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 830e33b..33e200a 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
@@ -28,7 +28,9 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.FuzzyEqRule;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.FuzzyJoinRule;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.IfElseToSwitchCaseFunctionRule;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.InlineUnnestFunctionRule;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.IntroduceDynamicTypeCastRule;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.IntroduceEnforcedListTypeRule;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.IntroduceSecondaryIndexInsertDeleteRule;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.LoadRecordFieldsRule;
@@ -93,6 +95,7 @@
 
     public final static List<IAlgebraicRewriteRule> buildTypeInferenceRuleCollection() {
         List<IAlgebraicRewriteRule> typeInfer = new LinkedList<IAlgebraicRewriteRule>();
+        typeInfer.add(new InlineUnnestFunctionRule());
         typeInfer.add(new InferTypesRule());
         return typeInfer;
     }
@@ -104,14 +107,15 @@
         normalization.add(new BreakSelectIntoConjunctsRule());
         normalization.add(new ExtractGbyExpressionsRule());
         normalization.add(new ExtractDistinctByExpressionsRule());
-        normalization.add(new ExtractOrderExpressionsRule());        
+        normalization.add(new ExtractOrderExpressionsRule());
         normalization.add(new ExtractCommonExpressionsRule());
-        
+
         // IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule should go before
         // IntroduceDynamicTypeCastRule to
         // avoid unnecessary dynamic casting
         normalization.add(new IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule());
         normalization.add(new IntroduceDynamicTypeCastRule());
+        normalization.add(new IntroduceEnforcedListTypeRule());
         normalization.add(new ConstantFoldingRule());
         normalization.add(new UnnestToDataScanRule());
         normalization.add(new IfElseToSwitchCaseFunctionRule());
@@ -122,7 +126,7 @@
 
     public final static List<IAlgebraicRewriteRule> buildCondPushDownAndJoinInferenceRuleCollection() {
         List<IAlgebraicRewriteRule> condPushDownAndJoinInference = new LinkedList<IAlgebraicRewriteRule>();
-                
+
         condPushDownAndJoinInference.add(new PushSelectDownRule());
         condPushDownAndJoinInference.add(new PushDieUpRule());
         condPushDownAndJoinInference.add(new RemoveRedundantListifyRule());
@@ -136,17 +140,17 @@
         condPushDownAndJoinInference.add(new IntroduceGroupByForSubplanRule());
         condPushDownAndJoinInference.add(new SubplanOutOfGroupRule());
         condPushDownAndJoinInference.add(new InsertOuterJoinRule());
-        
+
         condPushDownAndJoinInference.add(new RemoveRedundantVariablesRule());
         condPushDownAndJoinInference.add(new AsterixInlineVariablesRule());
         condPushDownAndJoinInference.add(new RemoveUnusedAssignAndAggregateRule());
-        
+
         condPushDownAndJoinInference.add(new FactorRedundantGroupAndDecorVarsRule());
         condPushDownAndJoinInference.add(new PushAggregateIntoGroupbyRule());
         condPushDownAndJoinInference.add(new EliminateSubplanRule());
         condPushDownAndJoinInference.add(new PushProperJoinThroughProduct());
         condPushDownAndJoinInference.add(new PushGroupByThroughProduct());
-        condPushDownAndJoinInference.add(new NestGroupByRule());                
+        condPushDownAndJoinInference.add(new NestGroupByRule());
 
         return condPushDownAndJoinInference;
     }
@@ -162,7 +166,7 @@
         fieldLoads.add(new RemoveUnusedAssignAndAggregateRule());
         fieldLoads.add(new ConstantFoldingRule());
         fieldLoads.add(new FeedScanCollectionToUnnest());
-        fieldLoads.add(new ComplexJoinInferenceRule());        
+        fieldLoads.add(new ComplexJoinInferenceRule());
         return fieldLoads;
     }
 
@@ -185,17 +189,17 @@
         consolidation.add(new RemoveRedundantGroupByDecorVars());
         return consolidation;
     }
-    
+
     public final static List<IAlgebraicRewriteRule> buildAccessMethodRuleCollection() {
         List<IAlgebraicRewriteRule> accessMethod = new LinkedList<IAlgebraicRewriteRule>();
         accessMethod.add(new IntroduceSelectAccessMethodRule());
         accessMethod.add(new IntroduceJoinAccessMethodRule());
-        accessMethod.add(new IntroduceSecondaryIndexInsertDeleteRule());        
+        accessMethod.add(new IntroduceSecondaryIndexInsertDeleteRule());
         return accessMethod;
     }
 
     public final static List<IAlgebraicRewriteRule> buildPlanCleanupRuleCollection() {
-        List<IAlgebraicRewriteRule> planCleanupRules = new LinkedList<IAlgebraicRewriteRule>();        
+        List<IAlgebraicRewriteRule> planCleanupRules = new LinkedList<IAlgebraicRewriteRule>();
         planCleanupRules.add(new PushAssignBelowUnionAllRule());
         planCleanupRules.add(new ExtractCommonExpressionsRule());
         planCleanupRules.add(new PushProjectDownRule());
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 c1d0fea..769ede3 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
@@ -37,7 +37,10 @@
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.IAObject;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.constants.AsterixConstantValue;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.AsterixBuiltinFunctions;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.base.TypeComputerUtilities;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AbstractCollectionType;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Pair;
 import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.ILogicalExpression;
@@ -168,6 +171,15 @@
                     || expr.getFunctionIdentifier().equals(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.CAST_RECORD)) {
                 return new Pair<Boolean, ILogicalExpression>(false, null);
             }
+            if (expr.getFunctionIdentifier().equals(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.UNORDERED_LIST_CONSTRUCTOR)
+                    || expr.getFunctionIdentifier().equals(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.ORDERED_LIST_CONSTRUCTOR)) {
+                AbstractCollectionType listType = (AbstractCollectionType) TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(expr);
+                // do not fold open lists nor nested lists
+                if (listType != null
+                        && (listType.getItemType().getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.ANY || listType.getItemType() instanceof AbstractCollectionType)) {
+                    return new Pair<Boolean, ILogicalExpression>(false, null);
+                }
+            }
             if (expr.getFunctionIdentifier().equals(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.FIELD_ACCESS_BY_NAME)) {
                 ARecordType rt = (ARecordType) _emptyTypeEnv.getType(expr.getArguments().get(0).getValue());
                 String str = ((AString) ((AsterixConstantValue) ((ConstantExpression) expr.getArguments().get(1)
diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/InlineUnnestFunctionRule.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/InlineUnnestFunctionRule.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2398c04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/InlineUnnestFunctionRule.java
