diff --git a/vlsisapd/doc/dtr/Name.dox b/vlsisapd/doc/dtr/Name.dox
deleted file mode 100644
index 9a0c64c2..00000000
--- a/vlsisapd/doc/dtr/Name.dox
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,47 +0,0 @@
-// -*- C++ -*-
-
-namespace DTR {
-/*! \class Name
- *
- *  This class provides an automatic management of shared name.
- */
-
-/*! \fn Name::Name(std::string str)
- *   \brief gets a shared Name, creates it if it does not exist.
- *
- *   \param str the string associated to the name.
- */
-
-/*! \fn Name::Name(const char* cstr)
- *   \brief gets a shared Name, creates it if it does not exist.
- *
- *   \param cstr the character string associated to the name.
- *
- *   \note this method is not yet available in python
- */
-
-/*! \fn bool Name::operator==(const Name&)
- *   \brief redifines the '==' operator.
- */
- 
-/*! \fn bool Name::operator==(const std::string&)
- *   \brief redifines the '==' operator.
- */
- 
-/*! \fn bool Name::operator!=(const Name&)
- *   \brief redifines the '!=' operator.
- */
- 
-/*! \fn bool Name::operator!=(const std::string&)
- *   \brief redifines the '!=' operator.
- */
-
-/*! \fn bool Name::operator<(const Name) const
- *   \brief redifines the '<' operator.
- */
-
-/*! \fn inline const std::string& Name::getString() const
- *   \brief returns the string associated to the Name.
- */
- 
-}
diff --git a/vlsisapd/doc/dtr/Rule.dox b/vlsisapd/doc/dtr/Rule.dox
index cd6f58ff..0f427ea5 100644
--- a/vlsisapd/doc/dtr/Rule.dox
+++ b/vlsisapd/doc/dtr/Rule.dox
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ namespace DTR {
  *
  */
 
-/*! \fn Rule::Rule(Name name, double value, Name ref, Name layer1, Name layer2)
+/*! \fn Rule::Rule(const char* name, double value, const char* ref, const char* layer1, const char* layer2)
  *   \brief creates a new rule.
  *
  *   \param name   the name of the rule.
@@ -32,11 +32,11 @@ namespace DTR {
  *   \param layer2 the second layer.
  */
 
-/*! \fn inline Name Rule::getName()
+/*! \fn inline const std::string& Rule::getName()
  *   \brief returns the name of the rule.
  */
 
-/*! \fn inline Name Rule::getType()
+/*! \fn inline const std::string& Rule::getType()
  *   \brief returns the type of the rule.
  *
  *   Rule's type allows to set a specific type for a rule especially the 'area' type to take into account that the value of the rule is to be considered in unit^2.
@@ -50,24 +50,24 @@ namespace DTR {
  *   \brief returns the string corresponding to the value of the rule.
  */
 
-/*! \fn inline Name Rule::getRef()
+/*! \fn inline const std::string& Rule::getRef()
  *   \brief returns the reference of the rule.
  */
 
-/*! \fn inline Name Rule::getLayer1()
+/*! \fn inline const std::string& Rule::getLayer1()
  *   \brief returns the first layer of the rule.
  */
 
-/*! \fn inline Name Rule::getLayer2()
+/*! \fn inline const std::string& Rule::getLayer2()
  *   \brief returns the second layer of the rule.
  */
 
-/*! \fn inline void Rule::setType(Name type)
+/*! \fn inline void Rule::setType(const char* type)
  *   \brief sets the type of a rule.
  *
  *   \param type   the type of the rule.
  *
- *   \note By default the type of a rule is Name("").
+ *   \note By default the type of a rule is "".
  */
 
  /*! \class ARule
diff --git a/vlsisapd/doc/dtr/Techno.dox b/vlsisapd/doc/dtr/Techno.dox
index 9c875c24..ee9bf2b7 100644
--- a/vlsisapd/doc/dtr/Techno.dox
+++ b/vlsisapd/doc/dtr/Techno.dox
@@ -6,18 +6,19 @@ namespace DTR {
  *  This class contains generic informations such as the name of the technology and the unit used, and the list of all technologic rules.
  */
 
-/*! \fn Techno::Techno(Name name, Name unit)
+/*! \fn Techno::Techno(const char* name, const char* unit, const char* version)
  *   \brief creates a new technology
  *
  *   \param  name the name of the technology.
  *   \param  unit the unit used for all values.
+ *   \param  version the technology version/revision.
  */
 
-/*! \fn inline Name Techno::getName()
+/*! \fn inline const std::string& Techno::getName() const
  *   \brief returns the name of the technology.
  */
 
-/*! \fn inline Name Techno::getUnit()
+/*! \fn inline const std::string& Techno::getUnit() const
  *   \brief returns the unit.
  */
 
@@ -27,19 +28,19 @@ namespace DTR {
  *   \note this method is not yet available in python
  */
 
-/*! \fn Rule* Techno::addRule(Name name, double value, Name ref, Name layer1, Name layer2)
+/*! \fn Rule* Techno::addRule(const char* name, double value, const char* ref, const char* layer1, const char* layer2)
  *   \brief creates a new Rule and adds it the to Techno object.
  *
  *   \param name   the name of the rule.
  *   \param value  the value of the rule.
  *   \param ref    the reference of the rule (helpful to find the rule in design kit).
- *   \param layer1 the first layer. This is an optionnal argument, default value is Name("").
- *   \param layer2 the second layer. This is an optionnal argument, default value is Name("").
+ *   \param layer1 the first layer. This is an optionnal argument, default value is "".
+ *   \param layer2 the second layer. This is an optionnal argument, default value is "".
  *   
  *   \return the newly created Rule object.
  */
 
-/*! \fn Arule* Techno::addARule(Name name, double value, Name ref, Name layer1, Name layer2)
+/*! \fn Arule* Techno::addARule(const char* name, double value, const char* ref, const char* layer1, const char* layer2)
  *   \brief creates a new ARule and adds it to the Techno object.
  *
  *   \param name   the name of the rule.
@@ -51,45 +52,45 @@ namespace DTR {
  *   \return the newly created ARule object.
  */
 
-/*! \fn Rule* Techno::getRule(Name name, Name layer1, Name layer2)
+/*! \fn Rule* Techno::getRule(const char* name, const char* layer1, const char* layer2)
  *   \brief returns the rule uniquely identified by its name and layers.
  *
  *   \param name   the name of the rule.
- *   \param layer1 the first layer. This is an optionnal argument, default value is Name("").
- *   \param layer2 the second layer. This is an optionnal argument, default value is Name("").
+ *   \param layer1 the first layer. This is an optionnal argument, default value is "".
+ *   \param layer2 the second layer. This is an optionnal argument, default value is "".
  *
  *   \return the rule.
  */
 
-/*! \fn double Techno::getValue(Name name, Name layer1, Name layer2)
+/*! \fn double Techno::getValue(const char* name, const char* layer1, const char* layer2)
  *   \brief returns the value of a rule uniquely identified by its name and layers.
  *
  *   \param name   the name of the rule.
- *   \param layer1 the first layer. This is an optionnal argument, default value is Name("").
- *   \param layer2 the second layer. This is an optionnal argument, default value is Name("").
+ *   \param layer1 the first layer. This is an optionnal argument, default value is "".
+ *   \param layer2 the second layer. This is an optionnal argument, default value is "".
  *
  *   \return the value of the rule.
  */
 
-/*! \fn std::string Techno::getValueAsString(Name name, Name layer1, Name layer2)
+/*! \fn std::string Techno::getValueAsString(const char* name, const char* layer1, const char* layer2)
  *   \brief returns a string corresponding to the value of a rule uniquely identified by its name and layers.
  * 
  *   \param name   the name of the rule.
- *   \param layer1 the first layer. This is an optionnal argument, default value is Name("").
- *   \param layer2 the second layer. This is an optionnal argument, default value is Name("").
+ *   \param layer1 the first layer. This is an optionnal argument, default value is "".
+ *   \param layer2 the second layer. This is an optionnal argument, default value is "".
  *
  *   \return the string corresponding to the value of the rule.
  *
  *   \note this method is important for python module since to avoid rounding problems it is necessary to use Decimal object which is build based on a string.
  */
 
-/*! \fn bool Techno::writeToFile(std::string filename)
+/*! \fn bool Techno::writeToFile(const char* filename)
  *   \brief writes the database to file.
  *
  *   \param filename the destination file name.
  */
 
-/*! \fn static Techno* Techno::readFromFile(const std::string filename)
+/*! \fn static Techno* Techno::readFromFile(const char* filename)
  *   \brief creates and returns a Techno object based on a database source file.
  *
  *   \param filename the source file name.
diff --git a/vlsisapd/doc/dtr/dtr.dox b/vlsisapd/doc/dtr/dtr.dox
index b469be94..dbd3755a 100644
--- a/vlsisapd/doc/dtr/dtr.dox
+++ b/vlsisapd/doc/dtr/dtr.dox
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@
   The database contains four object :
   - DTR::Techno contains generic informations such as the name of the technology and the unit used, and the list of all technologic rules.
   - DTR::Rule & DTR::ARule respectively describe a symmetrical and an asymmetrical rule.
-  - DTR::Name provides an automatic management of shared name.
 
