--- loncom/lonnet/perl/lonnet.pm	2015/04/13 16:30:32	1.1281
+++ loncom/lonnet/perl/lonnet.pm	2015/12/03 20:40:42	1.1296
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network
 # TCP networking package
 #
-# $Id: lonnet.pm,v 1.1281 2015/04/13 16:30:32 raeburn Exp $
+# $Id: lonnet.pm,v 1.1296 2015/12/03 20:40:42 damieng Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ use GDBM_File;
 use HTML::LCParser;
 use Fcntl qw(:flock);
 use Storable qw(thaw nfreeze);
-use Time::HiRes qw( gettimeofday tv_interval );
+use Time::HiRes qw( sleep gettimeofday tv_interval );
 use Cache::Memcached;
 use Digest::MD5;
 use Math::Random;
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ use LONCAPA::Lond;
 use File::Copy;
 
 my $readit;
-my $max_connection_retries = 10;     # Or some such value.
+my $max_connection_retries = 20;     # Or some such value.
 
 require Exporter;
 
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ sub subreply {
 
     my $lockfile=$peerfile.".lock";
     while (-e $lockfile) {	# Need to wait for the lockfile to disappear.
-	sleep(1);
+	sleep(0.1);
     }
     # At this point, either a loncnew parent is listening or an old lonc
     # or loncnew child is listening so we can connect or everything's dead.
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ sub subreply {
 	} else {
 	    &create_connection(&hostname($server),$server);
 	}
-        sleep(1);		# Try again later if failed connection.
+        sleep(0.1);	# Try again later if failed connection.
     }
     my $answer;
     if ($client) {
@@ -422,8 +422,8 @@ sub reply {
 
 sub reconlonc {
     my ($lonid) = @_;
-    my $hostname = &hostname($lonid);
     if ($lonid) {
+        my $hostname = &hostname($lonid);
 	my $peerfile="$perlvar{'lonSockDir'}/$hostname";
 	if ($hostname && -e $peerfile) {
 	    &logthis("Trying to reconnect lonc for $lonid ($hostname)");
@@ -448,7 +448,7 @@ sub reconlonc {
 	    &logthis("lonc at pid $loncpid responding, sending USR1");
             kill USR1 => $loncpid;
             sleep 1;
-         } else {
+        } else {
 	    &logthis(
                "<font color=\"blue\">WARNING:".
                " lonc at pid $loncpid not responding, giving up</font>");
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ sub critical {
     }
     my $answer=reply($cmd,$server);
     if ($answer eq 'con_lost') {
-	&reconlonc("$perlvar{'lonSockDir'}/$server");
+	&reconlonc($server);
 	my $answer=reply($cmd,$server);
         if ($answer eq 'con_lost') {
             my $now=time;
@@ -486,7 +486,7 @@ sub critical {
 		    close($dfh);
 		}
             }
-            sleep 2;
+            sleep 1;
             my $wcmd='';
             {
 		my $dfh;
@@ -1939,6 +1939,63 @@ sub get_instuser {
     return ($outcome,%userinfo);
 }
 