@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+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.om.functions.AsterixBuiltinFunctions;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.utils.Pair;
+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.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.UnnestOperator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.visitors.VariableUtilities;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.rewriter.base.IAlgebraicRewriteRule;
+
+public class InlineUnnestFunctionRule 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 {
+        AbstractLogicalOperator op1 = (AbstractLogicalOperator) opRef.getValue();
+        if (context.checkIfInDontApplySet(this, op1))
+            return false;
+        context.addToDontApplySet(this, op1);
+        if (op1.getOperatorTag() != LogicalOperatorTag.UNNEST)
+            return false;
+        UnnestOperator unnestOperator = (UnnestOperator) op1;
+        AbstractFunctionCallExpression expr = (AbstractFunctionCallExpression) unnestOperator.getExpressionRef()
+                .getValue();
+        if (expr.getFunctionIdentifier() != AsterixBuiltinFunctions.SCAN_COLLECTION)
+            return false;
+
+        // inline all variables from an unnesting function call
+        AbstractFunctionCallExpression funcExpr = (AbstractFunctionCallExpression) expr;
+        List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> args = funcExpr.getArguments();
+        for (int i = 0; i < args.size(); i++) {
+            ILogicalExpression argExpr = args.get(i).getValue();
+            if (argExpr.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.VARIABLE) {
+                VariableReferenceExpression varExpr = (VariableReferenceExpression) argExpr;
+                inlineVariable(varExpr.getVariableReference(), unnestOperator);
+            }
+        }
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private void inlineVariable(LogicalVariable usedVar, UnnestOperator unnestOp) throws AlgebricksException {
+        AbstractFunctionCallExpression expr = (AbstractFunctionCallExpression) unnestOp.getExpressionRef().getValue();
+        List<Pair<AbstractFunctionCallExpression, Integer>> parentAndIndexList = new ArrayList<Pair<AbstractFunctionCallExpression, Integer>>();
+        getParentFunctionExpression(usedVar, expr, parentAndIndexList);
+        ILogicalExpression usedVarOrginExpr = findUsedVarOrigin(usedVar, unnestOp, (AbstractLogicalOperator) unnestOp
+                .getInputs().get(0).getValue());
+        if (usedVarOrginExpr != null) {
+            for (Pair<AbstractFunctionCallExpression, Integer> parentAndIndex : parentAndIndexList) {
+                //we only rewrite the top scan-collection function
+                if (parentAndIndex.first.getFunctionIdentifier() == AsterixBuiltinFunctions.SCAN_COLLECTION
+                        && parentAndIndex.first == expr) {
+                    unnestOp.getExpressionRef().setValue(usedVarOrginExpr);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void getParentFunctionExpression(LogicalVariable usedVar, ILogicalExpression expr,
+            List<Pair<AbstractFunctionCallExpression, Integer>> parentAndIndexList) {
+        AbstractFunctionCallExpression funcExpr = (AbstractFunctionCallExpression) expr;
+        List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> args = funcExpr.getArguments();
+        for (int i = 0; i < args.size(); i++) {
+            ILogicalExpression argExpr = args.get(i).getValue();
+            if (argExpr.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.VARIABLE) {
+                VariableReferenceExpression varExpr = (VariableReferenceExpression) argExpr;
+                if (varExpr.getVariableReference().equals(usedVar))
+                    parentAndIndexList.add(new Pair<AbstractFunctionCallExpression, Integer>(funcExpr, i));
+            }
+            if (argExpr.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
+                getParentFunctionExpression(usedVar, argExpr, parentAndIndexList);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    public ILogicalExpression findUsedVarOrigin(LogicalVariable usedVar, AbstractLogicalOperator parentOp,
+            AbstractLogicalOperator currentOp) throws AlgebricksException {
+        ILogicalExpression ret = null;
+        if (currentOp.getOperatorTag() == LogicalOperatorTag.ASSIGN) {
+            List<LogicalVariable> producedVars = new ArrayList<LogicalVariable>();
+            VariableUtilities.getProducedVariables(currentOp, producedVars);
+            if (producedVars.contains(usedVar)) {
+                AssignOperator assignOp = (AssignOperator) currentOp;
+                int index = assignOp.getVariables().indexOf(usedVar);
+                ILogicalExpression returnedExpr = assignOp.getExpressions().get(index).getValue();
+                if (returnedExpr.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
+                    AbstractFunctionCallExpression funcExpr = (AbstractFunctionCallExpression) returnedExpr;
+                    if (AsterixBuiltinFunctions.isBuiltinUnnestingFunction(funcExpr.getFunctionIdentifier())) {
+                        // we only inline for unnest functions
+                        removeUnecessaryAssign(parentOp, currentOp, assignOp, index);
+                        ret = returnedExpr;
+                    }
+                } else if (returnedExpr.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.VARIABLE) {
+                    //recusively inline
+                    VariableReferenceExpression varExpr = (VariableReferenceExpression) returnedExpr;
+                    LogicalVariable var = varExpr.getVariableReference();
+                    ILogicalExpression finalExpr = findUsedVarOrigin(var, currentOp,
+                            (AbstractLogicalOperator) currentOp.getInputs().get(0).getValue());
+                    if (finalExpr != null) {
+                        removeUnecessaryAssign(parentOp, currentOp, assignOp, index);
+                        ret = finalExpr;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        } else {
+            for (Mutable<ILogicalOperator> child : currentOp.getInputs()) {
+                ILogicalExpression expr = findUsedVarOrigin(usedVar, currentOp,
+                        (AbstractLogicalOperator) child.getValue());
+                if (expr != null) {
+                    ret = expr;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        return ret;
+    }
+
+    private void removeUnecessaryAssign(AbstractLogicalOperator parentOp, AbstractLogicalOperator currentOp,
+            AssignOperator assignOp, int index) {
+        assignOp.getVariables().remove(index);
+        assignOp.getExpressions().remove(index);
+        if (assignOp.getVariables().size() == 0) {
+            int opIndex = parentOp.getInputs().indexOf(new MutableObject<ILogicalOperator>(currentOp));
+            parentOp.getInputs().get(opIndex).setValue(assignOp.getInputs().get(0).getValue());
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceDynamicTypeCastRule.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceDynamicTypeCastRule.java
index c41d908..2dce5f6 100644
--- a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceDynamicTypeCastRule.java
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceDynamicTypeCastRule.java
@@ -48,22 +48,18 @@
  * recursive way. It enables: 1. bag-based fields in a record, 2. bidirectional
  * cast of a open field and a matched closed field, and 3. put in null fields
  * when necessary.
