1);
 
         // forward match: match from actual to required
         boolean matched = false;
         for (int i = 0; i < inputFieldNames.length; i++) {
             String fieldName = inputFieldNames[i];
             IAType fieldType = inputFieldTypes[i];
+
+            if (2 * i + 1 > func.getArguments().size())
+                throw new AlgebricksException("expression index out of bound");
+
+            // 2*i+1 is the index of field value expression
+            ILogicalExpression arg = func.getArguments().get(2 * i + 1).getValue();
             matched = false;
             for (int j = 0; j < reqFieldNames.length; j++) {
                 String reqFieldName = reqFieldNames[j];
@@ -163,6 +278,11 @@
                         fieldPermutation[j] = i;
                         openFields[i] = false;
                         matched = true;
+
+                        if (arg.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
+                            ScalarFunctionCallExpression scalarFunc = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) arg;
+                            rewriteFuncExpr(scalarFunc, reqFieldType, fieldType, env);
+                        }
                         break;
                     }
 
@@ -171,20 +291,35 @@
                             && NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) reqFieldType)) {
                         IAType itemType = ((AUnionType) reqFieldType).getUnionList().get(
                                 NonTaggedFormatUtil.OPTIONAL_TYPE_INDEX_IN_UNION_LIST);
+                        reqFieldType = itemType;
                         if (fieldType.equals(BuiltinType.ANULL) || fieldType.equals(itemType)) {
                             fieldPermutation[j] = i;
                             openFields[i] = false;
                             matched = true;
+
+                            // rewrite record expr
+                            if (arg.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
+                                ScalarFunctionCallExpression scalarFunc = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) arg;
+                                rewriteFuncExpr(scalarFunc, reqFieldType, fieldType, env);
+                            }
                             break;
                         }
                     }
+
+                    // match the record field: need cast
+                    if (arg.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
+                        ScalarFunctionCallExpression scalarFunc = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) arg;
+                        rewriteFuncExpr(scalarFunc, reqFieldType, fieldType, env);
+                        fieldPermutation[j] = i;
+                        openFields[i] = false;
+                        matched = true;
+                        break;
+                    }
                 }
             }
-            if (matched)
-                continue;
             // the input has extra fields
-            if (!reqType.isOpen())
-                throw new IllegalStateException("static type mismatch: including extra closed fields");
+            if (!matched && !reqType.isOpen())
+                throw new AlgebricksException("static type mismatch: including an extra closed field " + fieldName);
         }
 
         // backward match: match from required to actual
@@ -195,47 +330,52 @@
             for (int j = 0; j < inputFieldNames.length; j++) {
                 String fieldName = inputFieldNames[j];
                 IAType fieldType = inputFieldTypes[j];
-                if (fieldName.equals(reqFieldName)) {
-                    if (fieldType.equals(reqFieldType)) {
+                if (!fieldName.equals(reqFieldName))
+                    continue;
+                // should check open field here
+                // because number of entries in fieldPermuations is the
+                // number of required schema fields
+                // here we want to check if an input field is matched
+                // the entry index of fieldPermuatons is req field index
+                if (!openFields[j]) {
+                    matched = true;
+                    break;
+                }
+
+                // match the optional field
+                if (reqFieldType.getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION
+                        && NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) reqFieldType)) {
+                    IAType itemType = ((AUnionType) reqFieldType).getUnionList().get(
+                            NonTaggedFormatUtil.OPTIONAL_TYPE_INDEX_IN_UNION_LIST);
+                    if (fieldType.equals(BuiltinType.ANULL) || fieldType.equals(itemType)) {
                         matched = true;
                         break;
                     }
-
-                    // match the optional field
-                    if (reqFieldType.getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION
-                            && NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) reqFieldType)) {
-                        IAType itemType = ((AUnionType) reqFieldType).getUnionList().get(
-                                NonTaggedFormatUtil.OPTIONAL_TYPE_INDEX_IN_UNION_LIST);
-                        if (fieldType.equals(BuiltinType.ANULL) || fieldType.equals(itemType)) {
-                            matched = true;
-                            break;
-                        }
-                    }
                 }
             }
             if (matched)
                 continue;
 
-            IAType t = reqFieldTypes[i];
-            if (t.getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION && NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) t)) {
+            if (reqFieldType.getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION
+                    && NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) reqFieldType)) {
                 // add a null field
                 nullFields[i] = true;
             } else {
                 // no matched field in the input for a required closed field
-                throw new IllegalStateException("static type mismatch: miss a required closed field");
+                throw new AlgebricksException("static type mismatch: miss a required closed field " + reqFieldName);
             }
         }
 
         List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> arguments = func.getArguments();
-        List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> argumentsClone = new ArrayList<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>>();
-        argumentsClone.addAll(arguments);
+        List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> originalArguments = new ArrayList<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>>();
+        originalArguments.addAll(arguments);
         arguments.clear();
         // re-order the closed part and fill in null fields
         for (int i = 0; i < fieldPermutation.length; i++) {
             int pos = fieldPermutation[i];
             if (pos >= 0) {
-                arguments.add(argumentsClone.get(2 * pos));
-                arguments.add(argumentsClone.get(2 * pos + 1));
+                arguments.add(originalArguments.get(2 * pos));
+                arguments.add(originalArguments.get(2 * pos + 1));
             }
             if (nullFields[i]) {
                 // add a null field
@@ -249,8 +389,31 @@
         // add the open part
         for (int i = 0; i < openFields.length; i++) {
             if (openFields[i]) {
-                arguments.add(argumentsClone.get(2 * i));
-                arguments.add(argumentsClone.get(2 * i + 1));
+                arguments.add(originalArguments.get(2 * i));
+                Mutable<ILogicalExpression> fExprRef = originalArguments.get(2 * i + 1);
+                ILogicalExpression argExpr = fExprRef.getValue();
+
+                // we need to handle open fields recursively by their default
+                // types
+                // for list, their item type is any
+                // for record, their
+                if (argExpr.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
+                    IAType reqFieldType = inputFieldTypes[i];
+                    if (inputFieldTypes[i].getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.RECORD) {
+                        reqFieldType = DefaultOpenFieldType.NESTED_OPEN_RECORD_TYPE;
+                    }
+                    if (inputFieldTypes[i].getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.ORDEREDLIST) {
+                        reqFieldType = DefaultOpenFieldType.NESTED_OPEN_AORDERED_LIST_TYPE;
+                    }
+                    if (inputFieldTypes[i].getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNORDEREDLIST) {
+                        reqFieldType = DefaultOpenFieldType.NESTED_OPEN_AUNORDERED_LIST_TYPE;
+                    }
+                    if (TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType((AbstractFunctionCallExpression) argExpr) == null) {
+                        ScalarFunctionCallExpression argFunc = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) argExpr;
+                        rewriteFuncExpr(argFunc, reqFieldType, inputFieldTypes[i], env);
+                    }
+                }
+                arguments.add(fExprRef);
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceTreeIndexSearchRule.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceTreeIndexSearchRule.java
index 0153519..be00f6d 100644
--- a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceTreeIndexSearchRule.java
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceTreeIndexSearchRule.java
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.ConstantExpression;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.ScalarFunctionCallExpression;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.rewriter.base.IAlgebraicRewriteRule;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 
 public abstract class IntroduceTreeIndexSearchRule implements IAlgebraicRewriteRule {
 
@@ -96,9 +96,9 @@
     protected static List<Object> primaryIndexTypes(AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations metadata,
             AqlCompiledDatasetDecl ddecl, IAType itemType) {
         List<Object> types = new ArrayList<Object>();
-        List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
+        List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
                 .getPartitioningFunctions(ddecl);
-        for (Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> t : partitioningFunctions) {
+        for (Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> t : partitioningFunctions) {
             types.add(t.third);
         }
         types.add(itemType);
diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/translator/AqlPlusExpressionToPlanTranslator.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/translator/AqlPlusExpressionToPlanTranslator.java
index 2e45da4..e6aaaad 100644
--- a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/translator/AqlPlusExpressionToPlanTranslator.java
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/translator/AqlPlusExpressionToPlanTranslator.java
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.UnnestOperator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.WriteOperator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.plan.ALogicalPlanImpl;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 
 /**
  * 
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@
             ArrayList<LogicalVariable> vars = new ArrayList<LogicalVariable>();
             ArrayList<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> exprs = new ArrayList<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>>();
             List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> varRefsForLoading = new ArrayList<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>>();
-            for (Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> partitioner : DatasetUtils
+            for (Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> partitioner : DatasetUtils
                     .getPartitioningFunctions(adecl)) {
                 AbstractFunctionCallExpression f = partitioner.second.cloneExpression();
                 f.substituteVar(METADATA_DUMMY_VAR, resVar);
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/api/common/APIFramework.java b/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/api/common/APIFramework.java
index 7f6769e..25aea8f 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/api/common/APIFramework.java
+++ b/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/api/common/APIFramework.java
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.IExpressionTypeComputer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.IMergeAggregationExpressionFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.INullableTypeComputer;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.LogicalExpressionJobGenToExpressionRuntimeProviderAdapter;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.prettyprint.LogicalOperatorPrettyPrintVisitor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.prettyprint.PlanPrettyPrinter;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.rewriter.base.AbstractRuleController;
@@ -512,7 +513,8 @@
         builder.setBinaryIntegerInspector(format.getBinaryIntegerInspector());
         builder.setClusterLocations(clusterLocs);
         builder.setComparatorFactoryProvider(format.getBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider());
-        builder.setExprJobGen(AqlLogicalExpressionJobGen.INSTANCE);
+        builder.setExpressionRuntimeProvider(new LogicalExpressionJobGenToExpressionRuntimeProviderAdapter(
+                AqlLogicalExpressionJobGen.INSTANCE));
         builder.setHashFunctionFactoryProvider(format.getBinaryHashFunctionFactoryProvider());
         builder.setNullWriterFactory(format.getNullWriterFactory());
         builder.setPrinterProvider(format.getPrinterFactoryProvider());
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/api/http/servlet/APIServlet.java b/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/api/http/servlet/APIServlet.java
index 7c07ba3..15b959e 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/api/http/servlet/APIServlet.java
+++ b/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/api/http/servlet/APIServlet.java
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@
         response.setContentType("text/html");
         final String form = "<form method=\"post\">"
                 + "<center><textarea cols=\"80\" rows=\"25\" name=\"query\" ></textarea><br/>"
-                + "IP Address: <input type = \"text\" name = \"hyracks-ip\" size=\"15\" maxlength=\"35\" value=\"locahost\" /><br/>"
+                + "IP Address: <input type = \"text\" name = \"hyracks-ip\" size=\"15\" maxlength=\"35\" value=\"localhost\" /><br/>"
                 + "Port: <input type = \"text\" name = \"hyracks-port\" size=\"5\" maxlength=\"5\" value=\"1098\" /><br/>"
                 + "<input type = \"checkbox\" name = \"print-expr-tree\" value=\"true\" />print parsed expressions<P>"
                 + "<input type = \"checkbox\" name = \"print-rewritten-expr-tree\" value=\"true\" />print rewritten expressions<P>"
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/file/DatasetOperations.java b/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/file/DatasetOperations.java
index 2b341db..5aa0f6e 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/file/DatasetOperations.java
+++ b/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/file/DatasetOperations.java
@@ -42,11 +42,13 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Pair;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Triple;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.LogicalExpressionJobGenToExpressionRuntimeProviderAdapter;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.ScalarFunctionCallExpression;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.jobgen.impl.ConnectorPolicyAssignmentPolicy;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.rewriter.base.PhysicalOptimizationConfig;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IPushRuntimeFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IScalarEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.operators.meta.AlgebricksMetaOperatorDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.operators.std.AssignRuntimeFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.IConnectorDescriptor;
@@ -139,8 +141,8 @@
     }
 
     // TODO: Lots of common code in this file. Refactor everything after merging in asterix-fix-issue-9.
-    public static JobSpecification createDatasetJobSpec(String datasetName,
-            AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations metadata) throws AsterixException, AlgebricksException {
+    public static JobSpecification createDatasetJobSpec(String datasetName, AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations metadata)
+            throws AsterixException, AlgebricksException {
         AqlCompiledDatasetDecl compiledDatasetDecl = metadata.findDataset(datasetName);
         if (compiledDatasetDecl == null) {
             throw new AsterixException("Could not find dataset " + datasetName);
@@ -159,15 +161,15 @@
         LOGGER.info("CREATING File Splits: " + sb.toString());
         IIndexRegistryProvider<IIndex> indexRegistryProvider = AsterixIndexRegistryProvider.INSTANCE;
         IStorageManagerInterface storageManager = AsterixStorageManagerInterface.INSTANCE;
-        TreeIndexCreateOperatorDescriptor indexCreateOp = new TreeIndexCreateOperatorDescriptor(spec,
-                storageManager, indexRegistryProvider, splitsAndConstraint.first, typeTraits, comparatorFactories,
+        TreeIndexCreateOperatorDescriptor indexCreateOp = new TreeIndexCreateOperatorDescriptor(spec, storageManager,
+                indexRegistryProvider, splitsAndConstraint.first, typeTraits, comparatorFactories,
                 new BTreeDataflowHelperFactory(), NoOpOperationCallbackProvider.INSTANCE);
         AlgebricksPartitionConstraintHelper.setPartitionConstraintInJobSpec(spec, indexCreateOp,
                 splitsAndConstraint.second);
         spec.addRoot(indexCreateOp);
         return spec;
     }
-    
+
     public static Job createLoadDatasetJobSpec(CompiledLoadFromFileStatement loadStmt,
             AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations metadata) throws AsterixException, AlgebricksException {
         String datasetName = loadStmt.getDatasetName();
@@ -208,7 +210,7 @@
 
         AlgebricksPartitionConstraintHelper.setPartitionConstraintInJobSpec(spec, asterixOp, scannerPc);
 
-        List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
+        List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
                 .getPartitioningFunctions(compiledDatasetDecl);
         int numKeys = partitioningFunctions.size();
         int[] keys = new int[numKeys];
@@ -269,12 +271,12 @@
     }
 
     private static AssignRuntimeFactory makeAssignRuntimeFactory(AqlCompiledDatasetDecl compiledDatasetDecl) {
-        List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
+        List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
                 .getPartitioningFunctions(compiledDatasetDecl);
         int numKeys = partitioningFunctions.size();
-        IEvaluatorFactory[] evalFactories = new IEvaluatorFactory[numKeys];
+        ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] evalFactories = new ICopyEvaluatorFactory[numKeys];
         for (int i = 0; i < numKeys; i++) {
-            Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType = partitioningFunctions
+            Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType = partitioningFunctions
                     .get(i);
             evalFactories[i] = evalFactoryAndType.first;
         }
@@ -286,18 +288,23 @@
             outColumns[i] = i + 1;
             projectionList[i + 1] = i + 1;
         }
-        return new AssignRuntimeFactory(outColumns, evalFactories, projectionList);
+        IScalarEvaluatorFactory[] sefs = new IScalarEvaluatorFactory[evalFactories.length];
+        for (int i = 0; i < evalFactories.length; ++i) {
+            sefs[i] = new LogicalExpressionJobGenToExpressionRuntimeProviderAdapter.ScalarEvaluatorFactoryAdapter(
+                    evalFactories[i]);
+        }
+        return new AssignRuntimeFactory(outColumns, sefs, projectionList);
     }
 
     private static RecordDescriptor computePayloadKeyRecordDescriptor(AqlCompiledDatasetDecl compiledDatasetDecl,
             ISerializerDeserializer payloadSerde, IDataFormat dataFormat) throws AlgebricksException {
-        List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
+        List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
                 .getPartitioningFunctions(compiledDatasetDecl);
         int numKeys = partitioningFunctions.size();
         ISerializerDeserializer[] recordFields = new ISerializerDeserializer[1 + numKeys];
         recordFields[0] = payloadSerde;
         for (int i = 0; i < numKeys; i++) {
-            Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType = partitioningFunctions
+            Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType = partitioningFunctions
                     .get(i);
             IAType keyType = evalFactoryAndType.third;
             ISerializerDeserializer keySerde = dataFormat.getSerdeProvider().getSerializerDeserializer(keyType);
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/file/FeedOperations.java b/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/file/FeedOperations.java
index 896dcd7..4d7cbe2 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/file/FeedOperations.java
+++ b/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/file/FeedOperations.java
@@ -37,8 +37,10 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Pair;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Triple;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.LogicalExpressionJobGenToExpressionRuntimeProviderAdapter;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.ScalarFunctionCallExpression;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IScalarEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.operators.std.AssignRuntimeFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.IOperatorDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
@@ -126,13 +128,13 @@
     }
 
     private static AssignRuntimeFactory makeAssignRuntimeFactory(AqlCompiledDatasetDecl compiledDatasetDecl) {
-        List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
+        List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
                 .getPartitioningFunctions(compiledDatasetDecl);
         int numKeys = partitioningFunctions.size();
-        IEvaluatorFactory[] evalFactories = new IEvaluatorFactory[numKeys];
+        ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] evalFactories = new ICopyEvaluatorFactory[numKeys];
 
         int index = 0;
-        for (Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType : partitioningFunctions) {
+        for (Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType : partitioningFunctions) {
             evalFactories[index++] = evalFactoryAndType.first;
         }
 
@@ -144,20 +146,25 @@
             outColumns[i] = i + 1;
             projectionList[i + 1] = i + 1;
         }
-        return new AssignRuntimeFactory(outColumns, evalFactories, projectionList);
+        IScalarEvaluatorFactory[] sefs = new IScalarEvaluatorFactory[evalFactories.length];
+        for (int i = 0; i < evalFactories.length; ++i) {
+            sefs[i] = new LogicalExpressionJobGenToExpressionRuntimeProviderAdapter.ScalarEvaluatorFactoryAdapter(
+                    evalFactories[i]);
+        }
+        return new AssignRuntimeFactory(outColumns, sefs, projectionList);
     }
 
     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
     private static RecordDescriptor computePayloadKeyRecordDescriptor(AqlCompiledDatasetDecl compiledDatasetDecl,
             ISerializerDeserializer payloadSerde, IDataFormat dataFormat) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-        List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
+        List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
                 .getPartitioningFunctions(compiledDatasetDecl);
         int numKeys = partitioningFunctions.size();
         ISerializerDeserializer[] recordFields = new ISerializerDeserializer[1 + numKeys];
         recordFields[0] = payloadSerde;
         int index = 0;
-        for (Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType : partitioningFunctions) {
+        for (Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType : partitioningFunctions) {
             IAType keyType = evalFactoryAndType.third;
             ISerializerDeserializer keySerde = dataFormat.getSerdeProvider().getSerializerDeserializer(keyType);
             recordFields[index + 1] = keySerde;
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/file/SecondaryIndexCreator.java b/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/file/SecondaryIndexCreator.java
index 7da18fb..5a4d6c9 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/file/SecondaryIndexCreator.java
+++ b/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/file/SecondaryIndexCreator.java
@@ -27,11 +27,13 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Pair;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Triple;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.LogicalExpressionJobGenToExpressionRuntimeProviderAdapter;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.ScalarFunctionCallExpression;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.rewriter.base.PhysicalOptimizationConfig;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.data.ISerializerDeserializerProvider;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IPushRuntimeFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IScalarEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.evaluators.ColumnAccessEvalFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.operators.meta.AlgebricksMetaOperatorDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.operators.std.AssignRuntimeFactory;
@@ -59,13 +61,13 @@
 // not just for creation.
 public abstract class SecondaryIndexCreator {
     protected final PhysicalOptimizationConfig physOptConf;
-    
+
     protected int numPrimaryKeys;
     protected int numSecondaryKeys;
     protected AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations metadata;
     protected String datasetName;
     protected AqlCompiledDatasetDecl datasetDecl;
-    protected ARecordType itemType;    
+    protected ARecordType itemType;
     protected ISerializerDeserializer payloadSerde;
     protected IFileSplitProvider primaryFileSplitProvider;
     protected AlgebricksPartitionConstraint primaryPartitionConstraint;
@@ -78,14 +80,16 @@
     protected RecordDescriptor primaryRecDesc;
     protected IBinaryComparatorFactory[] secondaryComparatorFactories;
     protected RecordDescriptor secondaryRecDesc;
-    protected IEvaluatorFactory[] evalFactories;
-    
+    protected ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] evalFactories;
+
     // Prevent public construction. Should be created via createIndexCreator().
     protected SecondaryIndexCreator(PhysicalOptimizationConfig physOptConf) {
         this.physOptConf = physOptConf;
     }
 
-    public static SecondaryIndexCreator createIndexCreator(CompiledCreateIndexStatement createIndexStmt, AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations metadata, PhysicalOptimizationConfig physOptConf) throws AsterixException, AlgebricksException {
+    public static SecondaryIndexCreator createIndexCreator(CompiledCreateIndexStatement createIndexStmt,
+            AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations metadata, PhysicalOptimizationConfig physOptConf) throws AsterixException,
+            AlgebricksException {
         SecondaryIndexCreator indexCreator = null;
         switch (createIndexStmt.getIndexType()) {
             case BTREE: {
@@ -107,12 +111,13 @@
         indexCreator.init(createIndexStmt, metadata);
         return indexCreator;
     }
-    
+
     public abstract JobSpecification buildCreationJobSpec() throws AsterixException, AlgebricksException;
-    
+
     public abstract JobSpecification buildLoadingJobSpec() throws AsterixException, AlgebricksException;
-    
-    protected void init(CompiledCreateIndexStatement createIndexStmt, AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations metadata) throws AsterixException, AlgebricksException {
+
+    protected void init(CompiledCreateIndexStatement createIndexStmt, AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations metadata)
+            throws AsterixException, AlgebricksException {
         this.metadata = metadata;
         datasetName = createIndexStmt.getDatasetName();
         secondaryIndexName = createIndexStmt.getIndexName();
@@ -124,8 +129,7 @@
             throw new AsterixException("Cannot index an external dataset (" + datasetName + ").");
         }
         itemType = (ARecordType) metadata.findType(datasetDecl.getItemTypeName());
-        payloadSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
-                .getSerializerDeserializer(itemType);
+        payloadSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE.getSerializerDeserializer(itemType);
         numPrimaryKeys = DatasetUtils.getPartitioningFunctions(datasetDecl).size();
         numSecondaryKeys = createIndexStmt.getKeyFields().size();
         Pair<IFileSplitProvider, AlgebricksPartitionConstraint> primarySplitsAndConstraint = metadata
@@ -140,22 +144,22 @@
         setPrimaryRecDescAndComparators();
         setSecondaryRecDescAndComparators(createIndexStmt.getKeyFields());
     }
-    
+
     protected void setPrimaryRecDescAndComparators() throws AlgebricksException {
         int numPrimaryKeys = DatasetUtils.getPartitioningFunctions(datasetDecl).size();
         ISerializerDeserializer[] primaryRecFields = new ISerializerDeserializer[numPrimaryKeys + 1];
         ITypeTraits[] primaryTypeTraits = new ITypeTraits[numPrimaryKeys + 1];
         primaryComparatorFactories = new IBinaryComparatorFactory[numPrimaryKeys];
         ISerializerDeserializerProvider serdeProvider = metadata.getFormat().getSerdeProvider();
-        List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
+        List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
                 .getPartitioningFunctions(datasetDecl);
         int i = 0;
-        for (Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType : partitioningFunctions) {
+        for (Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType : partitioningFunctions) {
             IAType keyType = evalFactoryAndType.third;
             ISerializerDeserializer keySerde = serdeProvider.getSerializerDeserializer(keyType);
             primaryRecFields[i] = keySerde;
-			primaryComparatorFactories[i] = AqlBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider.INSTANCE
-					.getBinaryComparatorFactory(keyType, true);
+            primaryComparatorFactories[i] = AqlBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider.INSTANCE.getBinaryComparatorFactory(
+                    keyType, true);
             primaryTypeTraits[i] = AqlTypeTraitProvider.INSTANCE.getTypeTrait(keyType);
             ++i;
         }
@@ -163,9 +167,10 @@
         primaryTypeTraits[numPrimaryKeys] = AqlTypeTraitProvider.INSTANCE.getTypeTrait(itemType);
         primaryRecDesc = new RecordDescriptor(primaryRecFields, primaryTypeTraits);
     }
-    
-    protected void setSecondaryRecDescAndComparators(List<String> secondaryKeyFields) throws AlgebricksException, AsterixException {
-        evalFactories = new IEvaluatorFactory[numSecondaryKeys];
+
+    protected void setSecondaryRecDescAndComparators(List<String> secondaryKeyFields) throws AlgebricksException,
+            AsterixException {
+        evalFactories = new ICopyEvaluatorFactory[numSecondaryKeys];
         secondaryComparatorFactories = new IBinaryComparatorFactory[numSecondaryKeys + numPrimaryKeys];
         ISerializerDeserializer[] secondaryRecFields = new ISerializerDeserializer[numPrimaryKeys + numSecondaryKeys];
         ITypeTraits[] secondaryTypeTraits = new ITypeTraits[numSecondaryKeys + numPrimaryKeys];
@@ -173,13 +178,14 @@
         for (int i = 0; i < numSecondaryKeys; i++) {
             evalFactories[i] = metadata.getFormat().getFieldAccessEvaluatorFactory(itemType, secondaryKeyFields.get(i),
                     numPrimaryKeys);
-            Pair<IAType, Boolean> keyTypePair = AqlCompiledIndexDecl.getNonNullableKeyFieldType(secondaryKeyFields.get(i), itemType);
+            Pair<IAType, Boolean> keyTypePair = AqlCompiledIndexDecl.getNonNullableKeyFieldType(
+                    secondaryKeyFields.get(i), itemType);
             IAType keyType = keyTypePair.first;
             anySecondaryKeyIsNullable = anySecondaryKeyIsNullable || keyTypePair.second;
             ISerializerDeserializer keySerde = serdeProvider.getSerializerDeserializer(keyType);
             secondaryRecFields[i] = keySerde;
-			secondaryComparatorFactories[i] = AqlBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider.INSTANCE
-					.getBinaryComparatorFactory(keyType, true);
+            secondaryComparatorFactories[i] = AqlBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider.INSTANCE.getBinaryComparatorFactory(
+                    keyType, true);
             secondaryTypeTraits[i] = AqlTypeTraitProvider.INSTANCE.getTypeTrait(keyType);
         }
         // Add serializers and comparators for primary index fields.
@@ -190,9 +196,9 @@
         }
         secondaryRecDesc = new RecordDescriptor(secondaryRecFields, secondaryTypeTraits);
     }
-    
-    protected AbstractOperatorDescriptor createDummyKeyProviderOp(
-            JobSpecification spec) throws AsterixException, AlgebricksException {
+
+    protected AbstractOperatorDescriptor createDummyKeyProviderOp(JobSpecification spec) throws AsterixException,
+            AlgebricksException {
         // Build dummy tuple containing one field with a dummy value inside.
         ArrayTupleBuilder tb = new ArrayTupleBuilder(1);
         DataOutput dos = tb.getDataOutput();
@@ -207,14 +213,13 @@
         tb.addFieldEndOffset();
         ISerializerDeserializer[] keyRecDescSers = { IntegerSerializerDeserializer.INSTANCE };
         RecordDescriptor keyRecDesc = new RecordDescriptor(keyRecDescSers);
-        ConstantTupleSourceOperatorDescriptor keyProviderOp = new ConstantTupleSourceOperatorDescriptor(
-                spec, keyRecDesc, tb.getFieldEndOffsets(), tb.getByteArray(),
-                tb.getSize());
-        AlgebricksPartitionConstraintHelper.setPartitionConstraintInJobSpec(
-                spec, keyProviderOp, primaryPartitionConstraint);
+        ConstantTupleSourceOperatorDescriptor keyProviderOp = new ConstantTupleSourceOperatorDescriptor(spec,
+                keyRecDesc, tb.getFieldEndOffsets(), tb.getByteArray(), tb.getSize());
+        AlgebricksPartitionConstraintHelper.setPartitionConstraintInJobSpec(spec, keyProviderOp,
+                primaryPartitionConstraint);
         return keyProviderOp;
     }
-    
+
     protected BTreeSearchOperatorDescriptor createPrimaryIndexScanOp(JobSpecification spec) throws AlgebricksException {
         // -Infinity
         int[] lowKeyFields = null;
@@ -228,7 +233,7 @@
                 primaryPartitionConstraint);
         return primarySearchOp;
     }
-    
+
     protected AlgebricksMetaOperatorDescriptor createAssignOp(JobSpecification spec,
             BTreeSearchOperatorDescriptor primaryScanOp, int numSecondaryKeyFields) throws AlgebricksException {
         int[] outColumns = new int[numSecondaryKeyFields];
@@ -243,15 +248,19 @@
         for (int i = 0; i < numPrimaryKeys; i++) {
             projectionList[projCount++] = i;
         }
-
-        AssignRuntimeFactory assign = new AssignRuntimeFactory(outColumns, evalFactories, projectionList);
+        IScalarEvaluatorFactory[] sefs = new IScalarEvaluatorFactory[evalFactories.length];
+        for (int i = 0; i < evalFactories.length; ++i) {
+            sefs[i] = new LogicalExpressionJobGenToExpressionRuntimeProviderAdapter.ScalarEvaluatorFactoryAdapter(
+                    evalFactories[i]);
+        }
+        AssignRuntimeFactory assign = new AssignRuntimeFactory(outColumns, sefs, projectionList);
         AlgebricksMetaOperatorDescriptor asterixAssignOp = new AlgebricksMetaOperatorDescriptor(spec, 1, 1,
                 new IPushRuntimeFactory[] { assign }, new RecordDescriptor[] { secondaryRecDesc });
         AlgebricksPartitionConstraintHelper.setPartitionConstraintInJobSpec(spec, asterixAssignOp,
                 primaryPartitionConstraint);
         return asterixAssignOp;
     }
-    
+
     protected ExternalSortOperatorDescriptor createSortOp(JobSpecification spec,
             IBinaryComparatorFactory[] secondaryComparatorFactories, RecordDescriptor secondaryRecDesc) {
         int[] sortFields = new int[secondaryComparatorFactories.length];
@@ -260,14 +269,13 @@
         }
         ExternalSortOperatorDescriptor sortOp = new ExternalSortOperatorDescriptor(spec,
                 physOptConf.getMaxFramesExternalSort(), sortFields, secondaryComparatorFactories, secondaryRecDesc);
-        AlgebricksPartitionConstraintHelper.setPartitionConstraintInJobSpec(spec, sortOp,
-                primaryPartitionConstraint);
+        AlgebricksPartitionConstraintHelper.setPartitionConstraintInJobSpec(spec, sortOp, primaryPartitionConstraint);
         return sortOp;
     }
-    
+
     protected TreeIndexBulkLoadOperatorDescriptor createTreeIndexBulkLoadOp(JobSpecification spec,
-            int numSecondaryKeyFields, IIndexDataflowHelperFactory dataflowHelperFactory, float fillFactor) throws MetadataException,
-            AlgebricksException {
+            int numSecondaryKeyFields, IIndexDataflowHelperFactory dataflowHelperFactory, float fillFactor)
+            throws MetadataException, AlgebricksException {
         int[] fieldPermutation = new int[numSecondaryKeyFields + numPrimaryKeys];
         for (int i = 0; i < numSecondaryKeyFields + numPrimaryKeys; i++) {
             fieldPermutation[i] = i;
@@ -282,19 +290,22 @@
                 secondarySplitsAndConstraint.second);
         return treeIndexBulkLoadOp;
     }
-    
-    public AlgebricksMetaOperatorDescriptor createFilterNullsSelectOp(JobSpecification spec, int numSecondaryKeyFields) throws AlgebricksException {
-        IEvaluatorFactory[] andArgsEvalFactories = new IEvaluatorFactory[numSecondaryKeyFields];
+
+    public AlgebricksMetaOperatorDescriptor createFilterNullsSelectOp(JobSpecification spec, int numSecondaryKeyFields)
+            throws AlgebricksException {
+        ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] andArgsEvalFactories = new ICopyEvaluatorFactory[numSecondaryKeyFields];
         NotDescriptor notDesc = new NotDescriptor();
         IsNullDescriptor isNullDesc = new IsNullDescriptor();
         for (int i = 0; i < numSecondaryKeyFields; i++) {
             // Access column i, and apply 'is not null'.
             ColumnAccessEvalFactory columnAccessEvalFactory = new ColumnAccessEvalFactory(i);
-            IEvaluatorFactory isNullEvalFactory = isNullDesc.createEvaluatorFactory(new IEvaluatorFactory[] { columnAccessEvalFactory });
-            IEvaluatorFactory notEvalFactory = notDesc.createEvaluatorFactory(new IEvaluatorFactory[] { isNullEvalFactory });
+            ICopyEvaluatorFactory isNullEvalFactory = isNullDesc
+                    .createEvaluatorFactory(new ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] { columnAccessEvalFactory });
+            ICopyEvaluatorFactory notEvalFactory = notDesc
+                    .createEvaluatorFactory(new ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] { isNullEvalFactory });
             andArgsEvalFactories[i] = notEvalFactory;
         }
-        IEvaluatorFactory selectCond = null;
+        ICopyEvaluatorFactory selectCond = null;
         if (numSecondaryKeyFields > 1) {
             // Create conjunctive condition where all secondary index keys must satisfy 'is not null'.
             AndDescriptor andDesc = new AndDescriptor();
@@ -302,7 +313,9 @@
         } else {
             selectCond = andArgsEvalFactories[0];
         }
-        StreamSelectRuntimeFactory select = new StreamSelectRuntimeFactory(selectCond, null, AqlBinaryBooleanInspectorImpl.INSTANCE);
+        StreamSelectRuntimeFactory select = new StreamSelectRuntimeFactory(
+                new LogicalExpressionJobGenToExpressionRuntimeProviderAdapter.ScalarEvaluatorFactoryAdapter(selectCond),
+                null, AqlBinaryBooleanInspectorImpl.INSTANCE);
         AlgebricksMetaOperatorDescriptor asterixSelectOp = new AlgebricksMetaOperatorDescriptor(spec, 1, 1,
                 new IPushRuntimeFactory[] { select }, new RecordDescriptor[] { secondaryRecDesc });
         AlgebricksPartitionConstraintHelper.setPartitionConstraintInJobSpec(spec, asterixSelectOp,
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/file/SecondaryRTreeCreator.java b/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/file/SecondaryRTreeCreator.java
index b2db19a..6980b14 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/file/SecondaryRTreeCreator.java
+++ b/asterix-app/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/file/SecondaryRTreeCreator.java
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 
     protected IPrimitiveValueProviderFactory[] valueProviderFactories;
     protected int numNestedSecondaryKeyFields;
-    
+
     protected SecondaryRTreeCreator(PhysicalOptimizationConfig physOptConf) {
         super(physOptConf);
     }
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@
         spec.setConnectorPolicyAssignmentPolicy(new ConnectorPolicyAssignmentPolicy());
         return spec;
     }
-    
+
     @Override
     protected void setSecondaryRecDescAndComparators(List<String> secondaryKeyFields) throws AlgebricksException,
             AsterixException {
@@ -67,7 +67,8 @@
                             + numSecondaryKeys
                             + " fields as a key for the R-tree index. There can be only one field as a key for the R-tree index.");
         }
-        Pair<IAType, Boolean> spatialTypePair = AqlCompiledIndexDecl.getNonNullableKeyFieldType(secondaryKeyFields.get(0), itemType);
+        Pair<IAType, Boolean> spatialTypePair = AqlCompiledIndexDecl.getNonNullableKeyFieldType(
+                secondaryKeyFields.get(0), itemType);
         IAType spatialType = spatialTypePair.first;
         anySecondaryKeyIsNullable = spatialTypePair.second;
         if (spatialType == null) {
@@ -87,8 +88,8 @@
             ISerializerDeserializer keySerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                     .getSerializerDeserializer(nestedKeyType);
             secondaryRecFields[i] = keySerde;
-			secondaryComparatorFactories[i] = AqlBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider.INSTANCE
-					.getBinaryComparatorFactory(nestedKeyType, true);
+            secondaryComparatorFactories[i] = AqlBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider.INSTANCE.getBinaryComparatorFactory(
+                    nestedKeyType, true);
             secondaryTypeTraits[i] = AqlTypeTraitProvider.INSTANCE.getTypeTrait(nestedKeyType);
             valueProviderFactories[i] = AqlPrimitiveValueProviderFactory.INSTANCE;
         }
@@ -99,26 +100,27 @@
         }
         secondaryRecDesc = new RecordDescriptor(secondaryRecFields, secondaryTypeTraits);
     }
-    
+
     @Override
     public JobSpecification buildLoadingJobSpec() throws AsterixException, AlgebricksException {
         JobSpecification spec = new JobSpecification();
-        
+
         // Create dummy key provider for feeding the primary index scan. 
         AbstractOperatorDescriptor keyProviderOp = createDummyKeyProviderOp(spec);
-        
+
         // Create primary index scan op.
         BTreeSearchOperatorDescriptor primaryScanOp = createPrimaryIndexScanOp(spec);
 
         // Assign op.
-        AlgebricksMetaOperatorDescriptor asterixAssignOp = createAssignOp(spec, primaryScanOp, numNestedSecondaryKeyFields);
+        AlgebricksMetaOperatorDescriptor asterixAssignOp = createAssignOp(spec, primaryScanOp,
+                numNestedSecondaryKeyFields);
 
         // If any of the secondary fields are nullable, then add a select op that filters nulls.
         AlgebricksMetaOperatorDescriptor selectOp = null;
         if (anySecondaryKeyIsNullable) {
             selectOp = createFilterNullsSelectOp(spec, numNestedSecondaryKeyFields);
         }
-        
+
         // Create secondary RTree bulk load op.
         TreeIndexBulkLoadOperatorDescriptor secondaryBulkLoadOp = createTreeIndexBulkLoadOp(spec,
                 numNestedSecondaryKeyFields, new RTreeDataflowHelperFactory(valueProviderFactories),
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/ignore.txt b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/ignore.txt
index 2b456ca..a850d3c 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/ignore.txt
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/ignore.txt
@@ -14,5 +14,17 @@
 fuzzyjoin/events-users-aqlplus_1.aql
 fuzzyjoin
 failure/q1_pricing_summary_report_failure.aql
-open-closed
 dml/load-from-hdfs.aql
+open-closed/open-closed-15
+open-closed/open-closed-16
+open-closed/open-closed-17
+open-closed/open-closed-18
+open-closed/open-closed-19
+open-closed/open-closed-20
+open-closed/open-closed-21
+open-closed/open-closed-22
+open-closed/open-closed-28
+open-closed/open-closed-30
+open-closed/heterog-list02
+open-closed/heterog-list03
+open-closed/c2c
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-c2o-recursive.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-c2o-recursive.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6c8264f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-c2o-recursive.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+/* 
+ * Test case Name  : opentype-o2c-recursive.aql
+ * Description     : verify the static casting of nest record constants 
+ * Expected Result : Success
+ */
+
+drop dataverse testdv2 if exists;
+create dataverse testdv2;
+use dataverse testdv2;
+
+
+create type AddressType as open{
+  street: string,
+  city: string
+}
+create type Dept as open{
+	name: string,
+	id: int32
+}
+
+create type testtype as closed {
+  name: string,
+  id: string,
+  address: AddressType?,
+  department: {{Dept}}?
+}
+
+create type testtype2 as open {
+  name: string,
+  id: string
+}
+
+create dataset testds(testtype) partitioned by key id;
+
+create dataset testds2(testtype2) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "001", "name": "Person One", "address": {"street": "3019 DBH",  "city": "Irvine", "zip": 92697}, "department": {{ {"name":"CS", "id":299, "review":5}, {"name":"EE", "id":399} }} }
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "002", "name": "Person Two" }
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "003", "name": "Person Three", "address": {"street": "2019 DBH",  "city": "Irvine"} }
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "004", "name": "Person Four", "address": {"street": "1019 DBH",  "city": "irvine", "property": {"zip": 92697, "review": "positive" }  } }
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds2 (
+ for $d in dataset("testds") 
+	return $d
+);
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/dml_opentype-c2o-recursive.adm";
+
+for $d in dataset("testds2") 
+order by $d.id
+return $d
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-c2o.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-c2o.aql
index e29ccdc..a63e2df 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-c2o.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-c2o.aql
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 create type testtype as closed {
   id: string,
   name: string,
-  hobby: string?
+  hobby: {{string}}?
 }
 