   The library also use the DTR::DTRException class to throw excptions.
 
diff --git a/vlsisapd/examples/dtr/cplusplus/driveDtr.cpp b/vlsisapd/examples/dtr/cplusplus/driveDtr.cpp
index 54248d0b..d031933b 100644
--- a/vlsisapd/examples/dtr/cplusplus/driveDtr.cpp
+++ b/vlsisapd/examples/dtr/cplusplus/driveDtr.cpp
@@ -3,20 +3,19 @@ using namespace std;
 
 #include "vlsisapd/dtr/Techno.h"
 #include "vlsisapd/dtr/Rules.h"
-#include "vlsisapd/dtr/Name.h"
 
 int main(int argc, char * argv[]) {
-    DTR::Techno* techno = new DTR::Techno(DTR::Name("MyTech"), DTR::Name("micro"), DTR::Name("rev.A"));
+    DTR::Techno* techno = new DTR::Techno("MyTech", "micro", "rev.A");
 
-    techno->addRule (DTR::Name("transistorMinL"), 0.1 , DTR::Name("ref1"));
-    techno->addRule (DTR::Name("transistorMinW"), 0.2 , DTR::Name("ref2"));
-    techno->addRule (DTR::Name("minWidth")      , 0.15, DTR::Name("ref3"), DTR::Name("metal1"));
-    techno->addRule (DTR::Name("minSpacing")    , 0.2 , DTR::Name("ref4"), DTR::Name("metal1"));
-    techno->addRule (DTR::Name("minSpacing")    , 0.1 , DTR::Name("ref5"), DTR::Name("active"), DTR::Name("poly"));
-    techno->addARule(DTR::Name("minExtension")  , 0.2 , DTR::Name("ref6"), DTR::Name("poly")  , DTR::Name("active"));
+    techno->addRule ("transistorMinL", 0.1 , "ref1");
+    techno->addRule ("transistorMinW", 0.2 , "ref2");
+    techno->addRule ("minWidth"      , 0.15, "ref3", "metal1");
+    techno->addRule ("minSpacing"    , 0.2 , "ref4", "metal1");
+    techno->addRule ("minSpacing"    , 0.1 , "ref5", "active", "poly");
+    techno->addARule("minExtension"  , 0.2 , "ref6", "poly"  , "active");
     
-    DTR::Rule* rule = techno->addRule(DTR::Name("minArea"), 0.1, DTR::Name("ref7"), DTR::Name("metal1"));
-    rule->setType(DTR::Name("area"));
+    DTR::Rule* rule = techno->addRule("minArea", 0.1, "ref7", "metal1");
+    rule->setType("area");
 
     techno->writeToFile("./out.dtr.xml");
     
diff --git a/vlsisapd/examples/dtr/cplusplus/parseDtr.cpp b/vlsisapd/examples/dtr/cplusplus/parseDtr.cpp
index 2bcf2e4a..f96f9d80 100644
--- a/vlsisapd/examples/dtr/cplusplus/parseDtr.cpp
+++ b/vlsisapd/examples/dtr/cplusplus/parseDtr.cpp
@@ -3,24 +3,23 @@
 using namespace std;
 
 #include "vlsisapd/dtr/Techno.h"
-#include "vlsisapd/dtr/Name.h"
 
 int main(int argc, char * argv[]) {
     DTR::Techno* techno = DTR::Techno::readFromFile("./example.dtr.xml");
 
     cerr << "+-----------------------------+" << endl
-         << "| technology:      " << techno->getName().getString() << "    |"   << endl
-         << "| units:           " << techno->getUnit().getString() << "      |" << endl
-         << "| version:         " << techno->getVersion().getString() << "      |" << endl
+         << "| technology:      " << techno->getName()    <<   "    |"   << endl
+         << "| units:           " << techno->getUnit()    << "      |" << endl
+         << "| version:         " << techno->getVersion() << "      |" << endl
          << "+-----------------------------+" << endl << endl;
 
-    cerr << "transistorMinL                = " << techno->getValue(DTR::Name("transistorMinL")) << endl
-         << "transistorMinW                = " << techno->getValueAsString(DTR::Name("transistorMinW")) << endl
-         << "minWidth of metal1            = " << techno->getValue(DTR::Name("minWidth"), DTR::Name("metal1")) << endl
-         << "minSpacing of metal1          = " << techno->getValue(DTR::Name("minWidth"), DTR::Name("metal1")) << endl
-         << "minSpacing of active vs poly  = " << techno->getValue(DTR::Name("minSpacing"), DTR::Name("active"), DTR::Name("poly")) << endl
-         << "minExtension active over poly = " << techno->getValue(DTR::Name("minExtension"), DTR::Name("poly"), DTR::Name("active")) << endl
-         << "minArea of metal1             = " << techno->getValue(DTR::Name("minArea"), DTR::Name("metal1")) << endl;
+    cerr << "transistorMinL                = " << techno->getValue("transistorMinL") << endl
+         << "transistorMinW                = " << techno->getValueAsString("transistorMinW") << endl
+         << "minWidth of metal1            = " << techno->getValue("minWidth", "metal1") << endl
+         << "minSpacing of metal1          = " << techno->getValue("minWidth", "metal1") << endl
+         << "minSpacing of active vs poly  = " << techno->getValue("minSpacing", "active", "poly") << endl
+         << "minExtension active over poly = " << techno->getValue("minExtension", "poly", "active") << endl
+         << "minArea of metal1             = " << techno->getValue("minArea", "metal1") << endl;
 
     return 0;
 }
diff --git a/vlsisapd/examples/dtr/python/driveDtr.py b/vlsisapd/examples/dtr/python/driveDtr.py
index d6f03b4a..35bd5156 100644
--- a/vlsisapd/examples/dtr/python/driveDtr.py
+++ b/vlsisapd/examples/dtr/python/driveDtr.py
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
 from DTR import *
 
-techno = Techno(Name("myTech"), Name("micro"), Name("rev.A"))
+techno = Techno("myTech", "micro", "rev.A")
 
-techno.addRule (Name("transistorMinL"), 0.1 , Name("ref1"))
-techno.addRule (Name("transistorMinW"), 0.2 , Name("ref2"))
-techno.addRule (Name("minWidth")      , 0.15, Name("ref3"), Name("metal1"))
-techno.addRule (Name("minSpacing")    , 0.2 , Name("ref4"), Name("metal1"))
-techno.addRule (Name("minSpacing")    , 0.1 , Name("ref5"), Name("active"), Name("poly"))
-techno.addARule(Name("minExtension")  , 0.2 , Name("ref6"), Name("poly"), Name("active"))
+techno.addRule ("transistorMinL", 0.1 , "ref1")
+techno.addRule ("transistorMinW", 0.2 , "ref2")
+techno.addRule ("minWidth"      , 0.15, "ref3", "metal1")
+techno.addRule ("minSpacing"    , 0.2 , "ref4", "metal1")
+techno.addRule ("minSpacing"    , 0.1 , "ref5", "active", "poly")
+techno.addARule("minExtension"  , 0.2 , "ref6", "poly", "active")
 
