diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/base/RuleCollections.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/base/RuleCollections.java
index aa22be5..e45eeea 100644
--- a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/base/RuleCollections.java
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/base/RuleCollections.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.optimizer.base;
 
 import java.util.LinkedList;
@@ -15,8 +30,10 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.IfElseToSwitchCaseFunctionRule;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.InlineAssignIntoAggregateRule;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.IntroduceBTreeIndexSearchRule;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.IntroduceDynamicTypeCastRule;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.IntroduceRTreeIndexSearchRule;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.IntroduceSecondaryIndexInsertDeleteRule;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.LoadRecordFieldsRule;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.NestGroupByRule;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.PullPositionalVariableFromUnnestRule;
@@ -27,7 +44,6 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.RemoveRedundantListifyRule;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.SetAsterixPhysicalOperatorsRule;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.SetClosedRecordConstructorsRule;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.TopDownTypeInferenceRule;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.UnnestToDataScanRule;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.rewriter.base.HeuristicOptimizer;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.rewriter.base.IAlgebraicRewriteRule;
@@ -81,7 +97,12 @@
         normalization.add(new ExtractGbyExpressionsRule());
         normalization.add(new ExtractDistinctByExpressionsRule());
         normalization.add(new ExtractOrderExpressionsRule());
-        normalization.add(new TopDownTypeInferenceRule());
+
+        // IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule should go before
+        // IntroduceDynamicTypeCastRule to
+        // avoid unnecessary dynamic casting
+        normalization.add(new IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule());
+        normalization.add(new IntroduceDynamicTypeCastRule());
         normalization.add(new ConstantFoldingRule());
         normalization.add(new UnnestToDataScanRule());
         normalization.add(new IfElseToSwitchCaseFunctionRule());
diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/ByNameToByIndexFieldAccessRule.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/ByNameToByIndexFieldAccessRule.java
index e97961f..704ccb5 100644
--- a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/ByNameToByIndexFieldAccessRule.java
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/ByNameToByIndexFieldAccessRule.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.List;
 
 import org.apache.commons.lang3.mutable.Mutable;
 import org.apache.commons.lang3.mutable.MutableObject;
@@ -41,80 +57,83 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public boolean rewritePost(Mutable<ILogicalOperator> opRef, IOptimizationContext context) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public boolean rewritePost(Mutable<ILogicalOperator> opRef, IOptimizationContext context)
+            throws AlgebricksException {
         AbstractLogicalOperator op = (AbstractLogicalOperator) opRef.getValue();
         if (op.getOperatorTag() != LogicalOperatorTag.ASSIGN) {
             return false;
         }
         AssignOperator assign = (AssignOperator) op;
-        // if
-        // (assign.getAnnotations().get(AsterixOperatorAnnotations.PUSHED_FIELD_ACCESS)
-        // == null) {
-        // return false;
-        // }
         if (assign.getExpressions().get(0).getValue().getExpressionTag() != LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
             return false;
         }
-        AbstractFunctionCallExpression fce = (AbstractFunctionCallExpression) assign.getExpressions().get(0)
-                .getValue();
-        if (fce.getFunctionIdentifier() != AsterixBuiltinFunctions.FIELD_ACCESS_BY_NAME) {
-            return false;
-        }
-        IVariableTypeEnvironment env = context.getOutputTypeEnvironment(op);
 
-        ILogicalExpression a0 = fce.getArguments().get(0).getValue();
-        if (a0.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
-            LogicalVariable var1 = context.newVar();
-            ArrayList<LogicalVariable> varArray = new ArrayList<LogicalVariable>(1);
-            varArray.add(var1);
-            ArrayList<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> exprArray = new ArrayList<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>>(1);
-            exprArray.add(new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(a0));
-            AssignOperator assignVar = new AssignOperator(varArray, exprArray);
-            fce.getArguments().get(0).setValue(new VariableReferenceExpression(var1));
-            assignVar.getInputs().add(new MutableObject<ILogicalOperator>(assign.getInputs().get(0).getValue()));
-            assign.getInputs().get(0).setValue(assignVar);
-            context.computeAndSetTypeEnvironmentForOperator(assignVar);
-            context.computeAndSetTypeEnvironmentForOperator(assign);
-        }
-
-        IAType t = (IAType) env.getType(fce.getArguments().get(0).getValue());
-        switch (t.getTypeTag()) {
-            case ANY: {
-                return false;
+        List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> expressions = assign.getExpressions();
+        boolean changed = false;
+        for (int i = 0; i < expressions.size(); i++) {
+            AbstractFunctionCallExpression fce = (AbstractFunctionCallExpression) expressions.get(i).getValue();
+            if (fce.getFunctionIdentifier() != AsterixBuiltinFunctions.FIELD_ACCESS_BY_NAME) {
+                continue;
             }
-            case RECORD: {
-                ARecordType recType = (ARecordType) t;
-                ILogicalExpression fai = createFieldAccessByIndex(recType, fce);
-                if (fai == null) {
+            IVariableTypeEnvironment env = context.getOutputTypeEnvironment(op);
+
+            ILogicalExpression a0 = fce.getArguments().get(0).getValue();
+            if (a0.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
+                LogicalVariable var1 = context.newVar();
+                ArrayList<LogicalVariable> varArray = new ArrayList<LogicalVariable>(1);
+                varArray.add(var1);
+                ArrayList<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> exprArray = new ArrayList<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>>(1);
+                exprArray.add(new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(a0));
+                AssignOperator assignVar = new AssignOperator(varArray, exprArray);
+                fce.getArguments().get(0).setValue(new VariableReferenceExpression(var1));
+                assignVar.getInputs().add(new MutableObject<ILogicalOperator>(assign.getInputs().get(0).getValue()));
+                assign.getInputs().get(0).setValue(assignVar);
+                context.computeAndSetTypeEnvironmentForOperator(assignVar);
+                context.computeAndSetTypeEnvironmentForOperator(assign);
+            }
+
+            IAType t = (IAType) env.getType(fce.getArguments().get(0).getValue());
+            switch (t.getTypeTag()) {
+                case ANY: {
                     return false;
                 }
-                assign.getExpressions().get(0).setValue(fai);
-                break;
-            }
-            case UNION: {
-                AUnionType unionT = (AUnionType) t;
-                if (unionT.isNullableType()) {
-                    IAType t2 = unionT.getUnionList().get(1);
-                    if (t2.getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.RECORD) {
-                        ARecordType recType = (ARecordType) t2;
-                        ILogicalExpression fai = createFieldAccessByIndex(recType, fce);
-                        if (fai == null) {
-                            return false;
-                        }
-                        assign.getExpressions().get(0).setValue(fai);
-                        break;
+                case RECORD: {
+                    ARecordType recType = (ARecordType) t;
+                    ILogicalExpression fai = createFieldAccessByIndex(recType, fce);
+                    if (fai == null) {
+                        return false;
                     }
+                    expressions.get(i).setValue(fai);
+                    changed = true;
+                    break;
                 }
-                throw new NotImplementedException("Union " + unionT);
-            }
-            default: {
-                throw new AlgebricksException("Cannot call field-access on data of type " + t);
+                case UNION: {
+                    AUnionType unionT = (AUnionType) t;
+                    if (unionT.isNullableType()) {
+                        IAType t2 = unionT.getUnionList().get(1);
+                        if (t2.getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.RECORD) {
+                            ARecordType recType = (ARecordType) t2;
+                            ILogicalExpression fai = createFieldAccessByIndex(recType, fce);
+                            if (fai == null) {
+                                return false;
+                            }
+                            expressions.get(i).setValue(fai);
+                            changed = true;
+                            break;
+                        }
+                    }
+                    throw new NotImplementedException("Union " + unionT);
+                }
+                default: {
+                    throw new AlgebricksException("Cannot call field-access on data of type " + t);
+                }
             }
         }
         assign.removeAnnotation(AsterixOperatorAnnotations.PUSHED_FIELD_ACCESS);
-        return true;
+        return changed;
     }
 
+    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
     private static ILogicalExpression createFieldAccessByIndex(ARecordType recType, AbstractFunctionCallExpression fce) {
         String s = getStringSecondArgument(fce);
         if (s == null) {
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 faae5eb..a8e6961 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
@@ -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.optimizer.rules;
 
 import java.io.DataInputStream;
@@ -106,7 +121,6 @@
         if (context.checkIfInDontApplySet(this, op)) {
             return false;
         }
-        // context.addToDontApplySet(this, op);
         return op.acceptExpressionTransform(cfv);
     }
 