 /*
@@ -28,19 +28,19 @@
 create dataset testds2(testtype2) partitioned by key id;
  
 insert into dataset testds (
-{ "hobby": "music", "id": "001", "name": "Person Three"}
+{ "hobby": {{"music", "coding"}}, "id": "001", "name": "Person Three"}
 );
 
 insert into dataset testds (
-{ "name": "Person One", "id": "002", "hobby": "sports"}
+{ "name": "Person One", "id": "002", "hobby": {{"sports"}} }
 );
 
 insert into dataset testds (
-{ "id": "003", "hobby": "movie", "name": "Person Two"}
+{ "id": "003", "hobby": {{"movie", "sports"}}, "name": "Person Two"}
 );
 
 insert into dataset testds (
-{ "id": "004", "name": "Person Four", "hobby": "swimming"}
+{ "id": "004", "name": "Person Four", "hobby": {{"swimming"}} }
 );
  
 insert into dataset testds (
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-o2c-recursive.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-o2c-recursive.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2070e20
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-o2c-recursive.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+/* 
+ * Test case Name  : opentype-o2c-recursive.aql
+ * Description     : verify the static casting of nest record constants 
+ * Expected Result : Success
+ */
+
+drop dataverse testdv2 if exists;
+create dataverse testdv2;
+use dataverse testdv2;
+
+
+create type AddressType as open{
+  street: string,
+  city: string
+}
+
+create type Dept as closed{
+	name: string,
+	id: int32
+}
+
+create type testtype as open {
+  name: string,
+  id: string
+}
+
+create type testtype2 as closed {
+  name: string,
+  id: string,
+  address: AddressType?,
+  department: {{Dept}}?
+}
+
+create dataset testds(testtype) partitioned by key id;
+
+create dataset testds2(testtype2) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "001", "name": "Person One", "address": {"street": "3019 DBH",  "city": "Irvine", "zip": 92697}, "department": {{ {"name":"CS", "id":299}, {"name":"EE", "id":399} }} }
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "002", "name": "Person Two" }
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "003", "name": "Person Three", "address": {"street": "2019 DBH",  "city": "Irvine"} }
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "004", "name": "Person Four", "address": {"street": "1019 DBH",  "city": "irvine", "property": {"zip": 92697, "review": "positive" }  } }
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds2 (
+ for $d in dataset("testds") 
+	return $d
+);
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/dml_opentype-o2c-recursive.adm";
+
+for $d in dataset("testds2") 
+order by $d.id
+return $d
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-o2c.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-o2c.aql
index a6ed9cc..015aa7b 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-o2c.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-o2c.aql
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 }
 
 create type testtype2 as closed {
-  hobby: string?,
+  hobby: {{string}}?,
   id: string,
   name: string
 }
@@ -26,19 +26,19 @@
 create dataset testds2(testtype2) partitioned by key id; 
  
 insert into dataset testds (
-{ "id": "001",  "hobby": "music", "name": "Person Three"}
+{ "id": "001",  "hobby": {{"music"}}, "name": "Person Three"}
 );
 
 insert into dataset testds (
-{ "id": "002", "name": "Person Three", "hobby": "football"}
+{ "id": "002", "name": "Person Three", "hobby": {{"football"}}}
 );
 
 insert into dataset testds (
-{ "id": "003", "name": "Person Three", "hobby": "movie"}
+{ "id": "003", "name": "Person Three", "hobby": {{"movie", "coding", "debugging"}}}
 );
 
 insert into dataset testds (
-{ "name": "Person Three", "hobby": "swimming", "id": "004"}
+{ "name": "Person Three", "hobby": {{"swimming", "music"}}, "id": "004"}
 );
 
 insert into dataset testds (
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/nestrecords/nestrecord.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/nestrecords/nestrecord.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c0b5e06
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/nestrecords/nestrecord.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+/* 
+ * Test case Name  : nestrecord.aql
+ * Description     : verify the static casting of nest record constants 
+ * Expected Result : Success
+ */
+
+drop dataverse testdv2 if exists;
+create dataverse testdv2;
+use dataverse testdv2;
+
+
+create type AddressType as open{
+  street: string,
+  city: string
+}
+
+create type testtype as open {
+  name: string,
+  id: string,
+  address: AddressType?
+}
+
+create dataset testds(testtype) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "001", "name": "Person One", "address": {"street": "3019 DBH",  "city": "Irvine", "zip": 92697} }
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "002", "name": "Person Two" }
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "003", "name": "Person Three", "address": {"street": "2019 DBH",  "city": "Irvine"} }
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "004", "name": "Person Four", "home": {"street": "2019 DBH",  "city": {"name": "Irvine", "zip": 92697} } }
+);
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/nestrecords_nestrecord.adm";
+
+for $d in dataset("testds") 
+order by $d.id
+return $d
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/c2c-w-optional.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/c2c-w-optional.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..354757d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/c2c-w-optional.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+/*
+ * Testcase Name  : c2c-w-optional.aql
+ * Description    : Insert data into target datase by doing a select on source dataset.
+ *                : Here both source and target datasets are internal datasets
+ *                : The schema includes one optional field named optnl_fld.
+ * Success        : Yes
+ * Date           : 23rd May 2012
+ */
+
+drop dataverse test if exists;
+create dataverse test;
+use dataverse test;
+
+create type TestType as closed {
+id:int32,
+description:string,
+name:string,
+optnl_fld:string?
+}
+
+create dataset T1(TestType) partitioned by key id;
+
+create dataset T2(TestType) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset T1({
+"id":1234,
+"description":"donut",
+"name":"Cake",
+"optnl_fld":"optional data goes here"
+}
+);
+
+insert into dataset T2(for $l in dataset("T1") return $l );
+
+for $d in dataset("T2")
+order by $d.id
+return $d
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/c2c-wo-optional.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/c2c-wo-optional.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9d4b90a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/c2c-wo-optional.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+/*
+ * Testcase Name  : c2c-wo-optional.aql
+ * Description    : Insert data into target datase by doing a select on source dataset.
+ *                : Here both source and target datasets are internal datasets
+ *                : The schema includes one optional field named optnl_fld.
+ *                : Note that the optional field in source dataset does not hold any data.
+ * Success        : Yes
+ * Date           : 23rd May 2012
+ */
+
+drop dataverse test if exists;
+create dataverse test;
+use dataverse test;
+
+create type TestType as closed {
+id:int32,
+description:string,
+name:string,
+optnl_fld:string?
+}
+
+create dataset T1(TestType) partitioned by key id;
+
+create dataset T2(TestType) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset T1({
+"id":1234,
+"description":"donut",
+"name":"Cake"
+}
+);
+
+insert into dataset T2(for $l in dataset("T1") return $l );
+
+for $d in dataset("T2")
+order by $d.id
+return $d
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/c2c.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/c2c.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..83888f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/c2c.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+/*
+ * Testcase Name  : c2c.aql
+ * Description    : Insert data into target datase by doing a select on source dataset.
+ *                : Here both source and target datasets are internal datasets
+ * Success        : Yes
+ * Date           : 23rd May 2012
+ */
+
+drop dataverse test if exists;
+create dataverse test;
+use dataverse test;
+
+create type TestType as closed {
+id:int32,
+description:string,
+name:string
+}
+
+// source dataset
+create dataset T1(TestType) partitioned by key id;
+
+// target dataset
+create dataset T2(TestType) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset T1({
+"id":1234,
+"description":"donut",
+"name":"Cake"
+}
+);
+
+insert into dataset T2(for $l in dataset("T1") return $l );
+
+for $d in dataset("T2")
+order by $d.id
+return $d
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/heterog-list-ordered01.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/heterog-list-ordered01.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..27935e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/heterog-list-ordered01.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+/*
+ * Test case Name : heterog-list01.aql
+ * Description    : To test insertion of an array of objects into internal dataset. 
+ *                : Heterogenous list construction.
+ * Success        : Yes
+ * Date           : 14th April 2012
+ */
+
+drop dataverse test if exists;
+create dataverse test;
+use dataverse test;
+
+create type BatterType as {
+id:int32,
+descrpt:string
+}
+
+create type TestType as closed {
+id:int32,
+description:string,
+name:string,
+batters:[[BatterType]]
+}
+
+create dataset T1(TestType) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset T1({
+"id":1234,
+"description":"donut",
+"name":"Cake",
+"batters":[[ {"id":345,"descrpt":"Regular"},{"id":445,"descrpt":"Chocolate"} ]] }
+);
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_heterog-list-ordered01.adm";
+
+for $d in dataset("T1") 
+order by $d.id
+return $d
+
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/heterog-list01.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/heterog-list01.aql
index d1edc3d..7ba1641 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/heterog-list01.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/heterog-list01.aql
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 id:int32,
 description:string,
 name:string,
-batters:[BatterType]
+batters:{{BatterType}}
 }
 
 create dataset T1(TestType) partitioned by key id;
@@ -28,11 +28,12 @@
 "id":1234,
 "description":"donut",
 "name":"Cake",
-"batters":[{"id":345,"descprt":"Regular"},{"id":445,"descprt":"Chocolate"}] }
+"batters":{{ {"id":345,"descrpt":"Regular"},{"id":445,"descrpt":"Chocolate"} }} }
 );
 
-write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_heteror-list01.adm";
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_heterog-list01.adm";
 
 for $d in dataset("T1") 
+order by $d.id
 return $d
 
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/heterog-list02.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/heterog-list02.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47dd921
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/heterog-list02.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+/*
+ * Test case Name : heterog-list02.aql
+ * Description    : To test insertion of an array of arrays into internal dataset. 
+ *                : Heterogenous list construction.
+ * Success        : Yes
+ * Date           : 28th May 2012
+ */
+
+drop dataverse test if exists;
+create dataverse test;
+use dataverse test;
+
+create type BatterType as {
+id:int32,
+descrpt:string
+}
+
+create type TestType as {
+id:int32,
+description:string,
+name:string,
+batters:[[BatterType]]
+}
+
+create dataset T1(TestType) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset T1({
+"id":1234,
+"description":"donut",
+"name":"Cake",
+"batters":[[{"id":345,"descrpt":"Regular"},{"id":445,"descrpt":"Chocolate"}],[{"id":349,"descrpt":"Soft"},{"id":449,"descrpt":"Vanilla"}]] }
+);
+
+for $l in dataset('T1')
+return $l
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/heterog-list03.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/heterog-list03.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94a87c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/heterog-list03.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+/*
+ * Test case Name : heterog-list03.aql
+ * Description    : To test insertion of an array of arrays into internal dataset. 
+ *                : batters field is optional in this scenario.
+ *                : Heterogenous list construction.
+ * Success        : Yes
+ * Date           : 28th May 2012
+ */
+
+drop dataverse test if exists;
+create dataverse test;
+use dataverse test;
+
+create type BatterType as {
+id:int32,
+descrpt:string
+}
+
+create type TestType as {
+id:int32,
+description:string,
+name:string,
+batters:[[BatterType]]?
+}
+
+create dataset T1(TestType) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset T1({
+"id":1234,
+"description":"donut",
+"name":"Cake",
+"batters":[[{"id":345,"descrpt":"Regular"},{"id":445,"descrpt":"Chocolate"}],[{"id":349,"descrpt":"Soft"},{"id":449,"descrpt":"Vanilla"}]] }
+);
+
+for $l in dataset('T1')
+return $l
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-01.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-01.aql
index 6373569..0d26b5d 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-01.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-01.aql
@@ -23,4 +23,6 @@
 );
 
 write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-01.adm";
-for $l in dataset("testds") return $l
+for $l in dataset("testds") 
+order by $l.id
+return $l
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-02.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-02.aql
deleted file mode 100644
index e15577b..0000000
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-02.aql
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-/* 
- * Test case Name  : open-closed-02.aql
- * Description     : This test is intended to test insertion of additional data into a dataset of closed type 
- * Expected Result : This test should fail because closed type internal datasets can not ingest additional data.
- * 
- */
-
-drop dataverse test if exists;
-
-create dataverse test;
-
-use dataverse test;
-
-// name field here is optional.
-create type testType as closed {
-id : int32,
-name : string?
-}
-
-create dataset testds(testType) partitioned by key id;
-
-insert into dataset testds({"id": 123});
-
-write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-02.adm";
-for $l in dataset("testds") return $l
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-03.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-03.aql
deleted file mode 100644
index f028c89..0000000
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-03.aql
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,24 +0,0 @@
-/* 
- * Test case Name  : open-closed-03.aql
- * Description     : This test is intended to test insertion of additional data into a closed type 
- * Expected Result : Failure - This should NOT be allowed!
- * Issue number    : Issue 66
- */
-
-drop dataverse test if exists;
-
-create dataverse test;
-
-use dataverse test;
-
-create type testType as closed {
-id : int32,
-name : string
-}
-
-create dataset testds(testType) partitioned by key id;
-
-insert into dataset testds({"id": 123, "name": "John Doe", "hobbies": {{ "scuba", "music" }} }
-);
-
-for $l in dataset("testds") return $l
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-04.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-04.aql
deleted file mode 100644
index 82912bd..0000000
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-04.aql
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,31 +0,0 @@
-/* 
- * Test case Name  : open-closed-04.aql
- * Description     : This test is intended to test type in the Metdata for the dataset. 
- *                 : Verify if the type is open. 
- * Expected Result : Success - This should be allowed!
- * Issue number    : Issue 73
- */
-
-drop dataverse test if exists;
-
-create dataverse test;
-
-use dataverse test;
-
-create type TestType as open {
-id : int32,
-name : string
-}
-
-create dataset testds(TestType) partitioned by key id;
-
-/*
- * Connect to the Metadata dataverse and run the following commands.
- */
-
-use dataverse Metadata;
-
-for $l in dataset('Datatype')
-let $x := $l.Derived
-where $l.DatatypeName="TestType"
-return $x.Record
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-05.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-05.aql
deleted file mode 100644
index 2bd18fe..0000000
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-05.aql
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,30 +0,0 @@
-/* 
- * Test case Name  : open-closed-05.aql
- * Description     : Create internal dataset and verify if the type is marked as closed in metadata.
- * Expected Result : Success
- */
-
-drop dataverse test if exists;
-
-create dataverse test;
-
-use dataverse test;
-
-create type testType as closed {
-id : int32,
-name : string
-}
-
-create dataset testds(testType) partitioned by key id;
-
-/*
- * Connect to the Metadata dataverse and run the following commands.
- * Verify if the type is closed by querying Metadata.
- */
-
-use dataverse Metadata;
-
-for $l in dataset('Datatype')
-let $x := $l.Derived
-where $l.DatatypeName="TestType"
-return $x.Record
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-06.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-06.aql
deleted file mode 100644
index f6605a6..0000000
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-06.aql
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Test case Name : open-closed-06.aql
- * Description    : To test non nullable field types in closed type datasets.
- * Success        : Yes this test should Fail!
- * Date           : 03/26/2012
- */
-
-drop dataverse test if exists;
-
-create dataverse test;
-
-use dataverse test;
-
-create type testType as closed {
-id : int32,
-name : string
-}
-
-create dataset testds(testType) partitioned by key id;
-
-// Missing name field this insert stmt should fail.
-
-insert into dataset testds({"id": 123});
-
-
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-07.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-07.aql
deleted file mode 100644
index 155f8bb..0000000
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-07.aql
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Test case Name : open-closed-07.aql
- * Description    : To test non nullable field types in datasets of type open.
- * Success        : Yes this test should Fail!
- * Date           : 03/26/2012
- */
-
-drop dataverse test if exists;
-
-create dataverse test;
-
-use dataverse test;
-
-create type testType as open {
-id : int32,
-name : string
-}
-
-create dataset testds(testType) partitioned by key id;
-
-insert into dataset testds({"id": 123});
-
-
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-08.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-08.aql
deleted file mode 100644
index 24423e8..0000000
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-08.aql
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Test case Name : open-closed-08.aql
- * Description    : To test nullable and non nullable field types in datasets of type closed.
- * Success        : Yes this test should succeed!
- * Date           : 03/26/2012
- */
-
-drop dataverse test if exists;
-
-create dataverse test;
-
-use dataverse test;
-
-create type testType as closed {
-id : int32,
-name : string?
-}
-
-create dataset testds(testType) partitioned by key id;
-
-insert into dataset testds({"id": 123});
-
-
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-09.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-09.aql
deleted file mode 100644
index 63288d7..0000000
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-09.aql
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,24 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Test case Name : open-closed-09.aql
- * Description    : To test nullable and non nullable field types in datasets of type open.
- *                : Missing value for nullable field and missing value for non-nullable field in insert statement.
- * Success        : This test should Fail!
- * Date           : 03/26/2012
- */
-
-drop dataverse test if exists;
-
-create dataverse test;
-
-use dataverse test;
-
-create type testType as open {
-id : int32,
-name : string?
-}
-
-create dataset testds(testType) partitioned by key id;
-
-insert into dataset testds({ });
-
-
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-10.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-10.aql
deleted file mode 100644
index cad1f12..0000000
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-10.aql
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,24 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Test case Name : open-closed-10.aql
- * Description    : To test nullable and non nullable field types in datasets of type open.
- *                : Missing value for nullable field in insert statement.
- * Success        : This test should succeed!
- * Date           : 03/26/2012
- */
-
-drop dataverse test if exists;
-
-create dataverse test;
-
-use dataverse test;
-
-create type testType as open {
-id : int32,
-name : string?
-}
-
-create dataset testds(testType) partitioned by key id;
-
-insert into dataset testds({"id :" 32 });
-
-
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-11.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-11.aql
deleted file mode 100644
index 50d52d2..0000000
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-11.aql
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,24 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Test case Name : open-closed-11.aql
- * Description    : To test nullable and non nullable field types in datasets of type open.
- *                : No missing value for nullable field in insert statement.
- * Success        : This test should succeed!
- * Date           : 03/26/2012
- */
-
-drop dataverse test if exists;
-
-create dataverse test;
-
-use dataverse test;
-
-create type testType as open {
-id : int32,
-name : string?
-}
-
-create dataset testds(testType) partitioned by key id;
-
-insert into dataset testds({"id :" 32,"name :" "UCI"});
-
-
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-12.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-12.aql
index 2459fcc..ae21794 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-12.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-12.aql
@@ -43,6 +43,8 @@
 return $d
 );
 
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-12.adm";
 for $d in dataset("testds01")
+order by $d.id
 return $d
 
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-13.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-13.aql
deleted file mode 100644
index 379e282..0000000
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-13.aql
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Testcase Name : open-closed-13.aql
- * Description   : Attempt to insert additional data into a dataset which is defined as closed type.
- * Success       : This test should fail! No additional data allowed in datasets of closed type.
- * Date          : March 27 2012
- */
-
-
-create dataverse testdv2;
-use dataverse testdv2;
-
-create type testtype as closed {
-  id: string,
-  name: string
-}
-
-create dataset testds(testtype) partitioned by key id;
-
-insert into dataset testds (
-{ "id": "001", "name": "Person Three", "hobbies": {{"scuba", "music"}}}
-);
-
-for $d in dataset("testds")
-return $d
-
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-14.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-14.aql
index 03e6e33..6c517ca 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-14.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-14.aql
@@ -48,6 +48,8 @@
 return $d
 );
 
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-14.adm";
 for $d in dataset("testds01")
+order by $d.id
 return $d
 
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-15.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-15.aql
index 80cfa30..2ac2567 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-15.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-15.aql
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@
 }
 );
 
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-15.adm";
 for $l in dataset('tdtst')
 return $l
 
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-16.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-16.aql
index c463cb0..5e1a591 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-16.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-16.aql
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@
 }
 );
 
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-16.adm";
 for $l in dataset('tdtst')
 return $l
 
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-17.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-17.aql
index f1fe349..a590cf1 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-17.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-17.aql
@@ -43,5 +43,6 @@
 }
 );
 
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-17.adm";
 for $l in dataset('tdtst')
 return $l
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-18.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-18.aql
deleted file mode 100644
index 0da1474..0000000
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-18.aql
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,21 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Test case name : open-closed-18.aql
- * Description    : Test insertion of additional data into an open type internal dataset.
- * Success        : Yes
- * Date           : 29 April 2012
- */
-
-drop dataverse test if exists;
-create dataverse test;
-use dataverse test;
-
-create type TestType as open {
-id:int32
-}
-
-create dataset testds(TestType) partitioned by key id;
-
-insert into dataset testds( for $i in range(1,10) return { "id":$i,"name":"John Doe" });
-
-for $l in dataset('testds')
-return $l
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-19.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-19.aql
index 3ff2d71..b406663 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-19.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-19.aql
@@ -47,5 +47,6 @@
 
 insert into dataset dtst01({for $l in dataset('employee') return $l});
 
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-19.adm";
 for $l in dataset('dtst01')
 retunr $l 
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-20.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-20.aql
index d7ad173..29b4366 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-20.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-20.aql
@@ -41,5 +41,6 @@
 
 insert into dataset dtst01(for $l in dataset('employee') return $l);
 
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-20.adm";
 for $l in dataset('dtst01')
 return $l 
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-21.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-21.aql
index 71ce585..c52344e 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-21.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-21.aql
@@ -38,5 +38,6 @@
 
 insert into dataset dtst01(for $l in dataset('employee') return $l);
 
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-21.adm";
 for $l in dataset('dtst01')
 return $l 
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-22.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-22.aql
index 6e05f61..cd9ac44 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-22.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-22.aql
@@ -39,5 +39,6 @@
 // missing dept field
 insert into dataset employee({"id":205,"name":"Mike Tyson","age":44,"sex":"M","dob":date("1970-12-22")});
 
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-22.adm";
 for $l in dataset('employee')
 return $l 
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-24.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-24.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7012a5a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-24.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+/*
+ * Testcase Name : open-closed-24.aql
+ * Description   : Test use of additional data(open) field in create type statement 
+ * Success       : Yes
+ * Date          : 29th May 2012
+ */
+
+drop dataverse test if exists;
+
+create dataverse test;
+
+use dataverse test;
+
+create type testType as open {
+id : int32,
+name : string,
+opt_tag : {{ string }}
+}
+
+create dataset testds(testType) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset testds({"id": 32,"name": "UCI","opt_tag":{{"optional text","put any text here","and more"}}});
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-24.adm";
+for $l in dataset('testds')
+return $l
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-25.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-25.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b29b63a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-25.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+/*
+ * Testcase Name : open-closed-25.aql
+ * Description   : Test use of additional data(open) optional field in create type statement 
+ * Success       : Yes
+ * Date          : 29th May 2012
+ */
+
+drop dataverse test if exists;
+
+create dataverse test;
+
+use dataverse test;
+
+create type testType as open {
+id : int32,
+name : string,
+opt_tag : {{ string }}?
+}
+
+create dataset testds(testType) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset testds({"id": 32,"name": "UCI","opt_tag":{{"optional text","put any text here","and more"}}});
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-25.adm";
+for $l in dataset('testds')
+return $l
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-26.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-26.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f19e4a7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-26.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+/*
+ * Testcase Name : open-closed-26.aql
+ * Description   : Test use of additional data(open) optional field in create type statement 
+ *               : No additional data is inserted (as it is declared as optional) from the insert statement.
+ * Success       : Yes
+ * Date          : 29th May 2012
+ */
+
+drop dataverse test if exists;
+
+create dataverse test;
+
+use dataverse test;
+
+create type testType as open {
+id : int32,
+name : string,
+opt_tag : {{ string }}?
+}
+
+create dataset testds(testType) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset testds({"id": 32,"name": "UCI"});
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-26.adm";
+for $l in dataset('testds')
+return $l
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-28.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-28.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8fdab75
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-28.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+/*
+ * Testcase Name  : open-closed-28.aql
+ * Description    : Query for undeclared data from an open type internal dataset
+ *                : use the every keyword in the where clause
+ * Status         : Yes
+ * Date           : 31st May 2012
+ */
+
+drop dataverse testdv2 if exists;
+create dataverse testdv2;
+use dataverse testdv2;
+
+create type testtype01 as open {
+  id: string,
+  name: string
+}
+
+create type testtype02 as open {
+id : string,
+name : string
+}
+
+create dataset testds01(testtype01) partitioned by key id;
+
+create dataset testds02(testtype02) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "001", "name": "Person One", "hobbies": {{"scuba", "music"}}}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "002", "name": "Person Two", "hobbies": {{"fishing", "dance"}}}
+);
+
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "003", "name": "Person Three", "hobbies": {{"hiking", "surfing"}}}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds01(
+for $d in dataset("testds02")
+return $d
+);
+
+// select all hobbies where hiking is one of the hobbies
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-28.adm";
+for $d in dataset('testds01')
+where every $h in $d.hobbies satisfies $h='hiking' 
+order by $d.id
+return $d
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-29.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-29.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9560430
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-29.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+/*
+ * Testcase Name  : open-closed-29.aql
+ * Description    : Query for undeclared data from an open type internal dataset
+ *                : use the some keyword in the where clause
+ * Status         : Yes
+ * Date           : 31st May 2012
+ */
+
+drop dataverse testdv2 if exists;
+create dataverse testdv2;
+use dataverse testdv2;
+
+create type testtype01 as open {
+  id: string,
+  name: string
+}
+
+create type testtype02 as open {
+id : string,
+name : string
+}
+
+create dataset testds01(testtype01) partitioned by key id;
+
+create dataset testds02(testtype02) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "001", "name": "Person One", "hobbies": {{"scuba", "music"}}}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "002", "name": "Person Two", "hobbies": {{"fishing", "dance"}}}
+);
+
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "003", "name": "Person Three", "hobbies": {{"hiking", "surfing"}}}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds01(
+for $d in dataset("testds02")
+return $d
+);
+
+// select all hobbies where hiking is one of the hobbies
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-29.adm";
+for $d in dataset('testds01')
+where some $h in $d.hobbies satisfies $h='hiking' 
+order by $d.id
+return $d
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-30.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-30.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..42aa2e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-30.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+/*
+ * Test case Name : open-closed-30.aql
+ * Description    : Query undeclared data using every in the WHERE clause
+ *                : where every $h in $d.hobbies satisfies $h='hiking'
+ * Success        : Yes
+ * Date           : 31st May 2012
+ */
+
+drop dataverse testdv2 if exists;
+create dataverse testdv2;
+use dataverse testdv2;
+
+create type testtype01 as open {
+  id: string
+}
+
+create type testtype02 as open {
+id : string,
+name : string
+}
+
+create dataset testds01(testtype01) partitioned by key id;
+
+create dataset testds02(testtype02) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "011", "name": "John Doe", "hobbies": {{"scuba", "music"}}}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "102", "name": "Roger Sanders", "hobbies": {{"fishing", "dance"}}}
+);
+
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "203", "name": "Phil Smith", "hobbies": {{"hiking", "surfing"}}}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds01(
+for $d in dataset("testds02")
+return $d
+);
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-30.adm";
+for $d in dataset('testds01')
+where every $h in $d.hobbies satisfies $h='hiking' 
+order by $d.id
+return $d.hobbies
+
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-31.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-31.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..03b1754
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-31.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+/*
+ * Test case Name : open-closed-31.aql
+ * Description    : 
+ * Success        : Yes
+ * Date           : 31st May 2012
+ */
+
+drop dataverse testdv2 if exists;
+create dataverse testdv2;
+use dataverse testdv2;
+
+create type testtype01 as open {
+  id: string
+}
+
+create type testtype02 as open {
+id : string,
+name : string
+}
+
+create dataset testds01(testtype01) partitioned by key id;
+
+create dataset testds02(testtype02) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "011", "name": "John Doe", "hobbies": {{"scuba", "music"}}}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "102", "name": "Roger Sanders", "hobbies": {{"fishing", "dance"}}}
+);
+
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "203", "name": "Phil Smith", "hobbies": {{"hiking", "surfing"}}}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds01(
+for $d in dataset("testds02")
+return $d
+);
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-31.adm";
+for $d in dataset('testds01')
+where some $h in $d.hobbies satisfies $h='hiking' 
+order by $d.id
+return $d.hobbies
+
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-32.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-32.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f101e47
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-32.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+/*
+ * Test case Name : open-closed-32.aql
+ * Description    : INSERT into target (closed type) internal dataset by doing SELECT on (closed type) source internal dataset 
+ *                : then query the target internal dataset for data enclosed within {{ }} braces, in this case interests field.
+ * Success        : Yes
+ * Date           : 31st May 2012
+ */
+
+drop dataverse testdv2 if exists;
+create dataverse testdv2;
+use dataverse testdv2;
+
+create type testtype01 as open {
+id: string
+}
+
+create type testtype02 as closed {
+id : string,
+name : string,
+sex : string,
+dept : string,
+salary : int32,
+interests : {{string}}
+}
+
+create dataset testds01(testtype01) partitioned by key id;
+
+create dataset testds02(testtype02) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "011", "name": "John Doe", "sex":"Male", "dept":"HR", "salary":80000,"interests":{{"hiking","scuba","painting","biking"}}});
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "921", "name": "John Smith", "sex":"Male", "dept":"Sales", "salary":65000,"interests":{{"gardening","biking","reading","hiking","fishing"}}});
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "959", "name": "Susan Malaika", "sex":"Female", "dept":"XML Dev", "salary":200000,"interests":{{"XML","Web Services","Cloud","X-Forms","art","travelling"}}});
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "371", "name": "Tom Sawyer", "sex":"Male", "dept":"Well Being", "salary":90000,"interests":{{"tennis","scuba","running","biking"}}});
+
+// insert into open type target dataset by doing a select on the closed type (source) internal dataset
+
+insert into dataset testds01(
+for $d in dataset("testds02")
+return $d
+);
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-32.adm";
+for $d in dataset('testds01')
+where some $h in $d.interests satisfies $h='biking' 
+order by $d.id
+return $d.interests
+
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-33.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-33.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b75e6c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/open-closed/open-closed-33.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+/*
+ * Test case Name : open-closed-33.aql
+ * Description    : INSERT into target (closed type) internal dataset by doing SELECT on (closed type) source internal dataset
+ *                : then query the target internal dataset for data enclosed within {{ }} braces, in this case interests field.
+ *                : Here the interests field is optional.
+ * Success        : Yes
+ * Date           : 31st May 2012
+ */
+
+drop dataverse testdv2 if exists;
+create dataverse testdv2;
+use dataverse testdv2;
+
+create type testtype01 as open {
+id: string
+}
+
+create type testtype02 as closed {
+id : string,
+name : string,
+sex : string,
+dept : string,
+salary : int32,
+interests : {{string}}?
+}
+
+create dataset testds01(testtype01) partitioned by key id;
+
+create dataset testds02(testtype02) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "011", "name": "John Doe", "sex":"Male", "dept":"HR", "salary":80000,"interests":{{"hiking","scuba","painting","biking"}}});
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "921", "name": "John Smith", "sex":"Male", "dept":"Sales", "salary":65000,"interests":{{"gardening","biking","reading","hiking","fishing"}}});
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "959", "name": "Susan Malaika", "sex":"Female", "dept":"XML Dev", "salary":200000,"interests":{{"XML","Web Services","Cloud","X-Forms","art","travelling"}}});
+
+insert into dataset testds02 (
+{ "id": "371", "name": "Tom Sawyer", "sex":"Male", "dept":"Well Being", "salary":90000,"interests":{{"tennis","scuba","running","biking"}}});
+
+// insert into open type target dataset by doing a select on the closed type (source) internal dataset
+
+insert into dataset testds01(
+for $d in dataset("testds02")
+return $d
+);
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-33.adm";
+for $d in dataset('testds01')
+where some $h in $d.interests satisfies $h='biking' 
+order by $d.id
+return $d.interests
+
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-c2o-recursive.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-c2o-recursive.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..60a389c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-c2o-recursive.adm
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+{ "name": "Person One", "id": "001", "address": { "street": "3019 DBH", "city": "Irvine", "zip": 92697 }, "department": {{ { "name": "CS", "id": 299, "review": 5 }, { "name": "EE", "id": 399 } }} }
+{ "name": "Person Two", "id": "002", "address": null, "department": null }
+{ "name": "Person Three", "id": "003", "address": { "street": "2019 DBH", "city": "Irvine" }, "department": null }
+{ "name": "Person Four", "id": "004", "address": { "street": "1019 DBH", "city": "irvine", "property": { "zip": 92697, "review": "positive" } }, "department": null }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-c2o.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-c2o.adm
index 5e7a349..6086a08 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-c2o.adm
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-c2o.adm
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-{ "id": "001", "name": "Person Three", "hobby": "music" }
-{ "id": "002", "name": "Person One", "hobby": "sports" }
-{ "id": "003", "name": "Person Two", "hobby": "movie" }
-{ "id": "004", "name": "Person Four", "hobby": "swimming" }
+{ "id": "001", "name": "Person Three", "hobby": {{ "music", "coding" }} }
+{ "id": "002", "name": "Person One", "hobby": {{ "sports" }} }
+{ "id": "003", "name": "Person Two", "hobby": {{ "movie", "sports" }} }
+{ "id": "004", "name": "Person Four", "hobby": {{ "swimming" }} }
 { "id": "005", "name": "Person Five", "hobby": null }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-o2c-recursive.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-o2c-recursive.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c67c3cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-o2c-recursive.adm
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+{ "name": "Person One", "id": "001", "address": { "street": "3019 DBH", "city": "Irvine", "zip": 92697 }, "department": {{ { "name": "CS", "id": 299 }, { "name": "EE", "id": 399 } }} }
+{ "name": "Person Two", "id": "002", "address": null, "department": null }
+{ "name": "Person Three", "id": "003", "address": { "street": "2019 DBH", "city": "Irvine" }, "department": null }
+{ "name": "Person Four", "id": "004", "address": { "street": "1019 DBH", "city": "irvine", "property": { "zip": 92697, "review": "positive" } }, "department": null }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-o2c.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-o2c.adm
index d9c778b..92809fd 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-o2c.adm
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-o2c.adm
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-{ "hobby": "music", "id": "001", "name": "Person Three" }
-{ "hobby": "football", "id": "002", "name": "Person Three" }
-{ "hobby": "movie", "id": "003", "name": "Person Three" }
-{ "hobby": "swimming", "id": "004", "name": "Person Three" }
+{ "hobby": {{ "music" }}, "id": "001", "name": "Person Three" }
+{ "hobby": {{ "football" }}, "id": "002", "name": "Person Three" }
+{ "hobby": {{ "movie", "coding", "debugging" }}, "id": "003", "name": "Person Three" }
+{ "hobby": {{ "swimming", "music" }}, "id": "004", "name": "Person Three" }
 { "hobby": null, "id": "005", "name": "Person Five" }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/nestrecords/nestrecord.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/nestrecords/nestrecord.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2b255b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/nestrecords/nestrecord.adm
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+{ "name": "Person One", "id": "001", "address": { "street": "3019 DBH", "city": "Irvine", "zip": 92697 } }
+{ "name": "Person Two", "id": "002", "address": null }
+{ "name": "Person Three", "id": "003", "address": { "street": "2019 DBH", "city": "Irvine" } }
+{ "name": "Person Four", "id": "004", "address": null, "home": { "street": "2019 DBH", "city": { "name": "Irvine", "zip": 92697 } } }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/heterog-list-ordered01.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/heterog-list-ordered01.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ee958f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/heterog-list-ordered01.adm
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{ "id": 1234, "description": "donut", "name": "Cake", "batters": [ [ { "id": 345, "descrpt": "Regular" }, { "id": 445, "descrpt": "Chocolate" } ] ] }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/heterog-list01.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/heterog-list01.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..30c55c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/heterog-list01.adm
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{ "id": 1234, "description": "donut", "name": "Cake", "batters": {{ { "id": 345, "descrpt": "Regular" }, { "id": 445, "descrpt": "Chocolate" } }} }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-01.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-01.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c5aac6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-01.adm
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{ "id": 123, "name": "John Doe", "hobbies": {{ "scuba", "music" }} }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-12.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-12.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7570226
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-12.adm
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+{ "id": "001", "name": "Person One", "hobbies": {{ "scuba", "music" }} }
+{ "id": "002", "name": "Person Two", "hobbies": {{ "fishing", "dance" }} }
+{ "id": "003", "name": "Person Three", "hobbies": {{ "hiking", "surfing" }} }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-14.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-14.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..70b6b95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-14.adm
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+{ "id": "001", "name": null }
+{ "id": "002", "name": "John Doe" }
+{ "id": "003", "name": null }
+{ "id": "004", "name": null }
+{ "id": "005", "name": null }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-24.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-24.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fbcf8ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-24.adm
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{ "id": 32, "name": "UCI", "opt_tag": {{ "optional text", "put any text here", "and more" }} }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-25.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-25.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fbcf8ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-25.adm
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{ "id": 32, "name": "UCI", "opt_tag": {{ "optional text", "put any text here", "and more" }} }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-26.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-26.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..755a799
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-26.adm
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{ "id": 32, "name": "UCI", "opt_tag": null }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-29.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-29.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2c3d0ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-29.adm
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{ "id": "003", "name": "Person Three", "hobbies": {{ "hiking", "surfing" }} }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-31.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-31.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d5816e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-31.adm
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{{ "hiking", "surfing" }}
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-32.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-32.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2103e83
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-32.adm
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+{{ "hiking", "scuba", "painting", "biking" }}
+{{ "tennis", "scuba", "running", "biking" }}
+{{ "gardening", "biking", "reading", "hiking", "fishing" }}
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-33.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-33.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2103e83
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/open-closed/open-closed-33.adm
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+{{ "hiking", "scuba", "painting", "biking" }}
+{{ "tennis", "scuba", "running", "biking" }}
+{{ "gardening", "biking", "reading", "hiking", "fishing" }}
diff --git a/asterix-common/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/common/utils/UTF8CharSequence.java b/asterix-common/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/common/utils/UTF8CharSequence.java
index fc5c930..a6d1c54 100644
--- a/asterix-common/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/common/utils/UTF8CharSequence.java
+++ b/asterix-common/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/common/utils/UTF8CharSequence.java
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.utils;
 
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.api.IValueReference;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.primitive.UTF8StringPointable;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IValueReference;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.util.StringUtils;
 
 public class UTF8CharSequence implements CharSequence {
 
@@ -48,7 +47,7 @@
         int sStart = start + 2;
         int c = 0;
         int i = 0;
-        byte[] bytes = valueRef.getBytes();
+        byte[] bytes = valueRef.getByteArray();
         while (c < len) {
             buf[i++] = UTF8StringPointable.charAt(bytes, sStart + c);
             c += UTF8StringPointable.charSize(bytes, sStart + c);
@@ -57,7 +56,7 @@
     }
 
     private void resetLength(IValueReference valueRef) {
-        this.len = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLen(valueRef.getBytes(), start);
+        this.len = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLength(valueRef.getByteArray(), start);
     }
 
 }
diff --git a/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlCompiledFeedDatasetDetails.java b/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlCompiledFeedDatasetDetails.java
index 64503c4..5cfc8be 100644
--- a/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlCompiledFeedDatasetDetails.java
+++ b/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlCompiledFeedDatasetDetails.java
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Triple;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.ScalarFunctionCallExpression;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 
 public class AqlCompiledFeedDatasetDetails extends
 		AqlCompiledInternalDatasetDetails {
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
 
 	public AqlCompiledFeedDatasetDetails(
 			List<String> partitioningExprs,
-			List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitionFuns,
+			List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitionFuns,
 			String nodegroupName, AqlCompiledIndexDecl primaryIndex,
 			List<AqlCompiledIndexDecl> secondaryIndexes, String adapter,
 			Map<String, String> properties, String functionIdentifier,
diff --git a/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlCompiledInternalDatasetDetails.java b/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlCompiledInternalDatasetDetails.java
index 36c53cc..912b766 100644
--- a/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlCompiledInternalDatasetDetails.java
+++ b/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlCompiledInternalDatasetDetails.java
@@ -22,18 +22,18 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Triple;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.ScalarFunctionCallExpression;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 
 public class AqlCompiledInternalDatasetDetails implements IAqlCompiledDatasetDetails {
     private final List<String> partitioningExprs;
-    private final List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitionFuns;
+    private final List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitionFuns;
     private final String nodegroupName;
     private final List<AqlCompiledIndexDecl> secondaryIndexes;
     private final AqlCompiledIndexDecl primaryIndex;
     private HashMap<String, List<AqlCompiledIndexDecl>> secondaryIndexInvertedList;
 
     public AqlCompiledInternalDatasetDetails(List<String> partitioningExprs,
-            List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitionFuns, String nodegroupName,
+            List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitionFuns, String nodegroupName,
             AqlCompiledIndexDecl primaryIndex, List<AqlCompiledIndexDecl> secondaryIndexes) {
         this.partitioningExprs = partitioningExprs;
         this.partitionFuns = partitionFuns;
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
         return sb.toString();
     }
 
-    public List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> getPartitioningFunctions() {
+    public List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> getPartitioningFunctions() {
         return partitionFuns;
     }
 
diff --git a/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations.java b/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations.java
index 418eac5..c76208c 100644
--- a/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations.java
+++ b/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations.java
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Triple;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.ScalarFunctionCallExpression;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.data.IAWriterFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.io.FileReference;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.std.file.ConstantFileSplitProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.std.file.FileSplit;
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@
                     String typeName = datasetRecord.getDatatypeName();
                     InternalDatasetDetails id = (InternalDatasetDetails) datasetRecord.getDatasetDetails();
                     ARecordType recType = (ARecordType) findType(typeName);
-                    List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningEvalFactories = computePartitioningEvaluatorFactories(
+                    List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningEvalFactories = computePartitioningEvaluatorFactories(
                             id.getPartitioningKey(), recType);
                     List<Index> indexRecord = this.metadataManager.getDatasetIndexes(mdTxnCtx, dataverseName,
                             datasetName);
@@ -239,12 +239,12 @@
         this.outputFile = outputFile;
     }
 
-    public List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> computePartitioningEvaluatorFactories(
+    public List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> computePartitioningEvaluatorFactories(
             List<String> partitioningExprs, ARecordType recType) {
-        List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> evalFactories = new ArrayList<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>>(
+        List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> evalFactories = new ArrayList<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>>(
                 partitioningExprs.size());
         for (String expr : partitioningExprs) {
-            Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFact = null;
+            Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFact = null;
             try {
                 evalFact = format.partitioningEvaluatorFactory(recType, expr);
             } catch (AlgebricksException e) {
diff --git a/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlDataSource.java b/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlDataSource.java
index 2545926..4ae38eb 100644
--- a/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlDataSource.java
+++ b/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlDataSource.java
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.properties.RandomPartitioningProperty;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.properties.StructuralPropertiesVector;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.properties.UnorderedPartitionedProperty;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 
 public class AqlDataSource implements IDataSource<AqlSourceId> {
 
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@
     }
 
     private void initInternalDataset(IAType itemType) {
-        List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
+        List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
                 .getPartitioningFunctions(adecl);
         int n = partitioningFunctions.size();
         schemaTypes = new IAType[n + 1];
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@
         if (decl.getAqlCompiledDatasetDetails() instanceof AqlCompiledExternalDatasetDetails) {
             initExternalDataset(itemType);
         } else {
-            List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
+            List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions = DatasetUtils
                     .getPartitioningFunctions(adecl);
             int n = partitioningFunctions.size();
             schemaTypes = new IAType[n + 1];
diff --git a/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlMetadataProvider.java b/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlMetadataProvider.java
index d8e340c..3affe24 100644
--- a/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlMetadataProvider.java
+++ b/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/declared/AqlMetadataProvider.java
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Triple;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.ILogicalExpression;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.LogicalVariable;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.ILogicalExpressionJobGen;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.IExpressionRuntimeProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.IVariableTypeEnvironment;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.ScalarFunctionCallExpression;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
@@ -62,8 +62,9 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.IOperatorSchema;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.jobgen.impl.JobGenContext;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.data.IPrinterFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IPushRuntimeFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IScalarEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.operators.std.SinkWriterRuntimeFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.IOperatorDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.IBinaryComparatorFactory;
@@ -359,7 +360,7 @@
             typeTraits[numPrimaryKeys] = AqlTypeTraitProvider.INSTANCE.getTypeTrait(itemType);
         }
 