-rule = techno.addRule(Name("minArea"), 0.1, Name("ref7"), Name("metal1"))
-rule.setType(Name("area"))
+rule = techno.addRule("minArea", 0.1, "ref7", "metal1")
+rule.setType("area")
 
 techno.writeToFile("./out.dtr.xml")
diff --git a/vlsisapd/examples/dtr/python/parseDtr.py b/vlsisapd/examples/dtr/python/parseDtr.py
index 8a86f9e9..bfc3f913 100644
--- a/vlsisapd/examples/dtr/python/parseDtr.py
+++ b/vlsisapd/examples/dtr/python/parseDtr.py
@@ -4,19 +4,19 @@ from decimal import Decimal
 techno = Techno.readFromFile("./example.dtr.xml")
 
 print "+-----------------------------+"
-print "| technology:      "+techno.getName().getString()+"    |"
-print "| units:           "+techno.getUnit().getString()+"      |"
-print "| version:         "+techno.getVersion().getString()+"      |"
+print "| technology:      "+techno.get)   +  "    |"
+print "| units:           "+techno.getUnit()   +"      |"
+print "| version:         "+techno.getVersion()+"      |"
 print "+-----------------------------+\n\n"
 
-print "transistorMinL                = %s"%techno.getValue(Name("transistorMinL"))
-print "transistorMinW                = %s"%Decimal(techno.getValueAsString(Name("transistorMinW")))
-print "minWidth of metal1            = %s"%techno.getValue(Name("minWidth"), Name("metal1"))
-print "minSpacing of metal1          = %s"%techno.getValue(Name("minWidth"), Name("metal1"))
-print "minSpacing of active vs poly  = %s"%techno.getValue(Name("minSpacing"), Name("active"), Name("poly"))
-print "minExtension active over poly = %s"%techno.getValue(Name("minExtension"), Name("poly"), Name("active"))
-print "minArea of metal1             = %s"%techno.getValue(Name("minArea"), Name("metal1"))
+print "transistorMinL                = %s"%techno.getValue("transistorMinL")
+print "transistorMinW                = %s"%Decimal(techno.getValueAsString("transistorMinW"))
+print "minWidth of metal1            = %s"%techno.getValue("minWidth", "metal1")
+print "minSpacing of metal1          = %s"%techno.getValue("minWidth", "metal1")
+print "minSpacing of active vs poly  = %s"%techno.getValue("minSpacing", "active", "poly")
+print "minExtension active over poly = %s"%techno.getValue("minExtension", "poly", "active")
+print "minArea of metal1             = %s"%techno.getValue("minArea", "metal1")
 
 # an example of why it is important to use Decimal in python:
-print techno.getValue(Name("minArea"), Name("metal1"))*3-0.3 # returns 5.55111512313e-17
-print Decimal(techno.getValueAsString(Name("minArea"), Name("metal1")))*3-Decimal('0.3') # returns 0.000
+print techno.getValue("minArea", "metal1")*3-0.3 # returns 5.55111512313e-17
+print Decimal(techno.getValueAsString("minArea", "metal1"))*3-Decimal('0.3') # returns 0.000
diff --git a/vlsisapd/examples/openChams/cplusplus/driveOpenChams.cpp b/vlsisapd/examples/openChams/cplusplus/driveOpenChams.cpp
index 0bf1ef47..31bdfac6 100644
--- a/vlsisapd/examples/openChams/cplusplus/driveOpenChams.cpp
+++ b/vlsisapd/examples/openChams/cplusplus/driveOpenChams.cpp
@@ -18,12 +18,12 @@ using namespace std;
 int main(int argc, char * argv[]) {
     OpenChams::Circuit* circuit = new OpenChams::Circuit(OpenChams::Name("design"), OpenChams::Name("myTech"));
     // value parameters
-    circuit->addParameter(OpenChams::Name("temp"), 27.0  );
-    circuit->addParameter(OpenChams::Name("Vdd") , 1.2   );
-    circuit->addParameter(OpenChams::Name("Vss") , 0.0   );
-    circuit->addParameter(OpenChams::Name("L")   , 0.1e-6);
-    circuit->addParameter(OpenChams::Name("Ids") , 30e-6 );
-    circuit->addParameter(OpenChams::Name("Veg") , 0.12  );
+    circuit->addParameter(OpenChams::Name("temp"), "27.0"  );
+    circuit->addParameter(OpenChams::Name("Vdd") , "1.2"   );
+    circuit->addParameter(OpenChams::Name("Vss") , "0.0"   );
+    circuit->addParameter(OpenChams::Name("L")   , "0.1e-6");
+    circuit->addParameter(OpenChams::Name("Ids") , "30e-6" );
+    circuit->addParameter(OpenChams::Name("Veg") , "0.12"  );
     // equation parameters
     circuit->addParameter(OpenChams::Name("complex"), "myEq");
 
diff --git a/vlsisapd/examples/openChams/cplusplus/parseOpenChams.cpp b/vlsisapd/examples/openChams/cplusplus/parseOpenChams.cpp
index bc49e696..b2ad46fb 100644
--- a/vlsisapd/examples/openChams/cplusplus/parseOpenChams.cpp
+++ b/vlsisapd/examples/openChams/cplusplus/parseOpenChams.cpp
@@ -90,10 +90,7 @@ int main(int argc, char * argv[]) {
     cerr << " + parameters" << endl;
     OpenChams::Parameters params = circuit->getParameters();
     if (!params.isEmpty()) {
-        for (map<OpenChams::Name, double>::const_iterator it = params.getValues().begin() ; it != params.getValues().end() ; ++it) {
-            cerr << " | | " << ((*it).first).getString() << " : " << (*it).second << endl;
-        }
-        for (map<OpenChams::Name, string>::const_iterator it = params.getEqValues().begin() ; it != params.getEqValues().end() ; ++it) {
+        for (map<OpenChams::Name, string>::const_iterator it = params.getValues().begin() ; it != params.getValues().end() ; ++it) {
             cerr << " | | " << ((*it).first).getString() << " : " << (*it).second << endl;
         }
     }
diff --git a/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/CMakeLists.txt b/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/CMakeLists.txt
index 08d16e5d..4a1f18bc 100644
--- a/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -2,12 +2,10 @@ INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES(${VLSISAPD_SOURCE_DIR}/src/dtr/src ${LIBXML2_INCLUDE_DIR} ${
 
 SET ( hpps vlsisapd/dtr/Techno.h
            vlsisapd/dtr/Rules.h
-           vlsisapd/dtr/Name.h
            vlsisapd/dtr/DTRException.h 
     )
 
 SET ( cpps Techno.cpp
-           Name.cpp 
     )
 
 SET ( pycpps PyDtr.cpp
diff --git a/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/Name.cpp b/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/Name.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index cee517b5..00000000
--- a/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/Name.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,65 +0,0 @@
-/*
- *  Name.cpp
- *  DTR
- *
- *  Created by damien dupuis on 01/04/10.
- *  Copyright 2010 UPMC / LIP6. All rights reserved.
- *
- */
-
-using namespace std;
-
-#include "vlsisapd/dtr/Name.h"
-
-namespace DTR {
-unsigned long Name::_globalId = 0;
-map<string, unsigned long> Name::_dict;
-
-Name::Name(string str) : _str(NULL) {
-    map<string, unsigned long>::iterator it = _dict.find(str);
-    if (it != _dict.end()) {
-        _id  = (*it).second;
-        _str = &((*it).first);
-    } else {
-        _id  = _globalId++;
-        it = _dict.insert(_dict.begin(), make_pair(str, _id));
-        _str = &((*it).first);
-    }
-}
-    
-Name::Name(const char* c) : _str(NULL) {
-    string str(c);
-    map<string, unsigned long>::iterator it = _dict.find(str);
-    if (it != _dict.end()) {
-        _id  = (*it).second;
-        _str = &((*it).first);
-    } else {
-        _id  = _globalId++;
-        it = _dict.insert(_dict.begin(), make_pair(str, _id));
-        _str = &((*it).first);
-    }
-}
-    
-bool Name::operator==(const Name& n) {
-    return (_id == n._id);
-}
-    
-bool Name::operator==(const string& str) {
-    Name n(str);
-    return (_id == n._id);
-}
-
-bool Name::operator!=(const Name& n) {
-    return (_id != n._id);
-}
-
-bool Name::operator!=(const string& str) {
-    Name n(str);
-    return (_id != n._id);
-}
-
-bool Name::operator<(const Name n) const {
-    return (_id < n._id);
-}
-} // namespace
-
diff --git a/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/PyDtr.cpp b/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/PyDtr.cpp
index 1d50a46d..db02a084 100644
--- a/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/PyDtr.cpp
+++ b/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/PyDtr.cpp
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+
 using namespace std;
 
