SPR-6230: SpEL improvements

org.springframework.expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/EvaluationContext.java

@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ import java.util.List;
 public interface EvaluationContext {
 
 	/**
-	 * @return the root context object against which unqualified properties/methods/etc should be resolved
+	 * @return the default root context object against which unqualified properties/methods/etc should be resolved.  This can be overridden when evaluating an expression.
 	 */
 	TypedValue getRootObject();
 

org.springframework.expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/Expression.java

@@ -36,8 +36,17 @@ public interface Expression {
 	 */
 	public Object getValue() throws EvaluationException;
 
+	/** 
+	 * Evaluate this expression against the specified root object
+	 * 
+	 * @param rootObject the root object against which properties/etc will be resolved
+	 * @return the evaluation result
+	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem during evaluation
+	 */
+	public Object getValue(Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException;
+	
 	/**
-	 * Evaluate the expression in the default standard context. If the result of the evaluation does not match (and
+	 * Evaluate the expression in the default context. If the result of the evaluation does not match (and
 	 * cannot be converted to) the expected result type then an exception will be returned.
 	 * 
 	 * @param desiredResultType the class the caller would like the result to be
@@ -45,6 +54,18 @@ public interface Expression {
 	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem during evaluation
 	 */
 	public <T> T getValue(Class<T> desiredResultType) throws EvaluationException;
+	
+	/**
+	 * Evaluate the expression in the default context against the specified root object. If the 
+	 * result of the evaluation does not match (and cannot be converted to) the expected result type 
+	 * then an exception will be returned.
+	 * 
+	 * @param rootObject the root object against which properties/etc will be resolved
+	 * @param desiredResultType the class the caller would like the result to be
+	 * @return the evaluation result
+	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem during evaluation
+	 */
+	public <T> T getValue(Object rootObject, Class<T> desiredResultType) throws EvaluationException;
 
 	/**
 	 * Evaluate this expression in the provided context and return the result of evaluation.
@@ -55,6 +76,17 @@ public interface Expression {
 	 */
 	public Object getValue(EvaluationContext context) throws EvaluationException;
 
+	/**
+	 * Evaluate this expression in the provided context and return the result of evaluation, but use
+	 * the supplied root context as an override for any default root object specified in the context.
+	 * 
+	 * @param context the context in which to evaluate the expression
+	 * @param rootObject the root object against which properties/etc will be resolved
+	 * @return the evaluation result
+	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem during evaluation
+	 */
+	public Object getValue(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException;
+	
 	/**
 	 * Evaluate the expression in a specified context which can resolve references to properties, methods, types, etc -
 	 * the type of the evaluation result is expected to be of a particular class and an exception will be thrown if it
@@ -67,6 +99,20 @@ public interface Expression {
 	 */
 	public <T> T getValue(EvaluationContext context, Class<T> desiredResultType) throws EvaluationException;
 
+	/**
+	 * Evaluate the expression in a specified context which can resolve references to properties, methods, types, etc -
+	 * the type of the evaluation result is expected to be of a particular class and an exception will be thrown if it
+	 * is not and cannot be converted to that type.  The supplied root object overrides any default specified on the
+	 * supplied context.
+	 * 
+	 * @param context the context in which to evaluate the expression
+	 * @param rootObject the root object against which properties/etc will be resolved
+	 * @param desiredResultType the class the caller would like the result to be
+	 * @return the evaluation result
+	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem during evaluation
+	 */
+	public <T> T getValue(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject, Class<T> desiredResultType) throws EvaluationException;
+
 	/**
 	 * Returns the most general type that can be passed to the {@link #setValue(EvaluationContext, Object)} method using
 	 * the default context.
@@ -76,6 +122,16 @@ public interface Expression {
 	 */
 	public Class getValueType() throws EvaluationException;
 