- * 
  * Here is an example: A record { "hobby": {{"music", "coding"}}, "id": "001",
  * "name": "Person Three"} which confirms to closed type ( id: string, name:
  * string, hobby: {{string}}? ) can be cast to an open type (id: string ), or
  * vice versa.
- * 
  * However, if the input record is a variable, then we don't know its exact
  * field layout at compile time. For example, records conforming to the same
  * type can have different field orderings and different open parts. That's why
  * we need dynamic type casting.
- * 
  * Note that as we can see in the example, the ordering of fields of a record is
  * not required. Since the open/closed part of a record has completely different
  * underlying memory/storage layout, a cast-record function will change the
  * layout as specified at runtime.
- * 
  * Implementation wise, this rule checks the target dataset type and the input
  * record type, and if the types are different, then it plugs in an assign with
  * a cast-record function, and projects away the original (uncast) field.
@@ -80,9 +76,7 @@
             throws AlgebricksException {
         /**
          * pattern match: sink insert assign
-         * 
          * resulting plan: sink-insert-project-assign
-         * 
          */
         AbstractLogicalOperator op1 = (AbstractLogicalOperator) opRef.getValue();
         if (op1.getOperatorTag() != LogicalOperatorTag.SINK)
@@ -90,6 +84,9 @@
         AbstractLogicalOperator op2 = (AbstractLogicalOperator) op1.getInputs().get(0).getValue();
         if (op2.getOperatorTag() != LogicalOperatorTag.INSERT_DELETE)
             return false;
+        InsertDeleteOperator insertDeleteOp = (InsertDeleteOperator) op2;
+        if (insertDeleteOp.getOperation() == InsertDeleteOperator.Kind.DELETE)
+            return false;
         AbstractLogicalOperator op3 = (AbstractLogicalOperator) op2.getInputs().get(0).getValue();
         if (op3.getOperatorTag() != LogicalOperatorTag.ASSIGN)
             return false;
diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceEnforcedListTypeRule.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceEnforcedListTypeRule.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2e8d530
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceEnforcedListTypeRule.java
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+/*
+ * 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.Collections;
+import java.util.List;
+
+import org.apache.commons.lang3.mutable.Mutable;
+
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.typecast.StaticTypeCastUtil;
+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.expressions.AbstractFunctionCallExpression;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.expressions.IVariableTypeEnvironment;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.AbstractAssignOperator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.AbstractLogicalOperator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.operators.logical.AbstractUnnestOperator;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.rewriter.base.IAlgebraicRewriteRule;
+
+/**
+ * This class is to enforce types for function expressions which contain list constructor function calls.
+ * The List constructor is very special because a nested list is of type List<ANY>.
+ * However, the bottom-up type inference (InferTypeRule in algebricks) did not infer that so we need this method to enforce the type.
+ * We do not want to break the generality of algebricks so this method is called in an ASTERIX rule: @ IntroduceEnforcedListTypeRule} .
+ */
+public class IntroduceEnforcedListTypeRule 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 {
+        if (context.checkIfInDontApplySet(this, opRef.getValue()))
+            return false;
+        AbstractLogicalOperator op1 = (AbstractLogicalOperator) opRef.getValue();
+        context.addToDontApplySet(this, opRef.getValue());
+        boolean changed = false;
+
+        /**
+         * rewrite list constructor types for list constructor functions
+         */
+        if (op1.getOperatorTag() == LogicalOperatorTag.ASSIGN) {
+            AbstractAssignOperator assignOp = (AbstractAssignOperator) op1;
+            List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> expressions = assignOp.getExpressions();
+            IVariableTypeEnvironment env = assignOp.computeOutputTypeEnvironment(context);
+            changed = rewriteExpressions(expressions, env);
+        }
+        if (op1.getOperatorTag() == LogicalOperatorTag.UNNEST) {
+            AbstractUnnestOperator unnestOp = (AbstractUnnestOperator) op1;
+            List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> expressions = Collections.singletonList(unnestOp.getExpressionRef());
+            IVariableTypeEnvironment env = unnestOp.computeOutputTypeEnvironment(context);
+            changed = rewriteExpressions(expressions, env);
+        }
+        return changed;
+    }
+
+    private boolean rewriteExpressions(List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> expressions, IVariableTypeEnvironment env)
+            throws AlgebricksException {
+        boolean changed = false;
+        for (Mutable<ILogicalExpression> exprRef : expressions) {
+            ILogicalExpression expr = exprRef.getValue();
+            if (expr.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
+                AbstractFunctionCallExpression argFuncExpr = (AbstractFunctionCallExpression) expr;
+                IAType exprType = (IAType) env.getType(argFuncExpr);
+                changed = changed || StaticTypeCastUtil.rewriteListExpr(argFuncExpr, exprType, exprType, env);
+            }
+        }
+        return changed;
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule.java
index 7dc35fe..3aae2dd 100644
--- a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule.java
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule.java
@@ -16,26 +16,14 @@
 package edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
-import java.util.Arrays;
 import java.util.List;
 
 import org.apache.commons.lang3.mutable.Mutable;
-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.functions.AsterixBuiltinFunctions;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.base.TypeComputerUtilities;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AUnionType;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AbstractCollectionType;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
 import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.util.NonTaggedFormatUtil;
-import edu.uci.ics.asterix.runtime.pointables.base.DefaultOpenFieldType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.typecast.StaticTypeCastUtil;
 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;
@@ -44,9 +32,7 @@
 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;
@@ -58,22 +44,17 @@
  * recursive way. It enables: 1. bag-based fields in a record, 2. bidirectional
  * cast of a open field and a matched closed field, and 3. put in null fields
  * when necessary. It should be fired before the constant folding rule.
- * 
  * This rule is not responsible for type casting between primitive types.
- * 
  * Here is an example: A record { "hobby": {{"music", "coding"}}, "id": "001",
  * "name": "Person Three"} which confirms to closed type ( id: string, name:
  * string, hobby: {{string}}? ) can be cast to an open type (id: string ), or
  * vice versa.
- * 
  * Implementation wise: first, we match the record's type and its target dataset
  * type to see if it is "cast-able"; second, if the types are cast-able, we
  * embed the required type into the original producer expression. If the types
  * are not cast-able, we throw a compile time exception.
- * 
  * Then, at runtime (not in this rule), the corresponding record/list
  * constructors know what to do by checking the required output type.