 #include <boost/python.hpp>
@@ -7,78 +8,72 @@ using namespace boost::python;
 #include "vlsisapd/dtr/Rules.h"
 #include "vlsisapd/dtr/DTRException.h"
 
+
 namespace DTR {
-void translator(DTRException const& e) {
+
+  void translator(DTRException const& e) {
     PyErr_SetString(PyExc_UserWarning, e.what());
-}
+  }
 
 
 // specify that Techno::getRule & Techno::getValue & Techno::getValueAsString methods have optional arguments
-BOOST_PYTHON_MEMBER_FUNCTION_OVERLOADS(getRule_overloads         , getRule         , 1, 3);
-BOOST_PYTHON_MEMBER_FUNCTION_OVERLOADS(getValue_overloads        , getValue        , 1, 3);
-BOOST_PYTHON_MEMBER_FUNCTION_OVERLOADS(getValueAsString_overloads, getValueAsString, 1, 3);
+  BOOST_PYTHON_MEMBER_FUNCTION_OVERLOADS(getRule_overloads         , getRule         , 1, 3);
+  BOOST_PYTHON_MEMBER_FUNCTION_OVERLOADS(getValue_overloads        , getValue        , 1, 3);
+  BOOST_PYTHON_MEMBER_FUNCTION_OVERLOADS(getValueAsString_overloads, getValueAsString, 1, 3);
 // specify that Techno::addRule method has optional arguments
-BOOST_PYTHON_MEMBER_FUNCTION_OVERLOADS(addRule_overloads, addRule, 3, 5);
+  BOOST_PYTHON_MEMBER_FUNCTION_OVERLOADS(addRule_overloads, addRule, 3, 5);
 
-BOOST_PYTHON_MODULE(DTR) {
-    // class DTR::Name
-    class_<Name>("Name", init<std::string>())
-        .def("getString", &Name::getString, return_value_policy<copy_const_reference>()) // return_value_policy because this method return a reference on string
-        .def(self == self)
-        .def(self == std::string())
-        .def(self != self)
-        .def(self != std::string())
-        .def(self < self)
-    ;
 
-    implicitly_convertible<std::string, Name>();
+  BOOST_PYTHON_MODULE(DTR) {
 
-    // class DTR::Rule
-    class_<Rule>("Rule", init<Name, double, Name, Name, Name>())
-        // accessors
-        .def("getName"         , &Rule::getName         )
-        .def("getType"         , &Rule::getType         )
-        .def("getValue"        , &Rule::getValue        )
-        .def("getValueAsString", &Rule::getValueAsString, return_value_policy<copy_const_reference>())
-        .def("getRef"          , &Rule::getRef          )
-        .def("getLayer1"       , &Rule::getLayer1       )
-        .def("getLayer2"       , &Rule::getLayer2       )
+  // class DTR::Rule
+    class_<Rule>("Rule", init<const char*, double, const char*, const char*, const char*>())
+    // Accessors.
+      .def("getName"         , &Rule::getName         , return_value_policy<copy_const_reference>())
+      .def("getType"         , &Rule::getType         , return_value_policy<copy_const_reference>())
+      .def("getValue"        , &Rule::getValue        )
+      .def("getValueAsString", &Rule::getValueAsString, return_value_policy<copy_const_reference>())
+      .def("getRef"          , &Rule::getRef          , return_value_policy<copy_const_reference>())
+      .def("getLayer1"       , &Rule::getLayer1       , return_value_policy<copy_const_reference>())
+      .def("getLayer2"       , &Rule::getLayer2       , return_value_policy<copy_const_reference>())
+    // Mutators.
+      .def("setType"         , &Rule::setType         )
+      .def("setValue"        , &Rule::setValue        )
+      .def("setRef"          , &Rule::setRef          )
+      ; 
 
-        // modifiers
-        .def("setType"         , &Rule::setType         )
-        .def("setValue"        , &Rule::setValue        )
-        .def("setRef"          , &Rule::setRef          )
-    ; 
+  // class DTR::ARule derived from DTR::Rule
+    class_<ARule,bases<Rule> >("ARule", init<const char*, double, const char*, const char*, const char*>())
+      ;
 
-    // class DTR::ARule derived from DTR::Rule
-    class_<ARule, bases<Rule> >("ARule", init<Name, double, Name, Name, Name>())
-    ;
-
-    // class DTR::Techno
-    class_<Techno>("Techno", init<Name, Name, Name>())
-        // accessors
-        .def("getName"         , &Techno::getName)
-        .def("getUnit"         , &Techno::getUnit)
-        .def("getVersion"      , &Techno::getVersion)
-        .def("getRule"         , &Techno::getRule         , getRule_overloads()[return_value_policy<reference_existing_object>()])
-        .def("getValue"        , &Techno::getValue        , getValue_overloads())
-        .def("getValueAsString", &Techno::getValueAsString, getValueAsString_overloads()[return_value_policy<copy_const_reference>()])
+  // class DTR::Techno
+    class_<Techno>("Techno", init<const char*, const char*, const char*>())
+    // Accessors
+      .def("getName"         , &Techno::getName         , return_value_policy<copy_const_reference>())
+      .def("getUnit"         , &Techno::getUnit         , return_value_policy<copy_const_reference>())
+      .def("getVersion"      , &Techno::getVersion      , return_value_policy<copy_const_reference>())
+      .def("getRule"         , &Techno::getRule         , getRule_overloads()[return_value_policy<reference_existing_object>()])
+      .def("getValue"        , &Techno::getValue        , getValue_overloads())
+      .def("getValueAsString", &Techno::getValueAsString, getValueAsString_overloads()[return_value_policy<copy_const_reference>()])
         
-        // modifiers
-        .def("setName"         , &Techno::setName)
-        .def("setUnit"         , &Techno::setUnit)
-        .def("setVersion"      , &Techno::setVersion)
-        .def("addRule"         , &Techno::addRule , addRule_overloads()[return_value_policy<reference_existing_object>()])
-        .def("addARule"        , &Techno::addARule, return_value_policy<reference_existing_object>())
+    // Mutators.
+      .def("setName"         , &Techno::setName)
+      .def("setUnit"         , &Techno::setUnit)
+      .def("setVersion"      , &Techno::setVersion)
+      .def("addRule"         , &Techno::addRule , addRule_overloads()[return_value_policy<reference_existing_object>()])
+      .def("addARule"        , &Techno::addARule, return_value_policy<reference_existing_object>())
 
-        // others
-        .def("readFromFile", &Techno::readFromFile, return_value_policy<reference_existing_object>())
-        .staticmethod("readFromFile")
-        .def("writeToFile" , &Techno::writeToFile)
-    ;
+    // Miscellaneous.
+      .def("readFromFile", &Techno::readFromFile, return_value_policy<reference_existing_object>())
+      .staticmethod("readFromFile")
+      .def("writeToFile" , &Techno::writeToFile)
+      ;
 