+	/**
+	 * Returns the most general type that can be passed to the {@link #setValue(EvaluationContext, Object)} method using
+	 * the default context.
+	 * 
+	 * @param rootObject the root object against which to evaluate the expression
+	 * @return the most general type of value that can be set on this context
+	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem determining the type
+	 */
+	public Class getValueType(Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException;
+
 	/**
 	 * Returns the most general type that can be passed to the {@link #setValue(EvaluationContext, Object)} method for
 	 * the given context.
@@ -85,6 +141,17 @@ public interface Expression {
 	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem determining the type
 	 */
 	public Class getValueType(EvaluationContext context) throws EvaluationException;
+	
+	/**
+	 * Returns the most general type that can be passed to the {@link #setValue(EvaluationContext, Object)} method for
+	 * the given context.  The supplied root object overrides any specified in the context.
+	 * 
+	 * @param context the context in which to evaluate the expression
+	 * @param rootObject the root object against which to evaluate the expression
+	 * @return the most general type of value that can be set on this context
+	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem determining the type
+	 */
+	public Class getValueType(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException;
 
 	/**
 	 * Returns the most general type that can be passed to the {@link #setValue(EvaluationContext, Object)} method using
@@ -94,6 +161,16 @@ public interface Expression {
 	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem determining the type
 	 */
 	public TypeDescriptor getValueTypeDescriptor() throws EvaluationException;
+	
+	/**
+	 * Returns the most general type that can be passed to the {@link #setValue(EvaluationContext, Object)} method using
+	 * the default context.
+	 * 
+	 * @param rootObject the root object against which to evaluate the expression
+	 * @return a type descriptor for the most general type of value that can be set on this context
+	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem determining the type
+	 */
+	public TypeDescriptor getValueTypeDescriptor(Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException;
 
 	/**
 	 * Returns the most general type that can be passed to the {@link #setValue(EvaluationContext, Object)} method for
@@ -105,6 +182,17 @@ public interface Expression {
 	 */
 	public TypeDescriptor getValueTypeDescriptor(EvaluationContext context) throws EvaluationException;
 
+	/**
+	 * Returns the most general type that can be passed to the {@link #setValue(EvaluationContext, Object)} method for
+	 * the given context. The supplied root object overrides any specified in the context.
+	 * 
+	 * @param context the context in which to evaluate the expression
+	 * @param rootObject the root object against which to evaluate the expression
+	 * @return a type descriptor for the most general type of value that can be set on this context
+	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem determining the type
+	 */
+	public TypeDescriptor getValueTypeDescriptor(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException;
+
 	/**
 	 * Determine if an expression can be written to, i.e. setValue() can be called.
 	 * 
@@ -113,7 +201,27 @@ public interface Expression {
 	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem determining if it is writable
 	 */
 	public boolean isWritable(EvaluationContext context) throws EvaluationException;
-	
+
+	/**
+	 * Determine if an expression can be written to, i.e. setValue() can be called.
+	 * The supplied root object overrides any specified in the context.
+	 * 
+	 * @param context the context in which the expression should be checked
+	 * @param rootObject the root object against which to evaluate the expression
+	 * @return true if the expression is writable
+	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem determining if it is writable
+	 */
+	public boolean isWritable(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException;
+
+	/**
+	 * Determine if an expression can be written to, i.e. setValue() can be called.
+	 * 
+	 * @param rootObject the root object against which to evaluate the expression
+	 * @return true if the expression is writable
+	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem determining if it is writable
+	 */
+	public boolean isWritable(Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException;
+
 	/**
 	 * Set this expression in the provided context to the value provided.
 	 * 
@@ -122,7 +230,27 @@ public interface Expression {
 	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem during evaluation
 	 */
 	public void setValue(EvaluationContext context, Object value) throws EvaluationException;
+	
+	/**
+	 * Set this expression in the provided context to the value provided.
+	 * 
+	 * @param rootObject the root object against which to evaluate the expression
+	 * @param value the new value
+	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem during evaluation
+	 */
+	public void setValue(Object rootObject, Object value) throws EvaluationException;
 
+	/**
+	 * Set this expression in the provided context to the value provided.
+	 * The supplied root object overrides any specified in the context.
+	 * 
+	 * @param context the context in which to set the value of the expression
+	 * @param rootObject the root object against which to evaluate the expression
+	 * @param value the new value
+	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem during evaluation
+	 */
+	public void setValue(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject, Object value) throws EvaluationException;
+	
 	/**
 	 * Returns the original string used to create this expression, unmodified.
 	 * 

org.springframework.expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/ExpressionException.java

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ package org.springframework.expression;
  * @author Andy Clement
  * @since 3.0
  */
-public class ExpressionException extends Exception {
+public class ExpressionException extends RuntimeException {
 
 	protected String expressionString;
 	protected int position; // -1 if not known - but should be known in all reasonable cases

org.springframework.expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/PropertyAccessor.java