-        for (Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType : DatasetUtils
+        for (Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType : DatasetUtils
                 .getPartitioningFunctions(ddecl)) {
             IAType keyType = evalFactoryAndType.third;
             ISerializerDeserializer keySerde = metadata.getFormat().getSerdeProvider()
@@ -468,7 +469,7 @@
             throw new AlgebricksException("R-tree can only be used as a secondary index");
         }
 
-        for (Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType : DatasetUtils
+        for (Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType : DatasetUtils
                 .getPartitioningFunctions(ddecl)) {
             IAType keyType = evalFactoryAndType.third;
             ISerializerDeserializer keySerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
@@ -756,9 +757,9 @@
         if (filterExpr == null) {
             return null;
         }
-        ILogicalExpressionJobGen exprJobGen = context.getExpressionJobGen();
-        IEvaluatorFactory filterEvalFactory = exprJobGen.createEvaluatorFactory(filterExpr, typeEnv, inputSchemas,
-                context);
+        IExpressionRuntimeProvider expressionRuntimeProvider = context.getExpressionRuntimeProvider();
+        IScalarEvaluatorFactory filterEvalFactory = expressionRuntimeProvider.createEvaluatorFactory(filterExpr,
+                typeEnv, inputSchemas, context);
         return new AsterixTupleFilterFactory(filterEvalFactory, context.getBinaryBooleanInspector());
     }
 
@@ -809,7 +810,7 @@
                     true);
             typeTraits[i] = AqlTypeTraitProvider.INSTANCE.getTypeTrait(keyType);
         }
-        for (Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType : DatasetUtils
+        for (Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType : DatasetUtils
                 .getPartitioningFunctions(compiledDatasetDecl)) {
             IAType keyType = evalFactoryAndType.third;
             comparatorFactories[i] = AqlBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider.INSTANCE.getBinaryComparatorFactory(keyType,
@@ -883,7 +884,7 @@
             typeTraits[i] = AqlTypeTraitProvider.INSTANCE.getTypeTrait(nestedKeyType);
             valueProviderFactories[i] = AqlPrimitiveValueProviderFactory.INSTANCE;
         }
-        for (Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType : DatasetUtils
+        for (Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType : DatasetUtils
                 .getPartitioningFunctions(compiledDatasetDecl)) {
             IAType keyType = evalFactoryAndType.third;
             comparatorFactories[i] = AqlBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider.INSTANCE.getBinaryComparatorFactory(keyType,
diff --git a/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/utils/DatasetUtils.java b/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/utils/DatasetUtils.java
index b7f0f75..a34f14b 100644
--- a/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/utils/DatasetUtils.java
+++ b/asterix-metadata/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/metadata/utils/DatasetUtils.java
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.ScalarFunctionCallExpression;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.data.IBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.data.IBinaryHashFunctionFactoryProvider;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.IBinaryComparatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.IBinaryHashFunctionFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ITypeTraits;
@@ -25,12 +25,12 @@
             throws AlgebricksException {
         if (compiledDatasetDecl.getDatasetType() == DatasetType.EXTERNAL)
             throw new AlgebricksException("not implemented");
-        List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions;
+        List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions;
         partitioningFunctions = getPartitioningFunctions(compiledDatasetDecl);
         int numKeys = partitioningFunctions.size();
         IBinaryComparatorFactory[] bcfs = new IBinaryComparatorFactory[numKeys];
         for (int i = 0; i < numKeys; i++) {
-            Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType = partitioningFunctions
+            Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType = partitioningFunctions
                     .get(i);
             IAType keyType = evalFactoryAndType.third;
             bcfs[i] = comparatorFactoryProvider.getBinaryComparatorFactory(keyType, true);
@@ -43,13 +43,13 @@
             throws AlgebricksException {
         if (compiledDatasetDecl.getDatasetType() == DatasetType.EXTERNAL)
             throw new AlgebricksException("not implemented");
-        List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions;
+        List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions;
         partitioningFunctions = ((AqlCompiledInternalDatasetDetails) compiledDatasetDecl.getAqlCompiledDatasetDetails())
                 .getPartitioningFunctions();
         int numKeys = partitioningFunctions.size();
         IBinaryHashFunctionFactory[] bhffs = new IBinaryHashFunctionFactory[numKeys];
         for (int i = 0; i < numKeys; i++) {
-            Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType = partitioningFunctions
+            Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType = partitioningFunctions
                     .get(i);
             IAType keyType = evalFactoryAndType.third;
             bhffs[i] = hashFunProvider.getBinaryHashFunctionFactory(keyType);
@@ -61,13 +61,13 @@
             AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations datasetDecls) throws AlgebricksException {
         if (compiledDatasetDecl.getDatasetType() == DatasetType.EXTERNAL)
             throw new AlgebricksException("not implemented");
-        List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions;
+        List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> partitioningFunctions;
         partitioningFunctions = ((AqlCompiledInternalDatasetDetails) compiledDatasetDecl.getAqlCompiledDatasetDetails())
                 .getPartitioningFunctions();
         int numKeys = partitioningFunctions.size();
         ITypeTraits[] typeTraits = new ITypeTraits[numKeys + 1];
         for (int i = 0; i < numKeys; i++) {
-            Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType = partitioningFunctions
+            Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> evalFactoryAndType = partitioningFunctions
                     .get(i);
             IAType keyType = evalFactoryAndType.third;
             typeTraits[i] = AqlTypeTraitProvider.INSTANCE.getTypeTrait(keyType);
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@
         return typeTraits;
     }
 
-    public static List<Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> getPartitioningFunctions(
+    public static List<Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>> getPartitioningFunctions(
             AqlCompiledDatasetDecl decl) {
         return ((AqlCompiledInternalDatasetDetails) decl.getAqlCompiledDatasetDetails()).getPartitioningFunctions();
     }
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/IAOrderedListBuilder.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/IAOrderedListBuilder.java
index 881c302..0ca40a5 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/IAOrderedListBuilder.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/IAOrderedListBuilder.java
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AOrderedListType;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IValueReference;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.api.IValueReference;
 
 public interface IAOrderedListBuilder {
 
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/IARecordBuilder.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/IARecordBuilder.java
index 18699f1..544b532 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/IARecordBuilder.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/IARecordBuilder.java
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 import java.io.IOException;
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IValueReference;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.api.IValueReference;
 
 /**
  * A record builder helps to construct Asterix Records in a serialized format.
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/IAUnorderedListBuilder.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/IAUnorderedListBuilder.java
index f962dfb..50d2038 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/IAUnorderedListBuilder.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/IAUnorderedListBuilder.java
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AUnorderedListType;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IValueReference;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.api.IValueReference;
 
 public interface IAUnorderedListBuilder {
 
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/OrderedListBuilder.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/OrderedListBuilder.java
index dcb0b87..18cec15 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/OrderedListBuilder.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/OrderedListBuilder.java
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.util.NonTaggedFormatUtil;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IValueReference;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.api.IValueReference;
 
 public class OrderedListBuilder implements IAOrderedListBuilder {
 
@@ -60,10 +60,10 @@
             this.offsets.add((short) outputStream.size());
         if (itemTypeTag == ATypeTag.ANY) {
             this.numberOfItems++;
-            this.outputStream.write(item.getBytes(), item.getStartIndex(), item.getLength());
-        } else if (item.getBytes()[0] != serNullTypeTag) {
+            this.outputStream.write(item.getByteArray(), item.getStartOffset(), item.getLength());
+        } else if (item.getByteArray()[0] != serNullTypeTag) {
             this.numberOfItems++;
-            this.outputStream.write(item.getBytes(), item.getStartIndex() + 1, item.getLength() - 1);
+            this.outputStream.write(item.getByteArray(), item.getStartOffset() + 1, item.getLength() - 1);
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/RecordBuilder.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/RecordBuilder.java
index fb8d2e4..03f0e20 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/RecordBuilder.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/RecordBuilder.java
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.util.NonTaggedFormatUtil;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.IBinaryHashFunction;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.accessors.PointableBinaryHashFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.api.IValueReference;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.primitive.UTF8StringPointable;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IValueReference;
 
 public class RecordBuilder implements IARecordBuilder {
     private int openPartOffset;
@@ -127,9 +127,9 @@
         closedPartOffsets[id] = closedPartOutputStream.size();
         int len = value.getLength() - 1;
         // +1 because we do not store the value tag.
-        closedPartOutputStream.write(value.getBytes(), value.getStartIndex() + 1, len);
+        closedPartOutputStream.write(value.getByteArray(), value.getStartOffset() + 1, len);
         numberOfClosedFields++;
-        if (isNullable && value.getBytes()[0] != SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
+        if (isNullable && value.getByteArray()[0] != SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
             nullBitMap[id / 8] |= (byte) (1 << (7 - (id % 8)));
         }
     }
@@ -142,12 +142,12 @@
             for (int i = 0; i < tempOpenPartOffsets.length; i++)
                 openPartOffsets[i] = tempOpenPartOffsets[i];
         }
-        fieldNameHashCode = utf8HashFunction.hash(name.getBytes(), name.getStartIndex() + 1, name.getLength());
+        fieldNameHashCode = utf8HashFunction.hash(name.getByteArray(), name.getStartOffset() + 1, name.getLength());
         openPartOffsets[this.numberOfOpenFields] = fieldNameHashCode;
         openPartOffsets[this.numberOfOpenFields] = (openPartOffsets[numberOfOpenFields] << 32);
         openPartOffsets[numberOfOpenFields++] += openPartOutputStream.size();
-        openPartOutputStream.write(name.getBytes(), name.getStartIndex() + 1, name.getLength() - 1);
-        openPartOutputStream.write(value.getBytes(), value.getStartIndex(), value.getLength());
+        openPartOutputStream.write(name.getByteArray(), name.getStartOffset() + 1, name.getLength() - 1);
+        openPartOutputStream.write(value.getByteArray(), value.getStartOffset(), value.getLength());
     }
 
     @Override
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/UnorderedListBuilder.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/UnorderedListBuilder.java
index 2f74f97..e8dbc29 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/UnorderedListBuilder.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/builders/UnorderedListBuilder.java
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AUnorderedListType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.util.NonTaggedFormatUtil;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IValueReference;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.api.IValueReference;
 
 public class UnorderedListBuilder implements IAUnorderedListBuilder {
 
@@ -63,10 +63,10 @@
             this.offsets.add((short) outputStream.size());
         if (itemTypeTag == ATypeTag.ANY) {
             this.numberOfItems++;
-            this.outputStream.write(item.getBytes(), item.getStartIndex(), item.getLength());
-        } else if (item.getBytes()[0] != serNullTypeTag) {
+            this.outputStream.write(item.getByteArray(), item.getStartOffset(), item.getLength());
+        } else if (item.getByteArray()[0] != serNullTypeTag) {
             this.numberOfItems++;
-            this.outputStream.write(item.getBytes(), item.getStartIndex() + 1, item.getLength() - 1);
+            this.outputStream.write(item.getByteArray(), item.getStartOffset() + 1, item.getLength() - 1);
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/dataflow/data/nontagged/serde/ARecordSerializerDeserializer.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/dataflow/data/nontagged/serde/ARecordSerializerDeserializer.java
index 5494669..694d189 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/dataflow/data/nontagged/serde/ARecordSerializerDeserializer.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/dataflow/data/nontagged/serde/ARecordSerializerDeserializer.java
@@ -1,3 +1,18 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde;
 
 import java.io.DataInput;
@@ -33,9 +48,9 @@
     private ARecordType recordType;
     private int numberOfSchemaFields = 0;
 
-    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+    @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
     private ISerializerDeserializer serializers[];
-    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+    @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
     private ISerializerDeserializer deserializers[];
 
     private ARecordSerializerDeserializer() {
@@ -253,11 +268,13 @@
             return -1; // this record does not have an open part
 
         int numberOfOpenField = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(serRecord, openPartOffset);
-        int utflength = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLen(fieldName, 1);
-        
-        IBinaryHashFunction utf8HashFunction = AqlBinaryHashFunctionFactoryProvider.UTF8STRING_POINTABLE_INSTANCE.createBinaryHashFunction();
+        int utflength = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLength(fieldName, 1);
 
-        IBinaryComparator utf8BinaryComparator = AqlBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider.UTF8STRING_POINTABLE_INSTANCE.createBinaryComparator();
+        IBinaryHashFunction utf8HashFunction = AqlBinaryHashFunctionFactoryProvider.UTF8STRING_POINTABLE_INSTANCE
+                .createBinaryHashFunction();
+
+        IBinaryComparator utf8BinaryComparator = AqlBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider.UTF8STRING_POINTABLE_INSTANCE
+                .createBinaryComparator();
 
         int fieldNameHashCode = utf8HashFunction.hash(fieldName, 1, utflength);
 
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/formats/base/IDataFormat.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/formats/base/IDataFormat.java
index 9142d9e..9da5b8b 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/formats/base/IDataFormat.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/formats/base/IDataFormat.java
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.data.IPrinterFactoryProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.data.ISerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.data.ITypeTraitProvider;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.INullWriterFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.std.file.ITupleParserFactory;
 
@@ -43,10 +43,10 @@
 
     public INullWriterFactory getNullWriterFactory();
 
-    public Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> partitioningEvaluatorFactory(
+    public Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> partitioningEvaluatorFactory(
             ARecordType recType, String fldName) throws AlgebricksException;
 
-    public IEvaluatorFactory getFieldAccessEvaluatorFactory(ARecordType recType, String fldName, int recordColumn)
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory getFieldAccessEvaluatorFactory(ARecordType recType, String fldName, int recordColumn)
             throws AlgebricksException;
 
     public ITupleParserFactory createTupleParser(ARecordType recType, IParseFileSplitsDecl decl);
@@ -56,9 +56,9 @@
     public IFunctionDescriptor resolveFunction(ILogicalExpression expr, IVariableTypeEnvironment typeEnvironment)
             throws AlgebricksException;
 
-    public IEvaluatorFactory getConstantEvalFactory(IAlgebricksConstantValue value) throws AlgebricksException;
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory getConstantEvalFactory(IAlgebricksConstantValue value) throws AlgebricksException;
 
-    public IEvaluatorFactory[] createMBRFactory(ARecordType recType, String fldName, int recordColumn, int dimension)
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] createMBRFactory(ARecordType recType, String fldName, int recordColumn, int dimension)
             throws AlgebricksException;
 
     public IExpressionEvalSizeComputer getExpressionEvalSizeComputer();
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/base/TypeComputerUtilities.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/base/TypeComputerUtilities.java
index e8786ec..2c7ff10 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/base/TypeComputerUtilities.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/base/TypeComputerUtilities.java
@@ -1,28 +1,27 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.base;
 
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.AbstractFunctionCallExpression;
 
 public class TypeComputerUtilities {
 
-    public static void setOpenType(AbstractFunctionCallExpression expr, boolean openType) {
-        Boolean openField = true;
-        Object[] opaqueParameters = new Object[1];
-        opaqueParameters[0] = openField;
-        expr.setOpaqueParameters(opaqueParameters);
-    }
-
-    public static boolean isOpenType(AbstractFunctionCallExpression expr) {
-        boolean openType = false;
-        Object[] opaqueParameters = expr.getOpaqueParameters();
-        if (opaqueParameters != null) {
-            openType = (Boolean) opaqueParameters[0];
-        }
-        return openType;
-    }
-
-    public static boolean setRequiredAndInputTypes(AbstractFunctionCallExpression expr, ARecordType requiredRecordType,
-            ARecordType inputRecordType) {
+    public static boolean setRequiredAndInputTypes(AbstractFunctionCallExpression expr, IAType requiredRecordType,
+            IAType inputRecordType) {
         boolean changed = false;
         Object opaqueParameter = expr.getOpaqueParameters();
         if (opaqueParameter == null) {
@@ -35,22 +34,21 @@
         return changed;
     }
 
-    public static ARecordType getRequiredType(AbstractFunctionCallExpression expr) {
+    public static IAType getRequiredType(AbstractFunctionCallExpression expr) {
         Object[] type = expr.getOpaqueParameters();
         if (type != null) {
-            ARecordType recordType = (ARecordType) type[0];
-            return recordType;
+            IAType returnType = (IAType) type[0];
+            return returnType;
         } else
             return null;
     }
 
-    public static ARecordType getInputType(AbstractFunctionCallExpression expr) {
+    public static IAType getInputType(AbstractFunctionCallExpression expr) {
         Object[] type = expr.getOpaqueParameters();
         if (type != null) {
-            ARecordType recordType = (ARecordType) type[1];
-            return recordType;
+            IAType returnType = (IAType) type[1];
+            return returnType;
         } else
             return null;
     }
-
 }
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/ClosedRecordConstructorResultType.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/ClosedRecordConstructorResultType.java
index 6a17a46..daf7164 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/ClosedRecordConstructorResultType.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/ClosedRecordConstructorResultType.java
@@ -1,3 +1,18 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.impl;
 
 import java.util.Iterator;
@@ -31,10 +46,10 @@
         /**
          * if type has been top-down propagated, use the enforced type
          */
-        ARecordType type = TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(f);
+        ARecordType type = (ARecordType) TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(f);
         if (type != null)
             return type;
-
+        
         int n = f.getArguments().size() / 2;
         String[] fieldNames = new String[n];
         IAType[] fieldTypes = new IAType[n];
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/OpenRecordConstructorResultType.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/OpenRecordConstructorResultType.java
index 8b27a82..c46c59b 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/OpenRecordConstructorResultType.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/OpenRecordConstructorResultType.java
@@ -1,3 +1,18 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.impl;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
@@ -33,7 +48,7 @@
         /**
          * if type has been top-down propagated, use the enforced type
          */
-        ARecordType type = TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(f);
+        ARecordType type = (ARecordType) TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(f);
         if (type != null)
             return type;
 
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/OrderedListConstructorResultType.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/OrderedListConstructorResultType.java
index 47f239b..01e43d3 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/OrderedListConstructorResultType.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/OrderedListConstructorResultType.java
@@ -1,3 +1,18 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.impl;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
@@ -24,26 +39,28 @@
     public AOrderedListType computeType(ILogicalExpression expression, IVariableTypeEnvironment env,
             IMetadataProvider<?, ?> metadataProvider) throws AlgebricksException {
         AbstractFunctionCallExpression f = (AbstractFunctionCallExpression) expression;
-        boolean openType = TypeComputerUtilities.isOpenType(f);
-        int n = f.getArguments().size();
-        if (n == 0 || openType) {
-            return new AOrderedListType(BuiltinType.ANY, null);
-        } else {
-            ArrayList<IAType> types = new ArrayList<IAType>();
-            for (int k = 0; k < f.getArguments().size(); k++) {
-                IAType type = (IAType) env.getType(f.getArguments().get(k).getValue());
-                if (type.getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION && NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) type))
-                    type = ((AUnionType) type).getUnionList()
-                            .get(NonTaggedFormatUtil.OPTIONAL_TYPE_INDEX_IN_UNION_LIST);
-                if (types.indexOf(type) < 0) {
-                    types.add(type);
-                }
-            }
-            if (types.size() == 1) {
-                return new AOrderedListType(types.get(0), null);
-            } else {
-                throw new AlgebricksException("You can not construct a heterogenous list.");
+
+        /**
+         * if type has been top-down propagated, use the enforced type
+         */
+        AOrderedListType reqType = (AOrderedListType) TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(f);
+        if (reqType != null)
+            return reqType;
+
+        ArrayList<IAType> types = new ArrayList<IAType>();
+        for (int k = 0; k < f.getArguments().size(); k++) {
+            IAType type = (IAType) env.getType(f.getArguments().get(k).getValue());
+            if (type.getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION && NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) type))
+                type = ((AUnionType) type).getUnionList().get(NonTaggedFormatUtil.OPTIONAL_TYPE_INDEX_IN_UNION_LIST);
+            if (types.indexOf(type) < 0) {
+                types.add(type);
             }
         }
+        if (types.size() == 1) {
+            return new AOrderedListType(types.get(0), null);
+        } else {
+            return new AOrderedListType(BuiltinType.ANY, null);
+        }
+
     }
 }
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/UnorderedListConstructorResultType.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/UnorderedListConstructorResultType.java
index 0e03e6d..2fa36f2 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/UnorderedListConstructorResultType.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/UnorderedListConstructorResultType.java
@@ -1,3 +1,18 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.impl;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
@@ -24,26 +39,28 @@
     public AUnorderedListType computeType(ILogicalExpression expression, IVariableTypeEnvironment env,
             IMetadataProvider<?, ?> metadataProvider) throws AlgebricksException {
         AbstractFunctionCallExpression f = (AbstractFunctionCallExpression) expression;
-        boolean openType = TypeComputerUtilities.isOpenType(f);
-        int n = f.getArguments().size();
-        if (n == 0 || openType) {
-            return new AUnorderedListType(BuiltinType.ANY, null);
-        } else {
-            ArrayList<IAType> types = new ArrayList<IAType>();
-            for (int k = 0; k < f.getArguments().size(); k++) {
-                IAType type = (IAType) env.getType(f.getArguments().get(k).getValue());
-                if (type.getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION && NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) type))
-                    type = ((AUnionType) type).getUnionList()
-                            .get(NonTaggedFormatUtil.OPTIONAL_TYPE_INDEX_IN_UNION_LIST);
-                if (types.indexOf(type) < 0) {
-                    types.add(type);
-                }
-            }
-            if (types.size() == 1) {
-                return new AUnorderedListType(types.get(0), null);
-            } else {
-                throw new AlgebricksException("You can not construct a heterogenous list.");
+
+        /**
+         * if type has been top-down propagated, use the enforced type
+         */
+        AUnorderedListType reqType = (AUnorderedListType) TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(f);
+        if (reqType != null)
+            return reqType;
+
+        ArrayList<IAType> types = new ArrayList<IAType>();
+        for (int k = 0; k < f.getArguments().size(); k++) {
+            IAType type = (IAType) env.getType(f.getArguments().get(k).getValue());
+            if (type.getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION && NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) type))
+                type = ((AUnionType) type).getUnionList().get(NonTaggedFormatUtil.OPTIONAL_TYPE_INDEX_IN_UNION_LIST);
+            if (types.indexOf(type) < 0) {
+                types.add(type);
             }
         }
+        if (types.size() == 1) {
+            return new AUnorderedListType(types.get(0), null);
+        } else {
+            return new AUnorderedListType(BuiltinType.ANY, null);
+        }
+
     }
 }
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/types/AUnionType.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/types/AUnionType.java
index 4e77e0d..1e70f15 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/types/AUnionType.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/types/AUnionType.java
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
     }
 
     public boolean isNullableType() {
-        return unionList.size() == 2 && unionList.get(0).equals(BuiltinType.ANULL);
+    	return unionList.size() == 2 && unionList.get(0).equals(BuiltinType.ANULL);
     }
 
     @Override
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/types/BuiltinType.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/types/BuiltinType.java
index 3af6e6f..0ec3b21 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/types/BuiltinType.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/types/BuiltinType.java
@@ -515,15 +515,26 @@
         return getTypeTag().toString();
     }
 
-    @Override
-    public boolean deepEqual(IAObject obj) {
-        return obj == this;
-    }
+	@Override
+	public boolean deepEqual(IAObject obj) {
+		if (obj == this) {
+			return true;
+		}
+		if (!(obj instanceof BuiltinType)) {
+			return false;
+		}
+		return ((BuiltinType) obj).getTypeTag().equals(getTypeTag());
+	}
 
     @Override
     public boolean equals(Object object) {
         return this.deepEqual((IAObject) object);
     }
+    
+    @Override
+    public int hashCode() {
+    	return getTypeTag().hashCode();
+    }
 
     @Override
     public int hash() {
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/collections/ListifyAggregateDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/collections/ListifyAggregateDescriptor.java
index c238af4..05aa2ea 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/collections/ListifyAggregateDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/collections/ListifyAggregateDescriptor.java
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.aggregates.base.AbstractAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 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.IAggregateFunctionFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 
 public class ListifyAggregateDescriptor extends AbstractAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor {
 
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
         return new ListifyAggregateFunctionEvalFactory(args, oltype);
     }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/collections/ListifyAggregateFunctionEvalFactory.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/collections/ListifyAggregateFunctionEvalFactory.java
index 84ebe91..b7d295a 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/collections/ListifyAggregateFunctionEvalFactory.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/collections/ListifyAggregateFunctionEvalFactory.java
@@ -6,33 +6,33 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.builders.OrderedListBuilder;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AOrderedListType;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IAggregateFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IAggregateFunctionFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
 
-public class ListifyAggregateFunctionEvalFactory implements IAggregateFunctionFactory {
+public class ListifyAggregateFunctionEvalFactory implements ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory {
 
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
-    private IEvaluatorFactory[] args;
+    private ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args;
     private final AOrderedListType orderedlistType;
 
-    public ListifyAggregateFunctionEvalFactory(IEvaluatorFactory[] args, AOrderedListType type) {
+    public ListifyAggregateFunctionEvalFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args, AOrderedListType type) {
         this.args = args;
         this.orderedlistType = type;
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-        return new IAggregateFunction() {
+        return new ICopyAggregateFunction() {
 
             private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-            private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+            private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
             private DataOutput out = provider.getDataOutput();
             private OrderedListBuilder builder = new OrderedListBuilder();
 
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableAvgAggregateDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableAvgAggregateDescriptor.java
index acc1e09..c8cfbbe 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableAvgAggregateDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableAvgAggregateDescriptor.java
@@ -24,10 +24,10 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ISerializableAggregateFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopySerializableAggregateFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
@@ -49,17 +49,17 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        final IEvaluatorFactory[] evals = args;
+        final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] evals = args;
 
-        return new ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory() {
+        return new ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
-            public ISerializableAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction() throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new ISerializableAggregateFunction() {
+            public ICopySerializableAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction() throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopySerializableAggregateFunction() {
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = evals[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = evals[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
 
                     private AMutableDouble aDouble = new AMutableDouble(0);
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
@@ -91,35 +91,35 @@
                         if (inputVal.getLength() > 0) {
                             ++count;
                             ATypeTag typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER
-                                    .deserialize(inputVal.getBytes()[0]);
+                                    .deserialize(inputVal.getByteArray()[0]);
                             switch (typeTag) {
                                 case INT8: {
-                                    byte val = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    byte val = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT16: {
-                                    short val = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    short val = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT32: {
-                                    int val = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    int val = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT64: {
-                                    long val = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    long val = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case FLOAT: {
-                                    float val = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    float val = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case DOUBLE: {
-                                    double val = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    double val = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableCountAggregateDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableCountAggregateDescriptor.java
index 0c96111..b030d11 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableCountAggregateDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableCountAggregateDescriptor.java
@@ -13,9 +13,9 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.aggregates.base.AbstractSerializableAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 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.IEvaluatorFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ISerializableAggregateFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopySerializableAggregateFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
 
@@ -39,15 +39,15 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory() {
+        return new ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public ISerializableAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction() throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopySerializableAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction() throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new ISerializableAggregateFunction() {
+                return new ICopySerializableAggregateFunction() {
                     private AMutableInt32 result = new AMutableInt32(-1);
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<AInt32> int32Serde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableGlobalAvgAggregateDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableGlobalAvgAggregateDescriptor.java
index b2c9be8..d281750 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableGlobalAvgAggregateDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableGlobalAvgAggregateDescriptor.java
@@ -30,10 +30,10 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.ClosedRecordConstructorEvalFactory.ClosedRecordConstructorEval;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ISerializableAggregateFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopySerializableAggregateFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.comm.io.ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -58,24 +58,24 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        final IEvaluatorFactory[] evals = args;
+        final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] evals = args;
         List<IAType> unionList = new ArrayList<IAType>();
         unionList.add(BuiltinType.ANULL);
         unionList.add(BuiltinType.ADOUBLE);
         final ARecordType recType = new ARecordType(null, new String[] { "sum", "count" }, new IAType[] {
                 new AUnionType(unionList, "OptionalDouble"), BuiltinType.AINT64 }, true);
 
-        return new ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory() {
+        return new ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public ISerializableAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction() throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopySerializableAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction() throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new ISerializableAggregateFunction() {
+                return new ICopySerializableAggregateFunction() {
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = evals[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = evals[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
                     private AMutableDouble aDouble = new AMutableDouble(0);
                     private AMutableInt64 aInt64 = new AMutableInt64(0);
 
@@ -84,8 +84,8 @@
                     private DataOutput sumBytesOutput = new DataOutputStream(sumBytes);
                     private ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream countBytes = new ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream();
                     private DataOutput countBytesOutput = new DataOutputStream(countBytes);
-                    private IEvaluator evalSum = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), sumBytes);
-                    private IEvaluator evalCount = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), countBytes);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalSum = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), sumBytes);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalCount = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), countBytes);
                     private ClosedRecordConstructorEval recordEval;
 
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@
 
                         inputVal.reset();
                         eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                        byte[] serBytes = inputVal.getBytes();
+                        byte[] serBytes = inputVal.getByteArray();
                         if (serBytes[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG)
                             metNull = true;
                         if (serBytes[0] != SER_RECORD_TYPE_TAG) {
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@
 
                         if (recordEval == null)
                             recordEval = new ClosedRecordConstructorEval(recType,
-                                    new IEvaluator[] { evalSum, evalCount }, avgBytes, result);
+                                    new ICopyEvaluator[] { evalSum, evalCount }, avgBytes, result);
 
                         if (globalCount == 0) {
                             GlobalConfig.ASTERIX_LOGGER.fine("AVG aggregate ran over empty input.");
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableLocalAvgAggregateDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableLocalAvgAggregateDescriptor.java
index 9d65ad4..c04dcf0 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableLocalAvgAggregateDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableLocalAvgAggregateDescriptor.java
@@ -34,10 +34,10 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ISerializableAggregateFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopySerializableAggregateFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.comm.io.ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -60,22 +60,22 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        final IEvaluatorFactory[] evals = args;
+        final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] evals = args;
         List<IAType> unionList = new ArrayList<IAType>();
         unionList.add(BuiltinType.ANULL);
         unionList.add(BuiltinType.ADOUBLE);
         final ARecordType recType = new ARecordType(null, new String[] { "sum", "count" }, new IAType[] {
                 new AUnionType(unionList, "OptionalDouble"), BuiltinType.AINT64 }, true);
 
-        return new ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory() {
+        return new ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
-            public ISerializableAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction() throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new ISerializableAggregateFunction() {
+            public ICopySerializableAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction() throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopySerializableAggregateFunction() {
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = evals[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = evals[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
                     private ClosedRecordConstructorEval recordEval;
 
                     private AMutableDouble aDouble = new AMutableDouble(0);
@@ -96,8 +96,8 @@
                     private DataOutput sumBytesOutput = new DataOutputStream(sumBytes);
                     private ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream countBytes = new ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream();
                     private DataOutput countBytesOutput = new DataOutputStream(countBytes);
-                    private IEvaluator evalSum = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), sumBytes);
-                    private IEvaluator evalCount = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), countBytes);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalSum = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), sumBytes);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalCount = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), countBytes);
 
                     @Override
                     public void init(DataOutput state) throws AlgebricksException {
@@ -121,35 +121,35 @@
                         if (inputVal.getLength() > 0) {
                             ++count;
                             ATypeTag typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER
-                                    .deserialize(inputVal.getBytes()[0]);
+                                    .deserialize(inputVal.getByteArray()[0]);
                             switch (typeTag) {
                                 case INT8: {
-                                    byte val = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    byte val = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT16: {
-                                    short val = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    short val = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT32: {
-                                    int val = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    int val = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT64: {
-                                    long val = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    long val = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case FLOAT: {
-                                    float val = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    float val = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case DOUBLE: {
-                                    double val = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    double val = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@
                         boolean metNull = BufferSerDeUtil.getBoolean(state, start + 16);
                         if (recordEval == null)
                             recordEval = new ClosedRecordConstructorEval(recType,
-                                    new IEvaluator[] { evalSum, evalCount }, avgBytes, result);
+                                    new ICopyEvaluator[] { evalSum, evalCount }, avgBytes, result);
                         if (count == 0) {
                             if (GlobalConfig.DEBUG) {
                                 GlobalConfig.ASTERIX_LOGGER.finest("AVG aggregate ran over empty input.");
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableSumAggregateDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableSumAggregateDescriptor.java
index ac1b4e1..cbc5358 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableSumAggregateDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/serializable/std/SerializableSumAggregateDescriptor.java
@@ -28,10 +28,10 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ISerializableAggregateFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopySerializableAggregateFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
@@ -53,18 +53,18 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory() {
+        return new ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public ISerializableAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction() throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopySerializableAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction() throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new ISerializableAggregateFunction() {
+                return new ICopySerializableAggregateFunction() {
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
                     private AMutableDouble aDouble = new AMutableDouble(0);
                     private AMutableFloat aFloat = new AMutableFloat(0);
                     private AMutableInt64 aInt64 = new AMutableInt64(0);
@@ -107,41 +107,41 @@
                         eval.evaluate(tuple);
                         if (inputVal.getLength() > 0) {
                             ATypeTag typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER
-                                    .deserialize(inputVal.getBytes()[0]);
+                                    .deserialize(inputVal.getByteArray()[0]);
                             switch (typeTag) {
                                 case INT8: {
                                     metInt8s = true;
-                                    byte val = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    byte val = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT16: {
                                     metInt16s = true;
-                                    short val = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    short val = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT32: {
                                     metInt32s = true;
-                                    int val = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    int val = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT64: {
                                     metInt64s = true;
-                                    long val = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    long val = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case FLOAT: {
                                     metFloats = true;
-                                    float val = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    float val = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case DOUBLE: {
                                     metDoubles = true;
-                                    double val = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    double val = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/AvgAggregateDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/AvgAggregateDescriptor.java
index 028a9a2..078e32d 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/AvgAggregateDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/AvgAggregateDescriptor.java
@@ -34,10 +34,10 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IAggregateFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IAggregateFunctionFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.comm.io.ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
         List<IAType> unionList = new ArrayList<IAType>();
         unionList.add(BuiltinType.ANULL);
@@ -69,18 +69,18 @@
         final ARecordType recType = new ARecordType(null, new String[] { "sum", "count" }, new IAType[] {
                 new AUnionType(unionList, "OptionalDouble"), BuiltinType.AINT32 }, true);
 
-        return new IAggregateFunctionFactory() {
+        return new ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider)
+            public ICopyAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider)
                     throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new IAggregateFunction() {
+                return new ICopyAggregateFunction() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = provider.getDataOutput();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
                     private double sum;
                     private int count;
                     private AMutableDouble aDouble = new AMutableDouble(0);
@@ -91,10 +91,10 @@
                     private DataOutput sumBytesOutput = new DataOutputStream(sumBytes);
                     private ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream countBytes = new ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream();
                     private DataOutput countBytesOutput = new DataOutputStream(countBytes);
-                    private IEvaluator evalSum = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), sumBytes);
-                    private IEvaluator evalCount = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), countBytes);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalSum = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), sumBytes);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalCount = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), countBytes);
                     private ClosedRecordConstructorEval recordEval = new ClosedRecordConstructorEval(recType,
-                            new IEvaluator[] { evalSum, evalCount }, avgBytes, out);
+                            new ICopyEvaluator[] { evalSum, evalCount }, avgBytes, out);
 
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ADouble> doubleSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
@@ -120,35 +120,35 @@
                         if (inputVal.getLength() > 0) {
                             ++count;
                             ATypeTag typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER
-                                    .deserialize(inputVal.getBytes()[0]);
+                                    .deserialize(inputVal.getByteArray()[0]);
                             switch (typeTag) {
                                 case INT8: {
-                                    byte val = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    byte val = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT16: {
-                                    short val = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    short val = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT32: {
-                                    int val = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    int val = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT64: {
-                                    long val = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    long val = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case FLOAT: {
-                                    float val = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    float val = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case DOUBLE: {
-                                    double val = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    double val = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/CountAggregateDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/CountAggregateDescriptor.java
index 99c845a..f0f7602 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/CountAggregateDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/CountAggregateDescriptor.java
@@ -13,9 +13,9 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.aggregates.base.AbstractAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 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.IAggregateFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IAggregateFunctionFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
@@ -40,18 +40,18 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IAggregateFunctionFactory() {
+        return new ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory() {
 
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(IDataOutputProvider provider) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(IDataOutputProvider provider) throws AlgebricksException {
 
                 final DataOutput out = provider.getDataOutput();
 
-                return new IAggregateFunction() {
+                return new ICopyAggregateFunction() {
                     private AMutableInt32 result = new AMutableInt32(-1);
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<AInt32> int32Serde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/GlobalAvgAggregateDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/GlobalAvgAggregateDescriptor.java
index f1d6fbd..172cd62 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/GlobalAvgAggregateDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/GlobalAvgAggregateDescriptor.java
@@ -30,10 +30,10 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.ClosedRecordConstructorEvalFactory.ClosedRecordConstructorEval;
 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.IAggregateFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IAggregateFunctionFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.comm.io.ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
         List<IAType> unionList = new ArrayList<IAType>();
         unionList.add(BuiltinType.ANULL);
@@ -67,18 +67,18 @@
         final ARecordType recType = new ARecordType(null, new String[] { "sum", "count" }, new IAType[] {
                 new AUnionType(unionList, "OptionalDouble"), BuiltinType.AINT32 }, false);
 
-        return new IAggregateFunctionFactory() {
+        return new ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider)
+            public ICopyAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider)
                     throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new IAggregateFunction() {
+                return new ICopyAggregateFunction() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = provider.getDataOutput();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
                     private double globalSum;
                     private int globalCount;
                     private AMutableDouble aDouble = new AMutableDouble(0);
@@ -89,10 +89,10 @@
                     private DataOutput sumBytesOutput = new DataOutputStream(sumBytes);
                     private ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream countBytes = new ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream();
                     private DataOutput countBytesOutput = new DataOutputStream(countBytes);
-                    private IEvaluator evalSum = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), sumBytes);
-                    private IEvaluator evalCount = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), countBytes);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalSum = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), sumBytes);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalCount = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), countBytes);
                     private ClosedRecordConstructorEval recordEval = new ClosedRecordConstructorEval(recType,
-                            new IEvaluator[] { evalSum, evalCount }, avgBytes, out);
+                            new ICopyEvaluator[] { evalSum, evalCount }, avgBytes, out);
 
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<AInt32> intSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@
                     public void step(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
                         inputVal.reset();
                         eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                        byte[] serBytes = inputVal.getBytes();
+                        byte[] serBytes = inputVal.getByteArray();
                         if (serBytes[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG)
                             metNull = true;
                         if (serBytes[0] != SER_RECORD_TYPE_TAG) {
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/LocalAvgAggregateDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/LocalAvgAggregateDescriptor.java
index 88d917f..f58a084 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/LocalAvgAggregateDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/LocalAvgAggregateDescriptor.java
@@ -34,10 +34,10 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IAggregateFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IAggregateFunctionFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.comm.io.ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -61,14 +61,14 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
 
-        return new IAggregateFunctionFactory() {
+        return new ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider)
+            public ICopyAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider)
                     throws AlgebricksException {
 
                 List<IAType> unionList = new ArrayList<IAType>();
@@ -77,11 +77,11 @@
                 final ARecordType recType = new ARecordType(null, new String[] { "sum", "count" }, new IAType[] {
                         new AUnionType(unionList, "OptionalDouble"), BuiltinType.AINT32 }, false);
 
-                return new IAggregateFunction() {
+                return new ICopyAggregateFunction() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = provider.getDataOutput();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
                     private double sum;
                     private int count;
 
@@ -90,10 +90,10 @@
                     private DataOutput sumBytesOutput = new DataOutputStream(sumBytes);
                     private ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream countBytes = new ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream();
                     private DataOutput countBytesOutput = new DataOutputStream(countBytes);
-                    private IEvaluator evalSum = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), sumBytes);
-                    private IEvaluator evalCount = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), countBytes);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalSum = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), sumBytes);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalCount = new AccessibleByteArrayEval(avgBytes.getDataOutput(), countBytes);
                     private ClosedRecordConstructorEval recordEval = new ClosedRecordConstructorEval(recType,
-                            new IEvaluator[] { evalSum, evalCount }, avgBytes, out);
+                            new ICopyEvaluator[] { evalSum, evalCount }, avgBytes, out);
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ADouble> doubleSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ADOUBLE);
@@ -121,35 +121,35 @@
                         if (inputVal.getLength() > 0) {
                             ++count;
                             ATypeTag typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER
-                                    .deserialize(inputVal.getBytes()[0]);
+                                    .deserialize(inputVal.getByteArray()[0]);
                             switch (typeTag) {
                                 case INT8: {
-                                    byte val = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    byte val = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT16: {
-                                    short val = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    short val = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT32: {
-                                    int val = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    int val = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT64: {
-                                    long val = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    long val = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case FLOAT: {
-                                    float val = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    float val = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case DOUBLE: {
-                                    double val = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    double val = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/MaxAggregateDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/MaxAggregateDescriptor.java
index 6f7ac58..2fcca4c 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/MaxAggregateDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/MaxAggregateDescriptor.java
@@ -26,10 +26,10 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IAggregateFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IAggregateFunctionFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -53,20 +53,20 @@
 