- * 
  * TODO: right now record/list constructor of the cast result is not done in the
  * ConstantFoldingRule and has to go to the runtime, because the
  * ConstantFoldingRule uses ARecordSerializerDeserializer which seems to have
@@ -96,28 +77,31 @@
         if (context.checkIfInDontApplySet(this, opRef.getValue()))
             return false;
         context.addToDontApplySet(this, opRef.getValue());
+
         AbstractLogicalOperator op1 = (AbstractLogicalOperator) opRef.getValue();
+        List<LogicalVariable> producedVariables = new ArrayList<LogicalVariable>();
+        LogicalVariable oldRecordVariable;
+
         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)
+        InsertDeleteOperator insertDeleteOp = (InsertDeleteOperator) op2;
+        if (insertDeleteOp.getOperation() == InsertDeleteOperator.Kind.DELETE)
             return false;
-
+        AbstractLogicalOperator assignOp = (AbstractLogicalOperator) op2.getInputs().get(0).getValue();
+        if (assignOp.getOperatorTag() != LogicalOperatorTag.ASSIGN)
+            return false;
         /**
          * get required record type
          */
         InsertDeleteOperator insertDeleteOperator = (InsertDeleteOperator) op2;
-        AssignOperator topAssignOperator = (AssignOperator) op3;
         AqlDataSource dataSource = (AqlDataSource) insertDeleteOperator.getDataSource();
         IAType[] schemaTypes = (IAType[]) dataSource.getSchemaTypes();
-        ARecordType requiredRecordType = (ARecordType) schemaTypes[schemaTypes.length - 1];
+        IAType requiredRecordType = schemaTypes[schemaTypes.length - 1];
 
-        /**
-         * get input record type to the insert operator
-         */
+        AssignOperator topAssignOperator = (AssignOperator) assignOp;
         List<LogicalVariable> usedVariables = new ArrayList<LogicalVariable>();
         VariableUtilities.getUsedVariables(topAssignOperator, usedVariables);
 
@@ -126,14 +110,12 @@
         // empty
         if (usedVariables.size() == 0)
             return false;
-        LogicalVariable oldRecordVariable = usedVariables.get(0);
+        oldRecordVariable = usedVariables.get(0);
         LogicalVariable inputRecordVar = usedVariables.get(0);
         IVariableTypeEnvironment env = topAssignOperator.computeOutputTypeEnvironment(context);
-        ARecordType inputRecordType = (ARecordType) env.getVarType(inputRecordVar);
+        IAType inputRecordType = (IAType) env.getVarType(inputRecordVar);
 
-        AbstractLogicalOperator currentOperator = topAssignOperator;
-        List<LogicalVariable> producedVariables = new ArrayList<LogicalVariable>();
-
+        AbstractLogicalOperator currentOperator = assignOp;
         /**
          * find the assign operator for the "input record" to the insert_delete
          * operator
@@ -153,13 +135,15 @@
                     List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> expressionRefs = originalAssign.getExpressions();
                     ILogicalExpression expr = expressionRefs.get(position).getValue();
                     if (expr.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
-                        ScalarFunctionCallExpression funcExpr = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) expr;
+                        AbstractFunctionCallExpression funcExpr = (AbstractFunctionCallExpression) expr;
                         // that expression has been rewritten, and it will not
                         // fail but just return false
-                        if (TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(funcExpr) != null)
+                        if (TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(funcExpr) != null) {
+                            context.computeAndSetTypeEnvironmentForOperator(assignOp);
                             return false;
-                        IVariableTypeEnvironment assignEnv = topAssignOperator.computeOutputTypeEnvironment(context);
-                        rewriteFuncExpr(funcExpr, requiredRecordType, inputRecordType, assignEnv);
+                        }
+                        IVariableTypeEnvironment assignEnv = assignOp.computeOutputTypeEnvironment(context);
+                        StaticTypeCastUtil.rewriteFuncExpr(funcExpr, requiredRecordType, inputRecordType, assignEnv);
                     }
                     context.computeAndSetTypeEnvironmentForOperator(originalAssign);
                 }
@@ -172,249 +156,4 @@
         return true;
     }
 
-    private void rewriteFuncExpr(ScalarFunctionCallExpression funcExpr, IAType reqType, IAType inputType,
-            IVariableTypeEnvironment env) throws AlgebricksException {
-        if (funcExpr.getFunctionIdentifier() == AsterixBuiltinFunctions.UNORDERED_LIST_CONSTRUCTOR) {
-            rewriteListFuncExpr(funcExpr, (AbstractCollectionType) reqType, (AbstractCollectionType) inputType, env);
-        } else if (funcExpr.getFunctionIdentifier() == AsterixBuiltinFunctions.ORDERED_LIST_CONSTRUCTOR) {
-            rewriteListFuncExpr(funcExpr, (AbstractCollectionType) reqType, (AbstractCollectionType) inputType, env);
-        } else if (reqType.getTypeTag().equals(ATypeTag.RECORD)) {
-            rewriteRecordFuncExpr(funcExpr, (ARecordType) reqType, (ARecordType) inputType, env);
-        }
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * only called when funcExpr is record constructor
-     * 
-     * @param funcExpr
-     *            record constructor function expression
-     * @param requiredListType
-     *            required record type
-     * @param inputRecordType
-     * @param env
-     *            type environment
-     * @throws AlgebricksException
-     */
-    private void rewriteRecordFuncExpr(ScalarFunctionCallExpression funcExpr, ARecordType requiredRecordType,
-            ARecordType inputRecordType, IVariableTypeEnvironment env) throws AlgebricksException {
-        // if already rewritten, the required type is not null
-        if (TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(funcExpr) != null)
-            return;
-        TypeComputerUtilities.setRequiredAndInputTypes(funcExpr, requiredRecordType, inputRecordType);
-        staticRecordTypeCast(funcExpr, requiredRecordType, inputRecordType, env);
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * only called when funcExpr is list constructor
-     * 
-     * @param funcExpr
-     *            list constructor function expression
-     * @param requiredListType
-     *            required list type
-     * @param inputListType
-     * @param env
-     *            type environment
-     * @throws AlgebricksException
-     */
-    private void rewriteListFuncExpr(ScalarFunctionCallExpression funcExpr, AbstractCollectionType requiredListType,
-            AbstractCollectionType inputListType, IVariableTypeEnvironment env) throws AlgebricksException {
-        if (TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(funcExpr) != null)
-            return;
-
-        TypeComputerUtilities.setRequiredAndInputTypes(funcExpr, requiredListType, inputListType);
-        List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> args = funcExpr.getArguments();
-
-        IAType itemType = requiredListType.getItemType();
-        if (itemType == null || itemType.getTypeTag().equals(ATypeTag.ANY))
-            return;
-        IAType inputItemType = inputListType.getItemType();
-        for (int j = 0; j < args.size(); j++) {
-            ILogicalExpression arg = args.get(j).getValue();
-            if (arg.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
-                ScalarFunctionCallExpression argFunc = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) arg;
-                IAType currentItemType = (IAType) env.getType(argFunc);
-                if (inputItemType == null || inputItemType == BuiltinType.ANY) {
-                    currentItemType = (IAType) env.getType(argFunc);
-                    rewriteFuncExpr(argFunc, itemType, currentItemType, env);
-                } else {
-                    rewriteFuncExpr(argFunc, itemType, inputItemType, env);
-                }
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
-    private void staticRecordTypeCast(ScalarFunctionCallExpression func, ARecordType reqType, ARecordType inputType,