@@ -147,7 +161,8 @@
                 return new Pair<Boolean, ILogicalExpression>(changed, expr);
             }
             // TODO: currently ARecord is always a closed record
-            if (expr.getFunctionIdentifier().equals(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.OPEN_RECORD_CONSTRUCTOR)) {
+            if (expr.getFunctionIdentifier().equals(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.OPEN_RECORD_CONSTRUCTOR)
+                    || expr.getFunctionIdentifier().equals(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.CAST_RECORD)) {
                 return new Pair<Boolean, ILogicalExpression>(false, null);
             }
             if (expr.getFunctionIdentifier().equals(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.FIELD_ACCESS_BY_NAME)) {
@@ -166,6 +181,8 @@
             resStore.reset();
             eval.evaluate(null);
             Object t = _emptyTypeEnv.getType(expr);
+            
+            @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
             ISerializerDeserializer serde = _jobGenCtx.getSerializerDeserializerProvider().getSerializerDeserializer(t);
             bbis.setByteBuffer(ByteBuffer.wrap(resStore.getBytes(), resStore.getStartIndex(), resStore.getLength()), 0);
             IAObject o;
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
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..35a5966
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceDynamicTypeCastRule.java
@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+/*
+ * 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.List;
+
+import org.apache.commons.lang3.mutable.Mutable;
+import org.apache.commons.lang3.mutable.MutableObject;
+
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.aql.util.FunctionUtils;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.metadata.declared.AqlDataSource;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.AsterixBuiltinFunctions;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
+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;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.IOptimizationContext;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.LogicalOperatorTag;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.LogicalVariable;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.AbstractFunctionCallExpression;
+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.expressions.VariableReferenceExpression;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.AbstractLogicalOperator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.AssignOperator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.InsertDeleteOperator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.ProjectOperator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.visitors.VariableUtilities;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.rewriter.base.IAlgebraicRewriteRule;
+
+public class IntroduceDynamicTypeCastRule implements IAlgebraicRewriteRule {
+
+    @Override
+    public boolean rewritePre(Mutable<ILogicalOperator> opRef, IOptimizationContext context) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public boolean rewritePost(Mutable<ILogicalOperator> opRef, IOptimizationContext context)
+            throws AlgebricksException {
+        /**
+         * pattern match: sink insert assign
+         * 
+         * resulting plan: sink-insert-project-assign
+         * 
+         */
+        AbstractLogicalOperator op1 = (AbstractLogicalOperator) opRef.getValue();
+        if (op1.getOperatorTag() != LogicalOperatorTag.SINK)
+            return false;
+        AbstractLogicalOperator op2 = (AbstractLogicalOperator) op1.getInputs().get(0).getValue();
+        if (op2.getOperatorTag() != LogicalOperatorTag.INSERT_DELETE)
+            return false;
+        AbstractLogicalOperator op3 = (AbstractLogicalOperator) op2.getInputs().get(0).getValue();
+        if (op3.getOperatorTag() != LogicalOperatorTag.ASSIGN)
+            return false;
+
+        InsertDeleteOperator insertDeleteOperator = (InsertDeleteOperator) op2;
+        AssignOperator oldAssignOperator = (AssignOperator) op3;
+
+        AqlDataSource dataSource = (AqlDataSource) insertDeleteOperator.getDataSource();
+        IAType[] schemaTypes = (IAType[]) dataSource.getSchemaTypes();
+        ARecordType requiredRecordType = (ARecordType) schemaTypes[schemaTypes.length - 1];
+
+        List<LogicalVariable> usedVariables = new ArrayList<LogicalVariable>();
+        VariableUtilities.getUsedVariables(oldAssignOperator, usedVariables);
+        LogicalVariable inputRecordVar;
+        if (usedVariables.size() > 0) {
+            inputRecordVar = usedVariables.get(0);
+        } else {
+            VariableUtilities.getLiveVariables(oldAssignOperator, usedVariables);
+            inputRecordVar = usedVariables.get(0);
+        }
+        IVariableTypeEnvironment env = oldAssignOperator.computeInputTypeEnvironment(context);
+        ARecordType inputRecordType = (ARecordType) env.getVarType(inputRecordVar);
+
+        boolean needCast = !requiredRecordType.equals(inputRecordType);
+        if (!needCast)
+            return false;
+
+        // insert
+        // project
+        // assign
+        // assign
+        AbstractFunctionCallExpression cast = new ScalarFunctionCallExpression(
+                FunctionUtils.getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.CAST_RECORD));
+        ARecordType[] types = new ARecordType[2];
+        types[0] = requiredRecordType;
+        types[1] = inputRecordType;
+        cast.getArguments().add(new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(new VariableReferenceExpression(inputRecordVar)));
+        cast.setOpaqueParameters(types);
+        LogicalVariable newAssignVar = context.newVar();
+        AssignOperator newAssignOperator = new AssignOperator(newAssignVar, new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(cast));
+        newAssignOperator.getInputs().add(new MutableObject<ILogicalOperator>(op3));
+
+        List<LogicalVariable> projectVariables = new ArrayList<LogicalVariable>();
+        VariableUtilities.getProducedVariables(oldAssignOperator, projectVariables);
+        projectVariables.add(newAssignVar);
+        ProjectOperator projectOperator = new ProjectOperator(projectVariables);
+        projectOperator.getInputs().add(new MutableObject<ILogicalOperator>(newAssignOperator));
+
+        ILogicalExpression payloadExpr = new VariableReferenceExpression(newAssignVar);
+        MutableObject<ILogicalExpression> payloadRef = new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(payloadExpr);
+        InsertDeleteOperator newInserDeleteOperator = new InsertDeleteOperator(insertDeleteOperator.getDataSource(),
+                payloadRef, insertDeleteOperator.getPrimaryKeyExpressions(), insertDeleteOperator.getOperation());
+        newInserDeleteOperator.getInputs().add(new MutableObject<ILogicalOperator>(projectOperator));
+        insertDeleteOperator.getInputs().clear();
+        op1.getInputs().get(0).setValue(newInserDeleteOperator);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+}
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
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fc0a2e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule.java
@@ -0,0 +1,257 @@
+package edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules;
+
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+
+import org.apache.commons.lang3.mutable.Mutable;
+import org.apache.commons.lang3.mutable.MutableObject;
+
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.metadata.declared.AqlDataSource;
+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.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.BuiltinType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.util.NonTaggedFormatUtil;
+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;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.IOptimizationContext;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.LogicalExpressionTag;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.LogicalOperatorTag;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.LogicalVariable;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.AbstractFunctionCallExpression;
+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.ScalarFunctionCallExpression;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.AbstractLogicalOperator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.AssignOperator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.InsertDeleteOperator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.visitors.VariableUtilities;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.rewriter.base.IAlgebraicRewriteRule;
+
+public class IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule implements IAlgebraicRewriteRule {
+
+    @Override
+    public boolean rewritePre(Mutable<ILogicalOperator> opRef, IOptimizationContext context) throws AlgebricksException {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public boolean rewritePost(Mutable<ILogicalOperator> opRef, IOptimizationContext context)
+            throws AlgebricksException {
+        /**
+         * pattern match: sink/insert/assign record type is propagated from
+         * insert data source to the record-constructor expression
+         */
+        if (context.checkIfInDontApplySet(this, opRef.getValue()))
+            return false;
+        context.addToDontApplySet(this, opRef.getValue());
+        AbstractLogicalOperator op1 = (AbstractLogicalOperator) opRef.getValue();
+        if (op1.getOperatorTag() != LogicalOperatorTag.SINK)
+            return false;
+        AbstractLogicalOperator op2 = (AbstractLogicalOperator) op1.getInputs().get(0).getValue();
+        if (op2.getOperatorTag() != LogicalOperatorTag.INSERT_DELETE)
+            return false;
+        AbstractLogicalOperator op3 = (AbstractLogicalOperator) op2.getInputs().get(0).getValue();
+        if (op3.getOperatorTag() != LogicalOperatorTag.ASSIGN)
+            return false;
+
+        /**
+         * get required record type
+         */
+        InsertDeleteOperator insertDeleteOperator = (InsertDeleteOperator) op2;
+        AssignOperator oldAssignOperator = (AssignOperator) op3;
+        AqlDataSource dataSource = (AqlDataSource) insertDeleteOperator.getDataSource();
+        IAType[] schemaTypes = (IAType[]) dataSource.getSchemaTypes();
+        ARecordType requiredRecordType = (ARecordType) schemaTypes[schemaTypes.length - 1];
+
+        /**
+         * get input record type to the insert operator
+         */
+        List<LogicalVariable> usedVariables = new ArrayList<LogicalVariable>();
+        VariableUtilities.getUsedVariables(oldAssignOperator, usedVariables);
+        if (usedVariables.size() == 0)
+            return false;
+        LogicalVariable oldRecordVariable = usedVariables.get(0);
+        LogicalVariable inputRecordVar = usedVariables.get(0);
+        IVariableTypeEnvironment env = oldAssignOperator.computeOutputTypeEnvironment(context);
+        ARecordType inputRecordType = (ARecordType) env.getVarType(inputRecordVar);
+
+        AbstractLogicalOperator currentOperator = oldAssignOperator;
+        List<LogicalVariable> producedVariables = new ArrayList<LogicalVariable>();
+        boolean changed = false;
+
+        /**
+         * find the assign operator for the "input record" to the insert_delete
+         * operator
+         */
+        do {
+            if (currentOperator.getOperatorTag() == LogicalOperatorTag.ASSIGN) {
+                producedVariables.clear();
+                VariableUtilities.getProducedVariables(currentOperator, producedVariables);
+                int position = producedVariables.indexOf(oldRecordVariable);
+
+                /**
+                 * set the top-down propagated type
+                 */
+                if (position >= 0) {
+                    AssignOperator originalAssign = (AssignOperator) currentOperator;
+                    List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> expressionPointers = originalAssign.getExpressions();
+                    ILogicalExpression expr = expressionPointers.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);
+                                }
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                    context.computeAndSetTypeEnvironmentForOperator(originalAssign);
+                }
+            }
+            if (currentOperator.getInputs().size() > 0)
+                currentOperator = (AbstractLogicalOperator) currentOperator.getInputs().get(0).getValue();
+            else
+                break;
+        } while (currentOperator != null);
+        return changed;
+    }
+
+    private void staticTypeCast(ScalarFunctionCallExpression func, ARecordType reqType, ARecordType inputType) {
+        IAType[] reqFieldTypes = reqType.getFieldTypes();
+        String[] reqFieldNames = reqType.getFieldNames();
+        IAType[] inputFieldTypes = inputType.getFieldTypes();
+        String[] inputFieldNames = inputType.getFieldNames();
+
+        int[] fieldPermutation = new int[reqFieldTypes.length];
+        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;
+
+        // 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];
+            matched = false;
+            for (int j = 0; j < reqFieldNames.length; j++) {
+                String reqFieldName = reqFieldNames[j];
+                IAType reqFieldType = reqFieldTypes[j];
+                if (fieldName.equals(reqFieldName)) {
+                    if (fieldType.equals(reqFieldType)) {
+                        fieldPermutation[j] = i;
+                        openFields[i] = false;
+                        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)) {
+                            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");
+        }
+
+        // backward match: match from required to actual
+        for (int i = 0; i < reqFieldNames.length; i++) {
+            String reqFieldName = reqFieldNames[i];
+            IAType reqFieldType = reqFieldTypes[i];
+            matched = false;
+            for (int j = 0; j < inputFieldNames.length; j++) {
+                String fieldName = inputFieldNames[j];
+                IAType fieldType = inputFieldTypes[j];
+                if (fieldName.equals(reqFieldName)) {
+                    if (fieldType.equals(reqFieldType)) {
+                        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)) {
+                // 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");
+            }
+        }
+
+        List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> arguments = func.getArguments();
+        List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> argumentsClone = new ArrayList<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>>();
+        argumentsClone.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));
+            }
+            if (nullFields[i]) {
+                // add a null field
+                arguments.add(new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(new ConstantExpression(new AsterixConstantValue(
+                        new AString(reqFieldNames[i])))));
+                arguments.add(new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(new ConstantExpression(new AsterixConstantValue(
+                        ANull.NULL))));
+            }
+        }
+
+        // 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));
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/LoadRecordFieldsRule.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/LoadRecordFieldsRule.java
index d5deb3c..0a68315 100644
--- a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/LoadRecordFieldsRule.java
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/LoadRecordFieldsRule.java
@@ -50,11 +50,13 @@
     }
 
     @Override
-    public boolean rewritePost(Mutable<ILogicalOperator> opRef, IOptimizationContext context) throws AlgebricksException {
+    public boolean rewritePost(Mutable<ILogicalOperator> opRef, IOptimizationContext context)
+            throws AlgebricksException {
         AbstractLogicalOperator op1 = (AbstractLogicalOperator) opRef.getValue();
         if (context.checkIfInDontApplySet(this, op1)) {
             return false;
         }
+
         if (op1.getOperatorTag() == LogicalOperatorTag.ASSIGN) {
             AssignOperator a1 = (AssignOperator) op1;
             ILogicalExpression expr = getFirstExpr(a1);
@@ -209,7 +211,7 @@
      * @param toPushThroughChildRef
      */
     private static void pushAccessAboveOpRef(AssignOperator toPush, Mutable<ILogicalOperator> toPushThroughChildRef,
-            IOptimizationContext context) {
+            IOptimizationContext context) throws AlgebricksException {
         List<Mutable<ILogicalOperator>> tpInpList = toPush.getInputs();
         tpInpList.clear();
         tpInpList.add(new MutableObject<ILogicalOperator>(toPushThroughChildRef.getValue()));
@@ -233,7 +235,7 @@
      * 
      * @param toPush
      */
-    private static boolean findAndEliminateRedundantFieldAccess(AssignOperator assign) {
+    private static boolean findAndEliminateRedundantFieldAccess(AssignOperator assign) throws AlgebricksException {
         ILogicalExpression expr = getFirstExpr(assign);
         AbstractFunctionCallExpression f = (AbstractFunctionCallExpression) expr;
         ILogicalExpression arg0 = f.getArguments().get(0).getValue();
@@ -250,9 +252,20 @@
         if (f.getFunctionIdentifier().equals(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.FIELD_ACCESS_BY_NAME)) {
             String fldName = ((AString) ((AsterixConstantValue) ce.getValue()).getObject()).getStringValue();
             ILogicalExpression fldExpr = findFieldExpression(assign, recordVar, fldName);
+
             if (fldExpr != null) {
-                assign.getExpressions().get(0).setValue(fldExpr);
-                return true;
+                // check the liveness of the new expression
+                List<LogicalVariable> usedVariables = new ArrayList<LogicalVariable>();
+                fldExpr.getUsedVariables(usedVariables);
+                List<LogicalVariable> liveInputVars = new ArrayList<LogicalVariable>();
+                VariableUtilities.getLiveVariables(assign, liveInputVars);
+                usedVariables.removeAll(liveInputVars);
+                if (usedVariables.size() == 0) {
+                    assign.getExpressions().get(0).setValue(fldExpr);
+                    return true;
+                } else {
+                    return false;
+                }
             } else {
                 return false;
             }
diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/TopDownTypeInferenceRule.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/TopDownTypeInferenceRule.java
deleted file mode 100644
index 958f5f6..0000000
--- a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/TopDownTypeInferenceRule.java
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,117 +0,0 @@
-package edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules;
-
-import java.util.ArrayList;
-import java.util.List;
-
-import org.apache.commons.lang3.mutable.Mutable;
-
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.metadata.declared.AqlDataSource;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.base.TypeComputerUtilities;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
-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;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.IOptimizationContext;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.LogicalExpressionTag;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.LogicalOperatorTag;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.LogicalVariable;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.AbstractFunctionCallExpression;
-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.operators.logical.AbstractLogicalOperator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.AssignOperator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.InsertDeleteOperator;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.visitors.VariableUtilities;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.rewriter.base.IAlgebraicRewriteRule;
-
-public class TopDownTypeInferenceRule implements IAlgebraicRewriteRule {
-
-    @Override
-    public boolean rewritePre(Mutable<ILogicalOperator> opRef, IOptimizationContext context) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return false;
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    public boolean rewritePost(Mutable<ILogicalOperator> opRef, IOptimizationContext context)
-            throws AlgebricksException {
-        /**
-         * pattern match: sink/insert/assign
-         * record type is propagated from insert data source to the record-constructor expression
-         */
-        AbstractLogicalOperator op1 = (AbstractLogicalOperator) opRef.getValue();
-        if (op1.getOperatorTag() != LogicalOperatorTag.SINK)
-            return false;
-        AbstractLogicalOperator op2 = (AbstractLogicalOperator) op1.getInputs().get(0).getValue();
-        if (op2.getOperatorTag() != LogicalOperatorTag.INSERT_DELETE)
-            return false;
-        AbstractLogicalOperator op3 = (AbstractLogicalOperator) op2.getInputs().get(0).getValue();
-        if (op3.getOperatorTag() != LogicalOperatorTag.ASSIGN)
-            return false;
-
-        /**
-         * get required record type
-         */
-        InsertDeleteOperator insertDeleteOperator = (InsertDeleteOperator) op2;
-        AssignOperator oldAssignOperator = (AssignOperator) op3;
-        AqlDataSource dataSource = (AqlDataSource) insertDeleteOperator.getDataSource();
-        IAType[] schemaTypes = (IAType[]) dataSource.getSchemaTypes();
-        ARecordType requiredRecordType = (ARecordType) schemaTypes[schemaTypes.length - 1];
-
-        /**
-         * get input record type to the insert operator
-         */
-        List<LogicalVariable> usedVariables = new ArrayList<LogicalVariable>();
-        VariableUtilities.getUsedVariables(oldAssignOperator, usedVariables);
-        if (usedVariables.size() == 0)
-            return false;
-        LogicalVariable oldRecordVariable = usedVariables.get(0);
-        LogicalVariable inputRecordVar = usedVariables.get(0);
-        IVariableTypeEnvironment env = oldAssignOperator.computeOutputTypeEnvironment(context);
-        ARecordType inputRecordType = (ARecordType) env.getVarType(inputRecordVar);
-
-        AbstractLogicalOperator currentOperator = oldAssignOperator;
-        List<LogicalVariable> producedVariables = new ArrayList<LogicalVariable>();
-        boolean changed = false;
-        if (!requiredRecordType.equals(inputRecordType)) {
-            /**
-             * find the assign operator for the "input record" to the
-             * insert_delete operator
-             */
-            do {
-                if (currentOperator.getOperatorTag() == LogicalOperatorTag.ASSIGN) {
-                    producedVariables.clear();
-                    VariableUtilities.getProducedVariables(currentOperator, producedVariables);
-                    int position = producedVariables.indexOf(oldRecordVariable);
-
-                    /**
-                     * set the top-down propagated type
-                     */
-                    if (position >= 0) {
-                        AssignOperator originalAssign = (AssignOperator) currentOperator;
-                        List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> expressionPointers = originalAssign.getExpressions();
-                        ILogicalExpression expr = expressionPointers.get(position).getValue();
-                        if (expr.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
-                            ScalarFunctionCallExpression funcExpr = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) expr;
-                            changed = TypeComputerUtilities.setRequiredType(funcExpr, requiredRecordType);
-                            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);
-                                }
-                            }
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
-                if (currentOperator.getInputs().size() > 0)
-                    currentOperator = (AbstractLogicalOperator) currentOperator.getInputs().get(0).getValue();
-                else
-                    break;
-            } while (currentOperator != null);
-        }
-        return changed;
-    }
-}
diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/translator/AqlExpressionToPlanTranslator.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/translator/AqlExpressionToPlanTranslator.java
index 4fd6dde..b1970ac 100644
--- a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/translator/AqlExpressionToPlanTranslator.java
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/translator/AqlExpressionToPlanTranslator.java
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.metadata.MetadataTransactionContext;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.metadata.bootstrap.AsterixProperties;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.metadata.declared.AqlCompiledDatasetDecl;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.metadata.declared.AqlCompiledInternalDatasetDetails;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.metadata.declared.AqlCompiledMetadataDeclarations;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.metadata.declared.AqlDataSource;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.metadata.declared.AqlLogicalPlanAndMetadataImpl;
@@ -88,7 +89,6 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.metadata.declared.AqlSourceId;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.metadata.declared.FileSplitDataSink;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.metadata.declared.FileSplitSinkId;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.metadata.utils.DatasetUtils;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AString;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.constants.AsterixConstantValue;
@@ -142,7 +142,6 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.WriteOperator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.WriteResultOperator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.plan.ALogicalPlanImpl;
-import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.io.FileReference;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.std.file.FileSplit;
 