     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
     @Override
-    public IAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IAggregateFunctionFactory() {
+        return new ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider)
+            public ICopyAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider)
                     throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new IAggregateFunction() {
+                return new ICopyAggregateFunction() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = provider.getDataOutput();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
                     private boolean metInt8s, metInt16s, metInt32s, metInt64s, metFloats, metDoubles, metNull;
 
                     private short shortVal = Short.MIN_VALUE;
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@
                         eval.evaluate(tuple);
                         if (inputVal.getLength() > 0) {
                             ATypeTag typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER
-                                    .deserialize(inputVal.getBytes()[0]);
+                                    .deserialize(inputVal.getByteArray()[0]);
                             switch (typeTag) {
                                 case INT8: {
                                     metInt8s = true;
@@ -114,35 +114,35 @@
                                 }
                                 case INT16: {
                                     metInt16s = true;
-                                    short val = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    short val = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     if (val > shortVal)
                                         shortVal = val;
                                     throw new NotImplementedException("no implementation for int16's comparator");
                                 }
                                 case INT32: {
                                     metInt32s = true;
-                                    int val = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    int val = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     if (val > intVal)
                                         intVal = val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT64: {
                                     metInt64s = true;
-                                    long val = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    long val = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     if (val > longVal)
                                         longVal = val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case FLOAT: {
                                     metFloats = true;
-                                    float val = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    float val = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     if (val > floatVal)
                                         floatVal = val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case DOUBLE: {
                                     metDoubles = true;
-                                    double val = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    double val = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     if (val > doubleVal)
                                         doubleVal = val;
                                     break;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/MinAggregateDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/MinAggregateDescriptor.java
index 2b36918..8abf8b5 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/MinAggregateDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/MinAggregateDescriptor.java
@@ -26,10 +26,10 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IAggregateFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IAggregateFunctionFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -53,20 +53,20 @@
 
     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
     @Override
-    public IAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IAggregateFunctionFactory() {
+        return new ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider)
+            public ICopyAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider)
                     throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new IAggregateFunction() {
+                return new ICopyAggregateFunction() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = provider.getDataOutput();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
                     private boolean metInt8s, metInt16s, metInt32s, metInt64s, metFloats, metDoubles, metNull;
 
                     private short shortVal = Short.MAX_VALUE;
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@
                         eval.evaluate(tuple);
                         if (inputVal.getLength() > 0) {
                             ATypeTag typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER
-                                    .deserialize(inputVal.getBytes()[0]);
+                                    .deserialize(inputVal.getByteArray()[0]);
                             switch (typeTag) {
                                 case INT8: {
                                     metInt8s = true;
@@ -114,35 +114,35 @@
                                 }
                                 case INT16: {
                                     metInt16s = true;
-                                    short val = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    short val = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     if (val < shortVal)
                                         shortVal = val;
                                     throw new NotImplementedException("no implementation for int16's comparator");
                                 }
                                 case INT32: {
                                     metInt32s = true;
-                                    int val = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    int val = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     if (val < intVal)
                                         intVal = val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT64: {
                                     metInt64s = true;
-                                    long val = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    long val = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     if (val < longVal)
                                         longVal = val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case FLOAT: {
                                     metFloats = true;
-                                    float val = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    float val = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     if (val < floatVal)
                                         floatVal = val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case DOUBLE: {
                                     metDoubles = true;
-                                    double val = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    double val = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     if (val < doubleVal)
                                         doubleVal = val;
                                     break;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/SumAggregateDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/SumAggregateDescriptor.java
index e51badd..197878b 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/SumAggregateDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/std/SumAggregateDescriptor.java
@@ -28,10 +28,10 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IAggregateFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IAggregateFunctionFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -55,20 +55,20 @@
 
     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
     @Override
-    public IAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IAggregateFunctionFactory() {
+        return new ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider)
+            public ICopyAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider)
                     throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new IAggregateFunction() {
+                return new ICopyAggregateFunction() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = provider.getDataOutput();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
                     private boolean metInt8s, metInt16s, metInt32s, metInt64s, metFloats, metDoubles, metNull;
                     private double sum;
                     private AMutableDouble aDouble = new AMutableDouble(0);
@@ -98,41 +98,41 @@
                         eval.evaluate(tuple);
                         if (inputVal.getLength() > 0) {
                             ATypeTag typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER
-                                    .deserialize(inputVal.getBytes()[0]);
+                                    .deserialize(inputVal.getByteArray()[0]);
                             switch (typeTag) {
                                 case INT8: {
                                     metInt8s = true;
-                                    byte val = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    byte val = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT16: {
                                     metInt16s = true;
-                                    short val = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    short val = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT32: {
                                     metInt32s = true;
-                                    int val = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    int val = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case INT64: {
                                     metInt64s = true;
-                                    long val = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    long val = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case FLOAT: {
                                     metFloats = true;
-                                    float val = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    float val = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
                                 case DOUBLE: {
                                     metDoubles = true;
-                                    double val = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    double val = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                                     sum += val;
                                     break;
                                 }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/stream/NonEmptyStreamAggregateDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/stream/NonEmptyStreamAggregateDescriptor.java
index 3afc3c0..a48a99f 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/stream/NonEmptyStreamAggregateDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/aggregates/stream/NonEmptyStreamAggregateDescriptor.java
@@ -11,9 +11,9 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.aggregates.base.AbstractAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 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.IAggregateFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IAggregateFunctionFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -32,17 +32,17 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IAggregateFunctionFactory() {
+        return new ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory() {
 
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider)
+            public ICopyAggregateFunction createAggregateFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider)
                     throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new IAggregateFunction() {
+                return new ICopyAggregateFunction() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = provider.getDataOutput();
                     @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/AsterixTupleFilter.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/AsterixTupleFilter.java
index 8bb0b9f..da006bd 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/AsterixTupleFilter.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/AsterixTupleFilter.java
@@ -17,28 +17,28 @@
 
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.data.IBinaryBooleanInspector;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IScalarEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IScalarEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.api.IPointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.primitive.VoidPointable;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.storage.am.common.api.ITupleFilter;
 
 public class AsterixTupleFilter implements ITupleFilter {
-	
-	private final IBinaryBooleanInspector boolInspector;
-	private final IEvaluator eval;
-    private final ArrayBackedValueStorage evalOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-    
-	public AsterixTupleFilter(IEvaluatorFactory evalFactory,
-			IBinaryBooleanInspector boolInspector) throws AlgebricksException {
-		this.boolInspector = boolInspector;
-		eval = evalFactory.createEvaluator(evalOut);
-	}
-	
-	@Override
-	public boolean accept(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws Exception {
-		evalOut.reset();
-		eval.evaluate(tuple);
-		return boolInspector.getBooleanValue(evalOut.getBytes(), 0, 2);
-	}
+
+    private final IBinaryBooleanInspector boolInspector;
+    private final IScalarEvaluator eval;
+    private final IPointable p = VoidPointable.FACTORY.createPointable();
+
+    public AsterixTupleFilter(IScalarEvaluatorFactory evalFactory, IBinaryBooleanInspector boolInspector)
+            throws AlgebricksException {
+        this.boolInspector = boolInspector;
+        eval = evalFactory.createScalarEvaluator();
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public boolean accept(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws Exception {
+        eval.evaluate(tuple, p);
+        return boolInspector.getBooleanValue(p.getByteArray(), p.getStartOffset(), p.getLength());
+    }
 }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/AsterixTupleFilterFactory.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/AsterixTupleFilterFactory.java
index ce5cefd..1495b72 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/AsterixTupleFilterFactory.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/AsterixTupleFilterFactory.java
@@ -17,23 +17,23 @@
 
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.data.IBinaryBooleanInspector;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IScalarEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.storage.am.common.api.ITupleFilter;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.storage.am.common.api.ITupleFilterFactory;
 
 public class AsterixTupleFilterFactory implements ITupleFilterFactory {
 
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
-    
+
     private final IBinaryBooleanInspector boolInspector;
-    private final IEvaluatorFactory evalFactory;
-    
-    public AsterixTupleFilterFactory(IEvaluatorFactory evalFactory,
-            IBinaryBooleanInspector boolInspector) throws AlgebricksException {
+    private final IScalarEvaluatorFactory evalFactory;
+
+    public AsterixTupleFilterFactory(IScalarEvaluatorFactory evalFactory, IBinaryBooleanInspector boolInspector)
+            throws AlgebricksException {
         this.evalFactory = evalFactory;
         this.boolInspector = boolInspector;
     }
-    
+
     @Override
     public ITupleFilter createTupleFilter() throws Exception {
         return new AsterixTupleFilter(evalFactory, boolInspector);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/IAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/IAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java
index bb87e723..95c604a 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/IAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/IAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IAggregateFunctionFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 
 public interface IAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor extends IFunctionDescriptor {
-    public IAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopyAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException;
 }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/IRunningAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/IRunningAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java
index 58fae4b..7ab7261 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/IRunningAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/IRunningAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java
@@ -3,10 +3,10 @@
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IRunningAggregateFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyRunningAggregateFunctionFactory;
 
 public interface IRunningAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor extends IFunctionDescriptor {
-    public IRunningAggregateFunctionFactory createRunningAggregateFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopyRunningAggregateFunctionFactory createRunningAggregateFunctionFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException;
 }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/IScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/IScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java
index 5c9a6bd..8e4353e 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/IScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/IScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 
 public interface IScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor extends IFunctionDescriptor {
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException;
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException;
 }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/ISerializableAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/ISerializableAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java
index 7250ef4..810af16 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/ISerializableAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/ISerializableAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory;
 
 public interface ISerializableAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor extends IFunctionDescriptor {
-    public ISerializableAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopySerializableAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException;
 }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/IUnnestingFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/IUnnestingFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java
index 959b025..3f55539 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/IUnnestingFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/base/IUnnestingFunctionDynamicDescriptor.java
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IUnnestingFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyUnnestingFunctionFactory;
 
 public interface IUnnestingFunctionDynamicDescriptor extends IFunctionDescriptor {
-    public IUnnestingFunctionFactory createUnnestingFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopyUnnestingFunctionFactory createUnnestingFunctionFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException;
 }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/AccessibleByteArrayEval.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/AccessibleByteArrayEval.java
index 8e69515..deb40eb 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/AccessibleByteArrayEval.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/AccessibleByteArrayEval.java
@@ -5,11 +5,11 @@
 import java.io.IOException;
 
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.comm.io.ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
 
-public class AccessibleByteArrayEval implements IEvaluator {
+public class AccessibleByteArrayEval implements ICopyEvaluator {
 
     private DataOutput out;
     private ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream baaos;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/ClosedRecordConstructorEvalFactory.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/ClosedRecordConstructorEvalFactory.java
index 15ab112..069b8a3 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/ClosedRecordConstructorEvalFactory.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/ClosedRecordConstructorEvalFactory.java
@@ -8,28 +8,28 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
 
-public class ClosedRecordConstructorEvalFactory implements IEvaluatorFactory {
+public class ClosedRecordConstructorEvalFactory implements ICopyEvaluatorFactory {
 
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
-    private IEvaluatorFactory[] args;
+    private ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args;
     private ARecordType recType;
 
-    public ClosedRecordConstructorEvalFactory(IEvaluatorFactory[] args, ARecordType recType) {
+    public ClosedRecordConstructorEvalFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args, ARecordType recType) {
         this.args = args;
         this.recType = recType;
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
         int n = args.length / 2;
-        IEvaluator[] evalFields = new IEvaluator[n];
+        ICopyEvaluator[] evalFields = new ICopyEvaluator[n];
         ArrayBackedValueStorage fieldValueBuffer = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
         for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) {
             evalFields[i] = args[2 * i + 1].createEvaluator(fieldValueBuffer);
@@ -38,9 +38,9 @@
         return new ClosedRecordConstructorEval(recType, evalFields, fieldValueBuffer, out);
     }
 
-    public static class ClosedRecordConstructorEval implements IEvaluator {
+    public static class ClosedRecordConstructorEval implements ICopyEvaluator {
 
-        private IEvaluator[] evalFields;
+        private ICopyEvaluator[] evalFields;
         private DataOutput out;
         private IARecordBuilder recBuilder = new RecordBuilder();
         private ARecordType recType;
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@
         private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
         private boolean first = true;
 
-        public ClosedRecordConstructorEval(ARecordType recType, IEvaluator[] evalFields,
+        public ClosedRecordConstructorEval(ARecordType recType, ICopyEvaluator[] evalFields,
                 ArrayBackedValueStorage fieldValueBuffer, DataOutput out) {
             this.evalFields = evalFields;
             this.fieldValueBuffer = fieldValueBuffer;
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
                 for (int i = 0; i < evalFields.length; i++) {
                     fieldValueBuffer.reset();
                     evalFields[i].evaluate(tuple);
-                    if (fieldValueBuffer.getBytes()[0] != SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
+                    if (fieldValueBuffer.getByteArray()[0] != SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
                         recBuilder.addField(i, fieldValueBuffer);
                     }
                 }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/CreateMBREvalFactory.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/CreateMBREvalFactory.java
index d7404bb..ed7b9bb 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/CreateMBREvalFactory.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/CreateMBREvalFactory.java
@@ -16,31 +16,31 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
 
-public class CreateMBREvalFactory implements IEvaluatorFactory {
+public class CreateMBREvalFactory implements ICopyEvaluatorFactory {
 
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
-    private IEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory;
-    private IEvaluatorFactory dimensionEvalFactory;
-    private IEvaluatorFactory coordinateEvalFactory;
+    private ICopyEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory;
+    private ICopyEvaluatorFactory dimensionEvalFactory;
+    private ICopyEvaluatorFactory coordinateEvalFactory;
 
-    public CreateMBREvalFactory(IEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory, IEvaluatorFactory dimensionEvalFactory,
-            IEvaluatorFactory coordinateEvalFactory) {
+    public CreateMBREvalFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory, ICopyEvaluatorFactory dimensionEvalFactory,
+            ICopyEvaluatorFactory coordinateEvalFactory) {
         this.recordEvalFactory = recordEvalFactory;
         this.dimensionEvalFactory = dimensionEvalFactory;
         this.coordinateEvalFactory = coordinateEvalFactory;
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluator() {
+    public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
             private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
@@ -48,9 +48,9 @@
             private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput1 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
             private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput2 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
 
-            private IEvaluator eval0 = recordEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInput0);
-            private IEvaluator eval1 = dimensionEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInput1);
-            private IEvaluator eval2 = coordinateEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInput2);
+            private ICopyEvaluator eval0 = recordEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInput0);
+            private ICopyEvaluator eval1 = dimensionEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInput1);
+            private ICopyEvaluator eval2 = coordinateEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInput2);
 
             @Override
             public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
@@ -63,11 +63,11 @@
 
                 try {
 
-                    int dimension = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(outInput1.getBytes(), 1);
-                    int coordinate = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(outInput2.getBytes(), 1);
+                    int dimension = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(outInput1.getByteArray(), 1);
+                    int coordinate = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(outInput2.getByteArray(), 1);
                     double value;
                     if (dimension == 2) {
-                        ATypeTag tag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(outInput0.getBytes()[0]);
+                        ATypeTag tag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(outInput0.getByteArray()[0]);
                         switch (tag) {
                             case POINT:
                                 switch (coordinate) {
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@
                                             // for
                                             // max x, and 3 for max y
                                     case 2: {
-                                        double x = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        double x = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
 
                                         value = x;
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@
                                         break;
                                     case 1:
                                     case 3: {
-                                        double y = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        double y = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
 
                                         value = y;
@@ -101,9 +101,9 @@
                                     case 0: {
                                         value = Double.MAX_VALUE;
                                         double startX = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer
-                                                .getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
+                                                .getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
                                                         .getStartPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
-                                        double endX = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        double endX = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 ALineSerializerDeserializer.getEndPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
 
                                         value = Math.min(Math.min(startX, endX), value);
@@ -112,9 +112,9 @@
                                     case 1: {
                                         value = Double.MAX_VALUE;
                                         double startY = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer
-                                                .getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
+                                                .getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
                                                         .getStartPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
-                                        double endY = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        double endY = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 ALineSerializerDeserializer.getEndPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
 
                                         value = Math.min(Math.min(startY, endY), value);
@@ -123,9 +123,9 @@
                                     case 2: {
                                         value = Double.MIN_VALUE;
                                         double startX = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer
-                                                .getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
+                                                .getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
                                                         .getStartPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
-                                        double endX = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        double endX = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 ALineSerializerDeserializer.getEndPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
 
                                         value = Math.max(Math.min(startX, endX), value);
@@ -134,9 +134,9 @@
                                     case 3: {
                                         value = Double.MIN_VALUE;
                                         double startY = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer
-                                                .getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
+                                                .getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
                                                         .getStartPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
-                                        double endY = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        double endY = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 ALineSerializerDeserializer.getEndPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
 
                                         value = Math.max(Math.min(startY, endY), value);
@@ -149,14 +149,14 @@
                                 }
                                 break;
                             case POLYGON:
-                                int numOfPoints = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                int numOfPoints = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                         APolygonSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfPointsOffset());
                                 switch (coordinate) {
                                     case 0: {
                                         value = Double.MAX_VALUE;
                                         for (int i = 0; i < numOfPoints; i++) {
                                             double x = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer
-                                                    .getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(), APolygonSerializerDeserializer
+                                                    .getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(), APolygonSerializerDeserializer
                                                             .getCoordinateOffset(i, Coordinate.X));
                                             value = Math.min(x, value);
                                         }
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@
                                         value = Double.MAX_VALUE;
                                         for (int i = 0; i < numOfPoints; i++) {
                                             double y = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer
-                                                    .getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(), APolygonSerializerDeserializer
+                                                    .getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(), APolygonSerializerDeserializer
                                                             .getCoordinateOffset(i, Coordinate.Y));
                                             value = Math.min(y, value);
                                         }
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@
                                         value = Double.MIN_VALUE;
                                         for (int i = 0; i < numOfPoints; i++) {
                                             double x = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer
-                                                    .getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(), APolygonSerializerDeserializer
+                                                    .getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(), APolygonSerializerDeserializer
                                                             .getCoordinateOffset(i, Coordinate.X));
                                             value = Math.max(x, value);
                                         }
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@
                                         value = Double.MIN_VALUE;
                                         for (int i = 0; i < numOfPoints; i++) {
                                             double y = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer
-                                                    .getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(), APolygonSerializerDeserializer
+                                                    .getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(), APolygonSerializerDeserializer
                                                             .getCoordinateOffset(i, Coordinate.Y));
                                             value = Math.max(y, value);
                                         }
@@ -201,10 +201,10 @@
                             case CIRCLE:
                                 switch (coordinate) {
                                     case 0: {
-                                        double x = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        double x = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 ACircleSerializerDeserializer
                                                         .getCenterPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
-                                        double radius = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        double radius = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 ACircleSerializerDeserializer
                                                         .getCenterPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
 
@@ -212,10 +212,10 @@
                                     }
                                         break;
                                     case 1: {
-                                        double y = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        double y = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 ACircleSerializerDeserializer
                                                         .getCenterPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
-                                        double radius = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        double radius = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 ACircleSerializerDeserializer
                                                         .getCenterPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
 
@@ -223,10 +223,10 @@
                                     }
                                         break;
                                     case 2: {
-                                        double x = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        double x = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 ACircleSerializerDeserializer
                                                         .getCenterPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
-                                        double radius = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        double radius = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 ACircleSerializerDeserializer
                                                         .getCenterPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
 
@@ -234,10 +234,10 @@
                                     }
                                         break;
                                     case 3: {
-                                        double y = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        double y = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 ACircleSerializerDeserializer
                                                         .getCenterPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
-                                        double radius = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        double radius = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 ACircleSerializerDeserializer
                                                         .getCenterPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
 
@@ -254,25 +254,25 @@
                                 value = Double.MAX_VALUE;
                                 switch (coordinate) {
                                     case 0: {
-                                        value = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        value = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 ARectangleSerializerDeserializer
                                                         .getBottomLeftCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
                                     }
                                         break;
                                     case 1: {
-                                        value = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        value = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 ARectangleSerializerDeserializer
                                                         .getBottomLeftCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
                                     }
                                         break;
                                     case 2: {
-                                        value = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        value = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 ARectangleSerializerDeserializer
                                                         .getUpperRightCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
                                     }
                                         break;
                                     case 3: {
-                                        value = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                        value = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                 ARectangleSerializerDeserializer
                                                         .getUpperRightCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
                                     }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/EditDistanceEvaluator.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/EditDistanceEvaluator.java
index 0f8be91..613417d 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/EditDistanceEvaluator.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/EditDistanceEvaluator.java
@@ -11,22 +11,22 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.similarity.SimilarityMetricEditDistance;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
 
-public class EditDistanceEvaluator implements IEvaluator {
+public class EditDistanceEvaluator implements ICopyEvaluator {
 
     // assuming type indicator in serde format
     protected final int typeIndicatorSize = 1;
 
     protected final DataOutput out;
     protected final ArrayBackedValueStorage argOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-    protected final IEvaluator firstStringEval;
-    protected final IEvaluator secondStringEval;
+    protected final ICopyEvaluator firstStringEval;
+    protected final ICopyEvaluator secondStringEval;
     protected final SimilarityMetricEditDistance ed = new SimilarityMetricEditDistance();
     protected final AsterixOrderedListIterator firstOrdListIter = new AsterixOrderedListIterator();
     protected final AsterixOrderedListIterator secondOrdListIter = new AsterixOrderedListIterator();
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
     protected ATypeTag firstTypeTag;
     protected ATypeTag secondTypeTag;
 
-    public EditDistanceEvaluator(IEvaluatorFactory[] args, IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public EditDistanceEvaluator(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args, IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
         out = output.getDataOutput();
         firstStringEval = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
         secondStringEval = args[1].createEvaluator(argOut);
@@ -56,15 +56,15 @@
         if (!checkArgTypes(firstTypeTag, secondTypeTag))
             return;
 
-        itemTypeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getBytes()[firstStart + 1]);
+        itemTypeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getByteArray()[firstStart + 1]);
         if (itemTypeTag == ATypeTag.ANY)
             throw new AlgebricksException("\n Edit Distance can only be called on homogenous lists");
 
-        itemTypeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getBytes()[secondStart + 1]);
+        itemTypeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getByteArray()[secondStart + 1]);
         if (itemTypeTag == ATypeTag.ANY)
             throw new AlgebricksException("\n Edit Distance can only be called on homogenous lists");
 
-        editDistance = computeResult(argOut.getBytes(), firstStart, secondStart, firstTypeTag);
+        editDistance = computeResult(argOut.getByteArray(), firstStart, secondStart, firstTypeTag);
 
         try {
             writeResult(editDistance);
@@ -81,8 +81,8 @@
         secondStart = argOut.getLength();
         secondStringEval.evaluate(tuple);
 
-        firstTypeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getBytes()[firstStart]);
-        secondTypeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getBytes()[secondStart]);
+        firstTypeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getByteArray()[firstStart]);
+        secondTypeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getByteArray()[secondStart]);
     }
 
     protected int computeResult(byte[] bytes, int firstStart, int secondStart, ATypeTag argType)
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/FieldAccessByIndexEvalFactory.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/FieldAccessByIndexEvalFactory.java
index 06bcedf..604bb68 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/FieldAccessByIndexEvalFactory.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/FieldAccessByIndexEvalFactory.java
@@ -16,26 +16,26 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.util.NonTaggedFormatUtil;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.marshalling.IntegerSerializerDeserializer;
 
-public class FieldAccessByIndexEvalFactory implements IEvaluatorFactory {
+public class FieldAccessByIndexEvalFactory implements ICopyEvaluatorFactory {
 
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
-    private IEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory;
-    private IEvaluatorFactory fieldIndexEvalFactory;
+    private ICopyEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory;
+    private ICopyEvaluatorFactory fieldIndexEvalFactory;
     private int nullBitmapSize;
     private ARecordType recordType;
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_RECORD_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.RECORD.serialize();
 
-    public FieldAccessByIndexEvalFactory(IEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory, IEvaluatorFactory fieldIndexEvalFactory,
+    public FieldAccessByIndexEvalFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory, ICopyEvaluatorFactory fieldIndexEvalFactory,
             ARecordType recordType) {
         this.recordEvalFactory = recordEvalFactory;
         this.fieldIndexEvalFactory = fieldIndexEvalFactory;
@@ -48,15 +48,15 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluator() {
+    public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
             private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
             private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput0 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
             private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput1 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-            private IEvaluator eval0 = recordEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInput0);
-            private IEvaluator eval1 = fieldIndexEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInput1);
+            private ICopyEvaluator eval0 = recordEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInput0);
+            private ICopyEvaluator eval1 = fieldIndexEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInput1);
             @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
             private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                     .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@
                     eval0.evaluate(tuple);
                     outInput1.reset();
                     eval1.evaluate(tuple);
-                    byte[] serRecord = outInput0.getBytes();
+                    byte[] serRecord = outInput0.getByteArray();
 
                     if (serRecord[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
                         nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, out);
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@
                                 + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(serRecord[0]));
                     }
 
-                    fieldIndex = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(outInput1.getBytes(), 1);
+                    fieldIndex = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(outInput1.getByteArray(), 1);
                     fieldValueOffset = ARecordSerializerDeserializer.getFieldOffsetById(serRecord, fieldIndex,
                             nullBitmapSize, recordType.isOpen());
 
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/GramTokensEvaluator.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/GramTokensEvaluator.java
index 4713c38..606b47f 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/GramTokensEvaluator.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/GramTokensEvaluator.java
@@ -12,24 +12,24 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.tokenizer.IToken;
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.tokenizer.NGramUTF8StringBinaryTokenizer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.marshalling.BooleanSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.marshalling.IntegerSerializerDeserializer;
 
-public class GramTokensEvaluator implements IEvaluator {
+public class GramTokensEvaluator implements ICopyEvaluator {
 
     // assuming type indicator in serde format
     private final int typeIndicatorSize = 1;
 
     protected final DataOutput out;
     protected final ArrayBackedValueStorage argOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-    protected final IEvaluator stringEval;
-    protected final IEvaluator gramLengthEval;
-    protected final IEvaluator prePostEval;
+    protected final ICopyEvaluator stringEval;
+    protected final ICopyEvaluator gramLengthEval;
+    protected final ICopyEvaluator prePostEval;
 
     private final NGramUTF8StringBinaryTokenizer tokenizer;
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
     private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
     private BuiltinType itemType;
 
-    public GramTokensEvaluator(IEvaluatorFactory[] args, IDataOutputProvider output, IBinaryTokenizer tokenizer,
+    public GramTokensEvaluator(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args, IDataOutputProvider output, IBinaryTokenizer tokenizer,
             BuiltinType itemType) throws AlgebricksException {
         out = output.getDataOutput();
         stringEval = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@
         int prePostOff = argOut.getLength();
         prePostEval.evaluate(tuple);
 
-        byte[] bytes = argOut.getBytes();
+        byte[] bytes = argOut.getByteArray();
         int gramLength = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(bytes, gramLengthOff + typeIndicatorSize);
         tokenizer.setGramlength(gramLength);
         boolean prePost = BooleanSerializerDeserializer.getBoolean(bytes, prePostOff + typeIndicatorSize);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/SimilarityJaccardEvaluator.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/SimilarityJaccardEvaluator.java
index 932036e..a73cc72 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/SimilarityJaccardEvaluator.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/SimilarityJaccardEvaluator.java
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.similarity.SimilarityMetricJaccard;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -20,15 +20,15 @@
 
 // assumes that both arguments are sorted by the same ordering
 
-public class SimilarityJaccardEvaluator implements IEvaluator {
+public class SimilarityJaccardEvaluator implements ICopyEvaluator {
 
     // assuming type indicator in serde format
     protected final int typeIndicatorSize = 1;
 
     protected final DataOutput out;
     protected final ArrayBackedValueStorage argOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-    protected final IEvaluator firstOrdListEval;
-    protected final IEvaluator secondOrdListEval;
+    protected final ICopyEvaluator firstOrdListEval;
+    protected final ICopyEvaluator secondOrdListEval;
 
     protected final AsterixOrderedListIterator fstOrdListIter = new AsterixOrderedListIterator();
     protected final AsterixOrderedListIterator sndOrdListIter = new AsterixOrderedListIterator();
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
     protected int secondStart = -1;
     protected float jaccSim = 0.0f;
 
-    public SimilarityJaccardEvaluator(IEvaluatorFactory[] args, IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public SimilarityJaccardEvaluator(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args, IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
         out = output.getDataOutput();
         firstOrdListEval = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
         secondOrdListEval = args[1].createEvaluator(argOut);
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@
         runArgEvals(tuple);
         if (!checkArgTypes(firstTypeTag, secondTypeTag))
             return;
-        jaccSim = computeResult(argOut.getBytes(), firstStart, secondStart, firstTypeTag);
+        jaccSim = computeResult(argOut.getByteArray(), firstStart, secondStart, firstTypeTag);
         try {
             writeResult(jaccSim);
         } catch (IOException e) {
@@ -79,8 +79,8 @@
         secondStart = argOut.getLength();
         secondOrdListEval.evaluate(tuple);
 
-        firstTypeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getBytes()[firstStart]);
-        secondTypeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getBytes()[secondStart]);
+        firstTypeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getByteArray()[firstStart]);
+        secondTypeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getByteArray()[secondStart]);
     }
 
     protected float computeResult(byte[] bytes, int firstStart, int secondStart, ATypeTag argType)
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/SimilarityJaccardPrefixEvaluator.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/SimilarityJaccardPrefixEvaluator.java
index 4884806..3b527d9 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/SimilarityJaccardPrefixEvaluator.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/SimilarityJaccardPrefixEvaluator.java
@@ -18,26 +18,26 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.similarity.SimilarityFiltersJaccard;
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.similarity.SimilarityMetric;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.marshalling.IntegerSerializerDeserializer;
 
-public class SimilarityJaccardPrefixEvaluator implements IEvaluator {
+public class SimilarityJaccardPrefixEvaluator implements ICopyEvaluator {
     // assuming type indicator in serde format
     protected final int typeIndicatorSize = 1;
 
     protected final DataOutput out;
     protected final ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-    protected final IEvaluator evalLen1;
-    protected final IEvaluator evalTokens1;
-    protected final IEvaluator evalLen2;
-    protected final IEvaluator evalTokens2;
-    protected final IEvaluator evalTokenPrefix;
-    protected final IEvaluator evalThreshold;
+    protected final ICopyEvaluator evalLen1;
+    protected final ICopyEvaluator evalTokens1;
+    protected final ICopyEvaluator evalLen2;
+    protected final ICopyEvaluator evalTokens2;
+    protected final ICopyEvaluator evalTokenPrefix;
+    protected final ICopyEvaluator evalThreshold;
 
     protected float similarityThresholdCache;
     protected SimilarityFiltersJaccard similarityFilters;
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
     protected final ISerializerDeserializer<AFloat> reusSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.AFLOAT);
 
-    public SimilarityJaccardPrefixEvaluator(IEvaluatorFactory[] args, IDataOutputProvider output)
+    public SimilarityJaccardPrefixEvaluator(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args, IDataOutputProvider output)
             throws AlgebricksException {
         out = output.getDataOutput();
         evalLen1 = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@
         sim = 0;
         inputVal.reset();
         evalThreshold.evaluate(tuple);
-        float similarityThreshold = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+        float similarityThreshold = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
 
         if (similarityThreshold != similarityThresholdCache || similarityFilters == null) {
             similarityFilters = new SimilarityFiltersJaccard(similarityThreshold);
@@ -83,11 +83,11 @@
 
         inputVal.reset();
         evalLen1.evaluate(tuple);
-        int length1 = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+        int length1 = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
 
         inputVal.reset();
         evalLen2.evaluate(tuple);
-        int length2 = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+        int length2 = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
 
         //
         // -- - length filter - --
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
             inputVal.reset();
             evalTokens1.evaluate(tuple);
 
-            byte[] serList = inputVal.getBytes();
+            byte[] serList = inputVal.getByteArray();
             if (serList[0] != SER_ORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG && serList[0] != SER_UNORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG) {
                 throw new AlgebricksException("Scan collection is not defined for values of type"
                         + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(serList[0]));
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@
 
             int lengthTokens1;
             if (serList[0] == SER_ORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG) {
-                lengthTokens1 = AOrderedListSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfItems(inputVal.getBytes());
+                lengthTokens1 = AOrderedListSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfItems(inputVal.getByteArray());
                 // read tokens
                 for (i = 0; i < lengthTokens1; i++) {
                     int itemOffset;
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@
                     tokens1.add(IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(serList, itemOffset));
                 }
             } else {
-                lengthTokens1 = AUnorderedListSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfItems(inputVal.getBytes());
+                lengthTokens1 = AUnorderedListSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfItems(inputVal.getByteArray());
                 // read tokens
                 for (i = 0; i < lengthTokens1; i++) {
                     int itemOffset;
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@
             inputVal.reset();
             evalTokens2.evaluate(tuple);
 
-            serList = inputVal.getBytes();
+            serList = inputVal.getByteArray();
             if (serList[0] != SER_ORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG && serList[0] != SER_UNORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG) {
                 throw new AlgebricksException("Scan collection is not defined for values of type"
                         + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(serList[0]));
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@
 
             int lengthTokens2;
             if (serList[0] == SER_ORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG) {
-                lengthTokens2 = AOrderedListSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfItems(inputVal.getBytes());
+                lengthTokens2 = AOrderedListSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfItems(inputVal.getByteArray());
                 // read tokens
                 for (i = 0; i < lengthTokens2; i++) {
                     int itemOffset;
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@
                     tokens2.add(IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(serList, itemOffset));
                 }
             } else {
-                lengthTokens2 = AUnorderedListSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfItems(inputVal.getBytes());
+                lengthTokens2 = AUnorderedListSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfItems(inputVal.getByteArray());
                 // read tokens
                 for (i = 0; i < lengthTokens2; i++) {
                     int itemOffset;
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@
             // -- - token prefix - --
             inputVal.reset();
             evalTokenPrefix.evaluate(tuple);
-            int tokenPrefix = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+            int tokenPrefix = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
 
             //
             // -- - position filter - --
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/WordTokensEvaluator.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/WordTokensEvaluator.java
index 800c4ee..377a116 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/WordTokensEvaluator.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/WordTokensEvaluator.java
@@ -11,16 +11,16 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.tokenizer.IBinaryTokenizer;
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.tokenizer.IToken;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
 
-public class WordTokensEvaluator implements IEvaluator {
+public class WordTokensEvaluator implements ICopyEvaluator {
     protected final DataOutput out;
     protected final ArrayBackedValueStorage argOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-    protected final IEvaluator stringEval;
+    protected final ICopyEvaluator stringEval;
 
     protected final IBinaryTokenizer tokenizer;
 
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
     private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
     private BuiltinType itemType;
 
-    public WordTokensEvaluator(IEvaluatorFactory[] args, IDataOutputProvider output, IBinaryTokenizer tokenizer,
+    public WordTokensEvaluator(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args, IDataOutputProvider output, IBinaryTokenizer tokenizer,
             BuiltinType itemType) throws AlgebricksException {
         out = output.getDataOutput();
         stringEval = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
         argOut.reset();
         stringEval.evaluate(tuple);
-        byte[] bytes = argOut.getBytes();
+        byte[] bytes = argOut.getByteArray();
         tokenizer.reset(bytes, 0, argOut.getLength());
         tokenBuffer.reset();
 
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 958b04b..6e1cea4 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
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.IBinaryComparator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.marshalling.FloatSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.marshalling.IntegerSerializerDeserializer;
 
-public abstract class AbstractComparisonEvaluator implements IEvaluator {
+public abstract class AbstractComparisonEvaluator implements ICopyEvaluator {
 
     protected enum ComparisonResult {
         LESS_THAN,
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@
     protected DataOutput out;
     protected ArrayBackedValueStorage outLeft = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
     protected ArrayBackedValueStorage outRight = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-    protected IEvaluator evalLeft;
-    protected IEvaluator evalRight;
+    protected ICopyEvaluator evalLeft;
+    protected ICopyEvaluator evalRight;
     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
     protected ISerializerDeserializer<ABoolean> serde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ABOOLEAN);
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@
     protected IBinaryComparator dateTimeBinaryComp = ADateTimeAscBinaryComparatorFactory.INSTANCE
             .createBinaryComparator();
 
-    public AbstractComparisonEvaluator(DataOutput out, IEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory,
-            IEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public AbstractComparisonEvaluator(DataOutput out, ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory,
+            ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory) throws AlgebricksException {
         this.out = out;
         this.evalLeft = evalLeftFactory.createEvaluator(outLeft);
         this.evalRight = evalRightFactory.createEvaluator(outRight);
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@
         if (outLeft.getLength() == 0) {
             isLeftNull = true;
         } else {
-            typeTag1 = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(outLeft.getBytes()[0]);
+            typeTag1 = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(outLeft.getByteArray()[0]);
             if (typeTag1 == ATypeTag.NULL) {
                 isLeftNull = true;
             }
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@
         if (outRight.getLength() == 0) {
             isRightNull = true;
         } else {
-            typeTag2 = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(outRight.getBytes()[0]);
+            typeTag2 = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(outRight.getByteArray()[0]);
             if (typeTag2 == ATypeTag.NULL) {
                 isRightNull = true;
             }
@@ -130,8 +130,8 @@
         if (typeTag2 == ATypeTag.NULL) {
             return ComparisonResult.GREATER_THAN;
         } else if (typeTag2 == ATypeTag.DATETIME) {
-            int result = dateTimeBinaryComp.compare(outLeft.getBytes(), 1, outLeft.getLength() - 1,
-                    outRight.getBytes(), 1, outRight.getLength() - 1);
+            int result = dateTimeBinaryComp.compare(outLeft.getByteArray(), 1, outLeft.getLength() - 1,
+                    outRight.getByteArray(), 1, outRight.getLength() - 1);
             if (result == 0)
                 return ComparisonResult.EQUAL;
             else if (result < 0)
@@ -144,8 +144,8 @@
 
     private ComparisonResult compareBooleanWithArg(ATypeTag typeTag2) throws AlgebricksException {
         if (typeTag2 == ATypeTag.BOOLEAN) {
-            byte b0 = outLeft.getBytes()[1];
-            byte b1 = outRight.getBytes()[1];
+            byte b0 = outLeft.getByteArray()[1];
+            byte b1 = outRight.getByteArray()[1];
             return compareByte(b0, b1);
         }
         throw new AlgebricksException("Comparison is undefined between types ABoolean and " + typeTag2 + " .");
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@
 
     private ComparisonResult compareStringWithArg(ATypeTag typeTag2) throws AlgebricksException {
         if (typeTag2 == ATypeTag.STRING) {
-            int result = strBinaryComp.compare(outLeft.getBytes(), 1, outLeft.getLength() - 1, outRight.getBytes(), 1,
+            int result = strBinaryComp.compare(outLeft.getByteArray(), 1, outLeft.getLength() - 1, outRight.getByteArray(), 1,
                     outRight.getLength() - 1);
             if (result == 0)
                 return ComparisonResult.EQUAL;
@@ -166,30 +166,30 @@
     }
 
     private ComparisonResult compareDoubleWithArg(ATypeTag typeTag2) throws AlgebricksException {
-        double s = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outLeft.getBytes(), 1);
+        double s = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outLeft.getByteArray(), 1);
         switch (typeTag2) {
             case INT8: {
-                byte v2 = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                byte v2 = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareDouble(s, v2);
             }
             case INT16: {
-                short v2 = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                short v2 = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareDouble(s, v2);
             }
             case INT32: {
-                int v2 = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                int v2 = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareDouble(s, v2);
             }
             case INT64: {
-                long v2 = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                long v2 = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareDouble(s, v2);
             }
             case FLOAT: {
-                float v2 = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                float v2 = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareDouble(s, v2);
             }
             case DOUBLE: {
-                double v2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                double v2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareDouble(s, v2);
             }
             default: {
@@ -199,30 +199,30 @@
     }
 
     private ComparisonResult compareFloatWithArg(ATypeTag typeTag2) throws AlgebricksException {
-        float s = FloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(outLeft.getBytes(), 1);
+        float s = FloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(outLeft.getByteArray(), 1);
         switch (typeTag2) {
             case INT8: {
-                byte v2 = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                byte v2 = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareFloat(s, v2);
             }
             case INT16: {
-                short v2 = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                short v2 = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareFloat(s, v2);
             }
             case INT32: {
-                int v2 = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                int v2 = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareFloat(s, v2);
             }
             case INT64: {
-                long v2 = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                long v2 = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareFloat(s, v2);
             }
             case FLOAT: {
-                float v2 = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                float v2 = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareFloat(s, v2);
             }
             case DOUBLE: {
-                double v2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                double v2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareDouble(s, v2);
             }
             default: {
@@ -232,30 +232,30 @@
     }
 
     private ComparisonResult compareInt64WithArg(ATypeTag typeTag2) throws AlgebricksException {
-        long s = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(outLeft.getBytes(), 1);
+        long s = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(outLeft.getByteArray(), 1);
         switch (typeTag2) {
             case INT8: {
-                byte v2 = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                byte v2 = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareLong(s, v2);
             }
             case INT16: {
-                short v2 = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                short v2 = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareLong(s, v2);
             }
             case INT32: {
-                int v2 = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                int v2 = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareLong(s, v2);
             }
             case INT64: {
-                long v2 = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                long v2 = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareLong(s, v2);
             }
             case FLOAT: {
-                float v2 = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                float v2 = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareFloat(s, v2);
             }
             case DOUBLE: {
-                double v2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                double v2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareDouble(s, v2);
             }
             default: {
@@ -265,30 +265,30 @@
     }
 
     private ComparisonResult compareInt32WithArg(ATypeTag typeTag2) throws AlgebricksException {
-        int s = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(outLeft.getBytes(), 1);
+        int s = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(outLeft.getByteArray(), 1);
         switch (typeTag2) {
             case INT8: {
-                byte v2 = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                byte v2 = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareInt(s, v2);
             }
             case INT16: {
-                short v2 = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                short v2 = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareInt(s, v2);
             }
             case INT32: {
-                int v2 = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                int v2 = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareInt(s, v2);
             }
             case INT64: {
-                long v2 = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                long v2 = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareLong(s, v2);
             }
             case FLOAT: {
-                float v2 = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                float v2 = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareFloat(s, v2);
             }
             case DOUBLE: {
-                double v2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                double v2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareDouble(s, v2);
             }
             default: {
@@ -298,30 +298,30 @@
     }
 
     private ComparisonResult compareInt16WithArg(ATypeTag typeTag2) throws AlgebricksException {
-        short s = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(outLeft.getBytes(), 1);
+        short s = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(outLeft.getByteArray(), 1);
         switch (typeTag2) {
             case INT8: {
-                byte v2 = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                byte v2 = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareShort(s, v2);
             }
             case INT16: {
-                short v2 = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                short v2 = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareShort(s, v2);
             }
             case INT32: {
-                int v2 = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                int v2 = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareInt(s, v2);
             }
             case INT64: {
-                long v2 = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                long v2 = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareLong(s, v2);
             }
             case FLOAT: {
-                float v2 = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                float v2 = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareFloat(s, v2);
             }
             case DOUBLE: {
-                double v2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                double v2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareDouble(s, v2);
             }
             default: {
@@ -331,30 +331,30 @@
     }
 
     private ComparisonResult compareInt8WithArg(ATypeTag typeTag2) throws AlgebricksException {
-        byte s = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(outLeft.getBytes(), 1);
+        byte s = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(outLeft.getByteArray(), 1);
         switch (typeTag2) {
             case INT8: {
-                byte v2 = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                byte v2 = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareByte(s, v2);
             }
             case INT16: {
-                short v2 = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                short v2 = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareShort(s, v2);
             }
             case INT32: {
-                int v2 = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                int v2 = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareInt(s, v2);
             }
             case INT64: {
-                long v2 = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                long v2 = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareLong(s, v2);
             }
             case FLOAT: {
-                float v2 = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                float v2 = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareFloat(s, v2);
             }
             case DOUBLE: {
-                double v2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outRight.getBytes(), 1);
+                double v2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outRight.getByteArray(), 1);
                 return compareDouble(s, v2);
             }
             default: {
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/comparisons/ComparisonEvalFactory.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/comparisons/ComparisonEvalFactory.java
index 5f3675c..c971929 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/comparisons/ComparisonEvalFactory.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/comparisons/ComparisonEvalFactory.java
@@ -6,21 +6,21 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions.ComparisonKind;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
 