-            IVariableTypeEnvironment env) throws AlgebricksException {
-        IAType[] reqFieldTypes = reqType.getFieldTypes();
-        String[] reqFieldNames = reqType.getFieldNames();
-        IAType[] inputFieldTypes = inputType.getFieldTypes();
-        String[] inputFieldNames = inputType.getFieldNames();
-
-        int[] fieldPermutation = new int[reqFieldTypes.length];
-        boolean[] nullFields = new boolean[reqFieldTypes.length];
-        boolean[] openFields = new boolean[inputFieldTypes.length];
-
-        Arrays.fill(nullFields, false);
-        Arrays.fill(openFields, true);
-        Arrays.fill(fieldPermutation, -1);
-
-        // forward match: match from actual to required
-        boolean matched = false;
-        for (int i = 0; i < inputFieldNames.length; i++) {
-            String fieldName = inputFieldNames[i];
-            IAType fieldType = inputFieldTypes[i];
-
-            if (2 * i + 1 > func.getArguments().size())
-                throw new AlgebricksException("expression index out of bound");
-
-            // 2*i+1 is the index of field value expression
-            ILogicalExpression arg = func.getArguments().get(2 * i + 1).getValue();
-            matched = false;
-            for (int j = 0; j < reqFieldNames.length; j++) {
-                String reqFieldName = reqFieldNames[j];
-                IAType reqFieldType = reqFieldTypes[j];
-                if (fieldName.equals(reqFieldName)) {
-                    if (fieldType.equals(reqFieldType)) {
-                        fieldPermutation[j] = i;
-                        openFields[i] = false;
-                        matched = true;
-
-                        if (arg.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
-                            ScalarFunctionCallExpression scalarFunc = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) arg;
-                            rewriteFuncExpr(scalarFunc, reqFieldType, fieldType, env);
-                        }
-                        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);
-                        reqFieldType = itemType;
-                        if (fieldType.equals(BuiltinType.ANULL) || fieldType.equals(itemType)) {
-                            fieldPermutation[j] = i;
-                            openFields[i] = false;
-                            matched = true;
-
-                            // rewrite record expr
-                            if (arg.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
-                                ScalarFunctionCallExpression scalarFunc = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) arg;
-                                rewriteFuncExpr(scalarFunc, reqFieldType, fieldType, env);
-                            }
-                            break;
-                        }
-                    }
-
-                    // match the record field: need cast
-                    if (arg.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
-                        ScalarFunctionCallExpression scalarFunc = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) arg;
-                        rewriteFuncExpr(scalarFunc, reqFieldType, fieldType, env);
-                        fieldPermutation[j] = i;
-                        openFields[i] = false;
-                        matched = true;
-                        break;
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-            // the input has extra fields
-            if (!matched && !reqType.isOpen())
-                throw new AlgebricksException("static type mismatch: including an extra closed field " + fieldName);
-        }
-
-        // 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))
-                    continue;
-                // should check open field here
-                // because number of entries in fieldPermuations is the
-                // number of required schema fields
-                // here we want to check if an input field is matched
-                // the entry index of fieldPermuatons is req field index
-                if (!openFields[j]) {
-                    matched = true;
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                // match the optional field
-                if (reqFieldType.getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION
-                        && NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) reqFieldType)) {
-                    IAType itemType = ((AUnionType) reqFieldType).getUnionList().get(
-                            NonTaggedFormatUtil.OPTIONAL_TYPE_INDEX_IN_UNION_LIST);
-                    if (fieldType.equals(BuiltinType.ANULL) || fieldType.equals(itemType)) {
-                        matched = true;
-                        break;
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-            if (matched)
-                continue;
-
-            if (reqFieldType.getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION
-                    && NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) reqFieldType)) {
-                // add a null field
-                nullFields[i] = true;
-            } else {
-                // no matched field in the input for a required closed field
-                throw new AlgebricksException("static type mismatch: miss a required closed field " + reqFieldName);
-            }
-        }
-
-        List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> arguments = func.getArguments();
-        List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> originalArguments = new ArrayList<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>>();
-        originalArguments.addAll(arguments);
-        arguments.clear();
-        // re-order the closed part and fill in null fields
-        for (int i = 0; i < fieldPermutation.length; i++) {
-            int pos = fieldPermutation[i];
-            if (pos >= 0) {
-                arguments.add(originalArguments.get(2 * pos));
-                arguments.add(originalArguments.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(originalArguments.get(2 * i));
-                Mutable<ILogicalExpression> fExprRef = originalArguments.get(2 * i + 1);
-                ILogicalExpression argExpr = fExprRef.getValue();
-
-                // we need to handle open fields recursively by their default
-                // types
-                // for list, their item type is any
-                // for record, their
-                if (argExpr.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
-                    IAType reqFieldType = inputFieldTypes[i];
-                    if (inputFieldTypes[i].getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.RECORD) {
-                        reqFieldType = DefaultOpenFieldType.NESTED_OPEN_RECORD_TYPE;
-                    }
-                    if (inputFieldTypes[i].getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.ORDEREDLIST) {
-                        reqFieldType = DefaultOpenFieldType.NESTED_OPEN_AORDERED_LIST_TYPE;
-                    }
-                    if (inputFieldTypes[i].getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNORDEREDLIST) {
-                        reqFieldType = DefaultOpenFieldType.NESTED_OPEN_AUNORDERED_LIST_TYPE;
-                    }
-                    if (TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType((AbstractFunctionCallExpression) argExpr) == null) {
-                        ScalarFunctionCallExpression argFunc = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) argExpr;
-                        rewriteFuncExpr(argFunc, reqFieldType, inputFieldTypes[i], env);
-                    }
-                }
-                arguments.add(fExprRef);
-            }
-        }
-    }
 }
diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/SetClosedRecordConstructorsRule.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/SetClosedRecordConstructorsRule.java
index c121ff6..ad70d6f 100644
--- a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/SetClosedRecordConstructorsRule.java
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/SetClosedRecordConstructorsRule.java
@@ -92,47 +92,55 @@
             boolean changed = false;
             if (expr.getFunctionIdentifier().equals(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.OPEN_RECORD_CONSTRUCTOR)) {