@@ -150,10 +149,9 @@
  * Each visit returns a pair of an operator and a variable. The variable
  * corresponds to the new column, if any, added to the tuple flow. E.g., for
  * Unnest, the column is the variable bound to the elements in the list, for
- * Subplan it is null.
- * The first argument of a visit method is the expression which is translated.
- * The second argument of a visit method is the tuple source for the current
- * subtree.
+ * Subplan it is null. The first argument of a visit method is the expression
+ * which is translated. The second argument of a visit method is the tuple
+ * source for the current subtree.
  */
 
 public class AqlExpressionToPlanTranslator extends AbstractAqlTranslator implements
@@ -236,9 +234,18 @@
             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
-                    .getPartitioningFunctions(adecl)) {
-                AbstractFunctionCallExpression f = partitioner.second.cloneExpression();
+
+            AqlCompiledInternalDatasetDetails datasetDetails = (AqlCompiledInternalDatasetDetails) adecl
+                    .getAqlCompiledDatasetDetails();
+            List<String> partitionKeys = datasetDetails.getPartitioningExprs();
+            for (String keyFieldName : partitionKeys) {
+                IFunctionInfo finfoAccess = AsterixBuiltinFunctions
+                        .getAsterixFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.FIELD_ACCESS_BY_NAME);
+                @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+                ScalarFunctionCallExpression f = new ScalarFunctionCallExpression(finfoAccess,
+                        new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(new VariableReferenceExpression(METADATA_DUMMY_VAR)),
+                        new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(new ConstantExpression(new AsterixConstantValue(new AString(
+                                keyFieldName)))));
                 f.substituteVar(METADATA_DUMMY_VAR, resVar);
                 exprs.add(new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(f));
                 LogicalVariable v = context.newVar();
@@ -401,8 +408,8 @@
             Mutable<ILogicalOperator> tupSource) throws AsterixException {
         Pair<ILogicalExpression, Mutable<ILogicalOperator>> p = aqlExprToAlgExpression(fa.getExpr(), tupSource);
         LogicalVariable v = context.newVar();
-        AbstractFunctionCallExpression fldAccess = new ScalarFunctionCallExpression(FunctionUtils
-                .getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.FIELD_ACCESS_BY_NAME));
+        AbstractFunctionCallExpression fldAccess = new ScalarFunctionCallExpression(
+                FunctionUtils.getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.FIELD_ACCESS_BY_NAME));
         fldAccess.getArguments().add(new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(p.first));
         ILogicalExpression faExpr = new ConstantExpression(new AsterixConstantValue(new AString(fa.getIdent()
                 .getValue())));
@@ -421,8 +428,8 @@
         AbstractFunctionCallExpression f;
         int i = ia.getIndex();
         if (i == IndexAccessor.ANY) {
-            f = new ScalarFunctionCallExpression(FunctionUtils
-                    .getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.ANY_COLLECTION_MEMBER));
+            f = new ScalarFunctionCallExpression(
+                    FunctionUtils.getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.ANY_COLLECTION_MEMBER));
             f.getArguments().add(new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(p.first));
         } else {
             f = new ScalarFunctionCallExpression(FunctionUtils.getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.GET_ITEM));
@@ -469,7 +476,8 @@
             }
         }
 
-        FunctionIdentifier fi = new FunctionIdentifier(AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions.ALGEBRICKS_NS, fid.getFunctionName(), false);
+        FunctionIdentifier fi = new FunctionIdentifier(AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions.ALGEBRICKS_NS, fid.getFunctionName(),
+                false);
         AsterixFunctionInfo afi = AsterixBuiltinFunctions.lookupFunction(fi);
         FunctionIdentifier builtinAquafi = afi == null ? null : afi.getFunctionIdentifier();
 
@@ -486,8 +494,8 @@
         if (AsterixBuiltinFunctions.isBuiltinAggregateFunction(fi)) {
             f = AsterixBuiltinFunctions.makeAggregateFunctionExpression(fi, args);
         } else if (AsterixBuiltinFunctions.isBuiltinUnnestingFunction(fi)) {
-            UnnestingFunctionCallExpression ufce = new UnnestingFunctionCallExpression(FunctionUtils
-                    .getFunctionInfo(fi), args);
+            UnnestingFunctionCallExpression ufce = new UnnestingFunctionCallExpression(
+                    FunctionUtils.getFunctionInfo(fi), args);
             ufce.setReturnsUniqueValues(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.returnsUniqueValues(fi));
             f = ufce;
         } else {
@@ -590,9 +598,9 @@
         sel1.getInputs().add(new MutableObject<ILogicalOperator>(pThen.first));
 
         Pair<ILogicalOperator, LogicalVariable> pElse = ifexpr.getElseExpr().accept(this, nestedSource);
-        AbstractFunctionCallExpression notVarCond = new ScalarFunctionCallExpression(FunctionUtils
-                .getFunctionInfo(AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions.NOT), new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(
-                new VariableReferenceExpression(varCond)));
+        AbstractFunctionCallExpression notVarCond = new ScalarFunctionCallExpression(
+                FunctionUtils.getFunctionInfo(AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions.NOT), new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(
+                        new VariableReferenceExpression(varCond)));
         SelectOperator sel2 = new SelectOperator(new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(notVarCond));
         sel2.getInputs().add(new MutableObject<ILogicalOperator>(pElse.first));
 
@@ -605,10 +613,10 @@
         sp.getInputs().add(opCondRef);
 
         LogicalVariable resV = context.newVar();
-        AbstractFunctionCallExpression concatNonNull = new ScalarFunctionCallExpression(FunctionUtils
-                .getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.CONCAT_NON_NULL), new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(
-                new VariableReferenceExpression(pThen.second)), new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(
-                new VariableReferenceExpression(pElse.second)));
+        AbstractFunctionCallExpression concatNonNull = new ScalarFunctionCallExpression(
+                FunctionUtils.getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.CONCAT_NON_NULL),
+                new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(new VariableReferenceExpression(pThen.second)),
+                new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(new VariableReferenceExpression(pElse.second)));
         AssignOperator a = new AssignOperator(resV, new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(concatNonNull));
         a.getInputs().add(new MutableObject<ILogicalOperator>(sp));
 