+sub get_multiple_instusers {
+    my ($udom,$users,$caller) = @_;
+    my ($outcome,$results);
+    if (ref($users) eq 'HASH') {
+        my $count = keys(%{$users}); 
+        my $requested = &freeze_escape($users);
+        my $homeserver = &domain($udom,'primary');
+        if ($homeserver ne '') {
+            my $queryid=&reply('querysend:getmultinstusers:::'.$caller.'='.$requested,$homeserver);
+            my $host=&hostname($homeserver);
+            if ($queryid !~/^\Q$host\E\_/) {
+                &logthis('get_multiple_instusers invalid queryid: '.$queryid.
+                         ' for host: '.$homeserver.'in domain '.$udom);
+                return ($outcome,$results);
+            }
+            my $response = &get_query_reply($queryid);
+            my $maxtries = 5;
+            if ($count > 100) {
+                $maxtries = 1+int($count/20);
+            }
+            my $tries = 1;
+            while (($response=~/^timeout/) && ($tries <= $maxtries)) {
+                $response = &get_query_reply($queryid);
+                $tries ++;
+            }
+            if ($response eq '') {
+                $results = {};
+                foreach my $key (keys(%{$users})) {
+                    my ($uname,$id);
+                    if ($caller eq 'id') {
+                        $id = $key;
+                    } else {
+                        $uname = $key;
+                    }
+                    my ($resp,%info) = &get_instuser($udom,$uname,$id);
+                    $outcome = $resp;
+                    if ($resp eq 'ok') {
+                        %{$results} = (%{$results}, %info);
+                    } else {
+                        last;
+                    }
+                }
+            } elsif(!&error($response) && ($response ne 'refused')) {
+                if (($response eq 'unavailable') || ($response eq 'invalid') || ($response eq 'timeout')) {
+                    $outcome = $response;
+                } else {
+                    ($outcome,my $userdata) = split(/=/,$response,2);
+                    if ($outcome eq 'ok') {
+                        $results = &thaw_unescape($userdata); 
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    return ($outcome,$results);
+}
+
 sub inst_rulecheck {
     my ($udom,$uname,$id,$item,$rules) = @_;
     my %returnhash;
@@ -2101,6 +2158,16 @@ sub get_domain_defaults {
                 }
             }
         }
+        if (ref($domconfig{'coursedefaults'}{'canclone'}) eq 'HASH') {
+            if (ref($domconfig{'coursedefaults'}{'canclone'}{'instcode'}) eq 'ARRAY') {
+                my @clonecodes = @{$domconfig{'coursedefaults'}{'canclone'}{'instcode'}};
+                if (@clonecodes) {
+                    $domdefaults{'canclone'} = join('+',@clonecodes);
+                }
+            }
+        } elsif ($domconfig{'coursedefaults'}{'canclone'}) {
+            $domdefaults{'canclone'}=$domconfig{'coursedefaults'}{'canclone'};
+        }
     }
     if (ref($domconfig{'usersessions'}) eq 'HASH') {
         if (ref($domconfig{'usersessions'}{'remote'}) eq 'HASH') {
@@ -4270,7 +4337,7 @@ sub courseiddump {
         $coursefilter,$hostidflag,$hostidref,$typefilter,$regexp_ok,
         $selfenrollonly,$catfilter,$showhidden,$caller,$cloner,$cc_clone,
         $cloneonly,$createdbefore,$createdafter,$creationcontext,$domcloner,
-        $hasuniquecode)=@_;
+        $hasuniquecode,$reqcrsdom,$reqinstcode)=@_;
     my $as_hash = 1;
     my %returnhash;
     if (!$domfilter) { $domfilter=''; }
@@ -4293,7 +4360,8 @@ sub courseiddump {
                                 &escape($catfilter), $showhidden, $caller, 
                                 &escape($cloner), &escape($cc_clone), $cloneonly, 
                                 &escape($createdbefore), &escape($createdafter), 
-                                &escape($creationcontext), $domcloner, $hasuniquecode)));
+                                &escape($creationcontext),$domcloner,$hasuniquecode,
+                                $reqcrsdom,&escape($reqinstcode))));
                 } else {
                     $rep = &reply('courseiddump:'.&host_domain($tryserver).':'.
                              $sincefilter.':'.&escape($descfilter).':'.
@@ -4304,8 +4372,8 @@ sub courseiddump {
                              $showhidden.':'.$caller.':'.&escape($cloner).':'.
                              &escape($cc_clone).':'.$cloneonly.':'.
                              &escape($createdbefore).':'.&escape($createdafter).':'.
-                             &escape($creationcontext).':'.$domcloner.':'.$hasuniquecode,
-                             $tryserver);
+                             &escape($creationcontext).':'.$domcloner.':'.$hasuniquecode.
+                             ':'.$reqcrsdom.':'.&escape($reqinstcode),$tryserver);
                 }
                      
                 my @pairs=split(/\&/,$rep);
@@ -4444,7 +4512,7 @@ my $cachedkey='';
 # The cached times for this user
 my %cachedtimes=();
 # When this was last done
-my $cachedtime=();
+my $cachedtime='';
 
 sub load_all_first_access {
     my ($uname,$udom)=@_;
@@ -4506,6 +4574,7 @@ sub set_first_access {
     return 'already_set';
 }
 }
+
 # --------------------------------------------- Set Expire Date for Spreadsheet
 
 sub expirespread {
@@ -7144,7 +7213,7 @@ sub constructaccess {
     my ($ownername,$ownerdomain,$ownerhome);
 