                 ARecordType reqType = (ARecordType) TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(expr);
-                if (reqType != null) {
-                    if (reqType.isOpen())
-                        allClosed = false;
-                }
-                int n = expr.getArguments().size();
-                if (n % 2 > 0) {
-                    throw new AlgebricksException("Record constructor expected to have an even number of arguments: "
-                            + expr);
-                }
-                for (int i = 0; i < n / 2; i++) {
-                    ILogicalExpression a0 = expr.getArguments().get(2 * i).getValue();
-                    if (a0.getExpressionTag() != LogicalExpressionTag.CONSTANT) {
-                        allClosed = false;
+                if (reqType == null || !reqType.isOpen()) {
+                    int n = expr.getArguments().size();
+                    if (n % 2 > 0) {
+                        throw new AlgebricksException(
+                                "Record constructor expected to have an even number of arguments: " + expr);
                     }
-                    Mutable<ILogicalExpression> aRef1 = expr.getArguments().get(2 * i + 1);
-                    ILogicalExpression a1 = aRef1.getValue();
-                    ClosedDataInfo cdi = a1.accept(this, arg);
-                    if (!cdi.dataIsClosed) {
-                        allClosed = false;
+                    for (int i = 0; i < n / 2; i++) {
+                        ILogicalExpression a0 = expr.getArguments().get(2 * i).getValue();
+                        if (a0.getExpressionTag() != LogicalExpressionTag.CONSTANT) {
+                            allClosed = false;
+                        }
+                        Mutable<ILogicalExpression> aRef1 = expr.getArguments().get(2 * i + 1);
+                        ILogicalExpression a1 = aRef1.getValue();
+                        ClosedDataInfo cdi = a1.accept(this, arg);
+                        if (!cdi.dataIsClosed) {
+                            allClosed = false;
+                        }
+                        if (cdi.expressionChanged) {
+                            aRef1.setValue(cdi.expression);
+                            changed = true;
+                        }
                     }
-                    if (cdi.expressionChanged) {
-                        aRef1.setValue(cdi.expression);
+                    if (allClosed) {
+                        expr.setFunctionInfo(FunctionUtils
+                                .getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.CLOSED_RECORD_CONSTRUCTOR));
+                        GlobalConfig.ASTERIX_LOGGER.finest("Switching to CLOSED record constructor in " + expr + ".\n");
                         changed = true;
                     }
                 }
-                if (allClosed) {
-                    expr.setFunctionInfo(FunctionUtils
-                            .getFunctionInfo(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.CLOSED_RECORD_CONSTRUCTOR));
-                    GlobalConfig.ASTERIX_LOGGER.finest("Switching to CLOSED record constructor in " + expr + ".\n");
-                    changed = true;
-                }
             } else {
-                for (Mutable<ILogicalExpression> e : expr.getArguments()) {
-                    ILogicalExpression ale = e.getValue();
-                    ClosedDataInfo cdi = ale.accept(this, arg);
-                    if (!cdi.dataIsClosed) {
-                        allClosed = false;
+                boolean rewrite = true;
+                if (expr.getFunctionIdentifier().equals(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.ORDERED_LIST_CONSTRUCTOR)
+                        || (expr.getFunctionIdentifier().equals(AsterixBuiltinFunctions.UNORDERED_LIST_CONSTRUCTOR))) {
+                    IAType reqType = TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(expr);
+                    if (reqType == null) {
+                        rewrite = false;
                     }
-                    if (cdi.expressionChanged) {
-                        e.setValue(cdi.expression);
-                        changed = true;
+                }
+                if (rewrite) {
+                    for (Mutable<ILogicalExpression> e : expr.getArguments()) {
+                        ILogicalExpression ale = e.getValue();
+                        ClosedDataInfo cdi = ale.accept(this, arg);
+                        if (!cdi.dataIsClosed) {
+                            allClosed = false;
+                        }
+                        if (cdi.expressionChanged) {
+                            e.setValue(cdi.expression);
+                            changed = true;
+                        }
                     }
                 }
             }
@@ -144,7 +152,8 @@
                 throws AlgebricksException {
             Object varType = env.getVarType(expr.getVariableReference());
             if (varType == null) {
-                throw new AlgebricksException("Could not infer type for variable '" + expr.getVariableReference() + "'.");
+                throw new AlgebricksException("Could not infer type for variable '" + expr.getVariableReference()
+                        + "'.");
             }
             boolean dataIsClosed = isClosedRec((IAType) varType);
             return new ClosedDataInfo(false, dataIsClosed, expr);
diff --git a/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/typecast/StaticTypeCastUtil.java b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/typecast/StaticTypeCastUtil.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7be6936
--- /dev/null
+++ b/asterix-algebra/src/main/java/edu/uci/ics/asterix/optimizer/rules/typecast/StaticTypeCastUtil.java
@@ -0,0 +1,389 @@
+package edu.uci.ics.asterix.optimizer.rules.typecast;
+
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.Arrays;
+import java.util.List;
+
+import org.apache.commons.lang3.mutable.Mutable;
+import org.apache.commons.lang3.mutable.MutableObject;
+
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.ANull;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.base.AString;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.constants.AsterixConstantValue;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.functions.AsterixBuiltinFunctions;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.pointables.base.DefaultOpenFieldType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.typecomputer.base.TypeComputerUtilities;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ARecordType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.ATypeTag;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AUnionType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.AbstractCollectionType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.BuiltinType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.types.IAType;
+import edu.uci.ics.asterix.om.util.NonTaggedFormatUtil;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.common.exceptions.AlgebricksException;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.ILogicalExpression;
+import edu.uci.ics.hyracks.algebricks.core.algebra.base.LogicalExpressionTag;
+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;
+
+/**
+ * This class is utility to do type cast.
+ * It offers two public methods:
+ * 1. public static boolean rewriteListExpr(AbstractFunctionCallExpression funcExpr, IAType reqType, IAType inputType,
+ * IVariableTypeEnvironment env) throws AlgebricksException, which only enforces the list type recursively.
+ * 2. public static boolean rewriteFuncExpr(AbstractFunctionCallExpression funcExpr, IAType reqType, IAType inputType,
+ * IVariableTypeEnvironment env) throws AlgebricksException, which enforces the list type and the record type recursively.
+ * 
+ * @author yingyib
+ */
+public class StaticTypeCastUtil {
+
+    /**
+     * This method is only called when funcExpr contains list constructor function calls.
+     * The List constructor is very special because a nested list is of type List<ANY>.
+     * However, the bottom-up type inference (InferTypeRule in algebricks) did not infer that so we need this method to enforce the type.