-    // DTRException translator
+  // DTRException translator
     register_exception_translator<DTRException>(translator)
-    ;
-}
-}
+      ;
+
+  } // DTR boost::python module.
+
+
+}  // DTR namespace.
diff --git a/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/Techno.cpp b/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/Techno.cpp
index 67826a92..d1382155 100644
--- a/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/Techno.cpp
+++ b/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/Techno.cpp
@@ -1,11 +1,19 @@
-/*
- *  Techno.cpp
- *  DTR
- *
- *  Created by damien dupuis on 01/04/10.
- *  Copyright 2010 UPMC / LIP6. All rights reserved.
- *
- */
+
+// -*- C++ -*-
+//
+// This file is part of the VLSI SAPD Software.
+// Copyright (c) UPMC/LIP6 2010-2012, All Rights Reserved
+//
+// +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ 
+// |                  V L S I   S A P D                              |
+// |           Design Technological Rules (DTR)                      |
+// |                                                                 |
+// |  Author      :                       Damien Dupuis              |
+// |  E-mail      :            Jean-Paul.Chaput@lip6.fr              |
+// | =============================================================== |
+// |  C++ Module  :  "./Techno.cpp"                                  |
+// +-----------------------------------------------------------------+
+
 
 #include <iostream>
 #include <iomanip>
@@ -23,213 +31,260 @@ using namespace std;
 #include "vlsisapd/dtr/Rules.h"   
 #include "vlsisapd/dtr/DTRException.h"
 
+
 namespace {
-	template<class T> T getValue(xmlChar* str) {
-        if (string((const char*)str).empty()) 
-            return numeric_limits<T>::quiet_NaN();
-        std::istringstream iss;
-        iss.str((const char*) str);
-        T res;
-        iss >> res;
-    	return res;
-	}
-}
+
+
+  template<class T> T getValue(xmlChar* str)
+  {
+    if (string((const char*)str).empty()) 
+      return numeric_limits<T>::quiet_NaN();
+    std::istringstream iss;
+    iss.str((const char*) str);
+    T res;
+    iss >> res;
+    return res;
+  }
+
+
+}  // Anonymous namespace.
+
 
 namespace DTR {
-Techno::Techno(Name name, Name unit, Name version) : _name(name), _unit(unit), _version(version) {}
 
-Rule* Techno::addRule (Name name, double value, Name ref, Name layer1, Name layer2) {
+
+  Techno::Techno ( const string& name, const string& unit, const string& version )
+    : _name   (name)
+    , _unit   (unit)
+    , _version(version)
+  { }
+
+
+  Techno::Techno ( const char* name, const char* unit, const char* version )
+    : _name   (name)
+    , _unit   (unit)
+    , _version((version) ? version : "")
+  {
+  // Cannot initialize a std::string from a NULL pointer.
+  }
+
+
+  Rule* Techno::addRule ( const char* name
+                        , double      value
+                        , const char* ref
+                        , const char* layer1
+                        , const char* layer2 )
+  {
     Rule* rule = new Rule(name, value, ref, layer1, layer2);
     _rules.push_back(rule);
     return rule;
-}
+  }
 
-ARule* Techno::addARule (Name name, double value, Name ref, Name layer1, Name layer2) {
+
+  ARule* Techno::addARule ( const char* name
+                          , double      value
+                          , const char* ref
+                          , const char* layer1
+                          , const char* layer2 )
+  {
     ARule* arule = new ARule(name, value, ref, layer1, layer2);
     _rules.push_back(arule);
     return arule;
-}
+  }
 
-Rule* Techno::getRule(Name name, Name layer1, Name layer2) {
+
+  Rule* Techno::getRule ( const char* name, const char* layer1, const char* layer2 )
+  {
     for (size_t i = 0 ; i < _rules.size() ; i++) {
-        Rule* rule = _rules[i];
-        if ((rule->getName() == name) && (rule->getLayer1() == layer1) && (rule->getLayer2() == layer2))
-            return rule;
+      Rule* rule = _rules[i];
+      if ((rule->getName() == name) && (rule->getLayer1() == layer1) && (rule->getLayer2() == layer2))
+        return rule;
     }
     return NULL;
-}
+  }
 
-double Techno::getValue(Name name, Name layer1, Name layer2) {
+
+  double Techno::getValue ( const char* name, const char* layer1, const char* layer2 )
+  {
     Rule* r =  getRule(name, layer1, layer2);
     if(!r) {
-        string error = "[ERROR] Could not find rule: " + name.getString() + "." + layer1.getString() + "." + layer2.getString() + ".";
-        throw DTRException(error);
+      ostringstream error;
+      error << "[ERROR] Could not find rule: " << name << "." << layer1 << "." << layer2 << ".";
+      throw DTRException(error.str());
     }
     return r->getValue();
-}
+  }
 
-const string& Techno::getValueAsString(Name name, Name layer1, Name layer2) {
+
+  const string& Techno::getValueAsString ( const char* name, const char* layer1, const char* layer2 )
+  {
     Rule* r =  getRule(name, layer1, layer2);
     if(!r) {
-        string error = "[ERROR] Could not find rule: " + name.getString() + "." + layer1.getString() + "." + layer2.getString() + ".";
-        throw DTRException(error);
+      ostringstream error;
+      error << "[ERROR] Could not find rule: " << name << "." << layer1 << "." << layer2 << ".";
+      throw DTRException(error.str());
     }
     return r->getValueAsString();
-}
+  }
 
-Techno* Techno::readFromFile(const string filePath) {
+
+  Techno* Techno::readFromFile ( const char* filePath )
+  {
     LIBXML_TEST_VERSION;
+
     Techno* techno = NULL;
-    xmlDoc* doc = xmlReadFile(filePath.c_str(), NULL, 0);
+    xmlDoc* doc = xmlReadFile(filePath, NULL, 0);
     if (doc == NULL) {
-        string error ("[ERROR] Failed to parse: ");
-        error += filePath;
-        throw DTRException(error);
+      string error ("[ERROR] Failed to parse: ");
+      error += filePath;
+      throw DTRException(error);
     }
+
     xmlNode* rootElement = xmlDocGetRootElement(doc);
     if (rootElement->type == XML_ELEMENT_NODE && xmlStrEqual(rootElement->name, (xmlChar*)"technology")) {
-        xmlChar* technoNameC = xmlGetProp(rootElement, (xmlChar*)"name");
-        xmlChar* technoUnitC = xmlGetProp(rootElement, (xmlChar*)"unit");
-        xmlChar* technoVersC = xmlGetProp(rootElement, (xmlChar*)"version");
+      xmlChar* technoNameC = xmlGetProp(rootElement, (xmlChar*)"name");
+      xmlChar* technoUnitC = xmlGetProp(rootElement, (xmlChar*)"unit");
+      xmlChar* technoVersC = xmlGetProp(rootElement, (xmlChar*)"version");
         
-        if (technoNameC && technoUnitC) {
-            Name name ((const char*)technoNameC);
-            Name unit ((const char*)technoUnitC);
-            Name vers = Name("");
-            if (technoVersC)
-                vers = Name((const char*)technoVersC);
-            techno = new Techno(name, unit, vers);
-        } else {
-            throw DTRException("[ERROR] 'technology' node must have 'name' and 'unit' properties.");
+      if (technoNameC && technoUnitC) {
+        techno = new Techno((char*)technoNameC, (char*)technoUnitC, (char*)technoVersC);
+      } else {
+        throw DTRException("[ERROR] 'technology' node must have 'name' and 'unit' properties.");
+        return NULL;
+      }
+
+      xmlNode* child = rootElement->children;
+      for (xmlNode* node = child; node; node = node->next) {
+        if (node->type == XML_ELEMENT_NODE) {
+          if (!xmlStrEqual(node->name, (xmlChar*)"physical_rules")) {
+            throw DTRException("[ERROR] only 'physical_rules' node is allowed under 'technology' node.");
             return NULL;
-        }
+          }
 