@@ -716,9 +724,8 @@
             OrderModifier m = modifIter.next();
             OrderOperator.IOrder comp = (m == OrderModifier.ASC) ? OrderOperator.ASC_ORDER : OrderOperator.DESC_ORDER;
             ord.getOrderExpressions()
-                    .add(
-                            new Pair<IOrder, Mutable<ILogicalExpression>>(comp, new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(
-                                    p.first)));
+                    .add(new Pair<IOrder, Mutable<ILogicalExpression>>(comp, new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(
+                            p.first)));
             topOp = p.second;
         }
         ord.getInputs().add(topOp);
@@ -772,8 +779,8 @@
         } else { // EVERY
             List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> satExprList = new ArrayList<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>>(1);
             satExprList.add(new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(eo2.first));
-            s = new SelectOperator(new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(new ScalarFunctionCallExpression(FunctionUtils
-                    .getFunctionInfo(AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions.NOT), satExprList)));
+            s = new SelectOperator(new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(new ScalarFunctionCallExpression(
+                    FunctionUtils.getFunctionInfo(AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions.NOT), satExprList)));
             s.getInputs().add(eo2.second);
             fAgg = AsterixBuiltinFunctions.makeAggregateFunctionExpression(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.EMPTY_STREAM,
                     new ArrayList<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>>());
@@ -794,8 +801,8 @@
     @Override
     public Pair<ILogicalOperator, LogicalVariable> visitRecordConstructor(RecordConstructor rc,
             Mutable<ILogicalOperator> tupSource) throws AsterixException {
-        AbstractFunctionCallExpression f = new ScalarFunctionCallExpression(FunctionUtils
-                .getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.OPEN_RECORD_CONSTRUCTOR));
+        AbstractFunctionCallExpression f = new ScalarFunctionCallExpression(
+                FunctionUtils.getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.OPEN_RECORD_CONSTRUCTOR));
         LogicalVariable v1 = context.newVar();
         AssignOperator a = new AssignOperator(v1, new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(f));
         Mutable<ILogicalOperator> topOp = tupSource;
@@ -839,8 +846,8 @@
         if (u.getSign() == Sign.POSITIVE) {
             a = new AssignOperator(v1, new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(eo.first));
         } else {
-            AbstractFunctionCallExpression m = new ScalarFunctionCallExpression(FunctionUtils
-                    .getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.NUMERIC_UNARY_MINUS));
+            AbstractFunctionCallExpression m = new ScalarFunctionCallExpression(
+                    FunctionUtils.getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.NUMERIC_UNARY_MINUS));
             m.getArguments().add(new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(eo.first));
             a = new AssignOperator(v1, new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(m));
         }
@@ -1263,8 +1270,8 @@
     private ILogicalExpression makeUnnestExpression(ILogicalExpression expr) {
         switch (expr.getExpressionTag()) {
             case VARIABLE: {
-                return new UnnestingFunctionCallExpression(FunctionUtils
-                        .getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.SCAN_COLLECTION),
+                return new UnnestingFunctionCallExpression(
+                        FunctionUtils.getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.SCAN_COLLECTION),
                         new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(expr));
             }
             case FUNCTION_CALL: {
@@ -1272,8 +1279,8 @@
                 if (fce.getKind() == FunctionKind.UNNEST) {
                     return expr;
                 } else {
-                    return new UnnestingFunctionCallExpression(FunctionUtils
-                            .getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.SCAN_COLLECTION),
+                    return new UnnestingFunctionCallExpression(
+                            FunctionUtils.getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.SCAN_COLLECTION),
                             new MutableObject<ILogicalExpression>(expr));
                 }
             }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert-into-loaded-dataset-with-index_01.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert-into-loaded-dataset-with-index_01.aql
index 01e1845..7a3cce2 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert-into-loaded-dataset-with-index_01.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert-into-loaded-dataset-with-index_01.aql
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 let $z:=3
 return {
 	"l_orderkey": $x,
-	"l_partkey": $y,
+	"l_linenumber": $y,
 	"l_suppkey": $z
 }
 );
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
 let $z:=4
 return {
 	"l_orderkey": $x,
-	"l_partkey": $y,
+	"l_linenumber": $y,
 	"l_suppkey": $z
 }
 );
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert-into-loaded-dataset-with-index_02.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert-into-loaded-dataset-with-index_02.aql
index 2212eb9..04a5043 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert-into-loaded-dataset-with-index_02.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert-into-loaded-dataset-with-index_02.aql
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
 	where $l.l_orderkey<10
 	return {
 		"l_orderkey": $l.l_orderkey,
-		"l_partkey": $l.l_linenumber,
+		"l_linenumber": $l.l_linenumber,
 		"l_suppkey": $l.l_partkey
 	}
 );
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert-into-loaded-dataset_01.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert-into-loaded-dataset_01.aql
index ac41ec7..1f211e8 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert-into-loaded-dataset_01.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert-into-loaded-dataset_01.aql
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 let $z:=3
 return {
 	"l_orderkey": $x,
-	"l_partkey": $y,
+	"l_linenumber": $y,
 	"l_suppkey": $z
 }
 );
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
 let $z:=4
 return {
 	"l_orderkey": $x,
-	"l_partkey": $y,
+	"l_linenumber": $y,
 	"l_suppkey": $z
 }
 );
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert.aql
index 7c38a64..2b4622f 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert.aql
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
 	where $l.l_orderkey<10
 	return {
 		"l_orderkey": $l.l_orderkey,
-		"l_partkey": $l.l_linenumber,
+		"l_linenumber": $l.l_linenumber,
 		"l_suppkey": $l.l_partkey
 	}
 );
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert_less_nc.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert_less_nc.aql
index 0fc544d..7e133ae 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert_less_nc.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/insert_less_nc.aql
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
 	where $l.l_orderkey<1000
 	return {
 		"l_orderkey": $l.l_orderkey,
-		"l_partkey": $l.l_linenumber,
+		"l_linenumber": $l.l_linenumber,
 		"l_suppkey": $l.l_partkey
 	}
 );
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
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e29ccdc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-c2o.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+/* 
+ * Test case Name  : opentype-c2o.aql
+ * Description     : read data from a closed type dataset into a open type dataset and verify if
+ *					records can be casted to the target open type 
+ * Expected Result : Success
+ */
+
+drop dataverse testdv2 if exists;
+create dataverse testdv2;
+use dataverse testdv2;
+
+create type testtype as closed {
+  id: string,
+  name: string,
+  hobby: string?
+}
+
+/*
+* name and hobby from the closed dataset will
+* become open fields, and hobby can be null
+*/
+create type testtype2 as open {
+  id: string
+}
+
+create dataset testds(testtype) partitioned by key id;
+
+create dataset testds2(testtype2) partitioned by key id;
+ 
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "hobby": "music", "id": "001", "name": "Person Three"}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "name": "Person One", "id": "002", "hobby": "sports"}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "003", "hobby": "movie", "name": "Person Two"}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "004", "name": "Person Four", "hobby": "swimming"}
+);
+ 
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "name": "Person Five", "id": "005"}
+); 
+ 
+insert into dataset testds2 (
+ for $d in dataset("testds") 
+	return $d
+);
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/dml_opentype-c2o.adm";
+
+for $d in dataset("testds2") 
+order by $d.id
+return $d
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-closed-optional.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-closed-optional.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94991be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-closed-optional.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+/* 
+ * Test case Name  : opentype-closed-optional.aql
+ * Description     : verify that closed type can have optional fields
+ * Expected Result : Success
+ */
+
+drop dataverse testdv2 if exists;
+create dataverse testdv2;
+use dataverse testdv2;
+
+create type testtype as closed {
+  name: string?,
+  id: string
+}
+
+create dataset testds(testtype) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "001", "name": "Person One"}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "002"}
+);
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/dml_opentype-closed-optional.adm";
+
+for $d in dataset("testds") 
+order by $d.id
+return $d
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-insert.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-insert.aql
index 0c71f54..12248dd 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-insert.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-insert.aql
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+/* 
+ * Test case Name  : opentype-insert.aql
+ * Description     : verify static type casting
+ * Expected Result : Success
+ */
+
+drop dataverse testdv2 if exists;
 create dataverse testdv2;
 use dataverse testdv2;
 
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-insert2.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-insert2.aql
index db5ee2e..1903bf2 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-insert2.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-insert2.aql
@@ -1,12 +1,16 @@
-//Test the case where SetClosedRecordRule should not rewrite
-//the plan to use closed-record-descriptor;
+/* 
+ * Test case Name  : opentype-insert2.aql
+ * Description     : verify that the case where SetClosedRecordRule should not rewrite
+ *					the plan to use closed-record-descriptor
+ * Expected Result : Success
+ */
 
 drop dataverse test if exists;
 create dataverse test;
 use dataverse test;
 
 create type TestType as open {
-id:int32
+	id:int32
 }
 
 create dataset testds(TestType) partitioned by key id;
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-noexpand.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-noexpand.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c6ff1cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-noexpand.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+/* 
+ * Test case Name  : opentype-noexpand.aql
+ * Description     : verify that open type dataset can have records without open fields
+ *					 verify the bag-based fields
+ * Expected Result : Success
+ */
+ 
+drop dataverse testdv2 if exists;
+create dataverse testdv2;
+use dataverse testdv2;
+
+create type testtype as open {
+  name: string?,
+  id: string
+}
+
+create dataset testds(testtype) partitioned by key id;
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "001", "name": "Person One"}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "002"}
+);
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/dml_opentype-noexpand.adm";
+
+for $d in dataset("testds") 
+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
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a6ed9cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-o2c.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+/* 
+ * Test case Name  : opentype-o2c.aql
+ * Description     : verify that open records can be inserted into a closed dataset
+ *					 verify missing optional fields in the closed part of the target closed dataset are allowed
+ * Expected Result : Success
+ */
+
+
+drop dataverse testdv2 if exists;
+create dataverse testdv2;
+use dataverse testdv2;
+
+create type testtype as open {
+  id: string,
+  name: string
+}
+
+create type testtype2 as closed {
+  hobby: string?,
+  id: string,
+  name: string
+}
+
+create dataset testds(testtype) partitioned by key id;
+
+create dataset testds2(testtype2) partitioned by key id; 
+ 
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "001",  "hobby": "music", "name": "Person Three"}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "002", "name": "Person Three", "hobby": "football"}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "003", "name": "Person Three", "hobby": "movie"}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "name": "Person Three", "hobby": "swimming", "id": "004"}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "id": "005", "name": "Person Five"}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds2 (
+ for $d in dataset("testds") 
+	return $d
+);
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/dml_opentype-o2c.adm";
+
+for $d in dataset("testds2") 
+order by $d.id
+return $d
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-o2o.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-o2o.aql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..545790b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/dml/opentype-o2o.aql
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+/* 
+ * Test case Name  : opentype-o2o.aql
+ * Description     : verify that the dynamic type cast from one open type to another compatible open type
+ *					 verify the bag-based fields
+ * Expected Result : Success
+ */
+
+
+drop dataverse testdv2 if exists;
+create dataverse testdv2;
+use dataverse testdv2;
+
+create type testtype as open {
+  name: string,
+  id: string
+}
+
+create type testtype2 as open {
+  id: string,
+  name: string,
+  hobby: string
+}
+
+create dataset testds(testtype) partitioned by key id;
+
+create dataset testds2(testtype2) partitioned by key id;
+ 
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "name": "Person One",  "id": "001", "hobby": "music"}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "hobby": "football", "city":"irvine", "name": "Person Two", "id": "002"}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "name": "Person Three",  "id": "003",  "hobby": "movie"}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds (
+{ "hobby": "swimming", "name": "Person Four", "id": "004", "phone":"102-304-506"}
+);
+
+insert into dataset testds2 (
+ for $d in dataset("testds") 
+	return $d
+);
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/dml_opentype-o2o.adm";
+
+for $d in dataset("testds2") 
+order by $d.id
+return $d
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/failure/insert.aql b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/failure/insert.aql
index 3f1daad..a0ce842 100644
--- a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/failure/insert.aql
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/queries/failure/insert.aql
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
 	where $l.l_orderkey<1000
 	return {
 		"l_orderkey": $l.l_orderkey,
-		"l_partkey": $l.l_linenumber,
+		"l_linenumber": $l.l_linenumber,
 		"l_suppkey": $l.l_partkey
 	}
 );
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@
 	die after 1000
 	return {
 		"l_orderkey": $l.l_orderkey,
-		"l_partkey": $l.l_linenumber,
+		"l_linenumber": $l.l_linenumber,
 		"l_suppkey": $l.l_partkey
 	}
 );
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 c54d020..d1edc3d 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
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 descrpt:string
 }
 
-create type TestType as {
+create type TestType as closed {
 id:int32,
 description:string,
 name:string,
@@ -30,3 +30,9 @@
 "name":"Cake",
 "batters":[{"id":345,"descprt":"Regular"},{"id":445,"descprt":"Chocolate"}] }
 );
+
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_heteror-list01.adm";
+
+for $d in dataset("T1") 
+return $d
+
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 0b6d0dd..6373569 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
@@ -18,7 +18,9 @@
 
 create dataset testds(testType) partitioned by key id;
 
+
 insert into dataset testds({"id": 123, "name": "John Doe", "hobbies": {{ "scuba", "music" }} }
 );
 
+write output to nc1:"rttest/open-closed_open-closed-01.adm";
 for $l in dataset("testds") 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
index 6963bee..e15577b 100644
--- 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
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 
 create dataset testds(testType) partitioned by key id;
 
-insert into dataset testds({"id": 123, "name": "John Doe", "hobbies": {{ "scuba", "music" }} });
+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/results/dml/opentype-c2o.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-c2o.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5e7a349
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-c2o.adm
@@ -0,0 +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": "005", "name": "Person Five", "hobby": null }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-closed-optional.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-closed-optional.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..78e8d93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-closed-optional.adm
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+{ "name": "Person One", "id": "001" }
+{ "name": null, "id": "002" }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-noexpand.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-noexpand.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..78e8d93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-noexpand.adm
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+{ "name": "Person One", "id": "001" }
+{ "name": null, "id": "002" }
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
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d9c778b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-o2c.adm
@@ -0,0 +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": null, "id": "005", "name": "Person Five" }
diff --git a/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-o2o.adm b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-o2o.adm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3b25366
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-app/src/test/resources/runtimets/results/dml/opentype-o2o.adm
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+{ "id": "001", "name": "Person One", "hobby": "music" }
+{ "id": "002", "name": "Person Two", "hobby": "football", "city": "irvine" }
+{ "id": "003", "name": "Person Three", "hobby": "movie" }
+{ "id": "004", "name": "Person Four", "hobby": "swimming", "phone": "102-304-506" }
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/dataflow/data/nontagged/printers/ARecordPrinterFactory.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/dataflow/data/nontagged/printers/ARecordPrinterFactory.java
index 184a810..fafe320 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/dataflow/data/nontagged/printers/ARecordPrinterFactory.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/dataflow/data/nontagged/printers/ARecordPrinterFactory.java
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
                                     fieldValueLength = NonTaggedFormatUtil.getFieldValueLength(b,
                                             fieldOffsets[fieldNumber], tag, false);
                                     fieldPrinters[fieldNumber].print(b, fieldOffsets[fieldNumber] - 1,
-                                            fieldOffsets[fieldNumber], ps);
+                                            fieldValueLength, ps);
                                 }
                             } else {
                                 tag = fieldTypes[fieldNumber].getTypeTag();
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/functions/AsterixBuiltinFunctions.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/functions/AsterixBuiltinFunctions.java
index 5f8334d..a996683 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/functions/AsterixBuiltinFunctions.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/functions/AsterixBuiltinFunctions.java
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.impl.ARectangleTypeComputer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.impl.AStringTypeComputer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.impl.BinaryBooleanOrNullFunctionTypeComputer;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.impl.CastRecordResultTypeComputer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.impl.ClosedRecordConstructorResultType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.impl.FieldAccessByIndexResultType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.impl.InjectFailureTypeComputer;
@@ -81,7 +82,6 @@
         SI
     }
 