-public class ComparisonEvalFactory implements IEvaluatorFactory {
+public class ComparisonEvalFactory implements ICopyEvaluatorFactory {
 
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
-    private IEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory;
-    private IEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory;
+    private ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory;
+    private ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory;
     private ComparisonKind comparisonKind;
 
-    public ComparisonEvalFactory(IEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory, IEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory,
+    public ComparisonEvalFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory, ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory,
             ComparisonKind comparisonKind) {
         this.evalLeftFactory = evalLeftFactory;
         this.evalRightFactory = evalRightFactory;
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
         DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
         switch (comparisonKind) {
             // Should we do any normalization?
@@ -57,8 +57,8 @@
     }
 
     static class EqualityComparisonEvaluator extends AbstractComparisonEvaluator {
-        public EqualityComparisonEvaluator(DataOutput out, IEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory,
-                IEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory) throws AlgebricksException {
+        public EqualityComparisonEvaluator(DataOutput out, ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory,
+                ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory) throws AlgebricksException {
             super(out, evalLeftFactory, evalRightFactory);
         }
 
@@ -85,8 +85,8 @@
     }
 
     static class InequalityComparisonEvaluator extends AbstractComparisonEvaluator {
-        public InequalityComparisonEvaluator(DataOutput out, IEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory,
-                IEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory) throws AlgebricksException {
+        public InequalityComparisonEvaluator(DataOutput out, ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory,
+                ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory) throws AlgebricksException {
             super(out, evalLeftFactory, evalRightFactory);
         }
 
@@ -113,8 +113,8 @@
     }
 
     static class GreaterThanOrEqualComparisonEvaluator extends AbstractComparisonEvaluator {
-        public GreaterThanOrEqualComparisonEvaluator(DataOutput out, IEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory,
-                IEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory) throws AlgebricksException {
+        public GreaterThanOrEqualComparisonEvaluator(DataOutput out, ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory,
+                ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory) throws AlgebricksException {
             super(out, evalLeftFactory, evalRightFactory);
         }
 
@@ -142,8 +142,8 @@
     }
 
     static class GreaterThanComparisonEvaluator extends AbstractComparisonEvaluator {
-        public GreaterThanComparisonEvaluator(DataOutput out, IEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory,
-                IEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory) throws AlgebricksException {
+        public GreaterThanComparisonEvaluator(DataOutput out, ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory,
+                ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory) throws AlgebricksException {
             super(out, evalLeftFactory, evalRightFactory);
         }
 
@@ -170,8 +170,8 @@
     }
 
     static class LessThanOrEqualComparisonEvaluator extends AbstractComparisonEvaluator {
-        public LessThanOrEqualComparisonEvaluator(DataOutput out, IEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory,
-                IEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory) throws AlgebricksException {
+        public LessThanOrEqualComparisonEvaluator(DataOutput out, ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory,
+                ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory) throws AlgebricksException {
             super(out, evalLeftFactory, evalRightFactory);
         }
 
@@ -199,8 +199,8 @@
     }
 
     static class LessThanComparisonEvaluator extends AbstractComparisonEvaluator {
-        public LessThanComparisonEvaluator(DataOutput out, IEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory,
-                IEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory) throws AlgebricksException {
+        public LessThanComparisonEvaluator(DataOutput out, ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalLeftFactory,
+                ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalRightFactory) throws AlgebricksException {
             super(out, evalLeftFactory, evalRightFactory);
         }
 
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ABooleanConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ABooleanConstructorDescriptor.java
index 701c20a4..1617dc0 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ABooleanConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ABooleanConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.IBinaryComparator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -37,17 +37,17 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private String errorMessage = "This can not be an instance of boolean";
                     private final byte[] TRUE = { 0, 4, 't', 'r', 'u', 'e' };
                     private final byte[] FALSE = { 0, 5, 'f', 'a', 'l', 's', 'e' };
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 if (utf8BinaryComparator.compare(serString, 1, outInput.getLength(), TRUE, 0, 6) == 0) {
                                     booleanSerde.serialize(ABoolean.TRUE, out);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ACircleConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ACircleConstructorDescriptor.java
index 3e64b56..dd4f9ef 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ACircleConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ACircleConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -36,18 +36,18 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private String errorMessage = "This can not be an instance of circle";
                     private AMutablePoint aPoint = new AMutablePoint(0, 0);
                     private AMutableCircle aCircle = new AMutableCircle(null, 0);
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 String s = new String(serString, 3, outInput.getLength() - 3, "UTF-8");
                                 int commaIndex = s.indexOf(',');
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 1a21227..3a28805 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
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -36,18 +36,18 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private int offset;
                     private String errorMessage = "This can not be an instance of date";
                     private AMutableDate aDate = new AMutableDate(0);
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
 
                                 int length = ((serString[1] & 0xff) << 8) + ((serString[2] & 0xff) << 0) + 3;
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 9b08bda..2c711a5 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
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -37,18 +37,18 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private int offset;
                     private String errorMessage = "This can not be an instance of datetime";
                     private AMutableDateTime aDateTime = new AMutableDateTime(0L);
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 int length = ((serString[1] & 0xff) << 8) + ((serString[2] & 0xff) << 0) + 3;
                                 offset = 3;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ADoubleConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ADoubleConstructorDescriptor.java
index 6a89def..eea58651 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ADoubleConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ADoubleConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.IBinaryComparator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -38,18 +38,18 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private String errorMessage = "This can not be an instance of double";
                     private final byte[] POSITIVE_INF = { 0, 3, 'I', 'N', 'F' };
                     private final byte[] NEGATIVE_INF = { 0, 4, '-', 'I', 'N', 'F' };
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
 
                                 if (utf8BinaryComparator
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 1255317..58a26ba 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
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -36,18 +36,18 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private int offset;
                     private int value = 0, hour = 0, minute = 0, second = 0, millisecond = 0, year = 0, month = 0,
                             day = 0;
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 offset = 3;
                                 if (serString[offset] == '-') {
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AFloatConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AFloatConstructorDescriptor.java
index 6cb6306..852b6d4 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AFloatConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AFloatConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.IBinaryComparator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -37,17 +37,17 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private String errorMessage = "This can not be an instance of float";
                     private final byte[] POSITIVE_INF = { 0, 3, 'I', 'N', 'F' };
                     private final byte[] NEGATIVE_INF = { 0, 4, '-', 'I', 'N', 'F' };
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 if (utf8BinaryComparator
                                         .compare(serString, 1, outInput.getLength(), POSITIVE_INF, 0, 5) == 0) {
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AInt16ConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AInt16ConstructorDescriptor.java
index c1ac181..46e6987 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AInt16ConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AInt16ConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -35,18 +35,18 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private short value;
                     private int offset;
                     private boolean positive;
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 offset = 3;
                                 value = 0;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AInt32ConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AInt32ConstructorDescriptor.java
index 2edfbdd..a8befc7 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AInt32ConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AInt32ConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -35,18 +35,18 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private int value, offset;
                     private boolean positive;
                     private String errorMessage = "This can not be an instance of int32";
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 offset = 3;
                                 value = 0;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AInt64ConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AInt64ConstructorDescriptor.java
index 5fd7a3a..a3b635d 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AInt64ConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AInt64ConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -35,18 +35,18 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private long value;
                     private int offset;
                     private boolean positive;
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 offset = 3;
                                 value = 0;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AInt8ConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AInt8ConstructorDescriptor.java
index 6719fbf..0e6e94d 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AInt8ConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AInt8ConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -35,18 +35,18 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private byte value;
                     private int offset;
                     private boolean positive;
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 offset = 3;
                                 value = 0;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ALineConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ALineConstructorDescriptor.java
index 87063c3..c64f745 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ALineConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ALineConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -36,18 +36,18 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private String errorMessage = "This can not be an instance of line";
                     private AMutableLine aLine = new AMutableLine(null, null);
                     private AMutablePoint[] aPoint = { new AMutablePoint(0, 0), new AMutablePoint(0, 0) };
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 String s = new String(serString, 3, outInput.getLength() - 3, "UTF-8");
                                 int commaIndex = s.indexOf(',');
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ANullConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ANullConstructorDescriptor.java
index 963e95d..ff76339 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ANullConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ANullConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.IBinaryComparator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -34,17 +34,17 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private String errorMessage = "This can not be an instance of null";
                     private final byte[] NULL = { 0, 4, 'n', 'u', 'l', 'l' };
                     IBinaryComparator utf8BinaryComparator = AqlBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider.UTF8STRING_POINTABLE_INSTANCE
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 if (utf8BinaryComparator.compare(serString, 1, outInput.getLength(), NULL, 0, 6) == 0) {
                                     nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, out);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/APoint3DConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/APoint3DConstructorDescriptor.java
index 1c0962c..0434a5f 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/APoint3DConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/APoint3DConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -36,18 +36,18 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private String errorMessage = "This can not be an instance of point3d";
                     private AMutablePoint3D aPoint3D = new AMutablePoint3D(0, 0, 0);
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 String s = new String(serString, 3, outInput.getLength() - 3, "UTF-8");
                                 int firstCommaIndex = s.indexOf(',');
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/APointConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/APointConstructorDescriptor.java
index 378e619..840f141 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/APointConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/APointConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -35,18 +35,18 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private String errorMessage = "This can not be an instance of point";
                     private AMutablePoint aPoint = new AMutablePoint(0, 0);
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 String s = new String(serString, 3, outInput.getLength() - 3, "UTF-8");
                                 aPoint.setValue(Double.parseDouble(s.substring(0, s.indexOf(','))),
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/APolygonConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/APolygonConstructorDescriptor.java
index 8a88c0e..705ae78 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/APolygonConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/APolygonConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -36,18 +36,18 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private String errorMessage = "This can not be an instance of polygon";
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 String s = new String(serString, 3, outInput.getLength() - 3, "UTF-8");
                                 String[] points = s.split(" ");
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ARectangleConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ARectangleConstructorDescriptor.java
index c2b98f9..5f5b3b3 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ARectangleConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/ARectangleConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -37,18 +37,18 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private String errorMessage = "This can not be an instance of rectangle";
                     private AMutableRectangle aRectangle = new AMutableRectangle(null, null);
                     private AMutablePoint[] aPoint = { new AMutablePoint(0, 0), new AMutablePoint(0, 0) };
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 String s = new String(serString, 3, outInput.getLength() - 3, "UTF-8");
                                 int commaIndex = s.indexOf(',');
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AStringConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AStringConstructorDescriptor.java
index 982871d..abe1743 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AStringConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/constructors/AStringConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -34,17 +34,17 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private String errorMessage = "This can not be an instance of string";
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
@@ -56,9 +56,9 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
-                                out.write(outInput.getBytes(), outInput.getStartIndex(), outInput.getLength());
+                                out.write(outInput.getByteArray(), outInput.getStartOffset(), outInput.getLength());
                             } else if (serString[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG)
                                 nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, out);
                             else
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 58c16890..a173ba7 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
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -37,18 +37,18 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput);
                     private int offset;
                     private String errorMessage = "This can not be an instance of time";
                     private AMutableTime aTime = new AMutableTime(0);
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
                         try {
                             outInput.reset();
                             eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] serString = outInput.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serString = outInput.getByteArray();
                             if (serString[0] == SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG) {
 
                                 offset = 3;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/AbstractStringContainsEval.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/AbstractStringContainsEval.java
index b0f4580..1920db4 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/AbstractStringContainsEval.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/AbstractStringContainsEval.java
@@ -6,27 +6,27 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ABoolean;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
 
-public abstract class AbstractStringContainsEval implements IEvaluator {
+public abstract class AbstractStringContainsEval implements ICopyEvaluator {
 
     private DataOutput dout;
 
     private ArrayBackedValueStorage array0 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
     private ArrayBackedValueStorage array1 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-    private IEvaluator evalString;
-    private IEvaluator evalPattern;
+    private ICopyEvaluator evalString;
+    private ICopyEvaluator evalPattern;
     @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
     private ISerializerDeserializer boolSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ABOOLEAN);
 
-    public AbstractStringContainsEval(DataOutput dout, IEvaluatorFactory evalStringFactory,
-            IEvaluatorFactory evalPatternFactory) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public AbstractStringContainsEval(DataOutput dout, ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalStringFactory,
+            ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalPatternFactory) throws AlgebricksException {
         this.dout = dout;
         this.evalString = evalStringFactory.createEvaluator(array0);
         this.evalPattern = evalPatternFactory.createEvaluator(array1);
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@
         evalPattern.evaluate(tuple);
         array0.reset();
         evalString.evaluate(tuple);
-        byte[] b1 = array0.getBytes();
-        byte[] b2 = array1.getBytes();
+        byte[] b1 = array0.getByteArray();
+        byte[] b2 = array1.getByteArray();
         ABoolean res = findMatch(b1, b2) ? ABoolean.TRUE : ABoolean.FALSE;
         try {
             boolSerde.serialize(res, dout);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/AndDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/AndDescriptor.java
index 7e2877c..355d30e 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/AndDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/AndDescriptor.java
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -39,21 +39,21 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 // one temp. buffer re-used by all children
                 final ArrayBackedValueStorage argOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                final IEvaluator[] evals = new IEvaluator[args.length];
+                final ICopyEvaluator[] evals = new ICopyEvaluator[args.length];
                 for (int i = 0; i < evals.length; i++) {
                     evals[i] = args[i].createEvaluator(argOut);
                 }
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ABoolean> booleanSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ABOOLEAN);
@@ -70,11 +70,11 @@
                             for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) {
                                 argOut.reset();
                                 evals[i].evaluate(tuple);
-                                if (argOut.getBytes()[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
+                                if (argOut.getByteArray()[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
                                     metNull = true;
                                     continue;
                                 }
-                                boolean argResult = ABooleanSerializerDeserializer.getBoolean(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                boolean argResult = ABooleanSerializerDeserializer.getBoolean(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                 res = res && argResult;
                             }
                             if (metNull) {
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/AnyCollectionMemberDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/AnyCollectionMemberDescriptor.java
index 055d94b..a71436c 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/AnyCollectionMemberDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/AnyCollectionMemberDescriptor.java
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
         return new AnyCollectionMemberEvalFactory(args[0]);
     }
 
@@ -46,11 +46,11 @@
         return FID;
     }
 
-    private static class AnyCollectionMemberEvalFactory implements IEvaluatorFactory {
+    private static class AnyCollectionMemberEvalFactory implements ICopyEvaluatorFactory {
 
         private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
-        private IEvaluatorFactory listEvalFactory;
+        private ICopyEvaluatorFactory listEvalFactory;
         private final static byte SER_ORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.ORDEREDLIST.serialize();
         private final static byte SER_UNORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.UNORDEREDLIST.serialize();
         private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
@@ -58,17 +58,17 @@
         private ATypeTag itemTag;
         private boolean selfDescList = false;
 
-        public AnyCollectionMemberEvalFactory(IEvaluatorFactory arg) {
+        public AnyCollectionMemberEvalFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory arg) {
             this.listEvalFactory = arg;
         }
 
         @Override
-        public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-            return new IEvaluator() {
+        public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                 private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                 private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInputList = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                private IEvaluator evalList = listEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInputList);
+                private ICopyEvaluator evalList = listEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInputList);
                 @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                 private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                         .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@
                     try {
                         outInputList.reset();
                         evalList.evaluate(tuple);
-                        byte[] serList = outInputList.getBytes();
+                        byte[] serList = outInputList.getByteArray();
 
                         if (serList[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
                             nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, out);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CastRecordDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CastRecordDescriptor.java
index 705efab..a9f25f4 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CastRecordDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CastRecordDescriptor.java
@@ -1,19 +1,21 @@
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions;
 
 import java.io.DataOutput;
-import java.io.IOException;
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.functions.FunctionConstants;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util.ARecordAccessor;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util.ARecordCaster;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.PointableAllocator;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.base.IVisitablePointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.cast.ACastVisitor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Triple;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
@@ -43,31 +45,37 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        final IEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory = args[0];
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        final ICopyEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory = args[0];
 
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 final DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                 final ArrayBackedValueStorage recordBuffer = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                final IEvaluator recEvaluator = recordEvalFactory.createEvaluator(recordBuffer);
+                final ICopyEvaluator recEvaluator = recordEvalFactory.createEvaluator(recordBuffer);
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
-                    final ARecordAccessor recAccessor = new ARecordAccessor(inputType);
-                    final ARecordCaster caster = new ARecordCaster();
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
+                    // pointable allocator
+                    private PointableAllocator allocator = new PointableAllocator();
+                    final IVisitablePointable recAccessor = allocator.allocateRecordValue(inputType);
+                    final IVisitablePointable resultAccessor = allocator.allocateRecordValue(reqType);
+                    final ACastVisitor castVisitor = new ACastVisitor();
+                    final Triple<IVisitablePointable, IAType, Boolean> arg = new Triple<IVisitablePointable, IAType, Boolean>(
+                            resultAccessor, reqType, Boolean.FALSE);
 
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
                         try {
                             recordBuffer.reset();
                             recEvaluator.evaluate(tuple);
-                            recAccessor.reset(recordBuffer.getBytes(), recordBuffer.getStartIndex(),
-                                    recordBuffer.getLength());
-                            caster.castRecord(recAccessor, reqType, out);
-                        } catch (IOException ioe) {
+                            recAccessor.set(recordBuffer);
+                            recAccessor.accept(castVisitor, arg);
+                            out.write(resultAccessor.getByteArray(), resultAccessor.getStartOffset(),
+                                    resultAccessor.getLength());
+                        } catch (Exception ioe) {
                             throw new AlgebricksException(ioe);
                         }
                     }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/ClosedRecordConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/ClosedRecordConstructorDescriptor.java
index d9afbc9..980a6c8 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/ClosedRecordConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/ClosedRecordConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.ClosedRecordConstructorEvalFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 
 public class ClosedRecordConstructorDescriptor extends AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor {
 
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
         return new ClosedRecordConstructorEvalFactory(args, recType);
     }
 
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/ContainsDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/ContainsDescriptor.java
index 71213c7..ab4fb3a 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/ContainsDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/ContainsDescriptor.java
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.primitive.UTF8StringPointable;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 
@@ -25,13 +25,13 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
 
                 DataOutput dout = output.getDataOutput();
 
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@
 
                     @Override
                     protected boolean findMatch(byte[] strBytes, byte[] patternBytes) {
-                        int utflen1 = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLen(strBytes, 1);
-                        int utflen2 = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLen(patternBytes, 1);
+                        int utflen1 = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLength(strBytes, 1);
+                        int utflen2 = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLength(patternBytes, 1);
 
                         int s1Start = 3;
                         int s2Start = 3;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CountHashedGramTokensDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CountHashedGramTokensDescriptor.java
index 9cdecde..c8f3447 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CountHashedGramTokensDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CountHashedGramTokensDescriptor.java
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.tokenizer.NGramUTF8StringBinaryTokenizer;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 
 public class CountHashedGramTokensDescriptor extends AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor {
@@ -34,12 +34,12 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 ITokenFactory tokenFactory = new HashedUTF8NGramTokenFactory(ATypeTag.INT32.serialize(),
                         ATypeTag.INT32.serialize());
                 NGramUTF8StringBinaryTokenizer tokenizer = new NGramUTF8StringBinaryTokenizer(3, true, false, true,
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CountHashedWordTokensDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CountHashedWordTokensDescriptor.java
index 0cfdfc3..4c96ca0 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CountHashedWordTokensDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CountHashedWordTokensDescriptor.java
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.tokenizer.ITokenFactory;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 
 public class CountHashedWordTokensDescriptor extends AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor {
@@ -35,12 +35,12 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 ITokenFactory tokenFactory = new HashedUTF8WordTokenFactory(ATypeTag.INT32.serialize(),
                         ATypeTag.INT32.serialize());
                 IBinaryTokenizer tokenizer = new DelimitedUTF8StringBinaryTokenizer(false, true, tokenFactory);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreateCircleDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreateCircleDescriptor.java
index 463dfd2..e8c57c4 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreateCircleDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreateCircleDescriptor.java
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -36,20 +36,20 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput0 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput1 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval0 = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput0);
-                    private IEvaluator eval1 = args[1].createEvaluator(outInput1);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval0 = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput0);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval1 = args[1].createEvaluator(outInput1);
                     private AMutablePoint aPoint = new AMutablePoint(0, 0);
                     private AMutableCircle aCircle = new AMutableCircle(null, 0);
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
@@ -64,11 +64,11 @@
                         eval1.evaluate(tuple);
 
                         try {
-                            aPoint.setValue(ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                            aPoint.setValue(ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                     APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X)),
-                                    ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                    ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                             APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y)));
-                            aCircle.setValue(aPoint, ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getBytes(), 1));
+                            aCircle.setValue(aPoint, ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getByteArray(), 1));
                             circleSerde.serialize(aCircle, out);
                         } catch (IOException e1) {
                             throw new AlgebricksException(e1);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreateLineDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreateLineDescriptor.java
index fab060d..a6ca67b 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreateLineDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreateLineDescriptor.java
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -36,20 +36,20 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput0 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput1 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval0 = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput0);
-                    private IEvaluator eval1 = args[1].createEvaluator(outInput1);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval0 = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput0);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval1 = args[1].createEvaluator(outInput1);
                     private AMutableLine aLine = new AMutableLine(null, null);
                     private AMutablePoint[] aPoint = { new AMutablePoint(0, 0), new AMutablePoint(0, 0) };
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
@@ -64,13 +64,13 @@
                         eval1.evaluate(tuple);
 
                         try {
-                            aPoint[0].setValue(ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                            aPoint[0].setValue(ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                     APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X)),
-                                    ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                    ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                             APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y)));
-                            aPoint[1].setValue(ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getBytes(),
+                            aPoint[1].setValue(ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getByteArray(),
                                     APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X)),
-                                    ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getBytes(),
+                                    ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getByteArray(),
                                             APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y)));
                             aLine.setValue(aPoint[0], aPoint[1]);
                             lineSerde.serialize(aLine, out);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreateMBRDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreateMBRDescriptor.java
index 0974c39..cd3790c 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreateMBRDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreateMBRDescriptor.java
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.CreateMBREvalFactory;
 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.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 
 public class CreateMBRDescriptor extends AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor {
 
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
         return new CreateMBREvalFactory(args[0], args[1], args[2]);
     }
 
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreatePointDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreatePointDescriptor.java
index f7d284c..82d1013 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreatePointDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreatePointDescriptor.java
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -33,20 +33,20 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput0 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput1 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval0 = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput0);
-                    private IEvaluator eval1 = args[1].createEvaluator(outInput1);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval0 = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput0);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval1 = args[1].createEvaluator(outInput1);
                     private AMutablePoint aPoint = new AMutablePoint(0, 0);
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<APoint> pointSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
@@ -60,8 +60,8 @@
                         eval1.evaluate(tuple);
 
                         try {
-                            aPoint.setValue(ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(), 1),
-                                    ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getBytes(), 1));
+                            aPoint.setValue(ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(), 1),
+                                    ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getByteArray(), 1));
                             pointSerde.serialize(aPoint, out);
 
                         } catch (IOException e1) {
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreatePolygonDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreatePolygonDescriptor.java
index e0b424f..a095111 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreatePolygonDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreatePolygonDescriptor.java
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
@@ -28,17 +28,17 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             private DataOutput out;
             private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                final IEvaluator[] argEvals = new IEvaluator[args.length];
+                final ICopyEvaluator[] argEvals = new ICopyEvaluator[args.length];
                 out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                 outInput = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
                     argEvals[i] = args[i].createEvaluator(outInput);
                 }
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
                             outInput.reset();
                             argEvals[i].evaluate(tuple);
                             try {
-                                out.write(outInput.getBytes(), outInput.getStartIndex() + 1, outInput.getLength() - 1);
+                                out.write(outInput.getByteArray(), outInput.getStartOffset() + 1, outInput.getLength() - 1);
                             } catch (IOException e) {
                                 throw new AlgebricksException(e);
                             }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreateRectangleDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreateRectangleDescriptor.java
index 1e4a98a..d7945fa 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreateRectangleDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CreateRectangleDescriptor.java
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -36,19 +36,19 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput0 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput1 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval0 = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput0);
-                    private IEvaluator eval1 = args[1].createEvaluator(outInput1);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval0 = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput0);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval1 = args[1].createEvaluator(outInput1);
                     private AMutableRectangle aRectangle = new AMutableRectangle(null, null);
                     private AMutablePoint[] aPoint = { new AMutablePoint(0, 0), new AMutablePoint(0, 0) };
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
@@ -63,13 +63,13 @@
                         eval1.evaluate(tuple);
 
                         try {
-                            aPoint[0].setValue(ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                            aPoint[0].setValue(ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                     APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X)),
-                                    ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                    ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                             APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y)));
-                            aPoint[1].setValue(ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getBytes(),
+                            aPoint[1].setValue(ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getByteArray(),
                                     APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X)),
-                                    ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getBytes(),
+                                    ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getByteArray(),
                                             APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y)));
                             if (aPoint[0].getX() > aPoint[1].getX() || aPoint[0].getY() > aPoint[1].getY()) {
                                 throw new IllegalArgumentException(
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/EditDistanceCheckDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/EditDistanceCheckDescriptor.java
index cb89147..1c1dae3 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/EditDistanceCheckDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/EditDistanceCheckDescriptor.java
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.EditDistanceEvaluator;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -36,12 +36,12 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 return new EditDistanceCheckEvaluator(args, output);
             }
         };
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@
 
     private static class EditDistanceCheckEvaluator extends EditDistanceEvaluator {
 
-        private final IEvaluator edThreshEval;
+        private final ICopyEvaluator edThreshEval;
         private int edThresh = -1;
         private IAOrderedListBuilder listBuilder;
         private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal;
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
         private final ISerializerDeserializer<ABoolean> booleanSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                 .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ABOOLEAN);
 
-        public EditDistanceCheckEvaluator(IEvaluatorFactory[] args, IDataOutputProvider output)
+        public EditDistanceCheckEvaluator(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args, IDataOutputProvider output)
                 throws AlgebricksException {
             super(args, output);
             edThreshEval = args[2].createEvaluator(argOut);
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@
             super.runArgEvals(tuple);
             int edThreshStart = argOut.getLength();
             edThreshEval.evaluate(tuple);
-            edThresh = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(argOut.getBytes(), edThreshStart + typeIndicatorSize);
+            edThresh = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(argOut.getByteArray(), edThreshStart + typeIndicatorSize);
         }
 
         @Override
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/EditDistanceDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/EditDistanceDescriptor.java
index 9efa9f5..a7246fc 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/EditDistanceDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/EditDistanceDescriptor.java
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.EditDistanceEvaluator;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 
 public class EditDistanceDescriptor extends AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor {
@@ -24,12 +24,12 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 return new EditDistanceEvaluator(args, output);
             }
         };
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/EmbedTypeDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/EmbedTypeDescriptor.java
index cef79b0..26bfea4 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/EmbedTypeDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/EmbedTypeDescriptor.java
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
 
@@ -31,15 +31,15 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
 
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 // TODO Auto-generated method stub
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/EndsWithDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/EndsWithDescriptor.java
index 669c480..19a3be7 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/EndsWithDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/EndsWithDescriptor.java
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.primitive.UTF8StringPointable;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 
@@ -25,13 +25,13 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
 
                 DataOutput dout = output.getDataOutput();
 
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@
 
                     @Override
                     protected boolean findMatch(byte[] strBytes, byte[] patternBytes) {
-                        int utflen1 = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLen(strBytes, 1);
-                        int utflen2 = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLen(patternBytes, 1);
+                        int utflen1 = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLength(strBytes, 1);
+                        int utflen2 = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLength(patternBytes, 1);
 
                         int s1Start = 3;
                         int s2Start = 3;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/FieldAccessByIndexDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/FieldAccessByIndexDescriptor.java
index 92e1040..a0c1ad2 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/FieldAccessByIndexDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/FieldAccessByIndexDescriptor.java
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.FieldAccessByIndexEvalFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 
 public class FieldAccessByIndexDescriptor extends AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor {
 
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
         return new FieldAccessByIndexEvalFactory(args[0], args[1], recType);
     }
 
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/FieldAccessByNameDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/FieldAccessByNameDescriptor.java
index 67a8dfa..2ac483b 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/FieldAccessByNameDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/FieldAccessByNameDescriptor.java
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -41,35 +41,35 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
         return new FieldAccessByNameEvalFactory(args[0], args[1]);
     }
 
-    private static class FieldAccessByNameEvalFactory implements IEvaluatorFactory {
+    private static class FieldAccessByNameEvalFactory implements ICopyEvaluatorFactory {
 
         private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
-        private IEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory;
-        private IEvaluatorFactory fldNameEvalFactory;
+        private ICopyEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory;
+        private ICopyEvaluatorFactory fldNameEvalFactory;
 
         private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
         private final static byte SER_RECORD_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.RECORD.serialize();
 
-        public FieldAccessByNameEvalFactory(IEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory, IEvaluatorFactory fldNameEvalFactory) {
+        public FieldAccessByNameEvalFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory, ICopyEvaluatorFactory fldNameEvalFactory) {
             this.recordEvalFactory = recordEvalFactory;
             this.fldNameEvalFactory = fldNameEvalFactory;
         }
 
         @Override
-        public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-            return new IEvaluator() {
+        public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                 private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
                 private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput0 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                 private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput1 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                private IEvaluator eval0 = recordEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInput0);
-                private IEvaluator eval1 = fldNameEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInput1);
+                private ICopyEvaluator eval0 = recordEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInput0);
+                private ICopyEvaluator eval1 = fldNameEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInput1);
                 @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                 private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                         .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@
                         eval0.evaluate(tuple);
                         outInput1.reset();
                         eval1.evaluate(tuple);
-                        byte[] serRecord = outInput0.getBytes();
+                        byte[] serRecord = outInput0.getByteArray();
 
                         if (serRecord[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
                             nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, out);
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@
                                     + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(serRecord[0]));
                         }
 
-                        byte[] serFldName = outInput1.getBytes();
+                        byte[] serFldName = outInput1.getByteArray();
                         fieldValueOffset = ARecordSerializerDeserializer.getFieldOffsetByName(serRecord, serFldName);
                         if (fieldValueOffset < 0) {
                             out.writeByte(ATypeTag.NULL.serialize());
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/FuzzyEqDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/FuzzyEqDescriptor.java
index 4551704..623783e 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/FuzzyEqDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/FuzzyEqDescriptor.java
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 
 public class FuzzyEqDescriptor extends AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor {
 
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
         throw new NotImplementedException();
     }
 
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/GetItemDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/GetItemDescriptor.java
index 4ce843b..f8470b0 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/GetItemDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/GetItemDescriptor.java
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
         return new GetItemEvalFactory(args);
     }
 
@@ -46,32 +46,32 @@
         return FID;
     }
 
-    private static class GetItemEvalFactory implements IEvaluatorFactory {
+    private static class GetItemEvalFactory implements ICopyEvaluatorFactory {
 
         private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
-        private IEvaluatorFactory listEvalFactory;
-        private IEvaluatorFactory indexEvalFactory;
+        private ICopyEvaluatorFactory listEvalFactory;
+        private ICopyEvaluatorFactory indexEvalFactory;
         private final static byte SER_ORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.ORDEREDLIST.serialize();
         private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
         private byte serItemTypeTag;
         private ATypeTag itemTag;
         private boolean selfDescList = false;
 
-        public GetItemEvalFactory(IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        public GetItemEvalFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
             this.listEvalFactory = args[0];
             this.indexEvalFactory = args[1];
         }
 
         @Override
-        public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-            return new IEvaluator() {
+        public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                 private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                 private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInputList = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                 private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInputIdx = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                private IEvaluator evalList = listEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInputList);
-                private IEvaluator evalIdx = indexEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInputIdx);
+                private ICopyEvaluator evalList = listEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInputList);
+                private ICopyEvaluator evalIdx = indexEvalFactory.createEvaluator(outInputIdx);
                 @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                 private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                         .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@
                         evalList.evaluate(tuple);
                         outInputIdx.reset();
                         evalIdx.evaluate(tuple);
-                        byte[] serOrderedList = outInputList.getBytes();
+                        byte[] serOrderedList = outInputList.getByteArray();
 
                         if (serOrderedList[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
                             nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, out);
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@
                                     + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(serOrderedList[0]));
                         }
 
-                        itemIndex = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(outInputIdx.getBytes(), 1);
+                        itemIndex = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(outInputIdx.getByteArray(), 1);
                         if (itemIndex >= AOrderedListSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfItems(serOrderedList)) {
                             out.writeByte(SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG);
                             return;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/GramTokensDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/GramTokensDescriptor.java
index 50c4283..3d1fce6 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/GramTokensDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/GramTokensDescriptor.java
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.tokenizer.UTF8NGramTokenFactory;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 
 public class GramTokensDescriptor extends AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor {
@@ -33,12 +33,12 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 ITokenFactory tokenFactory = new UTF8NGramTokenFactory(ATypeTag.STRING.serialize(),
                         ATypeTag.INT32.serialize());
                 NGramUTF8StringBinaryTokenizer tokenizer = new NGramUTF8StringBinaryTokenizer(3, true, true, true,
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/HashedGramTokensDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/HashedGramTokensDescriptor.java
index a240636..df6bc7b 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/HashedGramTokensDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/HashedGramTokensDescriptor.java
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.tokenizer.NGramUTF8StringBinaryTokenizer;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 
 public class HashedGramTokensDescriptor extends AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor {
@@ -33,12 +33,12 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 ITokenFactory tokenFactory = new HashedUTF8NGramTokenFactory(ATypeTag.INT32.serialize(),
                         ATypeTag.INT32.serialize());
                 NGramUTF8StringBinaryTokenizer tokenizer = new NGramUTF8StringBinaryTokenizer(3, true, true, true,
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/HashedWordTokensDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/HashedWordTokensDescriptor.java
index c0b7253..ac756f2 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/HashedWordTokensDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/HashedWordTokensDescriptor.java
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.tokenizer.ITokenFactory;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 
 public class HashedWordTokensDescriptor extends AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor {
@@ -35,12 +35,12 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 ITokenFactory tokenFactory = new HashedUTF8WordTokenFactory(ATypeTag.INT32.serialize(),
                         ATypeTag.INT32.serialize());
                 IBinaryTokenizer tokenizer = new DelimitedUTF8StringBinaryTokenizer(true, true, tokenFactory);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/InjectFailureDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/InjectFailureDescriptor.java
index 478316f..abd3ae5 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/InjectFailureDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/InjectFailureDescriptor.java
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
@@ -34,20 +34,20 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
 
                 final ArrayBackedValueStorage argOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                final IEvaluator[] evals = new IEvaluator[args.length];
+                final ICopyEvaluator[] evals = new ICopyEvaluator[args.length];
                 evals[0] = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
                 evals[1] = args[1].createEvaluator(argOut);
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
@@ -55,9 +55,9 @@
                             // evaluator the failure condition
                             argOut.reset();
                             evals[1].evaluate(tuple);
-                            ATypeTag typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getBytes()[0]);
+                            ATypeTag typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getByteArray()[0]);
                             if (typeTag == ATypeTag.BOOLEAN) {
-                                boolean argResult = ABooleanSerializerDeserializer.getBoolean(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                boolean argResult = ABooleanSerializerDeserializer.getBoolean(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                 if (argResult)
                                     throw new AlgebricksException("Injecting a intended failure");
                             }
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
                             // evaluate the real evaluator
                             argOut.reset();
                             evals[0].evaluate(tuple);
-                            output.getDataOutput().write(argOut.getBytes(), argOut.getStartIndex(), argOut.getLength());
+                            output.getDataOutput().write(argOut.getByteArray(), argOut.getStartOffset(), argOut.getLength());
                         } catch (IOException e) {
                             throw new AlgebricksException(e);
                         }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/IsNullDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/IsNullDescriptor.java
index 59bce2d..5e3b7ab 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/IsNullDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/IsNullDescriptor.java
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -32,24 +32,24 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
 
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage argOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
 
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
                         argOut.reset();
                         eval.evaluate(tuple);
-                        boolean isNull = argOut.getBytes()[argOut.getStartIndex()] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG;
+                        boolean isNull = argOut.getByteArray()[argOut.getStartOffset()] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG;
                         ABoolean res = isNull ? ABoolean.TRUE : ABoolean.FALSE;
                         try {
                             AObjectSerializerDeserializer.INSTANCE.serialize(res, out);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/LenDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/LenDescriptor.java
index 769fdb7..0e15a18 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/LenDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/LenDescriptor.java
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -39,19 +39,19 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private final DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     private final ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private final IEvaluator evalList = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private final ICopyEvaluator evalList = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
 
                     // result
                     private final AMutableInt32 res = new AMutableInt32(0);
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
                         inputVal.reset();
                         evalList.evaluate(tuple);
 
-                        byte[] serList = inputVal.getBytes();
+                        byte[] serList = inputVal.getByteArray();
 