@@ -25,11 +25,6 @@ package org.springframework.expression;
  * to determine if it can read or write them. Property resolvers are considered to be ordered and each will be called in
  * turn. The only rule that affects the call order is that any naming the target class directly in
  * getSpecifiedTargetClasses() will be called first, before the general resolvers.
- *
- * <p>If the cost of locating the property is expensive, in relation to actually retrieving its value, consider extending
- * CacheablePropertyAccessor rather than directly implementing PropertyAccessor. A CacheablePropertyAccessor enables the
- * discovery (resolution) of the property to be done once and then an object (an executor) returned and cached by the
- * infrastructure that can be used repeatedly to retrieve the property value.
  * 
  * @author Andy Clement
  * @since 3.0

org.springframework.expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/TypedValue.java

@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ public class TypedValue {
 
 	private final Object value;
 
-	private final TypeDescriptor typeDescriptor;
+	private TypeDescriptor typeDescriptor;
 	
 
 	/**
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ public class TypedValue {
 	 */
 	public TypedValue(Object value) {
 		this.value = value;
-		this.typeDescriptor = TypeDescriptor.forObject(value);
+		this.typeDescriptor = null;// initialized when/if requested
 	}
 	
 	/**
@@ -62,6 +62,9 @@ public class TypedValue {
 	}
 	
 	public TypeDescriptor getTypeDescriptor() {
+		if (this.typeDescriptor==null) {
+			this.typeDescriptor = TypeDescriptor.forObject(value);
+		}
 		return this.typeDescriptor;
 	}
 

org.springframework.expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/common/CompositeStringExpression.java

@@ -70,6 +70,15 @@ public class CompositeStringExpression implements Expression {
 		}
 		return sb.toString();
 	}
+	
+	public String getValue(Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
+		for (Expression expression : this.expressions) {
+			sb.append(ObjectUtils.getDisplayString(expression.getValue(rootObject)));
+		}
+		return sb.toString();
+	}
+
 
 	public Class getValueType(EvaluationContext context) {
 		return String.class;
@@ -109,4 +118,57 @@ public class CompositeStringExpression implements Expression {
 		return expressions;
 	}
 
+
+	public <T> T getValue(Object rootObject, Class<T> desiredResultType) throws EvaluationException {
+		Object value = getValue(rootObject);
+		return ExpressionUtils.convert(null, value, desiredResultType);
+	}
+
+	public String getValue(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
+		for (Expression expression : this.expressions) {
+			sb.append(ObjectUtils.getDisplayString(expression.getValue(context,rootObject)));
+		}
+		return sb.toString();
+	}
+
+	public <T> T getValue(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject, Class<T> desiredResultType)
+			throws EvaluationException {
+		Object value = getValue(context,rootObject);
+		return ExpressionUtils.convert(context, value, desiredResultType);
+	}
+
+	public Class getValueType(Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		return String.class;
+	}
+
+	public Class getValueType(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		return String.class;
+	}
+
+	public TypeDescriptor getValueTypeDescriptor(Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		return TypeDescriptor.valueOf(String.class);
+	}
+
+	public TypeDescriptor getValueTypeDescriptor(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject)
+			throws EvaluationException {
+		return TypeDescriptor.valueOf(String.class);
+	}
+
+	public boolean isWritable(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	public void setValue(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject, Object value) throws EvaluationException {
+		throw new EvaluationException(this.expressionString, "Cannot call setValue on a composite expression");
+	}
+
+	public boolean isWritable(Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	public void setValue(Object rootObject, Object value) throws EvaluationException {
+		throw new EvaluationException(this.expressionString, "Cannot call setValue on a composite expression");
+	}
+
 }

org.springframework.expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/common/LiteralExpression.java

@@ -51,6 +51,10 @@ public class LiteralExpression implements Expression {
 	public String getValue(EvaluationContext context) {
 		return this.literalValue;
 	}
+	
+	public String getValue(Object rootObject) {
+		return this.literalValue;
+	}
 
 	public Class getValueType(EvaluationContext context) {
 		return String.class;
@@ -86,4 +90,61 @@ public class LiteralExpression implements Expression {
 		return String.class;
 	}
 