-    private final static Map<AsterixFunction, IFunctionInfo> asterixFunctionToInfo = new HashMap<AsterixFunction, IFunctionInfo>();
     private final static Map<FunctionIdentifier, IFunctionInfo> asterixFunctionIdToInfo = new HashMap<FunctionIdentifier, IFunctionInfo>();
 
     // it is supposed to be an identity mapping
@@ -334,6 +334,8 @@
             true);
     public final static FunctionIdentifier INJECT_FAILURE = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "inject-failure", 2, true);
+    public final static FunctionIdentifier CAST_RECORD = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
+            "cast-record", 1, true);
 
     public static final FunctionIdentifier EQ = AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions.EQ;
     public static final FunctionIdentifier LE = AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions.LE;
@@ -351,13 +353,13 @@
         IFunctionInfo finfo = asterixFunctionIdToInfo.get(fid);
         if (finfo == null) {
             finfo = new AsterixFunctionInfo(fid, fid.isBuiltin());
-            if(fid.isBuiltin()){
+            if (fid.isBuiltin()) {
                 asterixFunctionIdToInfo.put(fid, finfo);
             }
         }
         return finfo;
     }
-    
+
     public static AsterixFunctionInfo lookupFunction(FunctionIdentifier fid) {
         return (AsterixFunctionInfo) asterixFunctionIdToInfo.get(fid);
     }
@@ -542,6 +544,7 @@
         add(SWITCH_CASE, NonTaggedSwitchCaseComputer.INSTANCE);
         add(REG_EXP, ABooleanTypeComputer.INSTANCE);
         add(INJECT_FAILURE, InjectFailureTypeComputer.INSTANCE);
+        add(CAST_RECORD, CastRecordResultTypeComputer.INSTANCE);
 
         add(TID, AInt32TypeComputer.INSTANCE);
         add(TIME_CONSTRUCTOR, OptionalATimeTypeComputer.INSTANCE);
@@ -676,8 +679,6 @@
         IFunctionInfo finfo = getAsterixFunctionInfo(fi);
         return finfo == null ? null : finfo.getFunctionIdentifier();
     }
-    
-    
 
     public static AggregateFunctionCallExpression makeAggregateFunctionExpression(FunctionIdentifier fi,
             List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> args) {
@@ -697,7 +698,7 @@
 
     public static boolean isAggregateFunctionSerializable(FunctionIdentifier fi) {
         IFunctionInfo finfo = getAsterixFunctionInfo(fi);
-        return aggregateToSerializableAggregate.get(finfo) != null ;
+        return aggregateToSerializableAggregate.get(finfo) != null;
     }
 
     public static AggregateFunctionCallExpression makeSerializableAggregateFunctionExpression(FunctionIdentifier fi,
@@ -706,8 +707,9 @@
         IFunctionInfo finfo = getAsterixFunctionInfo(fi);
         IFunctionInfo serializableFinfo = aggregateToSerializableAggregate.get(finfo);
         if (serializableFinfo == null)
-            throw new IllegalStateException("no serializable implementation for aggregate function " + serializableFinfo);
-       
+            throw new IllegalStateException("no serializable implementation for aggregate function "
+                    + serializableFinfo);
+
         IFunctionInfo fiLocal = aggregateToLocalAggregate.get(serializableFinfo);
         IFunctionInfo fiGlobal = aggregateToGlobalAggregate.get(serializableFinfo);
 
@@ -735,7 +737,6 @@
         builtinFunctionsSet.put(functionInfo, functionInfo);
         funTypeComputer.put(functionInfo, typeComputer);
         asterixFunctionIdToInfo.put(fi, functionInfo);
-       // AsterixFunction asterixFunction = new AsterixFunction(fi.getName(), fi.getArity());
     }
 
     private static void addAgg(FunctionIdentifier fi) {
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/functions/IFunctionDescriptorFactory.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/functions/IFunctionDescriptorFactory.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..516bf51
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/functions/IFunctionDescriptorFactory.java
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+/*
+ * 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.functions;
+
+public interface IFunctionDescriptorFactory {
+
+    /**
+     * the artifact registered in function manager
+     * @return a new IFunctionDescriptor instance
+     */
+    public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor();
+}
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/functions/IFunctionManager.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/functions/IFunctionManager.java
index 9ffc9df..89a504e 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/functions/IFunctionManager.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/functions/IFunctionManager.java
@@ -3,10 +3,11 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
 
-public interface IFunctionManager extends Iterable<IFunctionDescriptor> {
-    public void registerFunction(IFunctionDescriptor descriptor) throws AlgebricksException;
+public interface IFunctionManager extends Iterable<IFunctionDescriptorFactory> {
 
-    public void unregisterFunction(IFunctionDescriptor descriptor) throws AlgebricksException;
+    public void registerFunction(IFunctionDescriptorFactory descriptorFactory) throws AlgebricksException;
+
+    public void unregisterFunction(IFunctionDescriptorFactory descriptorFactory) throws AlgebricksException;
 
     public IFunctionDescriptor lookupFunction(FunctionIdentifier fid) throws AlgebricksException;
 }
\ No newline at end of file
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 abd4d66..e8786ec 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
@@ -21,13 +21,14 @@
         return openType;
     }
 
-    public static boolean setRequiredType(AbstractFunctionCallExpression expr, ARecordType requiredRecordType) {
+    public static boolean setRequiredAndInputTypes(AbstractFunctionCallExpression expr, ARecordType requiredRecordType,
+            ARecordType inputRecordType) {
         boolean changed = false;
         Object opaqueParameter = expr.getOpaqueParameters();
         if (opaqueParameter == null) {
-            opaqueParameter = requiredRecordType;
-            Object[] opaqueParameters = new Object[1];
-            opaqueParameters[0] = opaqueParameter;
+            Object[] opaqueParameters = new Object[2];
+            opaqueParameters[0] = requiredRecordType;
+            opaqueParameters[1] = inputRecordType;
             expr.setOpaqueParameters(opaqueParameters);
             changed = true;
         }
@@ -43,4 +44,13 @@
             return null;
     }
 
+    public static ARecordType getInputType(AbstractFunctionCallExpression expr) {
+        Object[] type = expr.getOpaqueParameters();
+        if (type != null) {
+            ARecordType recordType = (ARecordType) type[1];
+            return recordType;
+        } else
+            return null;
+    }
+
 }
diff --git a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/CastRecordResultTypeComputer.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/CastRecordResultTypeComputer.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..40560fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/CastRecordResultTypeComputer.java
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+package edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.impl;
+
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.base.IResultTypeComputer;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.base.TypeComputerUtilities;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
+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.expressions.IVariableTypeEnvironment;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.ScalarFunctionCallExpression;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.metadata.IMetadataProvider;
+
+public class CastRecordResultTypeComputer implements IResultTypeComputer {
+
+    public static final CastRecordResultTypeComputer INSTANCE = new CastRecordResultTypeComputer();
+
+    @Override
+    public IAType computeType(ILogicalExpression expression, IVariableTypeEnvironment env,
+            IMetadataProvider<?, ?> metadataProvider) throws AlgebricksException {
+        ScalarFunctionCallExpression funcExpr = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) expression;
+        return TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(funcExpr);
+    }
+}
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 3fcf1c8..6a17a46 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
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AString;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.constants.AsterixConstantValue;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.base.IResultTypeComputer;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.base.TypeComputerUtilities;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -26,6 +27,14 @@
     public IAType computeType(ILogicalExpression expression, IVariableTypeEnvironment env,
             IMetadataProvider<?, ?> metadataProvider) throws AlgebricksException {
         AbstractFunctionCallExpression f = (AbstractFunctionCallExpression) expression;
+
+        /**
+         * if type has been top-down propagated, use the enforced type
+         */
+        ARecordType type = 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/RecordConstructorResultType.java b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/RecordConstructorResultType.java
index 8327f30..d20f43b 100644
--- a/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/RecordConstructorResultType.java
+++ b/asterix-om/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/om/typecomputer/impl/RecordConstructorResultType.java
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AString;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.constants.AsterixConstantValue;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.base.IResultTypeComputer;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.base.TypeComputerUtilities;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -32,6 +33,9 @@
     public IAType computeType(ILogicalExpression expression, IVariableTypeEnvironment env,
             IMetadataProvider<?, ?> metadataProvider) throws AlgebricksException {
         AbstractFunctionCallExpression f = (AbstractFunctionCallExpression) expression;
+        IAType reqType = TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(f);
+        if (reqType != null)
+            return reqType;
         int n = f.getArguments().size() / 2;
         String[] fieldNames = new String[n];
         IAType[] fieldTypes = new IAType[n];
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 78a2db1..c238af4 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
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.aggregates.collections;
 
 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.AOrderedListType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.aggregates.base.AbstractAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -13,6 +15,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "listify", 1,
             true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new ListifyAggregateDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     private AOrderedListType oltype;
 
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 8db03b8..acc1e09 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
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ADouble;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableDouble;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -35,6 +37,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "avg-serial", 1,
             true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SerializableAvgAggregateDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 c602c02..0c96111 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
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt32;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.aggregates.base.AbstractSerializableAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -25,6 +27,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "count-serial",
             1, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SerializableCountAggregateDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 a74a147..b2c9be8 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
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableDouble;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt64;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+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.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AUnionType;
@@ -44,6 +46,11 @@
             "global-avg-serial", 1, true);
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_RECORD_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.RECORD.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SerializableGlobalAvgAggregateDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 52f473c..9d65ad4 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
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableDouble;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt64;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+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.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AUnionType;
@@ -46,6 +48,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "local-avg-serial", 1, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SerializableLocalAvgAggregateDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 3165ac7..ac1b4e1 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
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt64;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt8;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -39,6 +41,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "sum-serial", 1,
             true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SerializableSumAggregateDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
@@ -64,7 +71,7 @@
                     private AMutableInt32 aInt32 = new AMutableInt32(0);
                     private AMutableInt16 aInt16 = new AMutableInt16((short) 0);
                     private AMutableInt8 aInt8 = new AMutableInt8((byte) 0);
-                    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+                    @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer serde;
 
                     @Override
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 46be751..028a9a2 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
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableDouble;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+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.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AUnionType;
@@ -47,6 +49,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "agg-avg", 1,
             true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new AvgAggregateDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 fd47a82..99c845a 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
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt32;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.aggregates.base.AbstractAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -26,6 +28,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "agg-count", 1,
             true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new CountAggregateDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 d43fd13..f1d6fbd 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
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableDouble;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+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.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AUnionType;
@@ -45,6 +47,11 @@
             1, true);
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_RECORD_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.RECORD.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new GlobalAvgAggregateDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 ecda163..88d917f 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
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableDouble;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+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.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AUnionType;
@@ -47,6 +49,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "agg-local-avg",
             1, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new LocalAvgAggregateDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 00d0861..6f7ac58 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
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt64;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -38,6 +40,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "agg-max", 1,
             true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new MaxAggregateDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
@@ -73,6 +80,7 @@
                     private AMutableInt64 aInt64 = new AMutableInt64(0);
                     private AMutableInt32 aInt32 = new AMutableInt32(0);
                     private AMutableInt16 aInt16 = new AMutableInt16((short) 0);
+                    @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer serde;
 
                     @Override
@@ -202,5 +210,4 @@
             }
         };
     }
-
 }
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 6be9276..2b36918 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
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt64;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -38,6 +40,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "agg-min", 1,
             true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new MinAggregateDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
@@ -73,6 +80,7 @@
                     private AMutableInt64 aInt64 = new AMutableInt64(0);
                     private AMutableInt32 aInt32 = new AMutableInt32(0);
                     private AMutableInt16 aInt16 = new AMutableInt16((short) 0);
+                    @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer serde;
 
                     @Override
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 106dee2..e51badd 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
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt64;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt8;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -40,6 +42,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "agg-sum", 1,
             true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SumAggregateDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
@@ -70,6 +77,7 @@
                     private AMutableInt32 aInt32 = new AMutableInt32(0);
                     private AMutableInt16 aInt16 = new AMutableInt16((short) 0);
                     private AMutableInt8 aInt8 = new AMutableInt8((byte) 0);
+                    @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer serde;
 
                     @Override
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 cb8b6e4..3afc3c0 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
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.functions.FunctionConstants;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ABoolean;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.aggregates.base.AbstractAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -23,6 +25,11 @@
 