     ($ownerdomain,$ownername) =
-        ($url=~ m{^(?:\Q$perlvar{'lonDocRoot'}\E|)/priv/($match_domain)/($match_username)/});
+        ($url=~ m{^(?:\Q$perlvar{'lonDocRoot'}\E|)(?:/daxeopen)?/priv/($match_domain)/($match_username)/});
 
 # The URL does not really point to any authorspace, forget it
     unless (($ownername) && ($ownerdomain)) { return ''; }
@@ -7199,6 +7268,32 @@ sub constructaccess {
     return '';
 }
 
+# ----------------------------------------------------------- Content Blocking
+
+{
+# Caches for faster Course Contents display where content blocking
+# is in operation (i.e., interval param set) for timed quiz.
+#
+# User for whom data are being temporarily cached.
+my $cacheduser='';
+# Cached blockers for this user (a hash of blocking items). 
+my %cachedblockers=();
+# When the data were last cached.
+my $cachedlast='';
+
+sub load_all_blockers {
+    my ($uname,$udom,$blocks)=@_;
+    if (($uname ne '') && ($udom ne '')) { 
+        if (($cacheduser eq $uname.':'.$udom) &&
+            (abs($cachedlast-time)<5)) {
+            return;
+        }
+    }
+    $cachedlast=time;
+    $cacheduser=$uname.':'.$udom;
+    %cachedblockers = &get_commblock_resources($blocks);
+}
+
 sub get_comm_blocks {
     my ($cdom,$cnum) = @_;
     if ($cdom eq '' || $cnum eq '') {
@@ -7219,27 +7314,21 @@ sub get_comm_blocks {
     return %commblocks;
 }
 