+     * We do not want to break the generality of algebricks so this method is called in an ASTERIX rule: @ IntroduceEnforcedListTypeRule} .
+     * 
+     * @param funcExpr
+     *            record constructor function expression
+     * @param requiredListType
+     *            required record type
+     * @param inputRecordType
+     * @param env
+     *            type environment
+     * @throws AlgebricksException
+     */
+    public static boolean rewriteListExpr(AbstractFunctionCallExpression funcExpr, IAType reqType, IAType inputType,
+            IVariableTypeEnvironment env) throws AlgebricksException {
+        if (funcExpr.getFunctionIdentifier() == AsterixBuiltinFunctions.UNORDERED_LIST_CONSTRUCTOR) {
+            if (reqType.equals(BuiltinType.ANY)) {
+                reqType = DefaultOpenFieldType.NESTED_OPEN_AUNORDERED_LIST_TYPE;
+            }
+            return rewriteListFuncExpr(funcExpr, (AbstractCollectionType) reqType, (AbstractCollectionType) inputType,
+                    env);
+        } else if (funcExpr.getFunctionIdentifier() == AsterixBuiltinFunctions.ORDERED_LIST_CONSTRUCTOR) {
+            if (reqType.equals(BuiltinType.ANY)) {
+                reqType = DefaultOpenFieldType.NESTED_OPEN_AORDERED_LIST_TYPE;
+            }
+            return rewriteListFuncExpr(funcExpr, (AbstractCollectionType) reqType, (AbstractCollectionType) inputType,
+                    env);
+        } else {
+            List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> args = funcExpr.getArguments();
+            boolean changed = false;
+            for (Mutable<ILogicalExpression> arg : args) {
+                ILogicalExpression argExpr = arg.getValue();
+                if (argExpr.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
+                    AbstractFunctionCallExpression argFuncExpr = (AbstractFunctionCallExpression) argExpr;
+                    IAType exprType = (IAType) env.getType(argFuncExpr);
+                    changed = changed || rewriteListExpr(argFuncExpr, exprType, exprType, env);
+                }
+            }
+            return changed;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * This method is to recursively enforce required types, for the list type and the record type.
+     * The List constructor is very special because
+     * 1. a nested list in a list is of type List<ANY>;
+     * 2. a nested record in a list is of type Open_Record{}.
+     * The open record constructor is very special because
+     * 1. a nested list in the open part is of type List<ANY>;
+     * 2. a nested record in the open part is of type Open_Record{}.
+     * However, the bottom-up type inference (InferTypeRule in algebricks) did not infer that so we need this method to enforce the type.
+     * We do not want to break the generality of algebricks so this method is called in an ASTERIX rule: @ IntroduceStaticTypeCastRule} .
+     * 
+     * @param funcExpr
+     *            the function expression whose type needs to be top-down enforced
+     * @param reqType
+     *            the required type inferred from parent operators/expressions
+     * @param inputType
+     *            the current inferred
+     * @param env
+     *            the type environment
+     * @return true if the type is casted; otherwise, false.
+     * @throws AlgebricksException
+     */
+    public static boolean rewriteFuncExpr(AbstractFunctionCallExpression funcExpr, IAType reqType, IAType inputType,
+            IVariableTypeEnvironment env) throws AlgebricksException {
+        if (funcExpr.getFunctionIdentifier() == AsterixBuiltinFunctions.UNORDERED_LIST_CONSTRUCTOR) {
+            if (reqType.equals(BuiltinType.ANY)) {
+                reqType = DefaultOpenFieldType.NESTED_OPEN_AUNORDERED_LIST_TYPE;
+            }
+            return rewriteListFuncExpr(funcExpr, (AbstractCollectionType) reqType, (AbstractCollectionType) inputType,
+                    env);
+        } else if (funcExpr.getFunctionIdentifier() == AsterixBuiltinFunctions.ORDERED_LIST_CONSTRUCTOR) {
+            if (reqType.equals(BuiltinType.ANY)) {
+                reqType = DefaultOpenFieldType.NESTED_OPEN_AORDERED_LIST_TYPE;
+            }
+            return rewriteListFuncExpr(funcExpr, (AbstractCollectionType) reqType, (AbstractCollectionType) inputType,
+                    env);
+        } else if (inputType.getTypeTag().equals(ATypeTag.RECORD)) {
+            if (reqType.equals(BuiltinType.ANY)) {
+                reqType = DefaultOpenFieldType.NESTED_OPEN_RECORD_TYPE;
+            }
+            return rewriteRecordFuncExpr(funcExpr, (ARecordType) reqType, (ARecordType) inputType, env);
+        } else {
+            List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> args = funcExpr.getArguments();
+            boolean changed = false;
+            for (Mutable<ILogicalExpression> arg : args) {
+                ILogicalExpression argExpr = arg.getValue();
+                if (argExpr.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
+                    AbstractFunctionCallExpression argFuncExpr = (AbstractFunctionCallExpression) argExpr;
+                    IAType exprType = (IAType) env.getType(argFuncExpr);
+                    changed = changed || rewriteFuncExpr(argFuncExpr, exprType, exprType, env);
+                }
+            }
+            return changed;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * only called when funcExpr is record constructor
+     * 
+     * @param funcExpr
+     *            record constructor function expression
+     * @param requiredListType
+     *            required record type
+     * @param inputRecordType
+     * @param env
+     *            type environment
+     * @throws AlgebricksException
+     */
+    private static boolean rewriteRecordFuncExpr(AbstractFunctionCallExpression funcExpr,
+            ARecordType requiredRecordType, ARecordType inputRecordType, IVariableTypeEnvironment env)
+            throws AlgebricksException {
+        // if already rewritten, the required type is not null
+        if (TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(funcExpr) != null)
+            return false;
+        TypeComputerUtilities.setRequiredAndInputTypes(funcExpr, requiredRecordType, inputRecordType);
+        staticRecordTypeCast(funcExpr, requiredRecordType, inputRecordType, env);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * only called when funcExpr is list constructor
+     * 
+     * @param funcExpr
+     *            list constructor function expression
+     * @param requiredListType
+     *            required list type
+     * @param inputListType
+     * @param env
+     *            type environment
+     * @throws AlgebricksException
+     */
+    private static boolean rewriteListFuncExpr(AbstractFunctionCallExpression funcExpr,
+            AbstractCollectionType requiredListType, AbstractCollectionType inputListType, IVariableTypeEnvironment env)
+            throws AlgebricksException {
+        if (TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType(funcExpr) != null)
+            return false;
+
+        TypeComputerUtilities.setRequiredAndInputTypes(funcExpr, requiredListType, inputListType);
+        List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> args = funcExpr.getArguments();
+
+        IAType itemType = requiredListType.getItemType();
+        IAType inputItemType = inputListType.getItemType();
+        for (int j = 0; j < args.size(); j++) {
+            ILogicalExpression arg = args.get(j).getValue();
+            if (arg.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
+                ScalarFunctionCallExpression argFunc = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) arg;
+                IAType currentItemType = (IAType) env.getType(argFunc);
+                if (inputItemType == null || inputItemType == BuiltinType.ANY) {
+                    currentItemType = (IAType) env.getType(argFunc);
+                    rewriteFuncExpr(argFunc, itemType, currentItemType, env);
+                } else {
+                    rewriteFuncExpr(argFunc, itemType, inputItemType, env);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * This method statically cast the type of records from their current type to the required type.