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "non-empty-stream", 0, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new NonEmptyStreamAggregateDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IAggregateFunctionFactory createAggregateFunctionFactory(IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
@@ -38,7 +45,7 @@
                 return new IAggregateFunction() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = provider.getDataOutput();
-                    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+                    @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer serde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ABOOLEAN);
 
diff --git a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/FunctionManagerImpl.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/FunctionManagerImpl.java
index bfbf78e..b5b6f29 100644
--- a/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/FunctionManagerImpl.java
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/common/FunctionManagerImpl.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.runtime.evaluators.common;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
@@ -6,38 +21,38 @@
 import java.util.Map;
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionManager;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
 
 public class FunctionManagerImpl implements IFunctionManager {
-    private final Map<FunctionIdentifier, IFunctionDescriptor> functions;
+    private final Map<FunctionIdentifier, IFunctionDescriptorFactory> functions;
 
     public FunctionManagerImpl() {
-        functions = new HashMap<FunctionIdentifier, IFunctionDescriptor>();
+        functions = new HashMap<FunctionIdentifier, IFunctionDescriptorFactory>();
     }
 
     @Override
     public synchronized IFunctionDescriptor lookupFunction(FunctionIdentifier fid) throws AlgebricksException {
-        return functions.get(fid);
+        return functions.get(fid).createFunctionDescriptor();
     }
 
     @Override
-    public synchronized void registerFunction(IFunctionDescriptor descriptor) throws AlgebricksException {
-        functions.put(descriptor.getIdentifier(), descriptor);
+    public synchronized void registerFunction(IFunctionDescriptorFactory descriptorFactory) throws AlgebricksException {
+        FunctionIdentifier fid = descriptorFactory.createFunctionDescriptor().getIdentifier();
+        functions.put(fid, descriptorFactory);
     }
 
     @Override
-    public synchronized void unregisterFunction(IFunctionDescriptor descriptor) throws AlgebricksException {
-        FunctionIdentifier fid = descriptor.getIdentifier();
-        IFunctionDescriptor desc = functions.get(fid);
-        if (descriptor == desc) {
-            functions.remove(fid);
-        }
+    public synchronized void unregisterFunction(IFunctionDescriptorFactory descriptorFactory)
+            throws AlgebricksException {
+        FunctionIdentifier fid = descriptorFactory.createFunctionDescriptor().getIdentifier();
+        functions.remove(fid);
     }
 
     @Override
-    public synchronized Iterator<IFunctionDescriptor> iterator() {
-        return new ArrayList<IFunctionDescriptor>(functions.values()).iterator();
+    public synchronized Iterator<IFunctionDescriptorFactory> iterator() {
+        return new ArrayList<IFunctionDescriptorFactory>(functions.values()).iterator();
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
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 c4eeeb2..701c20a4 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
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ABoolean;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -28,6 +30,11 @@
             false);
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new ABooleanConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 fefb190..3e64b56 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
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableCircle;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutablePoint;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -27,6 +29,11 @@
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "circle", 1, true);
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new ACircleConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 f3b4ed1..83c9167 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
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ADate;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableDate;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -26,6 +28,11 @@
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "date", 1, false);
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new ADateConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 a7efb16..2f5a203 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
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ADateTime;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableDateTime;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -27,6 +29,11 @@
             false);
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new ADateTimeConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 6b7c02d..6a89def 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
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ADouble;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableDouble;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -29,6 +31,11 @@
             false);
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new ADoubleConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 c510c4d..b4ded9e 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
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ADuration;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableDuration;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -27,6 +29,11 @@
             false);
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new ADurationConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 b3a284e..6cb6306 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
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AFloat;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableFloat;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -28,6 +30,11 @@
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "float", 1, false);
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new AFloatConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 462c7f1..c1ac181 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
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AInt16;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt16;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -26,6 +28,11 @@
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "int16", 1, false);
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new AInt16ConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 ffa1f28..2edfbdd 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
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -26,6 +28,11 @@
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "int32", 1, false);
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new AInt32ConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 e229d21..5fd7a3a 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
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AInt64;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt64;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -26,6 +28,11 @@
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "int64", 1, false);
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new AInt64ConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 45ad410..6719fbf 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
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AInt8;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt8;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -26,6 +28,11 @@
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "int8", 1, false);
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new AInt8ConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 1bac52b..87063c3 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
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableLine;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutablePoint;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -27,6 +29,11 @@
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "line", 1, true);
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new ALineConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 ac4d9dc..963e95d 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
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -25,6 +27,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "null", 1, false);
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new ANullConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 adde6d1..1c0962c 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
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutablePoint3D;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.APoint3D;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -27,6 +29,11 @@
             true);
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new APoint3DConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 8374747..378e619 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
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutablePoint;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.APoint;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -26,6 +28,11 @@
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "point", 1, true);
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new APointConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 bb1c298..8a88c0e 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
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.APointSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -27,6 +29,11 @@
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_POLYGON_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.POLYGON.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new APolygonConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 358b852..c2b98f9 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
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableRectangle;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ARectangle;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -28,6 +30,11 @@
             true);
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new ARectangleConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 8fb443e..982871d 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
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.functions.FunctionConstants;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -25,6 +27,11 @@
             false);
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new AStringConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 6eb0556..10b6af5 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
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableTime;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ATime;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -27,6 +29,12 @@
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
 
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new ATimeConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
+
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
         return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
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 8338b4a..b0f4580 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
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
     private ArrayBackedValueStorage array1 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
     private IEvaluator evalString;
     private IEvaluator evalPattern;
-    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+    @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
     private ISerializerDeserializer boolSerde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.ABOOLEAN);
 
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 1827353..7e2877c 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
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions;
 
-
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.ABooleanSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ABoolean;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -26,6 +27,12 @@
             "and", FunctionIdentifier.VARARGS, true);
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
 
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new AndDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
+
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
         return FID;
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 f9420eb..055d94b 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
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.AUnorderedListSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -28,6 +30,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "any-collection-member", 1, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new AnyCollectionMemberDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..705efab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/evaluators/functions/CastRecordDescriptor.java
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+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.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util.ARecordAccessor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.util.ARecordCaster;
+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.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 CastRecordDescriptor extends AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor {
+
+    protected static final FunctionIdentifier FID_CAST = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
+            "cast-record", 1, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new CastRecordDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
+
+    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+    private ARecordType reqType;
+    private ARecordType inputType;
+
+    public void reset(ARecordType reqType, ARecordType inputType) {
+        this.reqType = reqType;
+        this.inputType = inputType;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
+        return FID_CAST;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
+        final IEvaluatorFactory recordEvalFactory = args[0];
+
+        return new IEvaluatorFactory() {
+            private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+
+            @Override
+            public IEvaluator createEvaluator(final IDataOutputProvider output) throws AlgebricksException {
+                final DataOutput out = output.getDataOutput();
+                final ArrayBackedValueStorage recordBuffer = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
+                final IEvaluator recEvaluator = recordEvalFactory.createEvaluator(recordBuffer);
+
+                return new IEvaluator() {
+                    final ARecordAccessor recAccessor = new ARecordAccessor(inputType);
+                    final ARecordCaster caster = new ARecordCaster();
+
+                    @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) {
+                            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 b016297..d9afbc9 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
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions;
 
 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.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.ClosedRecordConstructorEvalFactory;
@@ -11,6 +13,11 @@
 
     protected static final FunctionIdentifier FID_CLOSED = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "closed-record-constructor", FunctionIdentifier.VARARGS, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new ClosedRecordConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
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 e54deaa..71213c7 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
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 import java.io.DataOutput;
 
 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.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
@@ -16,6 +18,11 @@
 
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "contains", 2,
             true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new ContainsDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 4423d75..9cdecde 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
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 
 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.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -20,6 +22,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "counthashed-gram-tokens", 3, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new CountHashedGramTokensDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 2b994bb..0cfdfc3 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
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 
 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.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -21,6 +23,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "counthashed-word-tokens", 1, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new CountHashedWordTokensDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 6388d56..463dfd2 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
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ACircle;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableCircle;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutablePoint;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -27,6 +29,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "create-circle",
             2, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new CreateCircleDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 c055147..fab060d 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
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ALine;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableLine;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutablePoint;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -27,6 +29,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "create-line", 2,
             true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new CreateLineDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 e334287..0974c39 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
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions;
 
 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.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.CreateMBREvalFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -12,6 +14,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "create-mbr", 3,
             true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new CreateMBRDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 6aeb5fc..f7d284c 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
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutablePoint;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.APoint;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -24,6 +26,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "create-point",
             2, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new CreatePointDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 8ac4486..e0b424f 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
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 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.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -19,6 +21,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "create-polygon",
             FunctionIdentifier.VARARGS, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new CreatePolygonDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 3209918..1e4a98a 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
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutablePoint;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableRectangle;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ARectangle;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -27,6 +29,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "create-rectangle", 2, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new CreateRectangleDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 1c3c971..cb89147 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
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.functions.FunctionConstants;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ABoolean;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AOrderedListType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
@@ -27,6 +29,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "edit-distance-check", 3, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new EditDistanceCheckDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 d91bd56..9efa9f5 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
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 
 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.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.EditDistanceEvaluator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -15,6 +17,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "edit-distance",
             2, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new EditDistanceDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 71832aa..cef79b0 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
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions;
 
 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.IAType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -15,6 +17,12 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "embed-type", 1,
             true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new EmbedTypeDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
+    
     @SuppressWarnings("unused")
     private IAType fieldType;
 
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 66b5a44..669c480 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
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 import java.io.DataOutput;
 
 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.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
@@ -16,6 +18,11 @@
 
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "ends-with", 2,
             true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new EndsWithDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 3d4606a..92e1040 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
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions;
 
 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.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.FieldAccessByIndexEvalFactory;
@@ -12,6 +14,12 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private static final FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "field-access-by-index", 2, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new FieldAccessByIndexDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
+    
     private ARecordType recType;
 
     public void reset(ARecordType 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 89fda36..67a8dfa 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
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.ARecordSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -27,6 +29,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private static final FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "field-access-by-name", 2, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new FieldAccessByNameDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 4a44c59..4551704 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
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions;
 
 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.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.NotImplementedException;
@@ -12,6 +14,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "fuzzy-eq", 2,
             true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new FuzzyEqDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 08e6e5f..4ce843b 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
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.AOrderedListSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -28,6 +30,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "get-item", 2,
             true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new GetItemDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
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 268c2ee..50c4283 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
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions;
 
 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.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -19,6 +21,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "gram-tokens",
             3, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new GramTokensDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 b1d02d1..a240636 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
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions;
 
 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.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -19,6 +21,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "hashed-gram-tokens", 3, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new HashedGramTokensDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 7dc8ec8..c0b7253 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
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 
 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.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -21,7 +23,12 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "hashed-word-tokens", 1, true);
-
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new HashedWordTokensDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
+    
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
         return FID;
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 e3e5455..478316f 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
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.functions.FunctionConstants;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.ABooleanSerializerDeserializer;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -20,6 +22,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "inject-failure", 2, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new InjectFailureDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 f97080f..59bce2d 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
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.AObjectSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ABoolean;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -23,6 +25,11 @@
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions.ALGEBRICKS_NS,
             "is-null", 1, true);
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new IsNullDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 08fc6ae..769fdb7 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
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -30,6 +32,11 @@
     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();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new LenDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 066a05c..1090742 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
@@ -14,12 +14,13 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ABoolean;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AString;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.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.core.algebra.operators.logical.OrderOperator.IOrder.OrderKind;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.IBinaryComparator;
@@ -40,6 +41,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "like", 2, true);
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new LikeDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 b2ef8f0..1e4cb3e 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
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ABoolean;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -28,6 +30,11 @@
 
     private final static byte SER_BOOLEAN_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.BOOLEAN.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new NotDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 f630801..405a006 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
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt64;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt8;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -37,6 +39,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions.ALGEBRICKS_NS,
             "numeric-add", 2, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new NumericAddDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
@@ -67,7 +74,7 @@
                     private AMutableInt32 aInt32 = new AMutableInt32(0);
                     private AMutableInt16 aInt16 = new AMutableInt16((short) 0);
                     private AMutableInt8 aInt8 = new AMutableInt8((byte) 0);
-                    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+                    @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer serde;
 
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
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 5084516..a6d0f47 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
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt64;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt8;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -37,6 +39,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "numeric-divide",
             2, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new NumericDivideDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
@@ -67,7 +74,7 @@
                     private AMutableInt32 aInt32 = new AMutableInt32(0);
                     private AMutableInt16 aInt16 = new AMutableInt16((short) 0);
                     private AMutableInt8 aInt8 = new AMutableInt8((byte) 0);
-                    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+                    @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer serde;
 
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
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 f835cf2..33a1a90 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
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt64;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt8;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -37,6 +39,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "numeric-multiply", 2, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new NumericMultiplyDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
@@ -67,7 +74,7 @@
                     private AMutableInt32 aInt32 = new AMutableInt32(0);
                     private AMutableInt16 aInt16 = new AMutableInt16((short) 0);
                     private AMutableInt8 aInt8 = new AMutableInt8((byte) 0);
-                    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+                    @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer serde;
 