-        
-        xmlNode* child = rootElement->children;
-        for (xmlNode* node = child; node; node = node->next) {
-            if (node->type == XML_ELEMENT_NODE) {
-                if (!xmlStrEqual(node->name, (xmlChar*)"physical_rules")) {
-                    throw DTRException("[ERROR] only 'physical_rules' node is allowed under 'technology' node.");
-                    return NULL;
-                }
-                for (xmlNode* subnode = node->children ; subnode ; subnode = subnode->next) {
-                    if (subnode->type == XML_ELEMENT_NODE) {
-                        if (xmlStrEqual(subnode->name, (xmlChar*)"rule")) {
-                            xmlChar* nameC   = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"name"  );
-                            xmlChar* layerC  = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"layer" );
-                            xmlChar* layer1C = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"layer1");
-                            xmlChar* layer2C = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"layer2");
-                            xmlChar* valueC  = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"value" );
-                            xmlChar* refC    = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"ref"   );
-                            xmlChar* typeC   = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"type"  );
+          for (xmlNode* subnode = node->children ; subnode ; subnode = subnode->next) {
+            if (subnode->type == XML_ELEMENT_NODE) {
+              if (xmlStrEqual(subnode->name, (xmlChar*)"rule")) {
+                xmlChar* nameC   = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"name"  );
+                xmlChar* layerC  = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"layer" );
+                xmlChar* layer1C = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"layer1");
+                xmlChar* layer2C = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"layer2");
+                xmlChar* valueC  = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"value" );
+                xmlChar* refC    = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"ref"   );
+                xmlChar* typeC   = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"type"  );
 
-                            Rule* rule = NULL;
-                            if (nameC && layer1C && layer2C && valueC && refC) { // rule with two layers
-                                Name name   ((const char*)nameC);
-                                Name ref    ((const char*)refC);
-                                Name layer1 ((const char*)layer1C);
-                                Name layer2 ((const char*)layer2C);
-                                double value = ::getValue<double>(valueC);
-                                rule = techno->addRule(name, value, ref, layer1, layer2);
-                            } else if (nameC && layerC && valueC && refC) {// rule with only one layer
-                                Name name  ((const char*)nameC);
-                                Name ref   ((const char*)refC);
-                                Name layer ((const char*)layerC);
-                                double value = ::getValue<double>(valueC);
-                                rule = techno->addRule(name, value, ref, layer);
-                            } else if (nameC && valueC && refC) { // rule without layer
-                                Name name ((const char*)nameC);
-                                Name ref  ((const char*)refC);
-                                double value = ::getValue<double>(valueC);
-                                rule = techno->addRule(name, value, ref);
-                            } else { // invalid case
-                                throw DTRException("[ERROR] properties of 'rule' node must be ('name', 'value', 'ref') or ('name', 'layer', 'value', 'ref') or ('name', 'layer1', 'layer2', 'value', 'ref').");
-                                return NULL;
-                            }
-                            if (typeC) {
-                                Name type ((const char*)typeC);
-                                rule->setType(type);
-                            }
-                        } else if (xmlStrEqual(subnode->name, (xmlChar*)"arule")) {
-                            xmlChar* nameC   = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"name"  );
-                            xmlChar* layer1C = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"layer1");
-                            xmlChar* layer2C = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"layer2");
-                            xmlChar* valueC  = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"value" );
-                            xmlChar* refC    = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"ref"   );
-                            if (nameC && layer1C && layer2C && valueC && refC) {
-                                Name name   ((const char*)nameC);
-                                Name layer1 ((const char*)layer1C);
-                                Name layer2 ((const char*)layer2C);
-                                Name ref    ((const char*)refC);
-                                double value = ::getValue<double>(valueC);
-                                techno->addARule(name, value, ref, layer1, layer2);
-                            } else {
-                                throw DTRException("[ERROR] 'arule' node must have 'name', 'layer1', 'layer2', 'value' and 'ref' properties.");
-                                return NULL;
-                            }
-                        } else {
-                            throw DTRException("[ERROR] only 'rule' and 'arule' nodes are allowed under 'physical_rules' node.");
-                        }
-                    }
+                Rule* rule = NULL;
+                if (nameC and layer1C and layer2C and valueC and refC) {
+                // Rule with two layers
+                  rule = techno->addRule( (char*)nameC
+                                        , ::getValue<double>(valueC)
+                                        , (char*)refC
+                                        , (char*)layer1C
+                                        , (char*)layer2C );
+                } else if (nameC and layerC and valueC and refC) {
+                // Rule with only one layer
+                  rule = techno->addRule( (char*)nameC
+                                        , ::getValue<double>(valueC)
+                                        , (char*)refC
+                                        , (char*)layerC );
+                } else if (nameC and valueC and refC) {
+                // Rule without layer
+                  rule = techno->addRule( (char*)nameC
+                                        , ::getValue<double>(valueC)
+                                        , (char*)refC );
+                } else {
+                // Invalid case
+                  throw DTRException("[ERROR] properties of 'rule' node must be ('name', 'value', 'ref') or ('name', 'layer', 'value', 'ref') or ('name', 'layer1', 'layer2', 'value', 'ref').");
+                  return NULL;
                 }
+
+                if (typeC) {
+                  rule->setType((const char*)typeC);
+                }
+              } else if (xmlStrEqual(subnode->name, (xmlChar*)"arule")) {
+                xmlChar* nameC   = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"name"  );
+                xmlChar* layer1C = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"layer1");
+                xmlChar* layer2C = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"layer2");
+                xmlChar* valueC  = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"value" );
+                xmlChar* refC    = xmlGetProp(subnode, (xmlChar*)"ref"   );
+
+                if (nameC && layer1C && layer2C && valueC && refC) {
+                  techno->addARule( (char*)nameC
+                                  , ::getValue<double>(valueC)
+                                  , (char*)refC
+                                  , (char*)layer1C
+                                  , (char*)layer2C );
+                } else {
+                  throw DTRException("[ERROR] 'arule' node must have 'name', 'layer1', 'layer2', 'value' and 'ref' properties.");
+                  return NULL;
+                }
+              } else {
+                throw DTRException("[ERROR] only 'rule' and 'arule' nodes are allowed under 'physical_rules' node.");
+              }
             }
+          }
         }
+      }
     }
     return techno;
-}
+  }
     
-bool Techno::writeToFile(string filePath) {
+
+  bool Techno::writeToFile ( const char* filePath )
+  {
     ofstream file;
-    file.open(filePath.c_str());
+    file.open(filePath);
     if (!file.is_open()) {
-        string error("[ERROR] Cannot open file ");
-        error += filePath;
-        error += " for writting.";
-        throw DTRException(error);
+      string error("[ERROR] Cannot open file ");
+      error += filePath;
+      error += " for writting.";
+      throw DTRException(error);
     }
-    // checks before do anything
+
+  // checks before do anything
     if (_rules.size() == 0) {
-        throw DTRException("[ERROR] Cannot writeToFile since no rule is defined!");
+      throw DTRException("[ERROR] Cannot writeToFile since no rule is defined!");
     }    
 
-    file << "<technology name=\"" << _name.getString() << "\" unit=\"" << _unit.getString() << "\" version=\"" << _version.getString() << "\">" << endl
+    file << "<technology name=\"" << _name << "\" unit=\"" << _unit << "\" version=\"" << _version << "\">" << endl
          << "  <physical_rules>" << endl;
 