+     * 
+     * @param func The record constructor expression.
+     * @param reqType  The required type.
+     * @param inputType The current type.
+     * @param env The type environment.
+     * @throws AlgebricksException
+     */
+    private static void staticRecordTypeCast(AbstractFunctionCallExpression func, ARecordType reqType,
+            ARecordType inputType, IVariableTypeEnvironment env) throws AlgebricksException {
+        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];
+
+        Arrays.fill(nullFields, false);
+        Arrays.fill(openFields, true);
+        Arrays.fill(fieldPermutation, -1);
+
+        // forward match: match from actual to required
+        boolean matched = false;
+        for (int i = 0; i < inputFieldNames.length; i++) {
+            String fieldName = inputFieldNames[i];
+            IAType fieldType = inputFieldTypes[i];
+
+            if (2 * i + 1 > func.getArguments().size())
+                throw new AlgebricksException("expression index out of bound");
+
+            // 2*i+1 is the index of field value expression
+            ILogicalExpression arg = func.getArguments().get(2 * i + 1).getValue();
+            matched = false;
+            for (int j = 0; j < reqFieldNames.length; j++) {
+                String reqFieldName = reqFieldNames[j];
+                IAType reqFieldType = reqFieldTypes[j];
+                if (fieldName.equals(reqFieldName)) {
+                    if (fieldType.equals(reqFieldType)) {
+                        fieldPermutation[j] = i;
+                        openFields[i] = false;
+                        matched = true;
+
+                        if (arg.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
+                            ScalarFunctionCallExpression scalarFunc = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) arg;
+                            rewriteFuncExpr(scalarFunc, reqFieldType, fieldType, env);
+                        }
+                        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);
+                        reqFieldType = itemType;
+                        if (fieldType.equals(BuiltinType.ANULL) || fieldType.equals(itemType)) {
+                            fieldPermutation[j] = i;
+                            openFields[i] = false;
+                            matched = true;
+
+                            // rewrite record expr
+                            if (arg.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
+                                ScalarFunctionCallExpression scalarFunc = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) arg;
+                                rewriteFuncExpr(scalarFunc, reqFieldType, fieldType, env);
+                            }
+                            break;
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    // match the record field: need cast
+                    if (arg.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
+                        ScalarFunctionCallExpression scalarFunc = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) arg;
+                        rewriteFuncExpr(scalarFunc, reqFieldType, fieldType, env);
+                        fieldPermutation[j] = i;
+                        openFields[i] = false;
+                        matched = true;
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            // the input has extra fields
+            if (!matched && !reqType.isOpen())
+                throw new AlgebricksException("static type mismatch: including an extra closed field " + fieldName);
+        }
+
+        // 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))
+                    continue;
+                // should check open field here
+                // because number of entries in fieldPermuations is the
+                // number of required schema fields
+                // here we want to check if an input field is matched
+                // the entry index of fieldPermuatons is req field index
+                if (!openFields[j]) {
+                    matched = true;
+                    break;
+                }
+
+                // match the optional field
+                if (reqFieldType.getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION
+                        && NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) reqFieldType)) {
+                    IAType itemType = ((AUnionType) reqFieldType).getUnionList().get(
+                            NonTaggedFormatUtil.OPTIONAL_TYPE_INDEX_IN_UNION_LIST);
+                    if (fieldType.equals(BuiltinType.ANULL) || fieldType.equals(itemType)) {
+                        matched = true;
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            if (matched)
+                continue;
+
+            if (reqFieldType.getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNION
+                    && NonTaggedFormatUtil.isOptionalField((AUnionType) reqFieldType)) {
+                // add a null field
+                nullFields[i] = true;
+            } else {
+                // no matched field in the input for a required closed field
+                throw new AlgebricksException("static type mismatch: miss a required closed field " + reqFieldName);
+            }
+        }
+
+        List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> arguments = func.getArguments();
+        List<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>> originalArguments = new ArrayList<Mutable<ILogicalExpression>>();
+        originalArguments.addAll(arguments);
+        arguments.clear();
+        // re-order the closed part and fill in null fields
+        for (int i = 0; i < fieldPermutation.length; i++) {
+            int pos = fieldPermutation[i];
+            if (pos >= 0) {
+                arguments.add(originalArguments.get(2 * pos));
+                arguments.add(originalArguments.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(originalArguments.get(2 * i));
+                Mutable<ILogicalExpression> fExprRef = originalArguments.get(2 * i + 1);
+                ILogicalExpression argExpr = fExprRef.getValue();
+
+                // we need to handle open fields recursively by their default
+                // types
+                // for list, their item type is any
+                // for record, their
+                if (argExpr.getExpressionTag() == LogicalExpressionTag.FUNCTION_CALL) {
+                    IAType reqFieldType = inputFieldTypes[i];
+                    if (inputFieldTypes[i].getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.RECORD) {
+                        reqFieldType = DefaultOpenFieldType.NESTED_OPEN_RECORD_TYPE;
+                    }
+                    if (inputFieldTypes[i].getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.ORDEREDLIST) {
+                        reqFieldType = DefaultOpenFieldType.NESTED_OPEN_AORDERED_LIST_TYPE;
+                    }
+                    if (inputFieldTypes[i].getTypeTag() == ATypeTag.UNORDEREDLIST) {
+                        reqFieldType = DefaultOpenFieldType.NESTED_OPEN_AUNORDERED_LIST_TYPE;
+                    }
+                    if (TypeComputerUtilities.getRequiredType((AbstractFunctionCallExpression) argExpr) == null) {
+                        ScalarFunctionCallExpression argFunc = (ScalarFunctionCallExpression) argExpr;
+                        rewriteFuncExpr(argFunc, reqFieldType, inputFieldTypes[i], env);
+                    }
+                }
+                arguments.add(fExprRef);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+}