+
+	public <T> T getValue(Object rootObject, Class<T> desiredResultType) throws EvaluationException {
+		Object value = getValue(rootObject);
+		return ExpressionUtils.convert(null, value, desiredResultType);
+	}
+
+
+	public String getValue(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		return this.literalValue;
+	}
+
+
+	public <T> T getValue(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject, Class<T> desiredResultType)
+			throws EvaluationException {
+		Object value = getValue(context, rootObject);
+		return ExpressionUtils.convert(null, value, desiredResultType);
+	}
+
+
+	public Class getValueType(Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		return String.class;
+	}
+
+
+	public Class getValueType(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		return String.class;
+	}
+
+
+	public TypeDescriptor getValueTypeDescriptor(Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		return TypeDescriptor.valueOf(String.class);
+	}
+
+
+	public TypeDescriptor getValueTypeDescriptor(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject)
+			throws EvaluationException {
+		return TypeDescriptor.valueOf(String.class);
+	}
+
+
+	public boolean isWritable(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		return false;
+	}
+
+
+	public void setValue(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject, Object value) throws EvaluationException {
+		throw new EvaluationException(literalValue, "Cannot call setValue() on a LiteralExpression");
+	}
+
+	public boolean isWritable(Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	public void setValue(Object rootObject, Object value) throws EvaluationException {
+		throw new EvaluationException(literalValue, "Cannot call setValue() on a LiteralExpression");
+	}
+
 }

org.springframework.expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ExpressionState.java

@@ -46,60 +46,71 @@ public class ExpressionState {
 
 	private final EvaluationContext relatedContext;
 	
-	private final Stack<VariableScope> variableScopes = new Stack<VariableScope>();
+	private Stack<VariableScope> variableScopes; 
 
-	private final Stack<TypedValue> contextObjects = new Stack<TypedValue>();
+	private Stack<TypedValue> contextObjects;
+	
+	private final TypedValue rootObject;
 	
 	private int configuration = 0;
 
 	public ExpressionState(EvaluationContext context) {
 		this.relatedContext = context;
-		createVariableScope();
+		this.rootObject = context.getRootObject();
 	}
 	
 	public ExpressionState(EvaluationContext context, int configuration) {
 		this.relatedContext = context;
 		this.configuration = configuration;
-		createVariableScope();
+		this.rootObject = context.getRootObject();
 	}
 	
-	// create an empty top level VariableScope
-	private void createVariableScope() {
-		this.variableScopes.add(new VariableScope()); 
+	public ExpressionState(EvaluationContext context, TypedValue rootObject) {
+		this.relatedContext = context;
+		this.rootObject = rootObject;
+	}
+	
+	public ExpressionState(EvaluationContext context, TypedValue rootObject, int configuration) {
+		this.relatedContext = context;
+		this.configuration = configuration;
+		this.rootObject = rootObject;
+	}
+	
+	private void ensureVariableScopesInitialized() {
+		if (variableScopes == null) {
+			this.variableScopes = new Stack<VariableScope>();
+			// top level empty variable scope
+			this.variableScopes.add(new VariableScope()); 
+		}
 	}
 
 	/**
 	 * The active context object is what unqualified references to properties/etc are resolved against.
 	 */
 	public TypedValue getActiveContextObject() {
-		if (this.contextObjects.isEmpty()) {
-			TypedValue rootObject = this.relatedContext.getRootObject();
-			if (rootObject == null) {
-				return TypedValue.NULL_TYPED_VALUE;
-			}
-			else {
-				return rootObject;
-			}
+		if (this.contextObjects==null || this.contextObjects.isEmpty()) {
+			return this.rootObject;
 		}
+		
 		return this.contextObjects.peek();
 	}
 
 	public void pushActiveContextObject(TypedValue obj) {
+		if (this.contextObjects==null) {
+			this.contextObjects =  new Stack<TypedValue>();
+		}
 		this.contextObjects.push(obj);
 	}
 
 	public void popActiveContextObject() {
+		if (this.contextObjects==null) {
+			this.contextObjects =  new Stack<TypedValue>();
+		}
 		this.contextObjects.pop();
 	}
 
 	public TypedValue getRootContextObject() {
-		TypedValue root = this.relatedContext.getRootObject();
-		if (root == null) {
-			return TypedValue.NULL_TYPED_VALUE;
-		}
-		else {
-			return root;
-		}
+		return this.rootObject;
 	}
 