                         if (serList[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
                             try {
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/LikeDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/LikeDescriptor.java
index 1090742..1b43441 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/LikeDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/LikeDescriptor.java
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.IBinaryComparator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
@@ -53,22 +53,22 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
 
                 final DataOutput dout = output.getDataOutput();
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private boolean first = true;
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage array0 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator evalString = args[0].createEvaluator(array0);
-                    private IEvaluator evalPattern = args[1].createEvaluator(array0);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalString = args[0].createEvaluator(array0);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalPattern = args[1].createEvaluator(array0);
                     private ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream lastPattern = new ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream();
                     private UTF8CharSequence carSeq = new UTF8CharSequence();
                     private IBinaryComparator strComp = AqlBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider.INSTANCE
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@
                         try {
                             array0.reset();
                             evalPattern.evaluate(tuple);
-                            if (array0.getBytes()[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
+                            if (array0.getByteArray()[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, dout);
                                 return;
                             }
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
                                 first = false;
                                 newPattern = true;
                             } else {
-                                int c = strComp.compare(array0.getBytes(), array0.getStartIndex(), array0.getLength(),
+                                int c = strComp.compare(array0.getByteArray(), array0.getStartOffset(), array0.getLength(),
                                         lastPattern.getByteArray(), 0, lastPattern.size());
                                 if (c != 0) {
                                     newPattern = true;
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@
                             }
                             if (newPattern) {
                                 lastPattern.reset();
-                                lastPattern.write(array0.getBytes(), array0.getStartIndex(), array0.getLength());
+                                lastPattern.write(array0.getByteArray(), array0.getStartOffset(), array0.getLength());
                                 // ! object creation !
                                 DataInputStream di = new DataInputStream(new ByteArrayInputStream(
                                         lastPattern.getByteArray()));
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@
                             }
                             array0.reset();
                             evalString.evaluate(tuple);
-                            if (array0.getBytes()[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
+                            if (array0.getByteArray()[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, dout);
                                 return;
                             }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NotDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NotDescriptor.java
index 1e4cb3e..abb4e25 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NotDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NotDescriptor.java
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -42,18 +42,18 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 final DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage argOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
 
                     private String errorMessage = "Not() can only be applied on boolean";
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
@@ -68,11 +68,11 @@
                         argOut.reset();
                         eval.evaluate(tuple);
                         try {
-                            if (argOut.getBytes()[0] == SER_BOOLEAN_TYPE_TAG) {
-                                boolean argRes = ABooleanSerializerDeserializer.getBoolean(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                            if (argOut.getByteArray()[0] == SER_BOOLEAN_TYPE_TAG) {
+                                boolean argRes = ABooleanSerializerDeserializer.getBoolean(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                 ABoolean aResult = argRes ? (ABoolean.FALSE) : (ABoolean.TRUE);
                                 booleanSerde.serialize(aResult, out);
-                            } else if (argOut.getBytes()[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG)
+                            } else if (argOut.getByteArray()[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG)
                                 nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, out);
                             else
                                 throw new AlgebricksException(errorMessage);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericAddDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericAddDescriptor.java
index 405a006..baa20cd 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericAddDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericAddDescriptor.java
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -51,19 +51,19 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     // one temp. buffer re-used by both children
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage argOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator evalLeft = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
-                    private IEvaluator evalRight = args[1].createEvaluator(argOut);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalLeft = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalRight = args[1].createEvaluator(argOut);
                     private double[] operands = new double[args.length];
                     private boolean metInt8 = false, metInt16 = false, metInt32 = false, metInt64 = false,
                             metFloat = false, metDouble = false;
@@ -88,36 +88,36 @@
                                     evalLeft.evaluate(tuple);
                                 else
                                     evalRight.evaluate(tuple);
-                                typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getBytes()[0]);
+                                typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getByteArray()[0]);
                                 switch (typeTag) {
                                     case INT8: {
                                         metInt8 = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case INT16: {
                                         metInt16 = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case INT32: {
                                         metInt32 = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case INT64: {
                                         metInt64 = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case FLOAT: {
                                         metFloat = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case DOUBLE: {
                                         metDouble = true;
-                                        operands[i] = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case NULL: {
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@
                                                 : "Right"
                                                         + " Operand of Addition can not be "
                                                         + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut
-                                                                .getBytes()[0]));
+                                                                .getByteArray()[0]));
                                     }
                                 }
                             }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericDivideDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericDivideDescriptor.java
index a6d0f47..b226ad7 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericDivideDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericDivideDescriptor.java
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -51,19 +51,19 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     // one temp. buffer re-used by both children
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage argOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator evalLeft = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
-                    private IEvaluator evalRight = args[1].createEvaluator(argOut);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalLeft = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalRight = args[1].createEvaluator(argOut);
                     private double[] operands = new double[args.length];
                     private boolean metInt8 = false, metInt16 = false, metInt32 = false, metInt64 = false,
                             metFloat = false, metDouble = false;
@@ -88,36 +88,36 @@
                                     evalLeft.evaluate(tuple);
                                 else
                                     evalRight.evaluate(tuple);
-                                typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getBytes()[0]);
+                                typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getByteArray()[0]);
                                 switch (typeTag) {
                                     case INT8: {
                                         metInt8 = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case INT16: {
                                         metInt16 = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case INT32: {
                                         metInt32 = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case INT64: {
                                         metInt64 = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case FLOAT: {
                                         metFloat = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case DOUBLE: {
                                         metDouble = true;
-                                        operands[i] = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case NULL: {
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@
                                                 : "Right"
                                                         + " Operand of Division can not be "
                                                         + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut
-                                                                .getBytes()[0]));
+                                                                .getByteArray()[0]));
                                     }
                                 }
                             }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericMultiplyDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericMultiplyDescriptor.java
index 33a1a90..aa5eaaa 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericMultiplyDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericMultiplyDescriptor.java
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -51,19 +51,19 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     // one temp. buffer re-used by both children
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage argOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator evalLeft = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
-                    private IEvaluator evalRight = args[1].createEvaluator(argOut);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalLeft = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalRight = args[1].createEvaluator(argOut);
                     private double[] operands = new double[args.length];
                     private boolean metInt8 = false, metInt16 = false, metInt32 = false, metInt64 = false,
                             metFloat = false, metDouble = false;
@@ -88,36 +88,36 @@
                                     evalLeft.evaluate(tuple);
                                 else
                                     evalRight.evaluate(tuple);
-                                typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getBytes()[0]);
+                                typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getByteArray()[0]);
                                 switch (typeTag) {
                                     case INT8: {
                                         metInt8 = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case INT16: {
                                         metInt16 = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case INT32: {
                                         metInt32 = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case INT64: {
                                         metInt64 = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case FLOAT: {
                                         metFloat = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case DOUBLE: {
                                         metDouble = true;
-                                        operands[i] = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case NULL: {
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@
                                                 : "Right"
                                                         + " Operand of Multiplication can not be "
                                                         + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut
-                                                                .getBytes()[0]));
+                                                                .getByteArray()[0]));
                                     }
                                 }
                             }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericSubtractDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericSubtractDescriptor.java
index ffed14e..0b53f18 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericSubtractDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericSubtractDescriptor.java
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -51,19 +51,19 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     // one temp. buffer re-used by both children
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage argOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator evalLeft = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
-                    private IEvaluator evalRight = args[1].createEvaluator(argOut);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalLeft = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalRight = args[1].createEvaluator(argOut);
                     private double[] operands = new double[args.length];
                     private boolean metInt8 = false, metInt16 = false, metInt32 = false, metInt64 = false,
                             metFloat = false, metDouble = false;
@@ -88,36 +88,36 @@
                                     evalLeft.evaluate(tuple);
                                 else
                                     evalRight.evaluate(tuple);
-                                typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getBytes()[0]);
+                                typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getByteArray()[0]);
                                 switch (typeTag) {
                                     case INT8: {
                                         metInt8 = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case INT16: {
                                         metInt16 = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case INT32: {
                                         metInt32 = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case INT64: {
                                         metInt64 = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case FLOAT: {
                                         metFloat = true;
-                                        operands[i] = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case DOUBLE: {
                                         metDouble = true;
-                                        operands[i] = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                        operands[i] = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                         break;
                                     }
                                     case NULL: {
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@
                                                 : "Right"
                                                         + " Operand of Substraction can not be "
                                                         + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut
-                                                                .getBytes()[0]));
+                                                                .getByteArray()[0]));
                                     }
                                 }
                             }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericUnaryMinusDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericUnaryMinusDescriptor.java
index cd234cb..7998618 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericUnaryMinusDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/NumericUnaryMinusDescriptor.java
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -46,18 +46,18 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage argOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
                     private byte serNullTypeTag = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
                     private byte serInt8TypeTag = ATypeTag.INT8.serialize();
                     private byte serInt16TypeTag = ATypeTag.INT16.serialize();
@@ -80,44 +80,44 @@
                         argOut.reset();
                         eval.evaluate(tuple);
                         try {
-                            if (argOut.getBytes()[0] == serNullTypeTag) {
+                            if (argOut.getByteArray()[0] == serNullTypeTag) {
                                 serde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                                         .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
                                 serde.serialize(ANull.NULL, out);
                                 return;
-                            } else if (argOut.getBytes()[0] == serInt8TypeTag) {
+                            } else if (argOut.getByteArray()[0] == serInt8TypeTag) {
                                 serde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                                         .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.AINT8);
-                                aInt8.setValue((byte) -AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(argOut.getBytes(), 1));
+                                aInt8.setValue((byte) -AInt8SerializerDeserializer.getByte(argOut.getByteArray(), 1));
                                 serde.serialize(aInt8, out);
-                            } else if (argOut.getBytes()[0] == serInt16TypeTag) {
+                            } else if (argOut.getByteArray()[0] == serInt16TypeTag) {
                                 serde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                                         .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.AINT16);
-                                aInt16.setValue((short) -AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(argOut.getBytes(), 1));
+                                aInt16.setValue((short) -AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(argOut.getByteArray(), 1));
                                 serde.serialize(aInt16, out);
-                            } else if (argOut.getBytes()[0] == serInt32TypeTag) {
+                            } else if (argOut.getByteArray()[0] == serInt32TypeTag) {
                                 serde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                                         .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.AINT32);
-                                aInt32.setValue(-AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(argOut.getBytes(), 1));
+                                aInt32.setValue(-AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(argOut.getByteArray(), 1));
                                 serde.serialize(aInt32, out);
-                            } else if (argOut.getBytes()[0] == serInt64TypeTag) {
+                            } else if (argOut.getByteArray()[0] == serInt64TypeTag) {
                                 serde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                                         .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.AINT64);
-                                aInt64.setValue(-AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(argOut.getBytes(), 1));
+                                aInt64.setValue(-AInt64SerializerDeserializer.getLong(argOut.getByteArray(), 1));
                                 serde.serialize(aInt64, out);
-                            } else if (argOut.getBytes()[0] == serFloatTypeTag) {
+                            } else if (argOut.getByteArray()[0] == serFloatTypeTag) {
                                 serde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                                         .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.AFLOAT);
-                                aFloat.setValue(-AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(argOut.getBytes(), 1));
+                                aFloat.setValue(-AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(argOut.getByteArray(), 1));
                                 serde.serialize(aFloat, out);
-                            } else if (argOut.getBytes()[0] == serDoubleTypeTag) {
+                            } else if (argOut.getByteArray()[0] == serDoubleTypeTag) {
                                 serde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                                         .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ADOUBLE);
-                                aDouble.setValue(-ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getBytes(), 1));
+                                aDouble.setValue(-ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getByteArray(), 1));
                                 serde.serialize(aDouble, out);
                             } else {
                                 throw new NotImplementedException("Unary minus is not implemented for "
-                                        + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getBytes()[0]));
+                                        + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(argOut.getByteArray()[0]));
                             }
                         } catch (HyracksDataException e) {
                             throw new AlgebricksException(e);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/OpenRecordConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/OpenRecordConstructorDescriptor.java
index aeb6b15..f3681f2 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/OpenRecordConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/OpenRecordConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
@@ -43,15 +43,15 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 int n = args.length / 2;
-                final IEvaluator[] evalNames = new IEvaluator[n];
-                final IEvaluator[] evalFields = new IEvaluator[n];
+                final ICopyEvaluator[] evalNames = new ICopyEvaluator[n];
+                final ICopyEvaluator[] evalFields = new ICopyEvaluator[n];
                 final ArrayBackedValueStorage fieldNameBuffer = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                 final ArrayBackedValueStorage fieldValueBuffer = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                 for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) {
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@
                     evalFields[i] = args[2 * i + 1].createEvaluator(fieldValueBuffer);
                 }
                 final DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
                     private RecordBuilder recBuilder = new RecordBuilder();
                     private int closedFieldId;
                     private boolean first = true;
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@
                                     evalNames[i].evaluate(tuple);
                                     recBuilder.addField(fieldNameBuffer, fieldValueBuffer);
                                 } else {
-                                    if (fieldValueBuffer.getBytes()[0] != ATypeTag.NULL.serialize()) {
+                                    if (fieldValueBuffer.getByteArray()[0] != ATypeTag.NULL.serialize()) {
                                         recBuilder.addField(closedFieldId, fieldValueBuffer);
                                     }
                                     closedFieldId++;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/OrDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/OrDescriptor.java
index 837d54a..8349c97 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/OrDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/OrDescriptor.java
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -38,21 +38,21 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 // one temp. buffer re-used by all children
                 final ArrayBackedValueStorage argOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                final IEvaluator[] evals = new IEvaluator[args.length];
+                final ICopyEvaluator[] evals = new ICopyEvaluator[args.length];
                 for (int i = 0; i < evals.length; i++) {
                     evals[i] = args[i].createEvaluator(argOut);
                 }
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ABoolean> booleanSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ABOOLEAN);
@@ -69,11 +69,11 @@
                             for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) {
                                 argOut.reset();
                                 evals[i].evaluate(tuple);
-                                if (argOut.getBytes()[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
+                                if (argOut.getByteArray()[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
                                     metNull = true;
                                     continue;
                                 }
-                                boolean argResult = ABooleanSerializerDeserializer.getBoolean(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                boolean argResult = ABooleanSerializerDeserializer.getBoolean(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                                 if (argResult == true) {
                                     res = true;
                                     break;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/OrderedListConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/OrderedListConstructorDescriptor.java
index 5b327ca..b9e341d 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/OrderedListConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/OrderedListConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
@@ -41,20 +41,20 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
         return new OrderedListConstructorEvaluatorFactory(args, oltype);
     }
 
-    private static class OrderedListConstructorEvaluatorFactory implements IEvaluatorFactory {
+    private static class OrderedListConstructorEvaluatorFactory implements ICopyEvaluatorFactory {
 
         private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
-        private IEvaluatorFactory[] args;
+        private ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args;
 
         private boolean selfDescList = false;
 
         private AOrderedListType orderedlistType;
 
-        public OrderedListConstructorEvaluatorFactory(IEvaluatorFactory[] args, AOrderedListType type) {
+        public OrderedListConstructorEvaluatorFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args, AOrderedListType type) {
             this.args = args;
 
             this.orderedlistType = type;
@@ -64,15 +64,15 @@
         }
 
         @Override
-        public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+        public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
             final DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
             final ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-            final IEvaluator[] argEvals = new IEvaluator[args.length];
+            final ICopyEvaluator[] argEvals = new ICopyEvaluator[args.length];
             for (int i = 0; i < args.length; i++) {
                 argEvals[i] = args[i].createEvaluator(inputVal);
             }
 
-            return new IEvaluator() {
+            return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                 private OrderedListBuilder builder = new OrderedListBuilder();
 
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/PrefixLenDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/PrefixLenDescriptor.java
index 880e84e..57b7acd 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/PrefixLenDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/PrefixLenDescriptor.java
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.similarity.SimilarityFilters;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -36,21 +36,21 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private final DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     private final ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private final IEvaluator evalLen = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
-                    private final IEvaluator evalSimilarity = args[1].createEvaluator(inputVal);
-                    private final IEvaluator evalThreshold = args[2].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private final ICopyEvaluator evalLen = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private final ICopyEvaluator evalSimilarity = args[1].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private final ICopyEvaluator evalThreshold = args[2].createEvaluator(inputVal);
 
                     private final SimilarityFiltersCache similarityFiltersCache = new SimilarityFiltersCache();
 
@@ -65,19 +65,19 @@
                         // length
                         inputVal.reset();
                         evalLen.evaluate(tuple);
-                        int length = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                        int length = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
 
                         // similarity threshold
                         inputVal.reset();
                         evalThreshold.evaluate(tuple);
                         float similarityThreshold = (float) ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(
-                                inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
 
                         // similarity name
                         inputVal.reset();
                         evalSimilarity.evaluate(tuple);
                         SimilarityFilters similarityFilters = similarityFiltersCache.get(similarityThreshold,
-                                inputVal.getBytes());
+                                inputVal.getByteArray());
 
                         int prefixLength = similarityFilters.getPrefixLength(length);
                         res.setValue(prefixLength);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/PrefixLenJaccardDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/PrefixLenJaccardDescriptor.java
index ab95a36..2612583 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/PrefixLenJaccardDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/PrefixLenJaccardDescriptor.java
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.similarity.SimilarityFiltersJaccard;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -35,20 +35,20 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private final DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     private final ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private final IEvaluator evalLen = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
-                    private final IEvaluator evalThreshold = args[1].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private final ICopyEvaluator evalLen = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private final ICopyEvaluator evalThreshold = args[1].createEvaluator(inputVal);
 
                     private float similarityThresholdCache;
                     private SimilarityFiltersJaccard similarityFilters;
@@ -64,12 +64,12 @@
                         // length
                         inputVal.reset();
                         evalLen.evaluate(tuple);
-                        int length = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                        int length = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
 
                         // similarity threshold
                         inputVal.reset();
                         evalThreshold.evaluate(tuple);
-                        float similarityThreshold = (float) AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getBytes(),
+                        float similarityThreshold = (float) AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(inputVal.getByteArray(),
                                 1);
 
                         if (similarityThreshold != similarityThresholdCache || similarityFilters == null) {
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/RegExpDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/RegExpDescriptor.java
index 2a415e4..1815085 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/RegExpDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/RegExpDescriptor.java
@@ -20,8 +20,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.IBinaryComparator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
@@ -53,22 +53,22 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
 
                 final DataOutput dout = output.getDataOutput();
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private boolean first = true;
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage array0 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator evalString = args[0].createEvaluator(array0);
-                    private IEvaluator evalPattern = args[1].createEvaluator(array0);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalString = args[0].createEvaluator(array0);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalPattern = args[1].createEvaluator(array0);
                     private ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream lastPattern = new ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream();
                     private UTF8CharSequence carSeq = new UTF8CharSequence();
                     private IBinaryComparator strComp = AqlBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider.INSTANCE
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@
                         try {
                             array0.reset();
                             evalPattern.evaluate(tuple);
-                            if (array0.getBytes()[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
+                            if (array0.getByteArray()[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, dout);
                                 return;
                             }
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
                                 first = false;
                                 newPattern = true;
                             } else {
-                                int c = strComp.compare(array0.getBytes(), array0.getStartIndex(), array0.getLength(),
+                                int c = strComp.compare(array0.getByteArray(), array0.getStartOffset(), array0.getLength(),
                                         lastPattern.getByteArray(), 0, lastPattern.size());
                                 if (c != 0) {
                                     newPattern = true;
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@
                             }
                             if (newPattern) {
                                 lastPattern.reset();
-                                lastPattern.write(array0.getBytes(), array0.getStartIndex(), array0.getLength());
+                                lastPattern.write(array0.getByteArray(), array0.getStartOffset(), array0.getLength());
                                 // ! object creation !
                                 DataInputStream di = new DataInputStream(new ByteArrayInputStream(
                                         lastPattern.getByteArray()));
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@
                             }
                             array0.reset();
                             evalString.evaluate(tuple);
-                            if (array0.getBytes()[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
+                            if (array0.getByteArray()[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, dout);
                                 return;
                             }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityDescriptor.java
index 85adfe1..d3218ff 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityDescriptor.java
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.similarity.SimilarityMetric;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -47,25 +47,25 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private final DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     private final ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private final IEvaluator evalLen1 = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
-                    private final IEvaluator evalTokens1 = args[1].createEvaluator(inputVal);
-                    private final IEvaluator evalLen2 = args[2].createEvaluator(inputVal);
-                    private final IEvaluator evalTokens2 = args[3].createEvaluator(inputVal);
-                    private final IEvaluator evalTokenPrefix = args[4].createEvaluator(inputVal);
-                    private final IEvaluator evalSimilarity = args[5].createEvaluator(inputVal);
-                    private final IEvaluator evalThreshold = args[6].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private final ICopyEvaluator evalLen1 = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private final ICopyEvaluator evalTokens1 = args[1].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private final ICopyEvaluator evalLen2 = args[2].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private final ICopyEvaluator evalTokens2 = args[3].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private final ICopyEvaluator evalTokenPrefix = args[4].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private final ICopyEvaluator evalSimilarity = args[5].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private final ICopyEvaluator evalThreshold = args[6].createEvaluator(inputVal);
 
                     private final SimilarityFiltersCache similarityFiltersCache = new SimilarityFiltersCache();
 
@@ -85,21 +85,21 @@
                         inputVal.reset();
                         evalThreshold.evaluate(tuple);
                         float similarityThreshold = (float) ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(
-                                inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                                inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
 
                         // similarity name
                         inputVal.reset();
                         evalSimilarity.evaluate(tuple);
                         SimilarityFilters similarityFilters = similarityFiltersCache.get(similarityThreshold,
-                                inputVal.getBytes());
+                                inputVal.getByteArray());
 
                         inputVal.reset();
                         evalLen1.evaluate(tuple);
-                        int length1 = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                        int length1 = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
 
                         inputVal.reset();
                         evalLen2.evaluate(tuple);
-                        int length2 = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                        int length2 = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
 
                         float sim = 0;
 
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@
                             inputVal.reset();
                             evalTokens1.evaluate(tuple);
 
-                            byte[] serList = inputVal.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serList = inputVal.getByteArray();
                             if (serList[0] != SER_ORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG && serList[0] != SER_UNORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 throw new AlgebricksException("Scan collection is not defined for values of type"
                                         + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(serList[0]));
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
                             int lengthTokens1;
                             if (serList[0] == SER_ORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 lengthTokens1 = AOrderedListSerializerDeserializer
-                                        .getNumberOfItems(inputVal.getBytes());
+                                        .getNumberOfItems(inputVal.getByteArray());
                                 // read tokens
                                 for (i = 0; i < lengthTokens1; i++) {
                                     int itemOffset;
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@
                                 }
                             } else {
                                 lengthTokens1 = AUnorderedListSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfItems(inputVal
-                                        .getBytes());
+                                        .getByteArray());
                                 // read tokens
                                 for (i = 0; i < lengthTokens1; i++) {
                                     int itemOffset;
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@
                             inputVal.reset();
                             evalTokens2.evaluate(tuple);
 
-                            serList = inputVal.getBytes();
+                            serList = inputVal.getByteArray();
                             if (serList[0] != SER_ORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG && serList[0] != SER_UNORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 throw new AlgebricksException("Scan collection is not defined for values of type"
                                         + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(serList[0]));
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@
                             int lengthTokens2;
                             if (serList[0] == SER_ORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 lengthTokens2 = AOrderedListSerializerDeserializer
-                                        .getNumberOfItems(inputVal.getBytes());
+                                        .getNumberOfItems(inputVal.getByteArray());
                                 // read tokens
                                 for (i = 0; i < lengthTokens2; i++) {
                                     int itemOffset;
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@
                                 }
                             } else {
                                 lengthTokens2 = AUnorderedListSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfItems(inputVal
-                                        .getBytes());
+                                        .getByteArray());
                                 // read tokens
                                 for (i = 0; i < lengthTokens2; i++) {
                                     int itemOffset;
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@
                             // -- - token prefix - --
                             inputVal.reset();
                             evalTokenPrefix.evaluate(tuple);
-                            int tokenPrefix = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                            int tokenPrefix = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
 
                             //
                             // -- - position filter - --
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityJaccardCheckDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityJaccardCheckDescriptor.java
index 3021717..296916d 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityJaccardCheckDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityJaccardCheckDescriptor.java
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.SimilarityJaccardEvaluator;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -38,12 +38,12 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 return new SimilarityJaccardCheckEvaluator(args, output);
             }
         };
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@
 
     private static class SimilarityJaccardCheckEvaluator extends SimilarityJaccardEvaluator {
 
-        private final IEvaluator jaccThreshEval;
+        private final ICopyEvaluator jaccThreshEval;
         private float jaccThresh = -1f;
 
         private IAOrderedListBuilder listBuilder;
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
                 .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ABOOLEAN);
         private final AOrderedListType listType = new AOrderedListType(BuiltinType.ANY, "list");
 
-        public SimilarityJaccardCheckEvaluator(IEvaluatorFactory[] args, IDataOutputProvider output)
+        public SimilarityJaccardCheckEvaluator(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args, IDataOutputProvider output)
                 throws AlgebricksException {
             super(args, output);
             jaccThreshEval = args[2].createEvaluator(argOut);
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@
             super.runArgEvals(tuple);
             int jaccThreshStart = argOut.getLength();
             jaccThreshEval.evaluate(tuple);
-            jaccThresh = (float) AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(argOut.getBytes(), jaccThreshStart
+            jaccThresh = (float) AFloatSerializerDeserializer.getFloat(argOut.getByteArray(), jaccThreshStart
                     + typeIndicatorSize);
         }
 
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityJaccardDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityJaccardDescriptor.java
index eb7fe6d..c3c6ca0 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityJaccardDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityJaccardDescriptor.java
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.SimilarityJaccardEvaluator;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 
 //assumes that both arguments are sorted by the same ordering
@@ -25,12 +25,12 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 return new SimilarityJaccardEvaluator(args, output);
             }
         };
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityJaccardPrefixCheckDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityJaccardPrefixCheckDescriptor.java
index f1af62a..4008419 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityJaccardPrefixCheckDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityJaccardPrefixCheckDescriptor.java
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.SimilarityJaccardPrefixEvaluator;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -36,12 +36,12 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 return new SimilarityJaccardPrefixCheckEvaluator(args, output);
             }
         };
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
 
         private final AOrderedListType listType = new AOrderedListType(BuiltinType.ANY, "list");
 
-        public SimilarityJaccardPrefixCheckEvaluator(IEvaluatorFactory[] args, IDataOutputProvider output)
+        public SimilarityJaccardPrefixCheckEvaluator(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args, IDataOutputProvider output)
                 throws AlgebricksException {
             super(args, output);
             listBuilder = new OrderedListBuilder();
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityJaccardPrefixDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityJaccardPrefixDescriptor.java
index 62e1b06..4d9c528 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityJaccardPrefixDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SimilarityJaccardPrefixDescriptor.java
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.SimilarityJaccardPrefixEvaluator;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 
 public class SimilarityJaccardPrefixDescriptor extends AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor {
@@ -23,12 +23,12 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 return new SimilarityJaccardPrefixEvaluator(args, output);
             }
         };
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SpatialAreaDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SpatialAreaDescriptor.java
index 91496fd..644e89d 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SpatialAreaDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SpatialAreaDescriptor.java
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -37,17 +37,17 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage argOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
 
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
@@ -55,36 +55,36 @@
                         eval.evaluate(tuple);
 
                         try {
-                            byte[] bytes = argOut.getBytes();
+                            byte[] bytes = argOut.getByteArray();
                             ATypeTag tag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(bytes[0]);
                             double area = 0.0;
 
                             switch (tag) {
                                 case POLYGON:
-                                    int numOfPoints = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                                    int numOfPoints = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
 
                                     if (numOfPoints < 3) {
                                         throw new AlgebricksException("Polygon must have at least 3 points");
                                     }
-                                    area = Math.abs(SpatialUtils.polygonArea(argOut.getBytes(), numOfPoints));
+                                    area = Math.abs(SpatialUtils.polygonArea(argOut.getByteArray(), numOfPoints));
                                     break;
                                 case CIRCLE:
-                                    double radius = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getBytes(),
+                                    double radius = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getByteArray(),
                                             ACircleSerializerDeserializer.getRadiusOffset());
                                     area = SpatialUtils.pi() * radius * radius;
                                     break;
                                 case RECTANGLE:
-                                    double x1 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getBytes(),
+                                    double x1 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getByteArray(),
                                             ARectangleSerializerDeserializer
                                                     .getBottomLeftCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
-                                    double y1 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getBytes(),
+                                    double y1 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getByteArray(),
                                             ARectangleSerializerDeserializer
                                                     .getBottomLeftCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
 
-                                    double x2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getBytes(),
+                                    double x2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getByteArray(),
                                             ARectangleSerializerDeserializer
                                                     .getUpperRightCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
-                                    double y2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getBytes(),
+                                    double y2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(argOut.getByteArray(),
                                             ARectangleSerializerDeserializer
                                                     .getUpperRightCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
                                     area = (x2 - x1) * (y2 - y1);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SpatialCellDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SpatialCellDescriptor.java
index 85586d8..0fe63f5 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SpatialCellDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SpatialCellDescriptor.java
@@ -20,8 +20,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -39,13 +39,13 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
@@ -53,10 +53,10 @@
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput1 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput2 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput3 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval0 = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput0);
-                    private IEvaluator eval1 = args[1].createEvaluator(outInput1);
-                    private IEvaluator eval2 = args[2].createEvaluator(outInput2);
-                    private IEvaluator eval3 = args[3].createEvaluator(outInput3);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval0 = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput0);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval1 = args[1].createEvaluator(outInput1);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval2 = args[2].createEvaluator(outInput2);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval3 = args[3].createEvaluator(outInput3);
                     private AMutableRectangle aRectangle = new AMutableRectangle(null, null);
                     private AMutablePoint[] aPoint = { new AMutablePoint(0, 0), new AMutablePoint(0, 0) };
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
@@ -75,20 +75,20 @@
                         eval3.evaluate(tuple);
 
                         try {
-                            ATypeTag tag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(outInput0.getBytes()[0]);
+                            ATypeTag tag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(outInput0.getByteArray()[0]);
                             if (tag == ATypeTag.POINT) {
-                                double xLoc = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                double xLoc = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                         APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
-                                double yLoc = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                double yLoc = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                         APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
 
-                                double xOrigin = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getBytes(),
+                                double xOrigin = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getByteArray(),
                                         APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
-                                double yOrigin = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getBytes(),
+                                double yOrigin = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getByteArray(),
                                         APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
 
-                                double xInc = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput2.getBytes(), 1);
-                                double yInc = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput3.getBytes(), 1);
+                                double xInc = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput2.getByteArray(), 1);
+                                double yInc = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput3.getByteArray(), 1);
 
                                 double x = xOrigin + (Math.floor((xLoc - xOrigin) / xInc)) * xInc;
                                 double y = yOrigin + (Math.floor((yLoc - yOrigin) / yInc)) * yInc;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SpatialDistanceDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SpatialDistanceDescriptor.java
index 3ea1994..97e70b2 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SpatialDistanceDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SpatialDistanceDescriptor.java
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -34,19 +34,19 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput0 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput1 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval0 = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput0);
-                    private IEvaluator eval1 = args[1].createEvaluator(outInput1);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval0 = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput0);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval1 = args[1].createEvaluator(outInput1);
 
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
@@ -56,20 +56,20 @@
                         eval1.evaluate(tuple);
 
                         try {
-                            byte[] bytes0 = outInput0.getBytes();
-                            byte[] bytes1 = outInput1.getBytes();
+                            byte[] bytes0 = outInput0.getByteArray();
+                            byte[] bytes1 = outInput1.getByteArray();
                             ATypeTag tag0 = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(bytes0[0]);
                             ATypeTag tag1 = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(bytes1[0]);
                             double distance = 0.0;
                             if (tag0 == ATypeTag.POINT) {
                                 if (tag1 == ATypeTag.POINT) {
-                                    double x1 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                    double x1 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                             APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
-                                    double y1 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                    double y1 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                             APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
-                                    double x2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getBytes(),
+                                    double x2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getByteArray(),
                                             APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
-                                    double y2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getBytes(),
+                                    double y2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1.getByteArray(),
                                             APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
                                     distance = Math.sqrt(Math.pow(x2 - x1, 2) + Math.pow(y2 - y1, 2));
                                 } else {
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SpatialIntersectDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SpatialIntersectDescriptor.java
index 272e7e0..be31eed 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SpatialIntersectDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SpatialIntersectDescriptor.java
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.IBinaryComparator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -45,19 +45,19 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private final DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     private final ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput0 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                     private final ArrayBackedValueStorage outInput1 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private final IEvaluator eval0 = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput0);
-                    private final IEvaluator eval1 = args[1].createEvaluator(outInput1);
+                    private final ICopyEvaluator eval0 = args[0].createEvaluator(outInput0);
+                    private final ICopyEvaluator eval1 = args[1].createEvaluator(outInput1);
                     private final IBinaryComparator ascDoubleComp = AqlBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider.DOUBLE_POINTABLE_INSTANCE
                             .createBinaryComparator();
                     private final SpatialUtils spatialUtils = new SpatialUtils();
@@ -751,20 +751,20 @@
 
                         try {
                             boolean res = false;
-                            ATypeTag tag0 = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(outInput0.getBytes()[0]);
-                            ATypeTag tag1 = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(outInput1.getBytes()[0]);
+                            ATypeTag tag0 = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(outInput0.getByteArray()[0]);
+                            ATypeTag tag1 = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(outInput1.getByteArray()[0]);
 
                             switch (tag0) {
                                 case POINT:
                                     switch (tag1) {
                                         case POINT:
-                                            if (ascDoubleComp.compare(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                            if (ascDoubleComp.compare(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                     APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X), 8,
-                                                    outInput1.getBytes(),
+                                                    outInput1.getByteArray(),
                                                     APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X), 8) == 0) {
-                                                if (ascDoubleComp.compare(outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                                if (ascDoubleComp.compare(outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                         APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y),
-                                                        8, outInput1.getBytes(),
+                                                        8, outInput1.getByteArray(),
                                                         APointSerializerDeserializer.getCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y),
                                                         8) == 0) {
                                                     res = true;
@@ -772,16 +772,16 @@
                                             }
                                             break;
                                         case LINE:
-                                            res = pointOnLine(outInput1.getBytes(), outInput0.getBytes());
+                                            res = pointOnLine(outInput1.getByteArray(), outInput0.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case POLYGON:
-                                            res = pointInPolygon(outInput0.getBytes(), outInput1.getBytes());
+                                            res = pointInPolygon(outInput0.getByteArray(), outInput1.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case CIRCLE:
-                                            res = pointInCircle(outInput0.getBytes(), outInput1.getBytes());
+                                            res = pointInCircle(outInput0.getByteArray(), outInput1.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case RECTANGLE:
-                                            res = pointInRectangle(outInput0.getBytes(), outInput1.getBytes());
+                                            res = pointInRectangle(outInput0.getByteArray(), outInput1.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case NULL:
                                             res = false;
@@ -796,45 +796,45 @@
                                 case LINE:
                                     switch (tag1) {
                                         case POINT:
-                                            res = pointOnLine(outInput0.getBytes(), outInput1.getBytes());
+                                            res = pointOnLine(outInput0.getByteArray(), outInput1.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case LINE:
                                             double startX1 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0
-                                                    .getBytes(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
+                                                    .getByteArray(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
                                                     .getStartPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
                                             double startY1 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput0
-                                                    .getBytes(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
+                                                    .getByteArray(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
                                                     .getStartPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
                                             double endX1 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(
-                                                    outInput0.getBytes(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
+                                                    outInput0.getByteArray(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
                                                             .getEndPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
                                             double endY1 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(
-                                                    outInput0.getBytes(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
+                                                    outInput0.getByteArray(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
                                                             .getEndPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
 
                                             double startX2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1
-                                                    .getBytes(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
+                                                    .getByteArray(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
                                                     .getStartPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
                                             double startY2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(outInput1
-                                                    .getBytes(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
+                                                    .getByteArray(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
                                                     .getStartPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
                                             double endX2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(
-                                                    outInput1.getBytes(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
+                                                    outInput1.getByteArray(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
                                                             .getEndPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.X));
                                             double endY2 = ADoubleSerializerDeserializer.getDouble(
-                                                    outInput1.getBytes(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
+                                                    outInput1.getByteArray(), ALineSerializerDeserializer
                                                             .getEndPointCoordinateOffset(Coordinate.Y));
                                             res = lineLineIntersection(startX1, startY1, endX1, endY1, startX2,
                                                     startY2, endX2, endY2);
                                             break;
                                         case POLYGON:
-                                            res = linePolygonIntersection(outInput0.getBytes(), outInput1.getBytes());
+                                            res = linePolygonIntersection(outInput0.getByteArray(), outInput1.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case CIRCLE:
-                                            res = lineCircleIntersection(outInput0.getBytes(), outInput1.getBytes());
+                                            res = lineCircleIntersection(outInput0.getByteArray(), outInput1.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case RECTANGLE:
-                                            res = lineRectangleIntersection(outInput0.getBytes(), outInput1.getBytes());
+                                            res = lineRectangleIntersection(outInput0.getByteArray(), outInput1.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case NULL:
                                             res = false;
@@ -849,26 +849,26 @@
                                 case POLYGON:
                                     switch (tag1) {
                                         case POINT:
-                                            res = pointInPolygon(outInput1.getBytes(), outInput0.getBytes());
+                                            res = pointInPolygon(outInput1.getByteArray(), outInput0.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case LINE:
-                                            res = linePolygonIntersection(outInput1.getBytes(), outInput0.getBytes());
+                                            res = linePolygonIntersection(outInput1.getByteArray(), outInput0.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case POLYGON:
                                             int numOfPoints0 = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(
-                                                    outInput0.getBytes(),
+                                                    outInput0.getByteArray(),
                                                     APolygonSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfPointsOffset());
                                             int numOfPoints1 = AInt16SerializerDeserializer.getShort(
-                                                    outInput1.getBytes(),
+                                                    outInput1.getByteArray(),
                                                     APolygonSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfPointsOffset());
 
                                             if (numOfPoints0 < 3 || numOfPoints1 < 3) {
                                                 throw new AlgebricksException("Polygon must have at least 3 points.");
                                             }
 
-                                            getCounterClockWisePolygon(outInput0.getBytes(), pointsOffsets0,
+                                            getCounterClockWisePolygon(outInput0.getByteArray(), pointsOffsets0,
                                                     numOfPoints0);
-                                            getCounterClockWisePolygon(outInput1.getBytes(), pointsOffsets1,
+                                            getCounterClockWisePolygon(outInput1.getByteArray(), pointsOffsets1,
                                                     numOfPoints1);
                                             int nonSimplePolygonDetection0 = 2 * numOfPoints0;
                                             int nonSimplePolygonDetection1 = 2 * numOfPoints1;
@@ -880,7 +880,7 @@
                                             trianglesX1.reset();
                                             trianglesY1.reset();
                                             while (true) {
-                                                middleVertex1 = triangulatePolygon(outInput1.getBytes(), numOfPoints1,
+                                                middleVertex1 = triangulatePolygon(outInput1.getByteArray(), numOfPoints1,
                                                         pointsOffsets1, trianglesX1, trianglesY1, numOfTriangles1,
                                                         nonSimplePolygonDetection1, middleVertex1);
 
@@ -896,7 +896,7 @@
                                             trianglesX0.reset();
                                             trianglesY0.reset();
                                             while (true) {
-                                                middleVertex0 = triangulatePolygon(outInput0.getBytes(), numOfPoints0,
+                                                middleVertex0 = triangulatePolygon(outInput0.getByteArray(), numOfPoints0,
                                                         pointsOffsets0, trianglesX0, trianglesY0, numOfTriangles0,
                                                         nonSimplePolygonDetection0, middleVertex0);
 
@@ -929,11 +929,11 @@
                                             }
                                             break;
                                         case CIRCLE:
-                                            res = polygonCircleIntersection(outInput0.getBytes(), outInput1.getBytes());
+                                            res = polygonCircleIntersection(outInput0.getByteArray(), outInput1.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case RECTANGLE:
-                                            res = rectanglePolygonIntersection(outInput1.getBytes(),
-                                                    outInput0.getBytes());
+                                            res = rectanglePolygonIntersection(outInput1.getByteArray(),
+                                                    outInput0.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case NULL:
                                             res = false;
@@ -948,20 +948,20 @@
                                 case CIRCLE:
                                     switch (tag1) {
                                         case POINT:
-                                            res = pointInCircle(outInput1.getBytes(), outInput0.getBytes());
+                                            res = pointInCircle(outInput1.getByteArray(), outInput0.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case LINE:
-                                            res = lineCircleIntersection(outInput1.getBytes(), outInput0.getBytes());
+                                            res = lineCircleIntersection(outInput1.getByteArray(), outInput0.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case POLYGON:
-                                            res = polygonCircleIntersection(outInput1.getBytes(), outInput0.getBytes());
+                                            res = polygonCircleIntersection(outInput1.getByteArray(), outInput0.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case CIRCLE:
-                                            res = circleCircleIntersection(outInput0.getBytes(), outInput1.getBytes());
+                                            res = circleCircleIntersection(outInput0.getByteArray(), outInput1.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case RECTANGLE:
-                                            res = rectangleCircleIntersection(outInput1.getBytes(),
-                                                    outInput0.getBytes());
+                                            res = rectangleCircleIntersection(outInput1.getByteArray(),
+                                                    outInput0.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case NULL:
                                             res = false;
@@ -976,22 +976,22 @@
                                 case RECTANGLE:
                                     switch (tag1) {
                                         case POINT:
-                                            res = pointInRectangle(outInput1.getBytes(), outInput0.getBytes());
+                                            res = pointInRectangle(outInput1.getByteArray(), outInput0.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case LINE:
-                                            res = lineRectangleIntersection(outInput1.getBytes(), outInput0.getBytes());
+                                            res = lineRectangleIntersection(outInput1.getByteArray(), outInput0.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case POLYGON:
-                                            res = rectanglePolygonIntersection(outInput0.getBytes(),
-                                                    outInput1.getBytes());
+                                            res = rectanglePolygonIntersection(outInput0.getByteArray(),
+                                                    outInput1.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case CIRCLE:
-                                            res = rectangleCircleIntersection(outInput0.getBytes(),
-                                                    outInput1.getBytes());
+                                            res = rectangleCircleIntersection(outInput0.getByteArray(),
+                                                    outInput1.getByteArray());
                                             break;
                                         case RECTANGLE:
-                                            triangulateRectangle(outInput0.getBytes(), trianglesX0, trianglesY0);
-                                            triangulateRectangle(outInput1.getBytes(), trianglesX1, trianglesY1);
+                                            triangulateRectangle(outInput0.getByteArray(), trianglesX0, trianglesY0);
+                                            triangulateRectangle(outInput1.getByteArray(), trianglesX1, trianglesY1);
 
                                             boolean intersect = false;
                                             // 2 triangles in a rectangle
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/StartsWithDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/StartsWithDescriptor.java
index 2896e5a..2405ad9 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/StartsWithDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/StartsWithDescriptor.java
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.primitive.UTF8StringPointable;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 
@@ -25,13 +25,13 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
 
                 DataOutput dout = output.getDataOutput();
 
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@
 
                     @Override
                     protected boolean findMatch(byte[] strBytes, byte[] patternBytes) {
-                        int utflen1 = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLen(strBytes, 1);
-                        int utflen2 = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLen(patternBytes, 1);
+                        int utflen1 = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLength(strBytes, 1);
+                        int utflen2 = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLength(patternBytes, 1);
 
                         int s1Start = 3;
                         int s2Start = 3;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SubstringDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SubstringDescriptor.java
index c2678b5..c6d0627 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SubstringDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SubstringDescriptor.java
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.primitive.UTF8StringPointable;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -30,34 +30,34 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage argOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator evalString = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
-                    private IEvaluator evalStart = args[1].createEvaluator(argOut);
-                    private IEvaluator evalLen = args[2].createEvaluator(argOut);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalString = args[0].createEvaluator(argOut);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalStart = args[1].createEvaluator(argOut);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalLen = args[2].createEvaluator(argOut);
                     private final byte stt = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
 
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
                         argOut.reset();
                         evalStart.evaluate(tuple);
-                        int start = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(argOut.getBytes(), 1) - 1;
+                        int start = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(argOut.getByteArray(), 1) - 1;
                         argOut.reset();
                         evalLen.evaluate(tuple);
-                        int len = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(argOut.getBytes(), 1);
+                        int len = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(argOut.getByteArray(), 1);
                         argOut.reset();
                         evalString.evaluate(tuple);
 