-sub has_comm_blocking {
-    my ($priv,$symb,$uri,$blocks) = @_;
-    return unless ($env{'request.course.id'});
-    return unless ($priv eq 'bre');
-    return if ($env{'user.priv.'.$env{'request.role'}} =~/evb\&([^\:]*)/);
+sub get_commblock_resources {
+    my ($blocks) = @_;
+    my %blockers = ();
+    return %blockers unless ($env{'request.course.id'});
+    return %blockers if ($env{'user.priv.'.$env{'request.role'}} =~/evb\&([^\:]*)/);
     my %commblocks;
     if (ref($blocks) eq 'HASH') {
         %commblocks = %{$blocks};
     } else {
         %commblocks = &get_comm_blocks();
     }
-    return unless (keys(%commblocks) > 0);
-    if (!$symb) { $symb=&symbread($uri,1); }
-    my ($map,$resid,undef)=&decode_symb($symb);
-    my %tocheck = (
-                    maps      => $map,
-                    resources => $symb,
-                  );
-    my @blockers;
-    my $now = time;
+    return %blockers unless (keys(%commblocks) > 0); 
     my $navmap = Apache::lonnavmaps::navmap->new();
+    return %blockers unless (ref($navmap));
+    my $now = time;
     foreach my $block (keys(%commblocks)) {
         if ($block =~ /^(\d+)____(\d+)$/) {
             my ($start,$end) = ($1,$2);
@@ -7247,17 +7336,13 @@ sub has_comm_blocking {
                 if (ref($commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}) eq 'HASH') {
                     if (ref($commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}{'docs'}) eq 'HASH') {
                         if (ref($commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}{'docs'}{'maps'}) eq 'HASH') {
-                            if ($commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}{'docs'}{'maps'}{$map}) {
-                                unless (grep(/^\Q$block\E$/,@blockers)) {
-                                    push(@blockers,$block);
-                                }
+                            if (keys(%{$commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}{'docs'}{'maps'}})) {
+                                $blockers{$block}{maps} = $commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}{'docs'}{'maps'}; 
                             }
                         }
                         if (ref($commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}{'docs'}{'resources'}) eq 'HASH') {
-                            if ($commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}{'docs'}{'resources'}{$symb}) {
-                                unless (grep(/^\Q$block\E$/,@blockers)) {  
-                                    push(@blockers,$block);
-                                }
+                            if (keys(%{$commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}{'docs'}{'resources'}})) {
+                                $blockers{$block}{'resources'} = $commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}{'docs'}{'resources'};
                             }
                         }
                     }
@@ -7268,61 +7353,68 @@ sub has_comm_blocking {
             my @to_test;
             if (ref($commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}) eq 'HASH') {
                 if (ref($commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}{'docs'}) eq 'HASH') {
-                    my $check_interval;
-                    if (&check_docs_block($commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}{'docs'},\%tocheck)) {
-                        my @interval;
-                        my $type = 'map';
-                        if ($item eq 'course') {
-                            $type = 'course';
-                            @interval=&EXT("resource.0.interval");
+                    my @interval;
+                    my $type = 'map';
+                    if ($item eq 'course') {
+                        $type = 'course';
+                        @interval=&EXT("resource.0.interval");
+                    } else {
+                        if ($item =~ /___\d+___/) {
+                            $type = 'resource';
+                            @interval=&EXT("resource.0.interval",$item);
+                            if (ref($navmap)) {                        
+                                my $res = $navmap->getBySymb($item); 
+                                push(@to_test,$res);
+                            }
                         } else {
-                            if ($item =~ /___\d+___/) {
-                                $type = 'resource';
-                                @interval=&EXT("resource.0.interval",$item);
-                                if (ref($navmap)) {                        
-                                    my $res = $navmap->getBySymb($item); 
-                                    push(@to_test,$res);
-                                }
-                            } else {
-                                my $mapsymb = &symbread($item,1);
-                                if ($mapsymb) {
-                                    if (ref($navmap)) {
-                                        my $mapres = $navmap->getBySymb($mapsymb);
-                                        @to_test = $mapres->retrieveResources($mapres,undef,0,0,0,1);
-                                        foreach my $res (@to_test) {
-                                            my $symb = $res->symb();
-                                            next if ($symb eq $mapsymb);
-                                            if ($symb ne '') {
-                                                @interval=&EXT("resource.0.interval",$symb);
-                                                if ($interval[1] eq 'map') {
-                                                    last;
-                                                }
+                            my $mapsymb = &symbread($item,1);
+                            if ($mapsymb) {
+                                if (ref($navmap)) {
+                                    my $mapres = $navmap->getBySymb($mapsymb);
+                                    @to_test = $mapres->retrieveResources($mapres,undef,0,0,0,1);
+                                    foreach my $res (@to_test) {
+                                        my $symb = $res->symb();
+                                        next if ($symb eq $mapsymb);
+                                        if ($symb ne '') {
+                                            @interval=&EXT("resource.0.interval",$symb);
+                                            if ($interval[1] eq 'map') {
+                                                last;
                                             }
                                         }
                                     }
                                 }
                             }
                         }
-                        if ($interval[0] =~ /\d+/) {
-                            my $first_access;
-                            if ($type eq 'resource') {
-                                $first_access=&get_first_access($interval[1],$item);
-                            } elsif ($type eq 'map') {
-                                $first_access=&get_first_access($interval[1],undef,$item);
-                            } else {
-                                $first_access=&get_first_access($interval[1]);
-                            }
-                            if ($first_access) {
-                                my $timesup = $first_access+$interval[0];
-                                if ($timesup > $now) {
-                                    foreach my $res (@to_test) {
-                                        if ($res->is_problem()) {
-                                            if ($res->completable()) {
-                                                unless (grep(/^\Q$block\E$/,@blockers)) {
-                                                    push(@blockers,$block);
-                                                }
-                                                last;
-                                            }
+                    }
+                    if ($interval[0] =~ /^\d+/) {
+                        my ($timelimit) = split(/_/,$interval[0]);
+                        my $first_access;
+                        if ($type eq 'resource') {
+                            $first_access=&get_first_access($interval[1],$item);
+                        } elsif ($type eq 'map') {
+                            $first_access=&get_first_access($interval[1],undef,$item);
+                        } else {
+                            $first_access=&get_first_access($interval[1]);
+                        }
+                        if ($first_access) {
+                            my $timesup = $first_access+$timelimit;
+                            if ($timesup > $now) {
+                                my $activeblock;
+                                foreach my $res (@to_test) {
+                                    if ($res->answerable()) {
+                                        $activeblock = 1;
+                                        last;
+                                    }
+                                }
+                                if ($activeblock) {
+                                    if (ref($commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}{'docs'}{'maps'}) eq 'HASH') {
+                                         if (keys(%{$commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}{'docs'}{'maps'}})) {
+                                             $blockers{$block}{'maps'} = $commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}{'docs'}{'maps'};
+                                         }
+                                    }
+                                    if (ref($commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}{'docs'}{'resources'}) eq 'HASH') {
+                                        if (keys(%{$commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}{'docs'}{'resources'}})) {
+                                            $blockers{$block}{'resources'} = $commblocks{$block}{'blocks'}{'docs'}{'resources'};
                                         }
                                     }
                                 }
@@ -7333,33 +7425,66 @@ sub has_comm_blocking {
             }
         }
     }
-    return @blockers;
+    return %blockers;
 }
 