     file.setf(ios::left, ios::adjustfield);
     for (size_t i = 0 ; i < _rules.size() ; i++) {
-        Rule* rule = _rules[i];
-        string name = "\""+rule->getName().getString()+"\"";
-        if (dynamic_cast<ARule*>(rule)) {
-            file << "    <arule name=" << setw(20) << name  << " ";
+      Rule* rule = _rules[i];
+      string name = "\""+rule->getName()+"\"";
+      if (dynamic_cast<ARule*>(rule)) {
+        file << "    <arule name=" << setw(20) << name  << " ";
+      } else {
+        file << "    <rule  name=" << setw(20) << name << " ";
+      }
+      int spacing = 18;
+      if (not rule->getType().empty()) {
+        string type = "\""+rule->getType()+"\"";
+        file << "type=" << setw(12) << type << " ";
+        spacing = 0;
+      }
+      if (not rule->getLayer1().empty()) {
+        string l1 = "\""+rule->getLayer1()+"\"";
+        if (not rule->getLayer2().empty()) {
+          string l2 = "\""+rule->getLayer2()+"\"";
+          file << "layer1=" << setw(10) << l1 << " layer2=" << setw(10) << l2 << " ";
         } else {
-            file << "    <rule  name=" << setw(20) << name << " ";
+          file << "layer=" << setw(11+spacing) << l1 << " ";
         }
-        int spacing = 18;
-        if (rule->getType() != Name("")) {
-            string type = "\""+rule->getType().getString()+"\"";
-            file << "type=" << setw(12) << type << " ";
-            spacing = 0;
-        }
-        if (rule->getLayer1() != Name("")) {
-            string l1 = "\""+rule->getLayer1().getString()+"\"";
-            if (rule->getLayer2() != Name("")) {
-                string l2 = "\""+rule->getLayer2().getString()+"\"";
-                file << "layer1=" << setw(10) << l1 << " layer2=" << setw(10) << l2 << " ";
-            } else {
-                file << "layer=" << setw(11+spacing) << l1 << " ";
-            }
-        } else {
-            file << setw(36) << " ";
-        }
-        ostringstream oss;
-        oss << "\"" << rule->getValue() <<"\"";
-        file << "value=" << setw(7) << oss.str() << " ref=\"" << rule->getRef().getString() << "\"/>" << endl;
+      } else {
+        file << setw(36) << " ";
+      }
+
+      ostringstream oss;
+      oss << "\"" << rule->getValue() <<"\"";
+      file << "value=" << setw(7) << oss.str() << " ref=\"" << rule->getRef() << "\"/>" << endl;
     }
     file << "  </physical_rules>" << endl
          << "</technology>" << endl;
     file.close();
 	return true;        
-}
+  }
 
-}
+
+}  // DTR namespace.
 
diff --git a/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/vlsisapd/dtr/DTRException.h b/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/vlsisapd/dtr/DTRException.h
index a597b513..ea556f13 100644
--- a/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/vlsisapd/dtr/DTRException.h
+++ b/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/vlsisapd/dtr/DTRException.h
@@ -1,11 +1,19 @@
-/*
- *  DTRException.h
- *  DTR
- *
- *  Created by damien dupuis on 01/04/10.
- *  Copyright 2010 UPMC / LIP6. All rights reserved.
- *
- */
+
+// -*- C++ -*-
+//
+// This file is part of the VLSI SAPD Software.
+// Copyright (c) UPMC/LIP6 2010-2012, All Rights Reserved
+//
+// +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ 
+// |                  V L S I   S A P D                              |
+// |           Design Technological Rules (DTR)                      |
+// |                                                                 |
+// |  Author      :                       Damien Dupuis              |
+// |  E-mail      :            Jean-Paul.Chaput@lip6.fr              |
+// | =============================================================== |
+// |  C++ Header  :  "./vlsisapd/dtr/Rule.h"                         |
+// +-----------------------------------------------------------------+
+
 
 #ifndef __DTR_EXCEPTION_H__
 #define __DTR_EXCEPTION_H__
@@ -13,16 +21,26 @@
 #include <exception>
 #include <string>
 
+
 namespace DTR {
-class DTRException {
+
+
+  class DTRException {
 	public:
-        DTRException(const std::string& what) throw() : _what(what) {}
-        virtual const char* what() const throw() { return _what.c_str(); }
-        virtual ~DTRException() throw() {}
-        
+      inline                     DTRException (const std::string& what) throw();
+      inline virtual            ~DTRException () throw();
+      inline virtual const char* what         () const throw();
     private:
-        std::string _what;
-};
-} // namespace
+      std::string  _what;
+  };
+
+
+  inline             DTRException::DTRException  ( const std::string& what ) throw() : _what(what) {}
+  inline             DTRException::~DTRException () throw() {}
+  inline const char* DTRException::what          () const throw() { return _what.c_str(); }
+
+
+} // DTR namespace.
+
 #endif
 
diff --git a/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/vlsisapd/dtr/Name.h b/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/vlsisapd/dtr/Name.h
deleted file mode 100644
index e8c78446..00000000
--- a/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/vlsisapd/dtr/Name.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,49 +0,0 @@
-/*
- *  Name.h
- *  DTR
- *
- *  Created by damien dupuis on 01/04/10.
- *  Copyright 2010 UPMC / LIP6. All rights reserved.
- *
- */
-
-#ifndef __DTR_NAME_H__
-#define __DTR_NAME_H__
-
-#include <string>
-#include <map>
-
-#include "vlsisapd/dtr/DTRException.h"
-
-namespace DTR {
-class Name {
-    public:
-    Name(std::string);
-	Name(const char*);
-    
-	bool operator==(const Name&);
-	bool operator==(const std::string&);
-	bool operator!=(const Name&);
-	bool operator!=(const std::string&);
-	bool operator<(const Name) const;
-    
-	inline const std::string& getString() const;
-        
-    private:
-    unsigned long _id;
-	const std::string *_str;
-    
-	static std::map<std::string, unsigned long> _dict;
-	static unsigned long _globalId;
-};
-    
-inline const std::string& Name::getString() const{
-    if (!_str) {
-        throw DTRException("[ERROR] Name object has no string");
-    }
-    return *_str;
-}
-
-} // namespace
-#endif
-
diff --git a/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/vlsisapd/dtr/Rules.h b/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/vlsisapd/dtr/Rules.h
index 1356a327..bc33ae81 100644
--- a/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/vlsisapd/dtr/Rules.h
+++ b/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/vlsisapd/dtr/Rules.h
@@ -1,11 +1,19 @@
-/*
- *  Rules.h
- *  DTR
- *
- *  Created by damien dupuis on 01/04/10.
- *  Copyright 2010 UPMC / LIP6 All rights reserved.
- *
- */
+
+// -*- C++ -*-
+//
+// This file is part of the VLSI SAPD Software.
+// Copyright (c) UPMC/LIP6 2010-2012, All Rights Reserved
+//
+// +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ 
+// |                  V L S I   S A P D                              |
+// |           Design Technological Rules (DTR)                      |
+// |                                                                 |
+// |  Author      :                       Damien Dupuis              |
+// |  E-mail      :            Jean-Paul.Chaput@lip6.fr              |
+// | =============================================================== |
+// |  C++ Header  :  "./vlsisapd/dtr/Rule.h"                         |
+// +-----------------------------------------------------------------+
+
 
 #ifndef __DTR_RULES_H__
 #define __DTR_RULES_H__
@@ -13,67 +21,99 @@
 #include <string>
 #include <sstream>
 
-#include "vlsisapd/dtr/Name.h"
 
 namespace DTR {
-template <typename T>
-std::string to_string(T const& value) {
-    std::stringstream sstr;
-    sstr << value;
-    return sstr.str();
-}
 
-class Rule {
+  template<typename T>
+  inline std::string  asString ( T value )
+  { std::ostringstream output; output << value; return output.str(); }
+
+
+  class Rule {
     public:
-    Rule(Name name, double value, Name ref, Name layer1, Name layer2)
-        : _name(name), _type(Name("")), _value(value), _valueStr(to_string(value)), _ref(ref), _layer1(layer1), _layer2(layer2) {};
+    // CTOR & DTOR.
+      inline                            Rule             ( const char* name
+                                                         , double      value
+                                                         , const char* ref
+                                                         , const char* layer1
+                                                         , const char* layer2 );
+      inline virtual                   ~Rule             ();
+    // Accessors.
+      inline         const std::string& getName          ();
+      inline         const std::string& getType          ();
+      inline         double             getValue         ();
+      inline         const std::string& getValueAsString ();
+      inline         const std::string& getRef           ();
+      inline         const std::string& getLayer1        ();
+      inline virtual const std::string& getLayer2        ();
+    // Modifiers
+      inline         void               setType          ( const char* );
+      inline         void               setValue         ( double );
+      inline         void               setRef           ( const char* );
 
-    virtual ~Rule() {}
-    
-    // accessors
-    inline Name   getName();
-    inline Name   getType();
-    inline double getValue();
-    inline  const std::string& getValueAsString();
-    inline Name   getRef();
-    inline Name   getLayer1();
-    virtual inline Name   getLayer2(); // add virtual so the Rule object is polymorphic
-
-    // modifiers
-    inline void setType(Name);
-    inline void setValue(double);
-    inline void setRef(Name);
-
-    // members
+    // Attributes.
     private:
-    Name   _name;
-    Name   _type;
-    double _value;
-    Name   _valueStr;
-    Name   _ref;
-    Name   _layer1;
-    Name   _layer2;
-};
+      std::string   _name;
+      std::string   _type;
+      double        _value;
+      std::string   _valueStr;
+      std::string   _ref;
+      std::string   _layer1;
+      std::string   _layer2;
+  };
+  
 