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
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 a0ee465..ffed14e 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
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt64;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt8;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -37,6 +39,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "numeric-subtract", 2, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new NumericSubtractDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
@@ -67,7 +74,7 @@
                     private AMutableInt32 aInt32 = new AMutableInt32(0);
                     private AMutableInt16 aInt16 = new AMutableInt16((short) 0);
                     private AMutableInt8 aInt8 = new AMutableInt8((byte) 0);
-                    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+                    @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer serde;
 
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
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 7e71a79..cd234cb 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
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt64;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt8;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -37,6 +39,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "numeric-unary-minus", 1, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new NumericUnaryMinusDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) {
@@ -64,7 +71,7 @@
                     private AMutableInt32 aInt32 = new AMutableInt32(0);
                     private AMutableInt16 aInt16 = new AMutableInt16((short) 0);
                     private AMutableInt8 aInt8 = new AMutableInt8((byte) 0);
-                    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+                    @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer serde;
 
                     @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
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 35b6919..aeb6b15 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
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.builders.RecordBuilder;
 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.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -20,6 +22,11 @@
 
     protected static final FunctionIdentifier FID_OPEN = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "open-record-constructor", FunctionIdentifier.VARARGS, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new OpenRecordConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private ARecordType recType;
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 db85458..837d54a 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
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ABoolean;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -24,6 +26,11 @@
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(AlgebricksBuiltinFunctions.ALGEBRICKS_NS, "or",
             FunctionIdentifier.VARARGS, true);
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new OrDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 f0b4775..5b327ca 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
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.builders.OrderedListBuilder;
 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.AOrderedListType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -21,6 +23,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "ordered-list-constructor", FunctionIdentifier.VARARGS, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new OrderedListConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     private AOrderedListType oltype;
 
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 59b77d3..880e84e 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
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt32;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.SimilarityFiltersCache;
@@ -27,6 +29,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "prefix-len", 3,
             true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new PrefixLenDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 086edd5..ab95a36 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
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt32;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.fuzzyjoin.similarity.SimilarityFiltersJaccard;
@@ -26,6 +28,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "prefix-len-jaccard", 2, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new PrefixLenJaccardDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 64fbbaf..2a415e4 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
@@ -13,12 +13,13 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ABoolean;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AString;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.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.core.algebra.operators.logical.OrderOperator.IOrder.OrderKind;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.runtime.base.IEvaluatorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.api.dataflow.value.IBinaryComparator;
@@ -40,6 +41,11 @@
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "reg-exp", 2,
             true);
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new RegExpDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 7ce32a2..85adfe1 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
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ADouble;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableDouble;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -38,6 +40,11 @@
 
     private final static byte SER_ORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.ORDEREDLIST.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_UNORDEREDLIST_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.UNORDEREDLIST.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SimilarityDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 8fb7dc6..3021717 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
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.AFloatSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ABoolean;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AOrderedListType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
@@ -29,6 +31,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "similarity-jaccard-check", 3, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SimilarityJaccardCheckDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 6f293c0e..eb7fe6d 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
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions;
 
 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.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.SimilarityJaccardEvaluator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -16,6 +18,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "similarity-jaccard", 2, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SimilarityJaccardDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 04e2841..f1af62a 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
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ABoolean;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AFloat;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableFloat;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AOrderedListType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -27,6 +29,11 @@
 
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "similarity-jaccard-prefix-check", 6, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SimilarityJaccardPrefixCheckDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 9e7bb02..62e1b06 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
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions;
 
 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.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.common.SimilarityJaccardPrefixEvaluator;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -14,6 +16,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "similarity-jaccard-prefix", 6, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SimilarityJaccardPrefixDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 cae05d9..91496fd 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
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.ADoubleSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.AInt16SerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.ARectangleSerializerDeserializer;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -28,6 +30,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "spatial-area",
             1, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SpatialAreaDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 25c92e0..85586d8 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
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutablePoint;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableRectangle;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ARectangle;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -30,6 +32,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "spatial-cell",
             4, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SpatialCellDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 d1a2acd..3ea1994 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
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.Coordinate;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.ADoubleSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.APointSerializerDeserializer;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -25,6 +27,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "spatial-distance", 2, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SpatialDistanceDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 2d639af..272e7e0 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
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.ARectangleSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlBinaryComparatorFactoryProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ABoolean;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -36,6 +38,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "spatial-intersect", 2, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SpatialIntersectDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 d8d7bc7..2896e5a 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
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 import java.io.DataOutput;
 
 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.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
@@ -16,6 +18,11 @@
 
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "starts-with",
             2, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new StartsWithDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 c07702d..c2678b5 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
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 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.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -21,6 +23,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "substring", 3,
             true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SubstringDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IEvaluatorFactory createEvaluatorFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args) throws AlgebricksException {
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 a6c880c..1c1ca13 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
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 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.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.functions.FunctionIdentifier;
@@ -18,6 +20,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "switch-case",
             FunctionIdentifier.VARARGS, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SwitchCaseDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 49ce37b..f49ef3c 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
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.builders.UnorderedListBuilder;
 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.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AUnorderedListType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -21,6 +23,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "unordered-list-constructor", FunctionIdentifier.VARARGS, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new UnorderedListConstructorDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     private AUnorderedListType ultype;
 
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 b6fc19f..ab659fc 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
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions;
 
 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.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.base.AbstractScalarFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
@@ -20,6 +22,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "word-tokens",
             1, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new WordTokensDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 00776b5..65be0bd 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
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -28,6 +30,11 @@
     public final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "year", 1, true);
     private final static byte SER_NULL_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.NULL.serialize();
     private final static byte SER_STRING_TYPE_TAG = ATypeTag.STRING.serialize();
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new YearDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 467cd03..0fa62aa 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
@@ -31,7 +31,9 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.AsterixBuiltinFunctions;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.FunctionManagerHolder;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionManager;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.base.TypeComputerUtilities;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AOrderedListType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
@@ -76,6 +78,7 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.constructors.ATimeConstructorDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions.AndDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions.AnyCollectionMemberDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions.CastRecordDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions.ClosedRecordConstructorDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions.ContainsDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.evaluators.functions.CountHashedGramTokensDescriptor;
@@ -201,120 +204,121 @@
             return;
         }
 
-        List<IFunctionDescriptor> temp = new ArrayList<IFunctionDescriptor>();
+        List<IFunctionDescriptorFactory> temp = new ArrayList<IFunctionDescriptorFactory>();
 
         // format-independent
-        temp.add(new ContainsDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new EndsWithDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new StartsWithDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new SubstringDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new TidRunningAggregateDescriptor());
+        temp.add(ContainsDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(EndsWithDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(StartsWithDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(SubstringDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(TidRunningAggregateDescriptor.FACTORY);
 
         // format-dependent
-        temp.add(new AndDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new OrDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new LikeDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new YearDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new ScanCollectionDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new AnyCollectionMemberDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new ClosedRecordConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new FieldAccessByIndexDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new FieldAccessByNameDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new GetItemDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new NumericUnaryMinusDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new OpenRecordConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new OrderedListConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new UnorderedListConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new EmbedTypeDescriptor());
+        temp.add(AndDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(OrDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(LikeDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(YearDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(ScanCollectionDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(AnyCollectionMemberDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(ClosedRecordConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(FieldAccessByIndexDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(FieldAccessByNameDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(GetItemDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(NumericUnaryMinusDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(OpenRecordConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(OrderedListConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(UnorderedListConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(EmbedTypeDescriptor.FACTORY);
 
-        temp.add(new NumericAddDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new NumericDivideDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new NumericMultiplyDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new NumericSubtractDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new IsNullDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new NotDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new LenDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new NonEmptyStreamAggregateDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new RangeDescriptor());
+        temp.add(NumericAddDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(NumericDivideDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(NumericMultiplyDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(NumericSubtractDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(IsNullDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(NotDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(LenDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(NonEmptyStreamAggregateDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(RangeDescriptor.FACTORY);
 
         // aggregates
-        temp.add(new ListifyAggregateDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new CountAggregateDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new AvgAggregateDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new LocalAvgAggregateDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new GlobalAvgAggregateDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new SumAggregateDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new MaxAggregateDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new MinAggregateDescriptor());
+        temp.add(ListifyAggregateDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(CountAggregateDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(AvgAggregateDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(LocalAvgAggregateDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(GlobalAvgAggregateDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(SumAggregateDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(MaxAggregateDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(MinAggregateDescriptor.FACTORY);
 
         // serializable aggregates
-        temp.add(new SerializableCountAggregateDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new SerializableAvgAggregateDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new SerializableLocalAvgAggregateDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new SerializableGlobalAvgAggregateDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new SerializableSumAggregateDescriptor());
+        temp.add(SerializableCountAggregateDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(SerializableAvgAggregateDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(SerializableLocalAvgAggregateDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(SerializableGlobalAvgAggregateDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(SerializableSumAggregateDescriptor.FACTORY);
 
         // new functions - constructors
-        temp.add(new ABooleanConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new ANullConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new AStringConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new AInt8ConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new AInt16ConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new AInt32ConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new AInt64ConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new AFloatConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new ADoubleConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new APointConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new APoint3DConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new ALineConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new APolygonConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new ACircleConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new ARectangleConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new ATimeConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new ADateConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new ADateTimeConstructorDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new ADurationConstructorDescriptor());
+        temp.add(ABooleanConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(ANullConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(AStringConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(AInt8ConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(AInt16ConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(AInt32ConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(AInt64ConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(AFloatConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(ADoubleConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(APointConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(APoint3DConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(ALineConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(APolygonConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(ACircleConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(ARectangleConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(ATimeConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(ADateConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(ADateTimeConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(ADurationConstructorDescriptor.FACTORY);
 
         // Spatial
-        temp.add(new CreatePointDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new CreateLineDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new CreatePolygonDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new CreateCircleDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new CreateRectangleDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new SpatialAreaDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new SpatialDistanceDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new SpatialIntersectDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new CreateMBRDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new SpatialCellDescriptor());
+        temp.add(CreatePointDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(CreateLineDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(CreatePolygonDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(CreateCircleDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(CreateRectangleDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(SpatialAreaDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(SpatialDistanceDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(SpatialIntersectDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(CreateMBRDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(SpatialCellDescriptor.FACTORY);
 
         // fuzzyjoin function
-        temp.add(new FuzzyEqDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new SubsetCollectionDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new PrefixLenJaccardDescriptor());
+        temp.add(FuzzyEqDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(SubsetCollectionDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(PrefixLenJaccardDescriptor.FACTORY);
 
-        temp.add(new WordTokensDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new HashedWordTokensDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new CountHashedWordTokensDescriptor());
+        temp.add(WordTokensDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(HashedWordTokensDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(CountHashedWordTokensDescriptor.FACTORY);
 
-        temp.add(new GramTokensDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new HashedGramTokensDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new CountHashedGramTokensDescriptor());
+        temp.add(GramTokensDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(HashedGramTokensDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(CountHashedGramTokensDescriptor.FACTORY);
 
-        temp.add(new EditDistanceDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new EditDistanceCheckDescriptor());
+        temp.add(EditDistanceDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(EditDistanceCheckDescriptor.FACTORY);
 
-        temp.add(new SimilarityJaccardDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new SimilarityJaccardCheckDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new SimilarityJaccardPrefixDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new SimilarityJaccardPrefixCheckDescriptor());
+        temp.add(SimilarityJaccardDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(SimilarityJaccardCheckDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(SimilarityJaccardPrefixDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(SimilarityJaccardPrefixCheckDescriptor.FACTORY);
 
-        temp.add(new SwitchCaseDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new RegExpDescriptor());
-        temp.add(new InjectFailureDescriptor());
+        temp.add(SwitchCaseDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(RegExpDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(InjectFailureDescriptor.FACTORY);
+        temp.add(CastRecordDescriptor.FACTORY);
 