-sub check_docs_block {
-    my ($docsblock,$tocheck) =@_;
-    if ((ref($docsblock) ne 'HASH') || (ref($tocheck) ne 'HASH')) {
-        return;
+sub has_comm_blocking {
+    my ($priv,$symb,$uri,$blocks) = @_;
+    my @blockers;
+    return unless ($env{'request.course.id'});
+    return unless ($priv eq 'bre');
+    return if ($env{'user.priv.'.$env{'request.role'}} =~/evb\&([^\:]*)/);
+    return if ($env{'request.state'} eq 'construct');
+    &load_all_blockers($env{'user.name'},$env{'user.domain'},$blocks);
+    return unless (keys(%cachedblockers) > 0);
+    my (%possibles,@symbs);
+    if (!$symb) {
+        $symb = &symbread($uri,1,1,1,\%possibles);
     }
-    if (ref($docsblock->{'maps'}) eq 'HASH') {
-        if ($tocheck->{'maps'}) {
-            if ($docsblock->{'maps'}{$tocheck->{'maps'}}) {
-                return 1;
+    if ($symb) {
+        @symbs = ($symb);
+    } elsif (keys(%possibles)) { 
+        @symbs = keys(%possibles);
+    }
+    my $noblock;
+    foreach my $symb (@symbs) {
+        last if ($noblock);
+        my ($map,$resid,$resurl)=&decode_symb($symb);
+        foreach my $block (keys(%cachedblockers)) {
+            if ($block =~ /^firstaccess____(.+)$/) {
+                my $item = $1;
+                if (($item eq $map) || ($item eq $symb)) {
+                    $noblock = 1;
+                    last;
+                }
             }
-        }
-    }
-    if (ref($docsblock->{'resources'}) eq 'HASH') {
-        if ($tocheck->{'resources'}) {
-            if ($docsblock->{'resources'}{$tocheck->{'resources'}}) {
-                return 1;
+            if (ref($cachedblockers{$block}) eq 'HASH') {
+                if (ref($cachedblockers{$block}{'resources'}) eq 'HASH') {
+                    if ($cachedblockers{$block}{'resources'}{$symb}) {
+                        unless (grep(/^\Q$block\E$/,@blockers)) {
+                            push(@blockers,$block);
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            if (ref($cachedblockers{$block}{'maps'}) eq 'HASH') {
+                if ($cachedblockers{$block}{'maps'}{$map}) {
+                    unless (grep(/^\Q$block\E$/,@blockers)) {
+                        push(@blockers,$block);
+                    }
+                }
             }
         }
     }
-    return;
+    return if ($noblock);
+    return @blockers;
+}
 }
 
+# -------------------------------- Deversion and split uri into path an filename   
+
 #
-#   Removes the versino from a URI and
+#   Removes the version from a URI and
 #   splits it in to its filename and path to the filename.
 #   Seems like File::Basename could have done this more clearly.
 #   Parameters:
@@ -7611,7 +7736,7 @@ sub get_query_reply {
     my $replyfile=LONCAPA::tempdir().$queryid;
     my $reply='';
     for (1..100) {
-	sleep 2;
+	sleep(0.2);
         if (-e $replyfile.'.end') {
 	    if (open(my $fh,$replyfile)) {
 		$reply = join('',<$fh>);
@@ -8034,6 +8159,80 @@ sub auto_crsreq_update {
     return \%crsreqresponse;
 }
 