-                        byte[] bytes = argOut.getBytes();
-                        int utflen = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLen(bytes, 1);
+                        byte[] bytes = argOut.getByteArray();
+                        int utflen = UTF8StringPointable.getUTFLength(bytes, 1);
                         int sStart = 3;
                         int c = 0;
                         int idxPos1 = 0;
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SwitchCaseDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SwitchCaseDescriptor.java
index 1c1ca13..29fbb7f 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SwitchCaseDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/SwitchCaseDescriptor.java
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -32,18 +32,18 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
 
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 final ArrayBackedValueStorage condOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                 final ArrayBackedValueStorage caseOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                 final ArrayBackedValueStorage argOut = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
 
-                final IEvaluator[] evals = new IEvaluator[args.length];
+                final ICopyEvaluator[] evals = new ICopyEvaluator[args.length];
                 // condition
                 evals[0] = args[0].createEvaluator(condOut);
                 // case value
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
                 // default expression
                 evals[evals.length - 1] = args[evals.length - 1].createEvaluator(argOut);
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                     @Override
                     public void evaluate(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@
                                 if (equals(condOut, caseOut)) {
                                     argOut.reset();
                                     evals[i + 1].evaluate(tuple);
-                                    output.getDataOutput().write(argOut.getBytes(), argOut.getStartIndex(),
+                                    output.getDataOutput().write(argOut.getByteArray(), argOut.getStartOffset(),
                                             argOut.getLength());
                                     return;
                                 }
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@
                             // the default case
                             argOut.reset();
                             evals[n - 1].evaluate(tuple);
-                            output.getDataOutput().write(argOut.getBytes(), argOut.getStartIndex(), argOut.getLength());
+                            output.getDataOutput().write(argOut.getByteArray(), argOut.getStartOffset(), argOut.getLength());
                         } catch (HyracksDataException hde) {
                             throw new AlgebricksException(hde);
                         } catch (IOException ioe) {
@@ -88,11 +88,11 @@
                     }
 
                     private boolean equals(ArrayBackedValueStorage out1, ArrayBackedValueStorage out2) {
-                        if (out1.getStartIndex() != out2.getStartIndex() || out1.getLength() != out2.getLength())
+                        if (out1.getStartOffset() != out2.getStartOffset() || out1.getLength() != out2.getLength())
                             return false;
-                        byte[] data1 = out1.getBytes();
-                        byte[] data2 = out2.getBytes();
-                        for (int i = out1.getStartIndex(); i < out1.getLength(); i++) {
+                        byte[] data1 = out1.getByteArray();
+                        byte[] data2 = out2.getByteArray();
+                        for (int i = out1.getStartOffset(); i < out1.getLength(); i++) {
                             if (data1[i] != data2[i]) {
                                 return false;
                             }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/UnorderedListConstructorDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/UnorderedListConstructorDescriptor.java
index f49ef3c..ea0765e 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/UnorderedListConstructorDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/UnorderedListConstructorDescriptor.java
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IFrameTupleReference;
@@ -41,20 +41,20 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
         return new UnorderedListConstructorEvaluatorFactory(args, ultype);
     }
 
-    private static class UnorderedListConstructorEvaluatorFactory implements IEvaluatorFactory {
+    private static class UnorderedListConstructorEvaluatorFactory implements ICopyEvaluatorFactory {
 
         private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
-        private IEvaluatorFactory[] args;
+        private ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args;
 
         private boolean selfDescList = false;
         private boolean homoList = false;
         private AUnorderedListType unorderedlistType;
 
-        public UnorderedListConstructorEvaluatorFactory(IEvaluatorFactory[] args, AUnorderedListType type) {
+        public UnorderedListConstructorEvaluatorFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args, AUnorderedListType type) {
             this.args = args;
             this.unorderedlistType = type;
             if (type == null || type.getItemType() == null || type.getItemType().getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.ANY)
@@ -64,15 +64,15 @@
         }
 
         @Override
-        public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+        public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
             final DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
             final ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-            final IEvaluator[] argEvals = new IEvaluator[args.length];
+            final ICopyEvaluator[] argEvals = new ICopyEvaluator[args.length];
             for (int i = 0; i < args.length; i++) {
                 argEvals[i] = args[i].createEvaluator(inputVal);
             }
 
-            return new IEvaluator() {
+            return new ICopyEvaluator() {
 
                 private UnorderedListBuilder builder = new UnorderedListBuilder();
 
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/WordTokensDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/WordTokensDescriptor.java
index ab659fc..75a211f 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/WordTokensDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/WordTokensDescriptor.java
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.tokenizer.UTF8WordTokenFactory;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
 
 public class WordTokensDescriptor extends AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor {
@@ -34,12 +34,12 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 ITokenFactory tokenFactory = new UTF8WordTokenFactory(ATypeTag.STRING.serialize(),
                         ATypeTag.INT32.serialize());
                 IBinaryTokenizer tokenizer = new DelimitedUTF8StringBinaryTokenizer(true, true, tokenFactory);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/YearDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/YearDescriptor.java
index 65be0bd..b95fbfa 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/YearDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/YearDescriptor.java
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+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.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.primitive.UTF8StringPointable;
@@ -47,18 +47,18 @@
      */
 
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
 
-        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+        return new ICopyEvaluatorFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyEvaluator createEvaluator(IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
                 final DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
 
-                return new IEvaluator() {
+                return new ICopyEvaluator() {
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage out1 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval1 = args[0].createEvaluator(out1);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval1 = args[0].createEvaluator(out1);
                     private AMutableInt32 m = new AMutableInt32(0);
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<AInt32> int32Serde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@
                         try {
                             out1.reset();
                             eval1.evaluate(tuple);
-                            byte[] dateArray = out1.getBytes();
+                            byte[] dateArray = out1.getByteArray();
 
                             if (dateArray[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, out);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/formats/NonTaggedDataFormat.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/formats/NonTaggedDataFormat.java
index 0fa62aa..e16b384 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/formats/NonTaggedDataFormat.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/formats/NonTaggedDataFormat.java
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.data.IPrinterFactoryProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.data.ISerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.data.ITypeTraitProvider;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.evaluators.ColumnAccessEvalFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.evaluators.ConstantEvalFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.INullWriterFactory;
@@ -350,13 +350,13 @@
 
     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory getFieldAccessEvaluatorFactory(ARecordType recType, String fldName, int recordColumn)
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory getFieldAccessEvaluatorFactory(ARecordType recType, String fldName, int recordColumn)
             throws AlgebricksException {
         String[] names = recType.getFieldNames();
         int n = names.length;
         for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) {
             if (names[i].equals(fldName)) {
-                IEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory = new ColumnAccessEvalFactory(recordColumn);
+                ICopyEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory = new ColumnAccessEvalFactory(recordColumn);
                 ArrayBackedValueStorage abvs = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                 DataOutput dos = abvs.getDataOutput();
                 try {
@@ -366,9 +366,9 @@
                 } catch (HyracksDataException e) {
                     throw new AlgebricksException(e);
                 }
-                IEvaluatorFactory fldIndexEvalFactory = new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs.getBytes(),
+                ICopyEvaluatorFactory fldIndexEvalFactory = new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs.getByteArray(),
                         abvs.getLength()));
-                IEvaluatorFactory evalFactory = new FieldAccessByIndexEvalFactory(recordEvalFactory,
+                ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalFactory = new FieldAccessByIndexEvalFactory(recordEvalFactory,
                         fldIndexEvalFactory, recType);
                 return evalFactory;
             }
@@ -378,11 +378,11 @@
 
     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory[] createMBRFactory(ARecordType recType, String fldName, int recordColumn, int dimension)
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] createMBRFactory(ARecordType recType, String fldName, int recordColumn, int dimension)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        IEvaluatorFactory evalFactory = getFieldAccessEvaluatorFactory(recType, fldName, recordColumn);
+        ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalFactory = getFieldAccessEvaluatorFactory(recType, fldName, recordColumn);
         int numOfFields = dimension * 2;
-        IEvaluatorFactory[] evalFactories = new IEvaluatorFactory[numOfFields];
+        ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] evalFactories = new ICopyEvaluatorFactory[numOfFields];
 
         ArrayBackedValueStorage abvs1 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
         DataOutput dos1 = abvs1.getDataOutput();
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@
         } catch (HyracksDataException e) {
             throw new AlgebricksException(e);
         }
-        IEvaluatorFactory dimensionEvalFactory = new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs1.getBytes(),
+        ICopyEvaluatorFactory dimensionEvalFactory = new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs1.getByteArray(),
                 abvs1.getLength()));
 
         for (int i = 0; i < numOfFields; i++) {
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@
             } catch (HyracksDataException e) {
                 throw new AlgebricksException(e);
             }
-            IEvaluatorFactory coordinateEvalFactory = new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs2.getBytes(),
+            ICopyEvaluatorFactory coordinateEvalFactory = new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs2.getByteArray(),
                     abvs2.getLength()));
 
             evalFactories[i] = new CreateMBREvalFactory(evalFactory, dimensionEvalFactory, coordinateEvalFactory);
@@ -414,13 +414,13 @@
 
     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
     @Override
-    public Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> partitioningEvaluatorFactory(
+    public Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType> partitioningEvaluatorFactory(
             ARecordType recType, String fldName) throws AlgebricksException {
         String[] names = recType.getFieldNames();
         int n = names.length;
         for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) {
             if (names[i].equals(fldName)) {
-                IEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory = new ColumnAccessEvalFactory(
+                ICopyEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory = new ColumnAccessEvalFactory(
                         GlobalConfig.DEFAULT_INPUT_DATA_COLUMN);
                 ArrayBackedValueStorage abvs = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
                 DataOutput dos = abvs.getDataOutput();
@@ -431,9 +431,9 @@
                 } catch (HyracksDataException e) {
                     throw new AlgebricksException(e);
                 }
-                IEvaluatorFactory fldIndexEvalFactory = new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs.getBytes(),
+                ICopyEvaluatorFactory fldIndexEvalFactory = new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs.getByteArray(),
                         abvs.getLength()));
-                IEvaluatorFactory evalFactory = new FieldAccessByIndexEvalFactory(recordEvalFactory,
+                ICopyEvaluatorFactory evalFactory = new FieldAccessByIndexEvalFactory(recordEvalFactory,
                         fldIndexEvalFactory, recType);
                 IFunctionInfo finfoAccess = AsterixBuiltinFunctions
                         .getAsterixFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.FIELD_ACCESS_BY_INDEX);
@@ -442,7 +442,7 @@
                         new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(new VariableReferenceExpression(METADATA_DUMMY_VAR)),
                         new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(new ConstantExpression(new AsterixConstantValue(
                                 new AInt32(i)))));
-                return new Triple<IEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>(evalFactory, partitionFun,
+                return new Triple<ICopyEvaluatorFactory, ScalarFunctionCallExpression, IAType>(evalFactory, partitionFun,
                         recType.getFieldTypes()[i]);
             }
         }
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@
 
     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
     @Override
-    public IEvaluatorFactory getConstantEvalFactory(IAlgebricksConstantValue value) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public ICopyEvaluatorFactory getConstantEvalFactory(IAlgebricksConstantValue value) throws AlgebricksException {
         IAObject obj = null;
         if (value.isNull()) {
             obj = ANull.NULL;
@@ -569,7 +569,7 @@
         } catch (HyracksDataException e) {
             throw new AlgebricksException(e);
         }
-        return new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs.getBytes(), abvs.getLength()));
+        return new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs.getByteArray(), abvs.getLength()));
     }
 
     @Override
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/operators/file/AdmSchemafullRecordParserFactory.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/operators/file/AdmSchemafullRecordParserFactory.java
index 46d1ba3..43556f2 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/operators/file/AdmSchemafullRecordParserFactory.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/operators/file/AdmSchemafullRecordParserFactory.java
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.ADateTimeSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.ADurationSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.ALineSerializerDeserializer;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.APointSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.APoint3DSerializerDeserializer;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.APointSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.APolygonSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.ARectangleSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.ATimeSerializerDeserializer;
@@ -793,11 +793,11 @@
                             token = nextToken();
                             this.admFromLexerStream(token, fieldType, fieldValueBuffer.getDataOutput(), false);
                             if (openRecordField) {
-                                if (fieldValueBuffer.getBytes()[0] != ATypeTag.NULL.serialize())
+                                if (fieldValueBuffer.getByteArray()[0] != ATypeTag.NULL.serialize())
                                     recBuilder.addField(fieldNameBuffer, fieldValueBuffer);
                             } else if (recType.getFieldTypes()[fieldId].getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION) {
                                 if (NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) recType.getFieldTypes()[fieldId])) {
-                                    if (fieldValueBuffer.getBytes()[0] != ATypeTag.NULL.serialize()) {
+                                    if (fieldValueBuffer.getByteArray()[0] != ATypeTag.NULL.serialize()) {
                                         recBuilder.addField(fieldId, fieldValueBuffer);
                                     }
                                 }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/operators/file/AdmTupleParser.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/operators/file/AdmTupleParser.java
index 3b52315..573eb78 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/operators/file/AdmTupleParser.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/operators/file/AdmTupleParser.java
@@ -468,14 +468,14 @@
 				this.admFromLexerStream(token, fieldType,
 						fieldValueBuffer.getDataOutput(), false);
 				if (openRecordField) {
-					if (fieldValueBuffer.getBytes()[0] != ATypeTag.NULL
+					if (fieldValueBuffer.getByteArray()[0] != ATypeTag.NULL
 							.serialize())
 						recBuilder.addField(fieldNameBuffer, fieldValueBuffer);
 				} else if (recType.getFieldTypes()[fieldId].getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION) {
 					if (NonTaggedFormatUtil
 							.isOptionalField((AUnionType) recType
 									.getFieldTypes()[fieldId])) {
-						if (fieldValueBuffer.getBytes()[0] != ATypeTag.NULL
+						if (fieldValueBuffer.getByteArray()[0] != ATypeTag.NULL
 								.serialize()) {
 							recBuilder.addField(fieldId, fieldValueBuffer);
 						}
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/AFlatValuePointable.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/AFlatValuePointable.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a3547a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/AFlatValuePointable.java
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables;
+
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.exceptions.AsterixException;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.base.IVisitablePointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.visitor.IVisitablePointableVisitor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util.container.IObjectFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.api.IValueReference;
+
+/**
+ * This class represents a flat field, e.g., int field, string field, and
+ * so on, based on a binary representation.
+ */
+public class AFlatValuePointable extends AbstractVisitablePointable {
+
+    /**
+     * DO NOT allow to create AFlatValuePointable object arbitrarily, force to
+     * use object pool based allocator. The factory is not public so that it
+     * cannot called in other places than PointableAllocator.
+     */
+    static IObjectFactory<IVisitablePointable, IAType> FACTORY = new IObjectFactory<IVisitablePointable, IAType>() {
+        public AFlatValuePointable create(IAType type) {
+            return new AFlatValuePointable();
+        }
+    };
+
+    /**
+     * private constructor, to prevent arbitrary creation
+     */
+    private AFlatValuePointable() {
+
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public boolean equals(Object o) {
+        if (!(o instanceof IValueReference))
+            return false;
+
+        // get right raw data
+        IValueReference ivf = (IValueReference) o;
+        byte[] odata = ivf.getByteArray();
+        int ostart = ivf.getStartOffset();
+        int olen = ivf.getLength();
+
+        // get left raw data
+        byte[] data = getByteArray();
+        int start = getStartOffset();
+        int len = getLength();
+
+        // bytes length should be equal
+        if (len != olen)
+            return false;
+
+        // check each byte
+        for (int i = 0; i < len; i++) {
+            if (data[start + i] != odata[ostart + i])
+                return false;
+        }
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public <R, T> R accept(IVisitablePointableVisitor<R, T> vistor, T tag) throws AsterixException {
+        return vistor.visit(this, tag);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/AListPointable.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/AListPointable.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6f85694
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/AListPointable.java
@@ -0,0 +1,171 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables;
+
+import java.io.DataOutputStream;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.exceptions.AsterixException;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.AInt32SerializerDeserializer;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AbstractCollectionType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.util.NonTaggedFormatUtil;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.base.IVisitablePointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.visitor.IVisitablePointableVisitor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util.ResettableByteArrayOutputStream;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util.container.IObjectFactory;
+
+/**
+ * This class interprets the binary data representation of a list, one can
+ * call getItems and getItemTags to get pointable objects for items and item
+ * type tags.
+ * 
+ */
+public class AListPointable extends AbstractVisitablePointable {
+
+    /**
+     * DO NOT allow to create AListPointable object arbitrarily, force to use
+     * object pool based allocator, in order to have object reuse.
+     */
+    static IObjectFactory<IVisitablePointable, IAType> FACTORY = new IObjectFactory<IVisitablePointable, IAType>() {
+        public IVisitablePointable create(IAType type) {
+            return new AListPointable((AbstractCollectionType) type);
+        }
+    };
+
+    private final List<IVisitablePointable> items = new ArrayList<IVisitablePointable>();
+    private final List<IVisitablePointable> itemTags = new ArrayList<IVisitablePointable>();
+    private final PointableAllocator allocator = new PointableAllocator();
+
+    private final ResettableByteArrayOutputStream dataBos = new ResettableByteArrayOutputStream();
+    private final DataOutputStream dataDos = new DataOutputStream(dataBos);
+
+    private IAType itemType;
+    private ATypeTag itemTag;
+    private boolean typedItemList = false;
+
+    /**
+     * private constructor, to prevent constructing it arbitrarily
+     * 
+     * @param inputType
+     */
+    private AListPointable(AbstractCollectionType inputType) {
+        if (inputType != null && inputType.getItemType() != null) {
+            itemType = inputType.getItemType();
+            if (itemType.getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.ANY) {
+                typedItemList = false;
+            } else {
+                typedItemList = true;
+                itemTag = inputType.getItemType().getTypeTag();
+            }
+        } else {
+            this.typedItemList = false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void reset() {
+        allocator.reset();
+        items.clear();
+        itemTags.clear();
+        dataBos.reset();
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void set(byte[] b, int s, int len) {
+        reset();
+
+        int numberOfitems = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(b, s + 6);
+        int itemOffset;
+        if (typedItemList) {
+            switch (itemTag) {
+                case STRING:
+                case RECORD:
+                case ORDEREDLIST:
+                case UNORDEREDLIST:
+                case ANY:
+                    itemOffset = s + 10 + (numberOfitems * 4);
+                    break;
+                default:
+                    itemOffset = s + 10;
+            }
+        } else {
+            itemOffset = s + 10 + (numberOfitems * 4);
+        }
+        int itemLength = 0;
+        try {
+            if (typedItemList) {
+                for (int i = 0; i < numberOfitems; i++) {
+                    itemLength = NonTaggedFormatUtil.getFieldValueLength(b, itemOffset, itemTag, false);
+                    IVisitablePointable tag = allocator.allocateEmpty();
+                    IVisitablePointable item = allocator.allocateFieldValue(itemType);
+
+                    // set item type tag
+                    int start = dataBos.size();
+                    dataDos.writeByte(itemTag.serialize());
+                    int end = dataBos.size();
+                    tag.set(dataBos.getByteArray(), start, end - start);
+                    itemTags.add(tag);
+
+                    // set item value
+                    start = dataBos.size();
+                    dataDos.writeByte(itemTag.serialize());
+                    dataDos.write(b, itemOffset, itemLength);
+                    end = dataBos.size();
+                    item.set(dataBos.getByteArray(), start, end - start);
+                    itemOffset += itemLength;
+                    items.add(item);
+                }
+            } else {
+                for (int i = 0; i < numberOfitems; i++) {
+                    itemTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(b[itemOffset]);
+                    itemLength = NonTaggedFormatUtil.getFieldValueLength(b, itemOffset, itemTag, true) + 1;
+                    IVisitablePointable tag = allocator.allocateEmpty();
+                    IVisitablePointable item = allocator.allocateFieldValue(itemType);
+
+                    // set item type tag
+                    int start = dataBos.size();
+                    dataDos.writeByte(itemTag.serialize());
+                    int end = dataBos.size();
+                    tag.set(dataBos.getByteArray(), start, end - start);
+                    itemTags.add(tag);
+
+                    // open part field already include the type tag
+                    item.set(b, itemOffset, itemLength);
+                    itemOffset += itemLength;
+                    items.add(item);
+                }
+            }
+        } catch (Exception e) {
+            throw new IllegalStateException(e);
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public <R, T> R accept(IVisitablePointableVisitor<R, T> vistor, T tag) throws AsterixException {
+        return vistor.visit(this, tag);
+    }
+
+    public List<IVisitablePointable> getItems() {
+        return items;
+    }
+
+    public List<IVisitablePointable> getItemTags() {
+        return itemTags;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/ARecordPointable.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/ARecordPointable.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5904170
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/ARecordPointable.java
@@ -0,0 +1,285 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables;
+
+import java.io.DataOutputStream;
+import java.io.IOException;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.exceptions.AsterixException;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.AqlNullWriterFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.AInt32SerializerDeserializer;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AUnionType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.util.NonTaggedFormatUtil;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.base.IVisitablePointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.visitor.IVisitablePointableVisitor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util.ResettableByteArrayOutputStream;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util.container.IObjectFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.INullWriter;
+
+/**
+ * This class interprets the binary data representation of a record. One can
+ * call getFieldNames, getFieldTypeTags and getFieldValues to get pointable
+ * objects for field names, field type tags, and field values.
+ * 
+ */
+public class ARecordPointable extends AbstractVisitablePointable {
+
+    /**
+     * DO NOT allow to create ARecordPointable object arbitrarily, force to use
+     * object pool based allocator, in order to have object reuse
+     */
+    static IObjectFactory<IVisitablePointable, IAType> FACTORY = new IObjectFactory<IVisitablePointable, IAType>() {
+        public IVisitablePointable create(IAType type) {
+            return new ARecordPointable((ARecordType) type);
+        }
+    };
+
+    // access results: field names, field types, and field values
+    private final List<IVisitablePointable> fieldNames = new ArrayList<IVisitablePointable>();
+    private final List<IVisitablePointable> fieldTypeTags = new ArrayList<IVisitablePointable>();
+    private final List<IVisitablePointable> fieldValues = new ArrayList<IVisitablePointable>();
+
+    // pointable allocator
+    private final PointableAllocator allocator = new PointableAllocator();
+
+    private final ResettableByteArrayOutputStream typeBos = new ResettableByteArrayOutputStream();
+    private final DataOutputStream typeDos = new DataOutputStream(typeBos);
+
+    private final ResettableByteArrayOutputStream dataBos = new ResettableByteArrayOutputStream();
+    private final DataOutputStream dataDos = new DataOutputStream(dataBos);
+
+    private final ARecordType inputRecType;
+
+    private final int numberOfSchemaFields;
+    private final int[] fieldOffsets;
+    private final IVisitablePointable nullReference = AFlatValuePointable.FACTORY.create(null);
+
+    private int closedPartTypeInfoSize = 0;
+    private int offsetArrayOffset;
+    private ATypeTag typeTag;
+
+    /**
+     * private constructor, to prevent constructing it arbitrarily
+     * 
+     * @param inputType
+     */
+    private ARecordPointable(ARecordType inputType) {
+        this.inputRecType = inputType;
+        IAType[] fieldTypes = inputType.getFieldTypes();
+        String[] fieldNameStrs = inputType.getFieldNames();
+        numberOfSchemaFields = fieldTypes.length;
+
+        // initialize the buffer for closed parts(fieldName bytes+ type bytes) +
+        // constant(null bytes)
+        typeBos.reset();
+        try {
+            for (int i = 0; i < numberOfSchemaFields; i++) {
+                ATypeTag ftypeTag = fieldTypes[i].getTypeTag();
+
+                if (fieldTypes[i].getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION
+                        && NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) fieldTypes[i]))
+                    // optional field: add the embedded non-null type tag
+                    ftypeTag = ((AUnionType) fieldTypes[i]).getUnionList()
+                            .get(NonTaggedFormatUtil.OPTIONAL_TYPE_INDEX_IN_UNION_LIST).getTypeTag();
+
+                // add type tag Reference
+                int tagStart = typeBos.size();
+                typeDos.writeByte(ftypeTag.serialize());
+                int tagEnd = typeBos.size();
+                IVisitablePointable typeTagReference = AFlatValuePointable.FACTORY.create(null);
+                typeTagReference.set(typeBos.getByteArray(), tagStart, tagEnd - tagStart);
+                fieldTypeTags.add(typeTagReference);
+
+                // add type name Reference (including a astring type tag)
+                int nameStart = typeBos.size();
+                typeDos.writeByte(ATypeTag.STRING.serialize());
+                typeDos.writeUTF(fieldNameStrs[i]);
+                int nameEnd = typeBos.size();
+                IVisitablePointable typeNameReference = AFlatValuePointable.FACTORY.create(null);
+                typeNameReference.set(typeBos.getByteArray(), nameStart, nameEnd - nameStart);
+                fieldNames.add(typeNameReference);
+            }
+
+            // initialize a constant: null value bytes reference
+            int nullFieldStart = typeBos.size();
+            INullWriter nullWriter = AqlNullWriterFactory.INSTANCE.createNullWriter();
+            nullWriter.writeNull(typeDos);
+            int nullFieldEnd = typeBos.size();
+            nullReference.set(typeBos.getByteArray(), nullFieldStart, nullFieldEnd - nullFieldStart);
+        } catch (IOException e) {
+            throw new IllegalStateException(e);
+        }
+        closedPartTypeInfoSize = typeBos.size();
+        fieldOffsets = new int[numberOfSchemaFields];
+    }
+
+    private void reset() {
+        typeBos.reset(closedPartTypeInfoSize);
+        dataBos.reset(0);
+        // reset the allocator
+        allocator.reset();
+
+        // clean up the returned containers
+        for (int i = fieldNames.size() - 1; i >= numberOfSchemaFields; i--)
+            fieldNames.remove(i);
+        for (int i = fieldTypeTags.size() - 1; i >= numberOfSchemaFields; i--)
+            fieldTypeTags.remove(i);
+        fieldValues.clear();
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void set(byte[] b, int start, int len) {
+        // clear the previous states
+        reset();
+        super.set(b, start, len);
+
+        boolean isExpanded = false;
+        int openPartOffset = 0;
+        int s = start;
+        int recordOffset = s;
+        if (inputRecType == null) {
+            openPartOffset = s + AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(b, s + 6);
+            s += 8;
+            isExpanded = true;
+        } else {
+            if (inputRecType.isOpen()) {
+                isExpanded = b[s + 5] == 1 ? true : false;
+                if (isExpanded) {
+                    openPartOffset = s + AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(b, s + 6);
+                    s += 10;
+                } else {
+                    s += 6;
+                }
+            } else {
+                s += 5;
+            }
+        }
+        try {
+            if (numberOfSchemaFields > 0) {
+                s += 4;
+                int nullBitMapOffset = 0;
+                boolean hasNullableFields = NonTaggedFormatUtil.hasNullableField(inputRecType);
+                if (hasNullableFields) {
+                    nullBitMapOffset = s;
+                    offsetArrayOffset = s
+                            + (this.numberOfSchemaFields % 8 == 0 ? numberOfSchemaFields / 8
+                                    : numberOfSchemaFields / 8 + 1);
+                } else {
+                    offsetArrayOffset = s;
+                }
+                for (int i = 0; i < numberOfSchemaFields; i++) {
+                    fieldOffsets[i] = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(b, offsetArrayOffset) + recordOffset;
+                    offsetArrayOffset += 4;
+                }
+                for (int fieldNumber = 0; fieldNumber < numberOfSchemaFields; fieldNumber++) {
+                    if (hasNullableFields) {
+                        byte b1 = b[nullBitMapOffset + fieldNumber / 8];
+                        int p = 1 << (7 - (fieldNumber % 8));
+                        if ((b1 & p) == 0) {
+                            // set null value (including type tag inside)
+                            fieldValues.add(nullReference);
+                            continue;
+                        }
+                    }
+                    IAType[] fieldTypes = inputRecType.getFieldTypes();
+                    int fieldValueLength = 0;
+
+                    IAType fieldType = fieldTypes[fieldNumber];
+                    if (fieldTypes[fieldNumber].getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION) {
+                        if (NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) fieldTypes[fieldNumber])) {
+                            fieldType = ((AUnionType) fieldTypes[fieldNumber]).getUnionList().get(
+                                    NonTaggedFormatUtil.OPTIONAL_TYPE_INDEX_IN_UNION_LIST);
+                            typeTag = fieldType.getTypeTag();
+                            fieldValueLength = NonTaggedFormatUtil.getFieldValueLength(b, fieldOffsets[fieldNumber],
+                                    typeTag, false);
+                        }
+                    } else {
+                        typeTag = fieldTypes[fieldNumber].getTypeTag();
+                        fieldValueLength = NonTaggedFormatUtil.getFieldValueLength(b, fieldOffsets[fieldNumber],
+                                typeTag, false);
+                    }
+                    // set field value (including the type tag)
+                    int fstart = dataBos.size();
+                    dataDos.writeByte(typeTag.serialize());
+                    dataDos.write(b, fieldOffsets[fieldNumber], fieldValueLength);
+                    int fend = dataBos.size();
+                    IVisitablePointable fieldValue = allocator.allocateFieldValue(fieldType);
+                    fieldValue.set(dataBos.getByteArray(), fstart, fend - fstart);
+                    fieldValues.add(fieldValue);
+                }
+            }
+            if (isExpanded) {
+                int numberOfOpenFields = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(b, openPartOffset);
+                int fieldOffset = openPartOffset + 4 + (8 * numberOfOpenFields);
+                for (int i = 0; i < numberOfOpenFields; i++) {
+                    // set the field name (including a type tag, which is
+                    // astring)
+                    int fieldValueLength = NonTaggedFormatUtil.getFieldValueLength(b, fieldOffset, ATypeTag.STRING,
+                            false);
+                    int fnstart = dataBos.size();
+                    dataDos.writeByte(ATypeTag.STRING.serialize());
+                    dataDos.write(b, fieldOffset, fieldValueLength);
+                    int fnend = dataBos.size();
+                    IVisitablePointable fieldName = allocator.allocateEmpty();
+                    fieldName.set(dataBos.getByteArray(), fnstart, fnend - fnstart);
+                    fieldNames.add(fieldName);
+                    fieldOffset += fieldValueLength;
+
+                    // set the field type tag
+                    IVisitablePointable fieldTypeTag = allocator.allocateEmpty();
+                    fieldTypeTag.set(b, fieldOffset, 1);
+                    fieldTypeTags.add(fieldTypeTag);
+                    typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(b[fieldOffset]);
+
+                    // set the field value (already including type tag)
+                    fieldValueLength = NonTaggedFormatUtil.getFieldValueLength(b, fieldOffset, typeTag, true) + 1;
+
+                    // allocate
+                    IVisitablePointable fieldValueAccessor = allocator.allocateFieldValue(typeTag);
+                    fieldValueAccessor.set(b, fieldOffset, fieldValueLength);
+                    fieldValues.add(fieldValueAccessor);
+                    fieldOffset += fieldValueLength;
+                }
+            }
+        } catch (Exception e) {
+            throw new IllegalStateException(e);
+        }
+    }
+
+    public List<IVisitablePointable> getFieldNames() {
+        return fieldNames;
+    }
+
+    public List<IVisitablePointable> getFieldTypeTags() {
+        return fieldTypeTags;
+    }
+
+    public List<IVisitablePointable> getFieldValues() {
+        return fieldValues;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public <R, T> R accept(IVisitablePointableVisitor<R, T> vistor, T tag) throws AsterixException {
+        return vistor.visit(this, tag);
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/AbstractVisitablePointable.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/AbstractVisitablePointable.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8cfe661
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/AbstractVisitablePointable.java
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables;
+
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.base.IVisitablePointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.api.IValueReference;
+
+/**
+ * This class implements several "routine" methods in IVisitablePointable
+ * interface, so that subclasses do not need to repeat the same code.
+ * 
+ */
+public abstract class AbstractVisitablePointable implements IVisitablePointable {
+
+    private byte[] data;
+    private int start;
+    private int len;
+
+    @Override
+    public byte[] getByteArray() {
+        return data;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public int getLength() {
+        return len;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public int getStartOffset() {
+        return start;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void set(byte[] b, int start, int len) {
+        this.data = b;
+        this.start = start;
+        this.len = len;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void set(IValueReference ivf) {
+        set(ivf.getByteArray(), ivf.getStartOffset(), ivf.getLength());
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/PointableAllocator.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/PointableAllocator.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b6116be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/PointableAllocator.java
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables;
+
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.base.DefaultOpenFieldType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.base.IVisitablePointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util.container.IObjectPool;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util.container.ListObjectPool;
+
+/**
+ * This class is the ONLY place to create IVisitablePointable object instances,
+ * to enforce use of an object pool.
+ */
+public class PointableAllocator {
+
+    private IObjectPool<IVisitablePointable, IAType> flatValueAllocator = new ListObjectPool<IVisitablePointable, IAType>(
+            AFlatValuePointable.FACTORY);
+    private IObjectPool<IVisitablePointable, IAType> recordValueAllocator = new ListObjectPool<IVisitablePointable, IAType>(
+            ARecordPointable.FACTORY);
+    private IObjectPool<IVisitablePointable, IAType> listValueAllocator = new ListObjectPool<IVisitablePointable, IAType>(
+            AListPointable.FACTORY);
+
+    public IVisitablePointable allocateEmpty() {
+        return flatValueAllocator.allocate(null);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * allocate closed part value pointable
+     * 
+     * @param type
+     * @return the pointable object
+     */
+    public IVisitablePointable allocateFieldValue(IAType type) {
+        if (type == null)
+            return flatValueAllocator.allocate(null);
+        else if (type.getTypeTag().equals(ATypeTag.RECORD))
+            return recordValueAllocator.allocate(type);
+        else if (type.getTypeTag().equals(ATypeTag.UNORDEREDLIST) || type.getTypeTag().equals(ATypeTag.ORDEREDLIST))
+            return listValueAllocator.allocate(type);
+        else
+            return flatValueAllocator.allocate(null);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * allocate open part value pointable
+     * 
+     * @param typeTag
+     * @return the pointable object
+     */
+    public IVisitablePointable allocateFieldValue(ATypeTag typeTag) {
+        if (typeTag == null)
+            return flatValueAllocator.allocate(null);
+        else if (typeTag.equals(ATypeTag.RECORD))
+            return recordValueAllocator.allocate(DefaultOpenFieldType.NESTED_OPEN_RECORD_TYPE);
+        else if (typeTag.equals(ATypeTag.UNORDEREDLIST))
+            return listValueAllocator.allocate(DefaultOpenFieldType.NESTED_OPEN_AUNORDERED_LIST_TYPE);
+        else if (typeTag.equals(ATypeTag.ORDEREDLIST))
+            return listValueAllocator.allocate(DefaultOpenFieldType.NESTED_OPEN_AORDERED_LIST_TYPE);
+        else
+            return flatValueAllocator.allocate(null);
+    }
+
+    public IVisitablePointable allocateListValue(IAType type) {
+        return listValueAllocator.allocate(type);
+    }
+
+    public IVisitablePointable allocateRecordValue(IAType type) {
+        return recordValueAllocator.allocate(type);
+    }
+
+    public void reset() {
+        flatValueAllocator.reset();
+        recordValueAllocator.reset();
+        listValueAllocator.reset();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/base/DefaultOpenFieldType.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/base/DefaultOpenFieldType.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..987ac02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/base/DefaultOpenFieldType.java
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.base;
+
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AOrderedListType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AUnorderedListType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
+
+/**
+ * This class serves as the repository for the default record type and list type
+ * fields in the open part, e.g., a "record" (nested) field in the open part is
+ * always a fully open one, and a "list" field in the open part is always a list
+ * of "ANY".
+ * 
+ */
+public class DefaultOpenFieldType {
+
+    // nested open field rec type
+    public static ARecordType NESTED_OPEN_RECORD_TYPE = new ARecordType("nested-open", new String[] {},
+            new IAType[] {}, true);
+
+    // nested open list type
+    public static AOrderedListType NESTED_OPEN_AORDERED_LIST_TYPE = new AOrderedListType(BuiltinType.ANY,
+            "nested-ordered-list");
+
+    // nested open list type
+    public static AUnorderedListType NESTED_OPEN_AUNORDERED_LIST_TYPE = new AUnorderedListType(BuiltinType.ANY,
+            "nested-unordered-list");
+
+    public static IAType getDefaultOpenFieldType(ATypeTag tag) {
+        if (tag.equals(ATypeTag.RECORD))
+            return NESTED_OPEN_RECORD_TYPE;
+        if (tag.equals(ATypeTag.ORDEREDLIST))
+            return NESTED_OPEN_AORDERED_LIST_TYPE;
+        if (tag.equals(ATypeTag.UNORDEREDLIST))
+            return NESTED_OPEN_AUNORDERED_LIST_TYPE;
+        else
+            return null;
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/base/IVisitablePointable.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/base/IVisitablePointable.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..28c61c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/base/IVisitablePointable.java
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.base;
+
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.exceptions.AsterixException;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.visitor.IVisitablePointableVisitor;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.api.IPointable;
+
+/**
+ * This interface extends IPointable with a visitor interface in order to ease
+ * programming for recursive record structures.
+ */
+public interface IVisitablePointable extends IPointable {
+
+    public <R, T> R accept(IVisitablePointableVisitor<R, T> vistor, T tag) throws AsterixException;
+}
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/cast/ACastVisitor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/cast/ACastVisitor.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..822e37c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/cast/ACastVisitor.java
@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.cast;
+
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.Map;
+
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.exceptions.AsterixException;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AbstractCollectionType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.AFlatValuePointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.AListPointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.ARecordPointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.base.IVisitablePointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.visitor.IVisitablePointableVisitor;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Triple;
+
+/**
+ * This class is a IVisitablePointableVisitor implementation which recursively
+ * visit a given record, list or flat value of a given type, and cast it to a
+ * specified type. For example:
+ * 
+ * A record { "hobby": {{"music", "coding"}}, "id": "001", "name":
+ * "Person Three"} which confirms to closed type ( id: string, name: string,
+ * hobby: {{string}}? ) can be casted to a open type (id: string )
+ * 
+ * Since the open/closed part of a record has a completely different underlying
+ * memory/storage layout, the visitor will change the layout as specified at
+ * runtime.
+ */
+public class ACastVisitor implements IVisitablePointableVisitor<Void, Triple<IVisitablePointable, IAType, Boolean>> {
+
+    private final Map<IVisitablePointable, ARecordCaster> raccessorToCaster = new HashMap<IVisitablePointable, ARecordCaster>();
+    private final Map<IVisitablePointable, AListCaster> laccessorToCaster = new HashMap<IVisitablePointable, AListCaster>();
+
+    @Override
+    public Void visit(AListPointable accessor, Triple<IVisitablePointable, IAType, Boolean> arg)
+            throws AsterixException {
+        AListCaster caster = laccessorToCaster.get(accessor);
+        if (caster == null) {
+            caster = new AListCaster();
+            laccessorToCaster.put(accessor, caster);
+        }
+        try {
+            caster.castList(accessor, arg.first, (AbstractCollectionType) arg.second, this);
+        } catch (Exception e) {
+            throw new AsterixException(e);
+        }
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public Void visit(ARecordPointable accessor, Triple<IVisitablePointable, IAType, Boolean> arg)
+            throws AsterixException {
+        ARecordCaster caster = raccessorToCaster.get(accessor);
+        if (caster == null) {
+            caster = new ARecordCaster();
+            raccessorToCaster.put(accessor, caster);
+        }
+        try {
+            caster.castRecord(accessor, arg.first, (ARecordType) arg.second, this);
+        } catch (Exception e) {
+            throw new AsterixException(e);
+        }
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public Void visit(AFlatValuePointable accessor, Triple<IVisitablePointable, IAType, Boolean> arg) {
+        // set the pointer for result
+        arg.first.set(accessor);
+        return null;
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/cast/AListCaster.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/cast/AListCaster.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e10fb72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/cast/AListCaster.java
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.cast;
+
+import java.io.DataOutput;
+import java.io.DataOutputStream;
+import java.io.IOException;
+import java.util.List;
+
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.builders.OrderedListBuilder;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.builders.UnorderedListBuilder;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.exceptions.AsterixException;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AOrderedListType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AUnorderedListType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AbstractCollectionType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.AListPointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.PointableAllocator;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.base.DefaultOpenFieldType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.base.IVisitablePointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util.ResettableByteArrayOutputStream;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Triple;
+
+/**
+ * This class is to do the runtime type cast for a list. It is ONLY visible to
+ * ACastVisitor.
+ */
+class AListCaster {
+    // pointable allocator
+    private final PointableAllocator allocator = new PointableAllocator();
+
+    // for storing the cast result
+    private final IVisitablePointable itemTempReference = allocator.allocateEmpty();
+    private final Triple<IVisitablePointable, IAType, Boolean> itemVisitorArg = new Triple<IVisitablePointable, IAType, Boolean>(
+            itemTempReference, null, null);
+
+    private final UnorderedListBuilder unOrderedListBuilder = new UnorderedListBuilder();
+    private final OrderedListBuilder orderedListBuilder = new OrderedListBuilder();
+
+    private final ResettableByteArrayOutputStream dataBos = new ResettableByteArrayOutputStream();
+    private final DataOutput dataDos = new DataOutputStream(dataBos);
+    private IAType reqItemType;
+
+    public AListCaster() {
+
+    }
+
+    public void castList(AListPointable listAccessor, IVisitablePointable resultAccessor,
+            AbstractCollectionType reqType, ACastVisitor visitor) throws IOException, AsterixException {
+        if (reqType.getTypeTag().equals(ATypeTag.UNORDEREDLIST)) {
+            unOrderedListBuilder.reset((AUnorderedListType) reqType);
+        }
+        if (reqType.getTypeTag().equals(ATypeTag.ORDEREDLIST)) {
+            orderedListBuilder.reset((AOrderedListType) reqType);
+        }
+        dataBos.reset();
+
+        List<IVisitablePointable> itemTags = listAccessor.getItemTags();
+        List<IVisitablePointable> items = listAccessor.getItems();
+
+        int start = dataBos.size();
+        for (int i = 0; i < items.size(); i++) {
+            IVisitablePointable itemTypeTag = itemTags.get(i);
+            IVisitablePointable item = items.get(i);
+            ATypeTag typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(itemTypeTag.getByteArray()[itemTypeTag
+                    .getStartOffset()]);
+            if (reqItemType == null || reqItemType.getTypeTag().equals(ATypeTag.ANY)) {
+                itemVisitorArg.second = DefaultOpenFieldType.getDefaultOpenFieldType(typeTag);
+                item.accept(visitor, itemVisitorArg);
+            } else {
+                if (typeTag != reqItemType.getTypeTag())
+                    throw new AsterixException("mismatched item type");
+                itemVisitorArg.second = reqItemType;
+                item.accept(visitor, itemVisitorArg);
+            }
+            if (reqType.getTypeTag().equals(ATypeTag.ORDEREDLIST)) {
+                orderedListBuilder.addItem(itemVisitorArg.first);
+            }
+            if (reqType.getTypeTag().equals(ATypeTag.UNORDEREDLIST)) {
+                unOrderedListBuilder.addItem(itemVisitorArg.first);
+            }
+        }
+        if (reqType.getTypeTag().equals(ATypeTag.ORDEREDLIST)) {
+            orderedListBuilder.write(dataDos, true);
+        }
+        if (reqType.getTypeTag().equals(ATypeTag.UNORDEREDLIST)) {
+            unOrderedListBuilder.write(dataDos, true);
+        }
+        int end = dataBos.size();
+        resultAccessor.set(dataBos.getByteArray(), start, end - start);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ARecordCaster.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/cast/ARecordCaster.java
similarity index 61%
rename from asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ARecordCaster.java
rename to asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/cast/ARecordCaster.java
index 505e769..50c8b37 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ARecordCaster.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/cast/ARecordCaster.java
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util;
+package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.cast;
 
 import java.io.DataOutput;
 import java.io.DataOutputStream;
@@ -22,19 +22,58 @@
 import java.util.List;
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.builders.RecordBuilder;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.exceptions.AsterixException;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.AqlNullWriterFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AUnionType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.util.NonTaggedFormatUtil;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.ARecordPointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.PointableAllocator;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.base.DefaultOpenFieldType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.base.IVisitablePointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util.ResettableByteArrayOutputStream;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Triple;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.IBinaryComparator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.INullWriter;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.accessors.PointableBinaryComparatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.api.IValueReference;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.data.std.primitive.UTF8StringPointable;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IValueReference;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.comm.io.ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream;
 