         IFunctionManager mgr = new FunctionManagerImpl();
-        for (IFunctionDescriptor fd : temp) {
-            mgr.registerFunction(fd);
+        for (IFunctionDescriptorFactory fdFactory : temp) {
+            mgr.registerFunction(fdFactory);
         }
         FunctionManagerHolder.setFunctionManager(mgr);
     }
@@ -362,8 +366,8 @@
                 } catch (HyracksDataException e) {
                     throw new AlgebricksException(e);
                 }
-                IEvaluatorFactory fldIndexEvalFactory = new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs.getBytes(), abvs
-                        .getLength()));
+                IEvaluatorFactory fldIndexEvalFactory = new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs.getBytes(),
+                        abvs.getLength()));
                 IEvaluatorFactory evalFactory = new FieldAccessByIndexEvalFactory(recordEvalFactory,
                         fldIndexEvalFactory, recType);
                 return evalFactory;
@@ -388,8 +392,8 @@
         } catch (HyracksDataException e) {
             throw new AlgebricksException(e);
         }
-        IEvaluatorFactory dimensionEvalFactory = new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs1.getBytes(), abvs1
-                .getLength()));
+        IEvaluatorFactory dimensionEvalFactory = new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs1.getBytes(),
+                abvs1.getLength()));
 
         for (int i = 0; i < numOfFields; i++) {
             ArrayBackedValueStorage abvs2 = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
@@ -400,8 +404,8 @@
             } catch (HyracksDataException e) {
                 throw new AlgebricksException(e);
             }
-            IEvaluatorFactory coordinateEvalFactory = new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs2.getBytes(), abvs2
-                    .getLength()));
+            IEvaluatorFactory coordinateEvalFactory = new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs2.getBytes(),
+                    abvs2.getLength()));
 
             evalFactories[i] = new CreateMBREvalFactory(evalFactory, dimensionEvalFactory, coordinateEvalFactory);
         }
@@ -427,8 +431,8 @@
                 } catch (HyracksDataException e) {
                     throw new AlgebricksException(e);
                 }
-                IEvaluatorFactory fldIndexEvalFactory = new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs.getBytes(), abvs
-                        .getLength()));
+                IEvaluatorFactory fldIndexEvalFactory = new ConstantEvalFactory(Arrays.copyOf(abvs.getBytes(),
+                        abvs.getLength()));
                 IEvaluatorFactory evalFactory = new FieldAccessByIndexEvalFactory(recordEvalFactory,
                         fldIndexEvalFactory, recType);
                 IFunctionInfo finfoAccess = AsterixBuiltinFunctions
@@ -469,10 +473,15 @@
                 ((ListifyAggregateDescriptor) fd).reset(new AOrderedListType(itemType, null));
             }
         }
+        if (fd.getIdentifier().equals(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.CAST_RECORD)) {
+            ARecordType rt = (ARecordType) TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType((AbstractFunctionCallExpression) expr);
+            ARecordType it = (ARecordType) TypeComputerUtilities.getInputType((AbstractFunctionCallExpression) expr);
+            ((CastRecordDescriptor) fd).reset(rt, it);
+        }
         if (fd.getIdentifier().equals(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.OPEN_RECORD_CONSTRUCTOR)) {
             ARecordType rt = (ARecordType) context.getType(expr);
-            ((OpenRecordConstructorDescriptor) fd).reset(rt, computeOpenFields((AbstractFunctionCallExpression) expr,
-                    rt));
+            ((OpenRecordConstructorDescriptor) fd).reset(rt,
+                    computeOpenFields((AbstractFunctionCallExpression) expr, rt));
         }
         if (fd.getIdentifier().equals(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.CLOSED_RECORD_CONSTRUCTOR)) {
             ((ClosedRecordConstructorDescriptor) fd).reset((ARecordType) context.getType(expr));
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 0c35507..bbebe50 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
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AInt32;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt32;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.runningaggregates.base.AbstractRunningAggregateFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -22,7 +24,12 @@
 
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "tid", 0, true);
-
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new TidRunningAggregateDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
+    
     @Override
     public IRunningAggregateFunctionFactory createRunningAggregateFunctionFactory(IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
             throws AlgebricksException {
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 5f34122..d3b965f 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
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.common.functions.FunctionConstants;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AMutableInt32;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.unnestingfunctions.base.AbstractUnnestingFunctionDynamicDescriptor;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
@@ -25,7 +27,12 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
 
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS, "range", 2, true);
-
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new RangeDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
+    
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
         return FID;
@@ -44,7 +51,7 @@
                 return new IUnnestingFunction() {
 
                     private DataOutput out = provider.getDataOutput();
-                    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+                    @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
                     private ISerializerDeserializer serde = AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider.INSTANCE
                             .getSerializerDeserializer(BuiltinType.AINT32);
                     private ArrayBackedValueStorage inputVal = new ArrayBackedValueStorage();
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 8aad419..6bf5420 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
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.AUnorderedListSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -30,6 +32,11 @@
     private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
     private final static FunctionIdentifier FID = new FunctionIdentifier(FunctionConstants.ASTERIX_NS,
             "scan-collection", 1, true);
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new ScanCollectionDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public FunctionIdentifier getIdentifier() {
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 1ab04dd..a045344 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
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.dataflow.data.nontagged.serde.AUnorderedListSerializerDeserializer;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.formats.nontagged.AqlSerializerDeserializerProvider;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptor;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.IFunctionDescriptorFactory;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.EnumDeserializer;
@@ -35,6 +37,12 @@
     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();
+    
+    public static final IFunctionDescriptorFactory FACTORY = new IFunctionDescriptorFactory() {
+        public IFunctionDescriptor createFunctionDescriptor() {
+            return new SubsetCollectionDescriptor();
+        }
+    };
 
     @Override
     public IUnnestingFunctionFactory createUnnestingFunctionFactory(final IEvaluatorFactory[] args)
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
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d45b4ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ARecordAccessor.java
@@ -0,0 +1,284 @@
+/*
+ * 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/ARecordCaster.java b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ARecordCaster.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..505e769
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ARecordCaster.java
@@ -0,0 +1,275 @@
+/*
+ * 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.DataOutput;
+import java.io.DataOutputStream;
+import java.io.IOException;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.builders.RecordBuilder;
+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.IAType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.util.NonTaggedFormatUtil;
+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.primitive.UTF8StringPointable;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.dataflow.common.data.accessors.IValueReference;
+
+public class ARecordCaster {
+
+    // describe closed fields in the required type
+    private int[] fieldPermutation;
+    private boolean[] optionalFields;
+
+    // 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);
+            int start = bos.size();
+            INullWriter nullWriter = AqlNullWriterFactory.INSTANCE.createNullWriter();
+            nullWriter.writeNull(dos);
+            int end = bos.size();
+            nullReference.reset(buffer, start, end - start);
+            start = bos.size();
+            dos.write(ATypeTag.NULL.serialize());
+            end = bos.size();
+            nullTypeTag.reset(buffer, 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;
+
+        if (openFields == null || numInputFields > openFields.length) {
+            openFields = new boolean[numInputFields];
+            fieldNamesSortedIndex = new int[numInputFields];
+        }
+        if (cachedReqType == null || !reqType.equals(cachedReqType)) {
+            loadRequiredType(reqType);
+        }
+
+        // clear the previous states
+        reset();
+        matchClosedPart(fieldNames, fieldTypeTags, fieldValues);
+        writeOutput(fieldNames, fieldTypeTags, fieldValues, output);
+    }
+
+    private void reset() {
+        for (int i = 0; i < numInputFields; i++)
+            openFields[i] = true;
+        for (int i = 0; i < fieldPermutation.length; i++)
+            fieldPermutation[i] = -1;
+        for (int i = 0; i < numInputFields; i++)
+            fieldNamesSortedIndex[i] = i;
+    }
+
+    private void loadRequiredType(ARecordType reqType) throws IOException {
+        reqFieldNames.clear();
+        reqFieldTypeTags.clear();
+
+        cachedReqType = reqType;
+        int numSchemaFields = reqType.getFieldTypes().length;
+        IAType[] fieldTypes = reqType.getFieldTypes();
+        String[] fieldNames = reqType.getFieldNames();
+        fieldPermutation = new int[numSchemaFields];
+        optionalFields = new boolean[numSchemaFields];
+        for (int i = 0; i < optionalFields.length; i++)
+            optionalFields[i] = false;
+
+        bos.setByteArray(buffer, nullReference.getStartIndex() + nullReference.getLength());
+        for (int i = 0; i < numSchemaFields; i++) {
+            ATypeTag ftypeTag = fieldTypes[i].getTypeTag();
+            String fname = fieldNames[i];
+
+            // add type tag pointable
+            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();
+                optionalFields[i] = true;
+            }
+            int tagStart = bos.size();
+            dos.writeByte(ftypeTag.serialize());
+            int tagEnd = bos.size();
+            SimpleValueReference typeTagPointable = new SimpleValueReference();
+            typeTagPointable.reset(buffer, tagStart, tagEnd - tagStart);
+            reqFieldTypeTags.add(typeTagPointable);
+
+            // add type name pointable (including a string type tag)
+            int nameStart = bos.size();
+            dos.write(ATypeTag.STRING.serialize());
+            dos.writeUTF(fname);
+            int nameEnd = bos.size();
+            SimpleValueReference typeNamePointable = new SimpleValueReference();
+            typeNamePointable.reset(buffer, nameStart, nameEnd - nameStart);
+            reqFieldNames.add(typeNamePointable);
+        }
+
+        reqFieldNamesSortedIndex = new int[reqFieldNames.size()];
+        for (int i = 0; i < reqFieldNamesSortedIndex.length; i++)
+            reqFieldNamesSortedIndex[i] = i;
+        // sort the field name index
+        quickSort(reqFieldNamesSortedIndex, reqFieldNames, 0, reqFieldNamesSortedIndex.length - 1);
+    }
+
+    private void matchClosedPart(List<SimpleValueReference> fieldNames, List<SimpleValueReference> fieldTypeTags,
+            List<SimpleValueReference> fieldValues) {
+        // sort-merge based match
+        quickSort(fieldNamesSortedIndex, fieldNames, 0, numInputFields - 1);
+        int fnStart = 0;
+        int reqFnStart = 0;
+        while (fnStart < numInputFields && reqFnStart < reqFieldNames.size()) {
+            int fnPos = fieldNamesSortedIndex[fnStart];
+            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);
+                if (fieldTypeTag.equals(reqFieldTypeTag) || (
+                // match the null type of optional field
+                        optionalFields[reqFnPos] && fieldTypeTag.equals(nullTypeTag))) {
+                    fieldPermutation[reqFnPos] = fnPos;
+                    openFields[fnPos] = false;
+                }
+                fnStart++;
+                reqFnStart++;
+            }
+            if (c > 0)
+                reqFnStart++;
+            if (c < 0)
+                fnStart++;
+        }
+
+        // check unmatched fields in the input type
+        for (int i = 0; i < openFields.length; i++) {
+            if (openFields[i] == true && !cachedReqType.isOpen())
+                throw new IllegalStateException("type mismatch: including extra closed fields");
+        }
+
+        // check unmatched fields in the required type
+        for (int i = 0; i < fieldPermutation.length; i++) {
+            if (fieldPermutation[i] < 0) {
+                IAType t = cachedReqType.getFieldTypes()[i];
+                if (!(t.getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION && NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) t))) {
+                    // no matched field in the input for a required closed field
+                    throw new IllegalStateException("type mismatch: miss a required closed field");
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void writeOutput(List<SimpleValueReference> fieldNames, List<SimpleValueReference> fieldTypeTags,
+            List<SimpleValueReference> fieldValues, DataOutput output) throws IOException {
+        // reset the states of the record builder
+        recBuilder.reset(cachedReqType);
+        recBuilder.init();
+
+        // write the closed part
+        for (int i = 0; i < fieldPermutation.length; i++) {
+            int pos = fieldPermutation[i];
+            SimpleValueReference field;
+            if (pos >= 0) {
+                field = fieldValues.get(pos);
+            } else {
+                field = nullReference;
+            }
+            recBuilder.addField(i, field);
+        }
+
+        // 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);
+            }
+        }
+        recBuilder.write(output, true);
+    }
+
+    private void quickSort(int[] index, List<SimpleValueReference> names, int start, int end) {
+        if (end <= start)
+            return;
+        int i = partition(index, names, start, end);
+        quickSort(index, names, start, i - 1);
+        quickSort(index, names, i + 1, end);
+    }
+
+    private int partition(int[] index, List<SimpleValueReference> names, int left, int right) {
+        int i = left - 1;
+        int j = right;
+        while (true) {
+            // grow from the left
+            while (compare(names.get(index[++i]), names.get(index[right])) < 0)
+                ;
+            // lower from the right
+            while (compare(names.get(index[right]), names.get(index[--j])) < 0)
+                if (j == left)
+                    break;
+            if (i >= j)
+                break;
+            // swap i and j
+            swap(index, i, j);
+        }
+        // swap i and right
+        swap(index, i, right); // swap with partition element
+        return i;
+    }
+
+    private void swap(int[] array, int i, int j) {
+        int temp = array[i];
+        array[i] = array[j];
+        array[j] = temp;
+    }
+
+    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);
+    }
+}
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
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..af18133
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ResettableByteArrayInputStream.java
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+/*
+ * 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
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..62db3a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/ResettableByteArrayOutputStream.java
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+/*
+ * 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;
+
+public class ResettableByteArrayOutputStream extends ByteArrayOutputStream {
+    private static final Logger LOGGER = Logger.getLogger(ResettableByteArrayOutputStream.class.getName());
+
+    private byte[] data;
+    private int position;
+
+    public ResettableByteArrayOutputStream() {
+    }
+
+    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
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e49218a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-runtime/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/runtime/util/SimpleValueReference.java
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+/*
+ * 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;
+    }
+}