+sub check_instcode_cloning {
+    my ($codedefaults,$code_order,$cloner,$clonefromcode,$clonetocode) = @_;
+    unless ((ref($codedefaults) eq 'HASH') && (ref($code_order) eq 'ARRAY')) {
+        return;
+    }
+    my $canclone;
+    if (@{$code_order} > 0) {
+        my $instcoderegexp ='^';
+        my @clonecodes = split(/\&/,$cloner);
+        foreach my $item (@{$code_order}) {
+            if (grep(/^\Q$item\E=/,@clonecodes)) {
+                foreach my $pair (@clonecodes) {
+                    my ($key,$val) = split(/\=/,$pair,2);
+                    $val = &unescape($val);
+                    if ($key eq $item) {
+                        $instcoderegexp .= '('.$val.')';
+                        last;
+                    }
+                }
+            } else {
+                $instcoderegexp .= $codedefaults->{$item};
+            }
+        }
+        $instcoderegexp .= '$';
+        my (@from,@to);
+        eval {
+               (@from) = ($clonefromcode =~ /$instcoderegexp/);
+               (@to) = ($clonetocode =~ /$instcoderegexp/);
+        };
+        if ((@from > 0) && (@to > 0)) {
+            my @diffs = &Apache::loncommon::compare_arrays(\@from,\@to);
+            if (!@diffs) {
+                $canclone = 1;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    return $canclone;
+}
+
+sub default_instcode_cloning {
+    my ($clonedom,$domdefclone,$clonefromcode,$clonetocode,$codedefaultsref,$codeorderref) = @_;
+    my (%codedefaults,@code_order,$canclone);
+    if ((ref($codedefaultsref) eq 'HASH') && (ref($codeorderref) eq 'ARRAY')) {
+        %codedefaults = %{$codedefaultsref};
+        @code_order = @{$codeorderref};
+    } elsif ($clonedom) {
+        &auto_instcode_defaults($clonedom,\%codedefaults,\@code_order);
+    }
+    if (($domdefclone) && (@code_order)) {
+        my @clonecodes = split(/\+/,$domdefclone);
+        my $instcoderegexp ='^';
+        foreach my $item (@code_order) {
+            if (grep(/^\Q$item\E$/,@clonecodes)) {
+                $instcoderegexp .= '('.$codedefaults{$item}.')';
+            } else {
+                $instcoderegexp .= $codedefaults{$item};
+            }
+        }
+        $instcoderegexp .= '$';
+        my (@from,@to);
+        eval {
+            (@from) = ($clonefromcode =~ /$instcoderegexp/);
+            (@to) = ($clonetocode =~ /$instcoderegexp/);
+        };
+        if ((@from > 0) && (@to > 0)) {
+            my @diffs = &Apache::loncommon::compare_arrays(\@from,\@to);
+            if (!@diffs) {
+                $canclone = 1;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    return $canclone;
+}
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------- Course Group routines
 
 sub get_coursegroups {
@@ -9380,9 +9579,9 @@ sub modify_access_controls {
     my $tries = 0;
     my $gotlock = &newput('file_permissions',$lockhash,$domain,$user);
    
-    while (($gotlock ne 'ok') && $tries <3) {
+    while (($gotlock ne 'ok') && $tries < 10) {
         $tries ++;
-        sleep 1;
+        sleep(0.1);
         $gotlock = &newput('file_permissions',$lockhash,$domain,$user);
     }
     if ($gotlock eq 'ok') {
@@ -9975,10 +10174,12 @@ sub get_userresdata {
     }
     #error 2 occurs when the .db doesn't exist
     if ($tmp!~/error: 2 /) {
-	&logthis("<font color=\"blue\">WARNING:".
-		 " Trying to get resource data for ".
-		 $uname." at ".$udom.": ".
-		 $tmp."</font>");
+        if ((!defined($cached)) || ($tmp ne 'con_lost')) {
+	    &logthis("<font color=\"blue\">WARNING:".
+		     " Trying to get resource data for ".
+		     $uname." at ".$udom.": ".
+		     $tmp."</font>");
+        }
     } elsif ($tmp=~/error: 2 /) {
 	#&EXT_cache_set($udom,$uname);
 	&do_cache_new('userres',$hashid,undef,600);
@@ -11108,9 +11309,15 @@ sub deversion {
 # ------------------------------------------------------ Return symb list entry
 