-class ARule : public Rule {
+  class ARule : public Rule {
     public:
-    ARule(Name name, double value, Name ref, Name layer1, Name layer2)
-        : Rule(name, value, ref, layer1, layer2) {};
+      inline          ARule ( const char* name
+                            , double      value
+                            , const char* ref
+                            , const char* layer1
+                            , const char* layer2 );
+      inline virtual ~ARule ();
+  };
+
+
+  inline Rule::Rule ( const char* name
+                    , double      value
+                    , const char* ref
+                    , const char* layer1
+                    , const char* layer2 )
+    : _name    (name)
+    , _type    ("")
+    , _value   (value)
+    , _valueStr(asString(value))
+    , _ref     (ref)
+    , _layer1  (layer1)
+    , _layer2  (layer2)
+  { }
+
+  inline Rule::~Rule ()
+  { }
+
+  inline const std::string& Rule::getName          () { return _name;   };
+  inline const std::string& Rule::getType          () { return _type;   };
+  inline double             Rule::getValue         () { return _value;  };
+  inline const std::string& Rule::getRef           () { return _ref;    };
+  inline const std::string& Rule::getLayer1        () { return _layer1; };
+  inline const std::string& Rule::getLayer2        () { return _layer2; };
+  inline const std::string& Rule::getValueAsString () { return _valueStr; };
+  inline void               Rule::setType          ( const char* type ) { _type=type; };
+  inline void               Rule::setValue         ( double value ) { _value=value; _valueStr=asString(value); };
+  inline void               Rule::setRef           ( const char* ref ) { _ref=ref; };
+
+  inline ARule::ARule ( const char* name
+                      , double      value
+                      , const char* ref
+                      , const char* layer1
+                      , const char* layer2 )
+    : Rule(name, value, ref, layer1, layer2)
+  { }
+      
+  inline ARule::~ARule ()
+  { }
 
-    virtual ~ARule() {}
-};
-    
-inline Name   Rule::getName()   { return _name;   };
-inline Name   Rule::getType()   { return _type;   };
-inline double Rule::getValue()  { return _value;  };
-inline Name   Rule::getRef()    { return _ref;    };
-inline Name   Rule::getLayer1() { return _layer1; };
-inline Name   Rule::getLayer2() { return _layer2; };
-inline const std::string& Rule::getValueAsString() { return _valueStr.getString(); };
 
-inline void   Rule::setType(Name type)     { _type = type; };
-inline void   Rule::setValue(double value) { _value = value; _valueStr = to_string(value); };
-inline void   Rule::setRef(Name ref)       { _ref = ref; };
 } // namespace DTR
 #endif
 
diff --git a/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/vlsisapd/dtr/Techno.h b/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/vlsisapd/dtr/Techno.h
index 91978260..d8857f1c 100644
--- a/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/vlsisapd/dtr/Techno.h
+++ b/vlsisapd/src/dtr/src/vlsisapd/dtr/Techno.h
@@ -1,63 +1,87 @@
-/*
- *  Techno.h
- *  DTR
- *
- *  Created by damien dupuis on 01/04/10.
- *  Copyright 2010 UPMC / LIP6 All rights reserved.
- *
- */
+
+// -*- C++ -*-
+//
+// This file is part of the VLSI SAPD Software.
+// Copyright (c) UPMC/LIP6 2010-2012, All Rights Reserved
+//
+// +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ 
+// |                  V L S I   S A P D                              |
+// |           Design Technological Rules (DTR)                      |
+// |                                                                 |
+// |  Author      :                       Damien Dupuis              |
+// |  E-mail      :            Jean-Paul.Chaput@lip6.fr              |
+// | =============================================================== |
+// |  C++ Header  :  "./vlsisapd/dtr/Techno.h"                       |
+// +-----------------------------------------------------------------+
+
 
 #ifndef __DTR_TECHNO_H__
 #define __DTR_TECHNO_H__
 
 #include <vector>
 
-#include <libxml/parser.h>
-#include <libxml/tree.h>
-
-#include "vlsisapd/dtr/Name.h"
 
 namespace DTR {
-class Rule;
-class ARule;
-class Techno {
+
+  class Rule;
+  class ARule;
+
+
+  class Techno {
     public:
-    Techno(Name name, Name unit, Name version);
-    
-    inline Name getName();
-    inline Name getUnit();
-    inline Name getVersion();
-    inline std::vector<Rule*>&  getRules();
+                                 Techno           ( const std::string& name
+                                                  , const std::string& unit
+                                                  , const std::string& version );
+                                 Techno           ( const char* name
+                                                  , const char* unit
+                                                  , const char* version );
+      inline const std::string&  getName          () const;
+      inline const std::string&  getUnit          () const;
+      inline const std::string&  getVersion       () const;
+      inline std::vector<Rule*>& getRules         ();
+                                                  
+      inline void                setName          ( const std::string&);
+      inline void                setUnit          ( const std::string&);
+      inline void                setVersion       ( const std::string&);
+             Rule*               addRule          ( const char* name
+                                                  , double value
+                                                  , const char* ref
+                                                  , const char* layer1=""
+                                                  , const char* layer2="" );
+             ARule*              addARule         ( const char* name
+                                                  , double value
+                                                  , const char* ref
+                                                  , const char* layer1
+                                                  , const char* layer2 );
+             Rule*               getRule          ( const char* name
+                                                  , const char* layer1=""
+                                                  , const char* layer2="" );
+             double              getValue         ( const char* name
+                                                  , const char* layer1=""
+                                                  , const char* layer2="" );
+             const std::string&  getValueAsString ( const char* name
+                                                  , const char* layer1=""
+                                                  , const char* layer2="" );
+             bool                writeToFile      ( const char* filePath );
+      static Techno*             readFromFile     ( const char* filePath );
+    private:
+      std::string  	      _name;
+      std::string  	      _unit;
+      std::string         _version;
+      std::vector<Rule*>  _rules;
+  };
 
-    inline void setName(Name);
-    inline void setUnit(Name);
-    inline void setVersion(Name);
+    
+  inline const std::string&  Techno::getName   () const { return _name; };
+  inline const std::string&  Techno::getUnit   () const { return _unit; };
+  inline const std::string&  Techno::getVersion() const { return _version; };
+  inline std::vector<Rule*>& Techno::getRules  () { return _rules; };
+  inline void                Techno::setName   (const std::string& name)    { _name = name; };
+  inline void                Techno::setUnit   (const std::string& unit)    { _unit = unit; };
+  inline void                Techno::setVersion(const std::string& version) { _version = version; };
 
-    Rule*  addRule (Name name, double value, Name ref, Name layer1=Name(""), Name layer2=Name(""));
-    ARule* addARule(Name name, double value, Name ref, Name layer1         , Name layer2);
+  
+}  // namespace DTR.
 
-    Rule* getRule(Name name, Name layer1=Name(""), Name layer2=Name(""));
-    double getValue(Name name, Name layer1=Name(""), Name layer2=Name(""));
-    const std::string& getValueAsString(Name name, Name layer1=Name(""), Name layer2=Name(""));
-    
-    bool writeToFile(std::string filePath);
-    static Techno* readFromFile(const std::string filePath);
-    
-    Name 	            _name;
-    Name 	            _unit;
-    Name                _version;
-    std::vector<Rule*>  _rules;
-};
-    
-inline Name Techno::getName()    { return _name; };
-inline Name Techno::getUnit()    { return _unit; };
-inline Name Techno::getVersion() { return _version; };
-inline std::vector<Rule*>&  Techno::getRules()  { return _rules;  };
-
-inline void Techno::setName   (Name name)    { _name = name; };
-inline void Techno::setUnit   (Name unit)    { _unit = unit; };
-inline void Techno::setVersion(Name version) { _version = version; };
-    
-} // namespace DTR
 #endif