-public class ARecordCaster {
+/**
+ * This class is to do the runtime type cast for a record. It is ONLY visible to
+ * ACastVisitor.
+ */
+class ARecordCaster {
+
+    // pointable allocator
+    private final PointableAllocator allocator = new PointableAllocator();
+
+    private final List<IVisitablePointable> reqFieldNames = new ArrayList<IVisitablePointable>();
+    private final List<IVisitablePointable> reqFieldTypeTags = new ArrayList<IVisitablePointable>();
+    private ARecordType cachedReqType = null;
+
+    private final ResettableByteArrayOutputStream bos = new ResettableByteArrayOutputStream();
+    private final DataOutputStream dos = new DataOutputStream(bos);
+
+    private final RecordBuilder recBuilder = new RecordBuilder();
+    private final IVisitablePointable nullReference = allocator.allocateEmpty();
+    private final IVisitablePointable nullTypeTag = allocator.allocateEmpty();
+
+    private final IBinaryComparator fieldNameComparator = PointableBinaryComparatorFactory.of(
+            UTF8StringPointable.FACTORY).createBinaryComparator();
+
+    private final ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream outputBos = new ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream();
+    private final DataOutputStream outputDos = new DataOutputStream(outputBos);
+
+    private final IVisitablePointable fieldTempReference = allocator.allocateEmpty();
+    private final Triple<IVisitablePointable, IAType, Boolean> nestedVisitorArg = new Triple<IVisitablePointable, IAType, Boolean>(
+            fieldTempReference, null, null);
+
+    private int numInputFields = 0;
 
     // describe closed fields in the required type
     private int[] fieldPermutation;
@@ -43,46 +82,31 @@
     // describe fields (open or not) in the input records
     private boolean[] openFields;
     private int[] fieldNamesSortedIndex;
-
-    private List<SimpleValueReference> reqFieldNames = new ArrayList<SimpleValueReference>();
     private int[] reqFieldNamesSortedIndex;
-    private List<SimpleValueReference> reqFieldTypeTags = new ArrayList<SimpleValueReference>();
-    private ARecordType cachedReqType = null;
-
-    private byte[] buffer = new byte[32768];
-    private ResettableByteArrayOutputStream bos = new ResettableByteArrayOutputStream();
-    private DataOutputStream dos = new DataOutputStream(bos);
-
-    private RecordBuilder recBuilder = new RecordBuilder();
-    private SimpleValueReference nullReference = new SimpleValueReference();
-    private SimpleValueReference nullTypeTag = new SimpleValueReference();
-
-    private int numInputFields = 0;
-    private IBinaryComparator fieldNameComparator = PointableBinaryComparatorFactory.of(UTF8StringPointable.FACTORY)
-            .createBinaryComparator();
 
     public ARecordCaster() {
         try {
-            bos.setByteArray(buffer, 0);
+            bos.reset();
             int start = bos.size();
             INullWriter nullWriter = AqlNullWriterFactory.INSTANCE.createNullWriter();
             nullWriter.writeNull(dos);
             int end = bos.size();
-            nullReference.reset(buffer, start, end - start);
+            nullReference.set(bos.getByteArray(), start, end - start);
             start = bos.size();
             dos.write(ATypeTag.NULL.serialize());
             end = bos.size();
-            nullTypeTag.reset(buffer, start, end);
+            nullTypeTag.set(bos.getByteArray(), start, end);
         } catch (IOException e) {
             throw new IllegalStateException(e);
         }
     }
 
-    public void castRecord(ARecordAccessor recordAccessor, ARecordType reqType, DataOutput output) throws IOException {
-        List<SimpleValueReference> fieldNames = recordAccessor.getFieldNames();
-        List<SimpleValueReference> fieldTypeTags = recordAccessor.getFieldTypeTags();
-        List<SimpleValueReference> fieldValues = recordAccessor.getFieldValues();
-        numInputFields = recordAccessor.getCursor() + 1;
+    public void castRecord(ARecordPointable recordAccessor, IVisitablePointable resultAccessor, ARecordType reqType,
+            ACastVisitor visitor) throws IOException, AsterixException {
+        List<IVisitablePointable> fieldNames = recordAccessor.getFieldNames();
+        List<IVisitablePointable> fieldTypeTags = recordAccessor.getFieldTypeTags();
+        List<IVisitablePointable> fieldValues = recordAccessor.getFieldValues();
+        numInputFields = fieldNames.size();
 
         if (openFields == null || numInputFields > openFields.length) {
             openFields = new boolean[numInputFields];
@@ -95,7 +119,8 @@
         // clear the previous states
         reset();
         matchClosedPart(fieldNames, fieldTypeTags, fieldValues);
-        writeOutput(fieldNames, fieldTypeTags, fieldValues, output);
+        writeOutput(fieldNames, fieldTypeTags, fieldValues, outputDos, visitor);
+        resultAccessor.set(outputBos.getByteArray(), 0, outputBos.size());
     }
 
     private void reset() {
@@ -105,6 +130,7 @@
             fieldPermutation[i] = -1;
         for (int i = 0; i < numInputFields; i++)
             fieldNamesSortedIndex[i] = i;
+        outputBos.reset();
     }
 
     private void loadRequiredType(ARecordType reqType) throws IOException {
@@ -120,7 +146,7 @@
         for (int i = 0; i < optionalFields.length; i++)
             optionalFields[i] = false;
 
-        bos.setByteArray(buffer, nullReference.getStartIndex() + nullReference.getLength());
+        bos.reset(nullReference.getStartOffset() + nullReference.getLength());
         for (int i = 0; i < numSchemaFields; i++) {
             ATypeTag ftypeTag = fieldTypes[i].getTypeTag();
             String fname = fieldNames[i];
@@ -136,8 +162,8 @@
             int tagStart = bos.size();
             dos.writeByte(ftypeTag.serialize());
             int tagEnd = bos.size();
-            SimpleValueReference typeTagPointable = new SimpleValueReference();
-            typeTagPointable.reset(buffer, tagStart, tagEnd - tagStart);
+            IVisitablePointable typeTagPointable = allocator.allocateEmpty();
+            typeTagPointable.set(bos.getByteArray(), tagStart, tagEnd - tagStart);
             reqFieldTypeTags.add(typeTagPointable);
 
             // add type name pointable (including a string type tag)
@@ -145,8 +171,8 @@
             dos.write(ATypeTag.STRING.serialize());
             dos.writeUTF(fname);
             int nameEnd = bos.size();
-            SimpleValueReference typeNamePointable = new SimpleValueReference();
-            typeNamePointable.reset(buffer, nameStart, nameEnd - nameStart);
+            IVisitablePointable typeNamePointable = allocator.allocateEmpty();
+            typeNamePointable.set(bos.getByteArray(), nameStart, nameEnd - nameStart);
             reqFieldNames.add(typeNamePointable);
         }
 
@@ -157,8 +183,8 @@
         quickSort(reqFieldNamesSortedIndex, reqFieldNames, 0, reqFieldNamesSortedIndex.length - 1);
     }
 
-    private void matchClosedPart(List<SimpleValueReference> fieldNames, List<SimpleValueReference> fieldTypeTags,
-            List<SimpleValueReference> fieldValues) {
+    private void matchClosedPart(List<IVisitablePointable> fieldNames, List<IVisitablePointable> fieldTypeTags,
+            List<IVisitablePointable> fieldValues) {
         // sort-merge based match
         quickSort(fieldNamesSortedIndex, fieldNames, 0, numInputFields - 1);
         int fnStart = 0;
@@ -168,8 +194,8 @@
             int reqFnPos = reqFieldNamesSortedIndex[reqFnStart];
             int c = compare(fieldNames.get(fnPos), reqFieldNames.get(reqFnPos));
             if (c == 0) {
-                SimpleValueReference fieldTypeTag = fieldTypeTags.get(fnPos);
-                SimpleValueReference reqFieldTypeTag = reqFieldTypeTags.get(reqFnPos);
+                IVisitablePointable fieldTypeTag = fieldTypeTags.get(fnPos);
+                IVisitablePointable reqFieldTypeTag = reqFieldTypeTags.get(reqFnPos);
                 if (fieldTypeTag.equals(reqFieldTypeTag) || (
                 // match the null type of optional field
                         optionalFields[reqFnPos] && fieldTypeTag.equals(nullTypeTag))) {
@@ -203,8 +229,9 @@
         }
     }
 
-    private void writeOutput(List<SimpleValueReference> fieldNames, List<SimpleValueReference> fieldTypeTags,
-            List<SimpleValueReference> fieldValues, DataOutput output) throws IOException {
+    private void writeOutput(List<IVisitablePointable> fieldNames, List<IVisitablePointable> fieldTypeTags,
+            List<IVisitablePointable> fieldValues, DataOutput output, ACastVisitor visitor) throws IOException,
+            AsterixException {
         // reset the states of the record builder
         recBuilder.reset(cachedReqType);
         recBuilder.init();
@@ -212,27 +239,43 @@
         // write the closed part
         for (int i = 0; i < fieldPermutation.length; i++) {
             int pos = fieldPermutation[i];
-            SimpleValueReference field;
+            IVisitablePointable field;
             if (pos >= 0) {
                 field = fieldValues.get(pos);
             } else {
                 field = nullReference;
             }
-            recBuilder.addField(i, field);
+            IAType fType = cachedReqType.getFieldTypes()[i];
+            nestedVisitorArg.second = fType;
+
+            // recursively casting, the result of casting can always be thought
+            // as flat
+            if (optionalFields[i]) {
+                nestedVisitorArg.second = ((AUnionType) fType).getUnionList().get(
+                        NonTaggedFormatUtil.OPTIONAL_TYPE_INDEX_IN_UNION_LIST);
+            }
+            field.accept(visitor, nestedVisitorArg);
+            recBuilder.addField(i, nestedVisitorArg.first);
         }
 
         // write the open part
         for (int i = 0; i < numInputFields; i++) {
             if (openFields[i]) {
-                SimpleValueReference name = fieldNames.get(i);
-                SimpleValueReference field = fieldValues.get(i);
-                recBuilder.addField(name, field);
+                IVisitablePointable name = fieldNames.get(i);
+                IVisitablePointable field = fieldValues.get(i);
+                IVisitablePointable fieldTypeTag = fieldTypeTags.get(i);
+
+                ATypeTag typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER
+                        .deserialize(fieldTypeTag.getByteArray()[fieldTypeTag.getStartOffset()]);
+                nestedVisitorArg.second = DefaultOpenFieldType.getDefaultOpenFieldType(typeTag);
+                field.accept(visitor, nestedVisitorArg);
+                recBuilder.addField(name, nestedVisitorArg.first);
             }
         }
         recBuilder.write(output, true);
     }
 
-    private void quickSort(int[] index, List<SimpleValueReference> names, int start, int end) {
+    private void quickSort(int[] index, List<IVisitablePointable> names, int start, int end) {
         if (end <= start)
             return;
         int i = partition(index, names, start, end);
@@ -240,7 +283,7 @@
         quickSort(index, names, i + 1, end);
     }
 
-    private int partition(int[] index, List<SimpleValueReference> names, int left, int right) {
+    private int partition(int[] index, List<IVisitablePointable> names, int left, int right) {
         int i = left - 1;
         int j = right;
         while (true) {
@@ -269,7 +312,7 @@
 
     private int compare(IValueReference a, IValueReference b) {
         // start+1 and len-1 due to the type tag
-        return fieldNameComparator.compare(a.getBytes(), a.getStartIndex() + 1, a.getLength() - 1, b.getBytes(),
-                b.getStartIndex() + 1, b.getLength() - 1);
+        return fieldNameComparator.compare(a.getByteArray(), a.getStartOffset() + 1, a.getLength() - 1,
+                b.getByteArray(), b.getStartOffset() + 1, b.getLength() - 1);
     }
 }
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/visitor/IVisitablePointableVisitor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/visitor/IVisitablePointableVisitor.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..669e3fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/pointables/visitor/IVisitablePointableVisitor.java
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.visitor;
+
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.exceptions.AsterixException;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.AFlatValuePointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.AListPointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.ARecordPointable;
+
+/**
+ * This interface is a visitor for all the three different IVisitablePointable
+ * (Note that right now we have three pointable implementations for type
+ * casting) implementations.
+ */
+public interface IVisitablePointableVisitor<R, T> {
+
+    public R visit(AListPointable accessor, T arg) throws AsterixException;
+
+    public R visit(ARecordPointable accessor, T arg) throws AsterixException;
+
+    public R visit(AFlatValuePointable accessor, T arg) throws AsterixException;
+}
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/runningaggregates/std/TidRunningAggregateDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/runningaggregates/std/TidRunningAggregateDescriptor.java
index bbebe50..69e823b 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/runningaggregates/std/TidRunningAggregateDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/runningaggregates/std/TidRunningAggregateDescriptor.java
@@ -12,9 +12,9 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.runningaggregates.base.AbstractRunningAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 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.IEvaluatorFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IRunningAggregateFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IRunningAggregateFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyRunningAggregateFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyRunningAggregateFunctionFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -31,21 +31,21 @@
     };
     
     @Override
-    public IRunningAggregateFunctionFactory createRunningAggregateFunctionFactory(IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopyRunningAggregateFunctionFactory createRunningAggregateFunctionFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
 
-        return new IRunningAggregateFunctionFactory() {
+        return new ICopyRunningAggregateFunctionFactory() {
 
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
             @Override
-            public IRunningAggregateFunction createRunningAggregateFunction(IDataOutputProvider provider)
+            public ICopyRunningAggregateFunction createRunningAggregateFunction(IDataOutputProvider provider)
                     throws AlgebricksException {
 
                 final DataOutput out = provider.getDataOutput();
 
-                return new IRunningAggregateFunction() {
+                return new ICopyRunningAggregateFunction() {
 
                     int cnt;
                     ISerializerDeserializer<AInt32> serde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/unnestingfunctions/std/RangeDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/unnestingfunctions/std/RangeDescriptor.java
index d3b965f..fb7f8f0 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/unnestingfunctions/std/RangeDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/unnestingfunctions/std/RangeDescriptor.java
@@ -11,10 +11,10 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.unnestingfunctions.base.AbstractUnnestingFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IUnnestingFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IUnnestingFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyUnnestingFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyUnnestingFunctionFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.exceptions.HyracksDataException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
@@ -39,24 +39,24 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IUnnestingFunctionFactory createUnnestingFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopyUnnestingFunctionFactory createUnnestingFunctionFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IUnnestingFunctionFactory() {
+        return new ICopyUnnestingFunctionFactory() {
 
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IUnnestingFunction createUnnestingFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider)
+            public ICopyUnnestingFunction createUnnestingFunction(final IDataOutputProvider provider)
                     throws AlgebricksException {
-                return new IUnnestingFunction() {
+                return new ICopyUnnestingFunction() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = provider.getDataOutput();
                     @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer serde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.AINT32);
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator eval0 = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
-                    private IEvaluator eval1 = args[1].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval0 = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator eval1 = args[1].createEvaluator(inputVal);
                     private AMutableInt32 aInt32 = new AMutableInt32(0);
                     private int current;
                     private int max;
@@ -65,10 +65,10 @@
                     public void init(IFrameTupleReference tuple) throws AlgebricksException {
                         inputVal.reset();
                         eval0.evaluate(tuple);
-                        current = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                        current = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                         inputVal.reset();
                         eval1.evaluate(tuple);
-                        max = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                        max = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
                     }
 
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/unnestingfunctions/std/ScanCollectionDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/unnestingfunctions/std/ScanCollectionDescriptor.java
index 6bf5420..bfd23eb 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/unnestingfunctions/std/ScanCollectionDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/unnestingfunctions/std/ScanCollectionDescriptor.java
@@ -18,10 +18,10 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.unnestingfunctions.base.AbstractUnnestingFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IUnnestingFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IUnnestingFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyUnnestingFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyUnnestingFunctionFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -44,15 +44,15 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public IUnnestingFunctionFactory createUnnestingFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+    public ICopyUnnestingFunctionFactory createUnnestingFunctionFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
         return new ScanCollectionUnnestingFunctionFactory(args[0]);
     }
 
-    private static class ScanCollectionUnnestingFunctionFactory implements IUnnestingFunctionFactory {
+    private static class ScanCollectionUnnestingFunctionFactory implements ICopyUnnestingFunctionFactory {
 
         private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
-        private IEvaluatorFactory listEvalFactory;
+        private ICopyEvaluatorFactory listEvalFactory;
         private final static byte SER_ORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.ORDEREDLIST.serialize();
         private final static byte SER_UNORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.UNORDEREDLIST.serialize();
         private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
@@ -60,19 +60,19 @@
         private byte serItemTypeTag;
         private boolean selfDescList = false;
 
-        public ScanCollectionUnnestingFunctionFactory(IEvaluatorFactory arg) {
+        public ScanCollectionUnnestingFunctionFactory(ICopyEvaluatorFactory arg) {
             this.listEvalFactory = arg;
         }
 
         @Override
-        public IUnnestingFunction createUnnestingFunction(IDataOutputProvider provider) throws AlgebricksException {
+        public ICopyUnnestingFunction createUnnestingFunction(IDataOutputProvider provider) throws AlgebricksException {
 
             final DataOutput out = provider.getDataOutput();
 
-            return new IUnnestingFunction() {
+            return new ICopyUnnestingFunction() {
 
                 private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                private IEvaluator argEval = listEvalFactory.createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                private ICopyEvaluator argEval = listEvalFactory.createEvaluator(inputVal);
                 @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                 private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                         .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@
                     try {
                         inputVal.reset();
                         argEval.evaluate(tuple);
-                        byte[] serList = inputVal.getBytes();
+                        byte[] serList = inputVal.getByteArray();
 
                         if (serList[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
                             nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, out);
@@ -99,12 +99,12 @@
                                     + EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(serList[0]));
                         }
 
-                        serListTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(inputVal.getBytes()[0])
+                        serListTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(inputVal.getByteArray()[0])
                                 .serialize();
                         if (serListTag == SER_ORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG)
-                            numItems = AOrderedListSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfItems(inputVal.getBytes());
+                            numItems = AOrderedListSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfItems(inputVal.getByteArray());
                         else
-                            numItems = AUnorderedListSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfItems(inputVal.getBytes());
+                            numItems = AUnorderedListSerializerDeserializer.getNumberOfItems(inputVal.getByteArray());
 
                         itemTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(serList[1]);
                         if (itemTag == ATypeTag.ANY)
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
 
                     try {
                         if (pos < numItems) {
-                            byte[] serList = inputVal.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serList = inputVal.getByteArray();
 
                             try {
                                 if (serListTag == SER_ORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG) {
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/unnestingfunctions/std/SubsetCollectionDescriptor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/unnestingfunctions/std/SubsetCollectionDescriptor.java
index a045344..cd69f5b 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/unnestingfunctions/std/SubsetCollectionDescriptor.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/unnestingfunctions/std/SubsetCollectionDescriptor.java
@@ -18,10 +18,10 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.unnestingfunctions.base.AbstractUnnestingFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 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.IEvaluator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IUnnestingFunction;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IUnnestingFunctionFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyEvaluatorFactory;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyUnnestingFunction;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.ICopyUnnestingFunctionFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.ISerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.ArrayBackedValueStorage;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IDataOutputProvider;
@@ -45,24 +45,24 @@
     };
 
     @Override
-    public IUnnestingFunctionFactory createUnnestingFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
+    public ICopyUnnestingFunctionFactory createUnnestingFunctionFactory(final ICopyEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
-        return new IUnnestingFunctionFactory() {
+        return new ICopyUnnestingFunctionFactory() {
             private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
             @Override
-            public IUnnestingFunction createUnnestingFunction(IDataOutputProvider provider) throws AlgebricksException {
+            public ICopyUnnestingFunction createUnnestingFunction(IDataOutputProvider provider) throws AlgebricksException {
 
                 final DataOutput out = provider.getDataOutput();
 
-                return new IUnnestingFunction() {
+                return new ICopyUnnestingFunction() {
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer<ANull> nullSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ANULL);
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
-                    private IEvaluator evalList = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
-                    private IEvaluator evalStart = args[1].createEvaluator(inputVal);
-                    private IEvaluator evalLen = args[2].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalList = args[0].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalStart = args[1].createEvaluator(inputVal);
+                    private ICopyEvaluator evalLen = args[2].createEvaluator(inputVal);
                     private int numItems;
                     private int numItemsMax;
                     private int posStart;
@@ -75,16 +75,16 @@
                         try {
                             inputVal.reset();
                             evalStart.evaluate(tuple);
-                            posStart = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                            posStart = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
 
                             inputVal.reset();
                             evalLen.evaluate(tuple);
-                            numItems = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getBytes(), 1);
+                            numItems = IntegerSerializerDeserializer.getInt(inputVal.getByteArray(), 1);
 
                             inputVal.reset();
                             evalList.evaluate(tuple);
 
-                            byte[] serList = inputVal.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serList = inputVal.getByteArray();
 
                             if (serList[0] == SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG) {
                                 nullSerde.serialize(ANull.NULL, out);
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@
                     @Override
                     public boolean step() throws AlgebricksException {
                         if (posCrt < posStart + numItems && posCrt < numItemsMax) {
-                            byte[] serList = inputVal.getBytes();
+                            byte[] serList = inputVal.getByteArray();
                             int itemLength = 0;
                             try {
                                 int itemOffset = AOrderedListSerializerDeserializer.getItemOffset(serList, posCrt);
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ARecordAccessor.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ARecordAccessor.java
deleted file mode 100644
index d45b4ac..0000000
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ARecordAccessor.java
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,284 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
- * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
- * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
- * you may obtain a copy of the License from
- * 
- *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- * 
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
- * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
- * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
- * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
- * limitations under the License.
- */
-
-package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util;
-
-import java.io.DataOutputStream;
-import java.io.IOException;
-import java.util.ArrayList;
-import java.util.List;
-
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.AqlNullWriterFactory;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.AInt32SerializerDeserializer;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AUnionType;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.util.NonTaggedFormatUtil;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.INullWriter;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IValueReference;
-
-public class ARecordAccessor implements IValueReference {
-
-    private List<SimpleValueReference> fieldNames = new ArrayList<SimpleValueReference>();
-    private List<SimpleValueReference> fieldTypeTags = new ArrayList<SimpleValueReference>();
-    private List<SimpleValueReference> fieldValues = new ArrayList<SimpleValueReference>();
-
-    private byte[] typeBuffer = new byte[32768];
-    private ResettableByteArrayOutputStream typeBos = new ResettableByteArrayOutputStream();
-    private DataOutputStream typeDos = new DataOutputStream(typeBos);
-
-    private byte[] dataBuffer = new byte[32768];
-    private ResettableByteArrayOutputStream dataBos = new ResettableByteArrayOutputStream();
-    private DataOutputStream dataDos = new DataOutputStream(dataBos);
-
-    private int closedPartTypeInfoSize = 0;
-    private ARecordType inputRecType;
-
-    private int numberOfSchemaFields;
-    private int offsetArrayOffset;
-    private int[] fieldOffsets;
-    private int fieldCursor = -1;
-    private ATypeTag typeTag;
-    private SimpleValueReference nullReference = new SimpleValueReference();
-
-    private byte[] data;
-    private int start;
-    private int len;
-
-    public ARecordAccessor(ARecordType inputType) {
-        this.inputRecType = inputType;
-        IAType[] fieldTypes = inputType.getFieldTypes();
-        String[] fieldNameStrs = inputType.getFieldNames();
-        numberOfSchemaFields = fieldTypes.length;
-
-        // initialize the buffer for closed parts(fieldName bytes+ type bytes) +
-        // constant(null bytes)
-        typeBos.setByteArray(typeBuffer, 0);
-        try {
-            for (int i = 0; i < numberOfSchemaFields; i++) {
-                ATypeTag ftypeTag = fieldTypes[i].getTypeTag();
-
-                // add type tag Reference
-                int tagStart = typeBos.size();
-                typeDos.writeByte(ftypeTag.serialize());
-                int tagEnd = typeBos.size();
-                SimpleValueReference typeTagReference = new SimpleValueReference();
-                typeTagReference.reset(typeBuffer, tagStart, tagEnd - tagStart);
-                fieldTypeTags.add(typeTagReference);
-
-                // add type name Reference (including a astring type tag)
-                int nameStart = typeBos.size();
-                typeDos.writeByte(ATypeTag.STRING.serialize());
-                typeDos.writeUTF(fieldNameStrs[i]);
-                int nameEnd = typeBos.size();
-                SimpleValueReference typeNameReference = new SimpleValueReference();
-                typeNameReference.reset(typeBuffer, nameStart, nameEnd - nameStart);
-                fieldNames.add(typeNameReference);
-            }
-
-            // initialize a constant: null value bytes reference
-            int nullFieldStart = typeBos.size();
-            INullWriter nullWriter = AqlNullWriterFactory.INSTANCE.createNullWriter();
-            nullWriter.writeNull(typeDos);
-            int nullFieldEnd = typeBos.size();
-            nullReference.reset(typeBuffer, nullFieldStart, nullFieldEnd - nullFieldStart);
-        } catch (IOException e) {
-            throw new IllegalStateException(e);
-        }
-        closedPartTypeInfoSize = typeBos.size();
-        fieldOffsets = new int[numberOfSchemaFields];
-    }
-
-    private void reset() {
-        typeBos.setByteArray(typeBuffer, closedPartTypeInfoSize);
-        dataBos.setByteArray(dataBuffer, 0);
-        fieldCursor = -1;
-    }
-
-    public void reset(byte[] b, int start, int len) {
-        // clear the previous states
-        reset();
-        this.data = b;
-        this.start = start;
-        this.len = len;
-
-        boolean isExpanded = false;
-        int openPartOffset = 0;
-        int s = start;
-        int recordOffset = s;
-        if (inputRecType == null) {
-            openPartOffset = s + AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(b, s + 6);
-            s += 8;
-            isExpanded = true;
-        } else {
-            if (inputRecType.isOpen()) {
-                isExpanded = b[s + 5] == 1 ? true : false;
-                if (isExpanded) {
-                    openPartOffset = s + AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(b, s + 6);
-                    s += 10;
-                } else
-                    s += 6;
-            } else
-                s += 5;
-        }
-        try {
-            if (numberOfSchemaFields > 0) {
-                s += 4;
-                int nullBitMapOffset = 0;
-                boolean hasNullableFields = NonTaggedFormatUtil.hasNullableField(inputRecType);
-                if (hasNullableFields) {
-                    nullBitMapOffset = s;
-                    offsetArrayOffset = s
-                            + (this.numberOfSchemaFields % 8 == 0 ? numberOfSchemaFields / 8
-                                    : numberOfSchemaFields / 8 + 1);
-                } else {
-                    offsetArrayOffset = s;
-                }
-                for (int i = 0; i < numberOfSchemaFields; i++) {
-                    fieldOffsets[i] = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(b, offsetArrayOffset) + recordOffset;
-                    offsetArrayOffset += 4;
-                }
-                for (int fieldNumber = 0; fieldNumber < numberOfSchemaFields; fieldNumber++) {
-                    next();
-                    if (hasNullableFields) {
-                        byte b1 = b[nullBitMapOffset + fieldNumber / 8];
-                        int p = 1 << (7 - (fieldNumber % 8));
-                        if ((b1 & p) == 0) {
-                            // set null value (including type tag inside)
-                            nextFieldValue().reset(nullReference);
-                            continue;
-                        }
-                    }
-                    IAType[] fieldTypes = inputRecType.getFieldTypes();
-                    int fieldValueLength = 0;
-
-                    if (fieldTypes[fieldNumber].getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION) {
-                        if (NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) fieldTypes[fieldNumber])) {
-                            typeTag = ((AUnionType) fieldTypes[fieldNumber]).getUnionList()
-                                    .get(NonTaggedFormatUtil.OPTIONAL_TYPE_INDEX_IN_UNION_LIST).getTypeTag();
-                            fieldValueLength = NonTaggedFormatUtil.getFieldValueLength(b, fieldOffsets[fieldNumber],
-                                    typeTag, false);
-                        }
-                    } else {
-                        typeTag = fieldTypes[fieldNumber].getTypeTag();
-                        fieldValueLength = NonTaggedFormatUtil.getFieldValueLength(b, fieldOffsets[fieldNumber],
-                                typeTag, false);
-                    }
-                    // set field value (including the type tag)
-                    int fstart = dataBos.size();
-                    dataDos.writeByte(typeTag.serialize());
-                    dataDos.write(b, fieldOffsets[fieldNumber], fieldValueLength);
-                    int fend = dataBos.size();
-                    nextFieldValue().reset(dataBuffer, fstart, fend - fstart);
-                }
-            }
-            if (isExpanded) {
-                int numberOfOpenFields = AInt32SerializerDeserializer.getInt(b, openPartOffset);
-                int fieldOffset = openPartOffset + 4 + (8 * numberOfOpenFields);
-                for (int i = 0; i < numberOfOpenFields; i++) {
-                    next();
-                    // set the field name (including a type tag, which is
-                    // astring)
-                    int fieldValueLength = NonTaggedFormatUtil.getFieldValueLength(b, fieldOffset, ATypeTag.STRING,
-                            false);
-                    int fnstart = dataBos.size();
-                    dataDos.writeByte(ATypeTag.STRING.serialize());
-                    dataDos.write(b, fieldOffset, fieldValueLength);
-                    int fnend = dataBos.size();
-                    nextFieldName().reset(dataBuffer, fnstart, fnend - fnstart);
-                    fieldOffset += fieldValueLength;
-
-                    // set the field type tag
-                    nextFieldType().reset(b, fieldOffset, 1);
-                    typeTag = EnumDeserializer.ATYPETAGDESERIALIZER.deserialize(b[fieldOffset]);
-
-                    // set the field value (already including type tag)
-                    fieldValueLength = NonTaggedFormatUtil.getFieldValueLength(b, fieldOffset, typeTag, true) + 1;
-                    nextFieldValue().reset(b, fieldOffset, fieldValueLength);
-                    fieldOffset += fieldValueLength;
-                }
-            }
-        } catch (Exception e) {
-            throw new IllegalStateException(e);
-        }
-    }
-
-    private void next() {
-        fieldCursor++;
-    }
-
-    private SimpleValueReference nextFieldName() {
-        if (fieldCursor < fieldNames.size()) {
-            return fieldNames.get(fieldCursor);
-        } else {
-            SimpleValueReference fieldNameReference = new SimpleValueReference();
-            fieldNames.add(fieldNameReference);
-            return fieldNameReference;
-        }
-    }
-
-    private SimpleValueReference nextFieldType() {
-        if (fieldCursor < fieldTypeTags.size()) {
-            return fieldTypeTags.get(fieldCursor);
-        } else {
-            SimpleValueReference fieldTypeReference = new SimpleValueReference();
-            fieldTypeTags.add(fieldTypeReference);
-            return fieldTypeReference;
-        }
-    }
-
-    private SimpleValueReference nextFieldValue() {
-        if (fieldCursor < fieldValues.size()) {
-            return fieldValues.get(fieldCursor);
-        } else {
-            SimpleValueReference fieldValueReference = new SimpleValueReference();
-            fieldValues.add(fieldValueReference);
-            return fieldValueReference;
-        }
-    }
-
-    public int getCursor() {
-        return fieldCursor;
-    }
-
-    public List<SimpleValueReference> getFieldNames() {
-        return fieldNames;
-    }
-
-    public List<SimpleValueReference> getFieldTypeTags() {
-        return fieldTypeTags;
-    }
-
-    public List<SimpleValueReference> getFieldValues() {
-        return fieldValues;
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    public byte[] getBytes() {
-        return data;
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    public int getStartIndex() {
-        return start;
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    public int getLength() {
-        return len;
-    }
-}
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ResettableByteArrayInputStream.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ResettableByteArrayInputStream.java
deleted file mode 100644
index af18133..0000000
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ResettableByteArrayInputStream.java
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,61 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
- * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
- * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
- * you may obtain a copy of the License from
- * 
- *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- * 
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
- * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
- * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
- * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
- * limitations under the License.
- */
-package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util;
-
-import java.io.ByteArrayInputStream;
-import java.util.logging.Level;
-import java.util.logging.Logger;
-
-public class ResettableByteArrayInputStream extends ByteArrayInputStream {
-    private static final Logger LOGGER = Logger.getLogger(ResettableByteArrayInputStream.class.getName());
-
-    private byte[] data;
-    private int position;
-
-    public ResettableByteArrayInputStream(byte[] data) {
-        super(data);
-    }
-
-    public void setByteArray(byte[] data, int position) {
-        this.data = data;
-        this.position = position;
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    public int read() {
-        int remaining = data.length - position;
-        int value = remaining > 0 ? (data[position++] & 0xff) : -1;
-        if (LOGGER.isLoggable(Level.FINEST)) {
-            LOGGER.finest("read(): value: " + value + " remaining: " + remaining + " position: " + position);
-        }
-        return value;
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    public int read(byte[] bytes, int offset, int length) {
-        int remaining = data.length - position;
-        if (LOGGER.isLoggable(Level.FINEST)) {
-            LOGGER.finest("read(bytes[], int, int): remaining: " + remaining + " offset: " + offset + " length: "
-                    + length + " position: " + position);
-        }
-        if (remaining == 0) {
-            return -1;
-        }
-        int l = Math.min(length, remaining);
-        System.arraycopy(data, position, bytes, offset, l);
-        position += l;
-        return l;
-    }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ResettableByteArrayOutputStream.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ResettableByteArrayOutputStream.java
index 62db3a9..5aecd08 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ResettableByteArrayOutputStream.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ResettableByteArrayOutputStream.java
@@ -1,63 +1,15 @@
-/*
- * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
- * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
- * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
- * you may obtain a copy of the License from
- * 
- *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- * 
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
- * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
- * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
- * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
- * limitations under the License.
- */
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util;
 
-import java.io.ByteArrayOutputStream;
-import java.util.logging.Level;
-import java.util.logging.Logger;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.comm.io.ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream;
 
-public class ResettableByteArrayOutputStream extends ByteArrayOutputStream {
-    private static final Logger LOGGER = Logger.getLogger(ResettableByteArrayOutputStream.class.getName());
+/**
+ * This class extends ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream to allow reset to a given
+ * size.
+ * 
+ */
+public class ResettableByteArrayOutputStream extends ByteArrayAccessibleOutputStream {
 
-    private byte[] data;
-    private int position;
-
-    public ResettableByteArrayOutputStream() {
+    public void reset(int size) {
+        count = size;
     }
-
-    public void setByteArray(byte[] data, int position) {
-        this.data = data;
-        this.position = position;
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    public void write(int b) {
-        int remaining = data.length - position;
-        if (position + 1 > data.length - 1)
-            throw new IndexOutOfBoundsException();
-        data[position] = (byte) b;
-        position++;
-        if (LOGGER.isLoggable(Level.FINEST)) {
-            LOGGER.finest("write(): value: " + b + " remaining: " + remaining + " position: " + position);
-        }
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    public void write(byte[] bytes, int offset, int length) {
-        if (LOGGER.isLoggable(Level.FINEST)) {
-            LOGGER.finest("write(bytes[], int, int) offset: " + offset + " length: " + length + " position: "
-                    + position);
-        }
-        if (position + length > data.length - 1)
-            throw new IndexOutOfBoundsException();
-        System.arraycopy(bytes, offset, data, position, length);
-        position += length;
-    }
-    
-    @Override
-    public int size(){
-        return position;
-    }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/SimpleValueReference.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/SimpleValueReference.java
deleted file mode 100644
index e49218a..0000000
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/SimpleValueReference.java
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,70 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
- * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
- * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
- * you may obtain a copy of the License from
- * 
- *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- * 
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
- * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
- * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
- * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
- * limitations under the License.
- */
-
-package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util;
-
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IValueReference;
-
-public class SimpleValueReference implements IValueReference {
-
-    private byte[] data;
-    private int start;
-    private int len;
-
-    public void reset(byte[] data, int start, int len) {
-        this.data = data;
-        this.start = start;
-        this.len = len;
-    }
-
-    public void reset(IValueReference ivf) {
-        this.data = ivf.getBytes();
-        this.start = ivf.getStartIndex();
-        this.len = ivf.getLength();
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    public byte[] getBytes() {
-        return data;
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    public int getStartIndex() {
-        return start;
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    public int getLength() {
-        return len;
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    public boolean equals(Object o) {
-        if (!(o instanceof IValueReference))
-            return false;
-        IValueReference ivf = (IValueReference) o;
-        byte[] odata = ivf.getBytes();
-        int ostart = ivf.getStartIndex();
-        int olen = ivf.getLength();
-
-        if (len != olen)
-            return false;
-        for (int i = 0; i < len; i++) {
-            if (data[start + i] != odata[ostart + i])
-                return false;
-        }
-        return true;
-    }
-}
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/container/IObjectFactory.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/container/IObjectFactory.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..85f0fa3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/container/IObjectFactory.java
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util.container;
+
+/**
+ * A factory interface to create objects.
+ */
+public interface IObjectFactory<E, T> {
+
+    /**
+     * create an element of type E
+     * 
+     * @param arg
+     * @return an E element
+     */
+    public E create(T arg);
+}
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/container/IObjectPool.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/container/IObjectPool.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dd2c3bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/container/IObjectPool.java
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util.container;
+
+/**
+ * A reusable object pool interface.
+ */
+public interface IObjectPool<E, T> {
+
+    /**
+     * Give client an E instance
+     * 
+     * @param arg
+     *            the argument to create E
+     * @return an E instance
+     */
+    public E allocate(T arg);
+
+    /**
+     * Mark all instances in the pool as unused
+     */
+    public void reset();
+}
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/container/ListObjectPool.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/container/ListObjectPool.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8f8e3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/container/ListObjectPool.java
@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009-2010 by The Regents of the University of California
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * you may obtain a copy of the License from
+ * 
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ * 
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util.container;
+
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.BitSet;
+import java.util.List;
+
+/**
+ * Object pool backed by a list.
+ * 
+ * The argument for creating E instances could be different. This class also
+ * considers arguments in object reusing, e.g., it reuses an E instances ONLY
+ * when the construction argument is "equal".
+ */
+public class ListObjectPool<E, T> implements IObjectPool<E, T> {
+
+    private IObjectFactory<E, T> factory;
+
+    /**
+     * cache of objects
+     */
+    private List<E> pool = new ArrayList<E>();
+
+    /**
+     * args that are used to create each element in the pool
+     */
+    private List<T> args = new ArrayList<T>();
+
+    /**
+     * bits indicating which element is in use
+     */
+    private BitSet usedBits = new BitSet();
+
+    public ListObjectPool(IObjectFactory<E, T> factory) {
+        this.factory = factory;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public E allocate(T arg) {
+        int freeSlot = -1;
+        while (freeSlot + 1 < pool.size()) {
+            freeSlot = usedBits.nextClearBit(freeSlot + 1);
+            if (freeSlot >= pool.size())
+                break;
+
+            // the two cases where an element in the pool is a match
+            if ((arg == null && args.get(freeSlot) == null)
+                    || (arg != null && args.get(freeSlot) != null && arg.equals(args.get(freeSlot)))) {
+                // the element is not used and the arg is the same as
+                // input arg
+                usedBits.set(freeSlot);
+                return pool.get(freeSlot);
+            }
+        }
+
+        // if we do not find a reusable object, allocate a new one
+        E element = factory.create(arg);
+        pool.add(element);
+        args.add(arg);
+        usedBits.set(pool.size() - 1);
+        return element;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void reset() {
+        usedBits.clear();
+    }
+}