 sub symbread {
-    my ($thisfn,$donotrecurse)=@_;
+    my ($thisfn,$donotrecurse,$ignorecachednull,$checkforblock,$possibles)=@_;
     my $cache_str='request.symbread.cached.'.$thisfn;
-    if (defined($env{$cache_str})) { return $env{$cache_str}; }
+    if (defined($env{$cache_str})) {
+        if ($ignorecachednull) {
+            return $env{$cache_str} unless ($env{$cache_str} eq '');
+        } else {
+            return $env{$cache_str};
+        }
+    }
 # no filename provided? try from environment
     unless ($thisfn) {
         if ($env{'request.symb'}) {
@@ -11172,18 +11379,46 @@ sub symbread {
 		     my ($mapid,$resid)=split(/\./,$ids);
 		     $syval=&encode_symb($bighash{'map_id_'.$mapid},
 						    $resid,$thisfn);
-                 } elsif (!$donotrecurse) {
+                     if (ref($possibles) eq 'HASH') {
+                         $possibles->{$syval} = 1;    
+                     }
+                     if ($checkforblock) {
+                         my @blockers = &has_comm_blocking('bre',$syval,$bighash{'src_'.$ids});
+                         if (@blockers) {
+                             $syval = '';
+                             return;
+                         }
+                     }
+                 } elsif ((!$donotrecurse) || ($checkforblock) || (ref($possibles) eq 'HASH')) { 
 # ------------------------------------------ There is more than one possibility
                      my $realpossible=0;
                      foreach my $id (@possibilities) {
 			 my $file=$bighash{'src_'.$id};
-                         if (&allowed('bre',$file)) {
-         		    my ($mapid,$resid)=split(/\./,$id);
-                            if ($bighash{'map_type_'.$mapid} ne 'page') {
-				$realpossible++;
-                                $syval=&encode_symb($bighash{'map_id_'.$mapid},
-						    $resid,$thisfn);
-                            }
+                         my $canaccess;
+                         if (($donotrecurse) || ($checkforblock) || (ref($possibles) eq 'HASH')) {
+                             $canaccess = 1;
+                         } else { 
+                             $canaccess = &allowed('bre',$file);
+                         }
+                         if ($canaccess) {
+         		     my ($mapid,$resid)=split(/\./,$id);
+                             if ($bighash{'map_type_'.$mapid} ne 'page') {
+                                 my $poss_syval=&encode_symb($bighash{'map_id_'.$mapid},
+						             $resid,$thisfn);
+                                 if (ref($possibles) eq 'HASH') {
+                                     $possibles->{$syval} = 1;
+                                 }
+                                 if ($checkforblock) {
+                                     my @blockers = &has_comm_blocking('bre',$poss_syval,$file);
+                                     unless (@blockers > 0) {
+                                         $syval = $poss_syval;
+                                         $realpossible++;
+                                     }
+                                 } else {
+                                     $syval = $poss_syval;
+                                     $realpossible++;
+                                 }
+                             }
 			 }
                      }
 		     if ($realpossible!=1) { $syval=''; }
@@ -11191,7 +11426,7 @@ sub symbread {
                      $syval='';
                  }
 	      }
-              untie(%bighash)
+              untie(%bighash);
            }
         }
         if ($syval) {
@@ -12162,8 +12397,8 @@ sub fetch_dns_checksums {
     }
 
     sub load_domain_tab {
-	my ($ignore_cache) = @_;
-	&get_dns('/adm/dns/domain',\&parse_domain_tab,$ignore_cache);
+	my ($ignore_cache,$nocache) = @_;
+	&get_dns('/adm/dns/domain',\&parse_domain_tab,$ignore_cache,$nocache);
 	my $fh;
 	if (open($fh,"<".$perlvar{'lonTabDir'}.'/domain.tab')) {
 	    my @lines = <$fh>;
@@ -12249,8 +12484,8 @@ sub fetch_dns_checksums {
     }
 
     sub load_hosts_tab {
-	my ($ignore_cache) = @_;
-	&get_dns('/adm/dns/hosts',\&parse_hosts_tab,$ignore_cache);
+	my ($ignore_cache,$nocache) = @_;
+	&get_dns('/adm/dns/hosts',\&parse_hosts_tab,$ignore_cache,$nocache);
 	open(my $config,"<$perlvar{'lonTabDir'}/hosts.tab");
 	my @config = <$config>;
 	&parse_hosts_tab(\@config);
@@ -12272,7 +12507,8 @@ sub fetch_dns_checksums {
     }
 
     sub all_names {
-	&load_hosts_tab() if (!$loaded);
+        my ($ignore_cache,$nocache) = @_;
+	&load_hosts_tab($ignore_cache,$nocache) if (!$loaded);
 
 	return %name_to_host;
     }
@@ -12394,7 +12630,7 @@ sub fetch_dns_checksums {
     }
     
     sub get_iphost {
-	my ($ignore_cache) = @_;
+	my ($ignore_cache,$nocache) = @_;
 
 	if (!$ignore_cache) {
 	    if (%iphost) {
@@ -12418,7 +12654,7 @@ sub fetch_dns_checksums {
 	    %old_name_to_ip = %{$ip_info->[1]};
 	}
 
-	my %name_to_host = &all_names();
+	my %name_to_host = &all_names($ignore_cache,$nocache);
 	foreach my $name (keys(%name_to_host)) {
 	    my $ip;
 	    if (!exists($name_to_ip{$name})) {
@@ -12443,9 +12679,11 @@ sub fetch_dns_checksums {
 	    }
 	    push(@{$iphost{$ip}},@{$name_to_host{$name}});
 	}
-	&do_cache_new('iphost','iphost',
-		      [\%iphost,\%name_to_ip,\%lonid_to_ip],
-		      48*60*60);
+        unless ($nocache) {
+	    &do_cache_new('iphost','iphost',
+		          [\%iphost,\%name_to_ip,\%lonid_to_ip],
+		          48*60*60);
+        }
 
 	return %iphost;
     }
@@ -12636,10 +12874,11 @@ BEGIN {
                 my $item = $token->[1];
                 my $name = $token->[2]{'name'};
                 my $value = $token->[2]{'value'};
-                if ($item ne '' && $name ne '' && $value ne '') {
+                my $valuematch = $token->[2]{'valuematch'};
+                if ($item ne '' && $name ne '' && ($value ne '' || $valuematch ne '')) {
                     my $release = $parser->get_text();
                     $release =~ s/(^\s*|\s*$ )//gx;
-                    $needsrelease{$item.':'.$name.':'.$value} = $release;
+                    $needsrelease{$item.':'.$name.':'.$value.':'.$valuematch} = $release;
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -12963,7 +13202,7 @@ escaped strings of the action recorded i
 =item *
 
 allowed($priv,$uri,$symb,$role,$clientip,$noblockcheck) : check for a user privilege; 
-returns codes for allowed actions
+returns codes for allowed actions.
 
 The first argument is required, all others are optional.
 
@@ -12976,7 +13215,7 @@ $role is the role for which a priv is be
 $clientip is the user's IP address (only used when checking for access to portfolio 
 files).
 $noblockcheck, if true, skips calls to &has_comm_blocking() for the bre priv. This 
-prevents recursive calls to &allowed.  
+prevents recursive calls to &allowed.
 
  F: full access
  U,I,K: authentication modes (cxx only)
@@ -13378,7 +13617,20 @@ will be stored for query
 
 =item *
 
-symbread($filename) : return symbolic list entry (filename argument optional);
+symbread($filename,$donotrecurse,$ignorecachednull,$checkforblock,$possibles) : 
+return symbolic list entry (all arguments optional). 
+
+Args: filename is the filename (including path) for the file for which a symb 
+is required; donotrecurse, if true will prevent calls to allowed() being made 
+to check access status if more than one resource was found in the bighash 
+(see rev. 1.249) to avoid an infinite loop if an ambiguous resource is part of 
+a randompick); ignorecachednull, if true will prevent a symb of '' being 
+returned if $env{$cache_str} is defined as ''; checkforblock if true will
+cause possible symbs to be checked to determine if they are subject to content
+blocking, if so they will not be included as possible symbs; possibles is a
+ref to a hash, which, as a side effect, will be populated with all possible 
+symbs (content blocking not tested).
+ 
 returns the data handle
 
 =item *