 	public void setVariable(String name, Object value) {
@@ -137,22 +148,27 @@ public class ExpressionState {
 	 */
 	
 	public void enterScope(Map<String, Object> argMap) {
+		ensureVariableScopesInitialized();
 		this.variableScopes.push(new VariableScope(argMap));
 	}
 
 	public void enterScope(String name, Object value) {
+		ensureVariableScopesInitialized();
 		this.variableScopes.push(new VariableScope(name, value));
 	}
 
 	public void exitScope() {
+		ensureVariableScopesInitialized();
 		this.variableScopes.pop();
 	}
 
 	public void setLocalVariable(String name, Object value) {
+		ensureVariableScopesInitialized();
 		this.variableScopes.peek().setVariable(name, value);
 	}
 
 	public Object lookupLocalVariable(String name) {
+		ensureVariableScopesInitialized();
 		int scopeNumber = this.variableScopes.size() - 1;
 		for (int i = scopeNumber; i >= 0; i--) {
 			if (this.variableScopes.get(i).definesVariable(name)) {

org.springframework.expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/SpelExpression.java

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import org.springframework.core.convert.TypeDescriptor;
 import org.springframework.expression.EvaluationContext;
 import org.springframework.expression.EvaluationException;
 import org.springframework.expression.Expression;
+import org.springframework.expression.TypedValue;
 import org.springframework.expression.common.ExpressionUtils;
 import org.springframework.expression.spel.ast.SpelNodeImpl;
 import org.springframework.expression.spel.support.StandardEvaluationContext;
@@ -37,6 +38,9 @@ public class SpelExpression implements Expression {
 	
 	private final String expression;
 
+	// the default context is used if no override is supplied by the user
+	private transient EvaluationContext defaultContext;
+
 	public final SpelNodeImpl ast;
 
 	public final int configuration;
@@ -53,20 +57,36 @@ public class SpelExpression implements Expression {
 	// implementing Expression
 	
 	public Object getValue() throws EvaluationException {
-		ExpressionState expressionState = new ExpressionState(new StandardEvaluationContext(), configuration);
+		ExpressionState expressionState = new ExpressionState(getEvaluationContext(), configuration);
 		return ast.getValue(expressionState);
 	}
-	
+
+	public Object getValue(Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		ExpressionState expressionState = new ExpressionState(getEvaluationContext(), toTypedValue(rootObject), configuration);
+		return ast.getValue(expressionState);
+	}
+
 	public <T> T getValue(Class<T> expectedResultType) throws EvaluationException {
-		ExpressionState expressionState = new ExpressionState(new StandardEvaluationContext(), configuration);
+		ExpressionState expressionState = new ExpressionState(getEvaluationContext(), configuration);
 		Object result = ast.getValue(expressionState);
 		return ExpressionUtils.convert(expressionState.getEvaluationContext(), result, expectedResultType);
 	}
-	
+
+	public <T> T getValue(Object rootObject, Class<T> expectedResultType) throws EvaluationException {
+		ExpressionState expressionState = new ExpressionState(getEvaluationContext(), toTypedValue(rootObject), configuration);
+		Object result = ast.getValue(expressionState);
+		return ExpressionUtils.convert(expressionState.getEvaluationContext(), result, expectedResultType);
+	}
+
 	public Object getValue(EvaluationContext context) throws EvaluationException {
 		Assert.notNull(context, "The EvaluationContext is required");
 		return ast.getValue(new ExpressionState(context, configuration));
 	}
+	
+	public Object getValue(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		Assert.notNull(context, "The EvaluationContext is required");
+		return ast.getValue(new ExpressionState(context, toTypedValue(rootObject), configuration));
+	}
 
 	@SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
 	public <T> T getValue(EvaluationContext context, Class<T> expectedResultType) throws EvaluationException {
@@ -80,9 +100,23 @@ public class SpelExpression implements Expression {
 		}
 		return (T) result;
 	}
+	
+	@SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+	public <T> T getValue(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject, Class<T> expectedResultType) throws EvaluationException {
+		Object result = ast.getValue(new ExpressionState(context, toTypedValue(rootObject), configuration));
+		if (result != null && expectedResultType != null) {
+			Class<?> resultType = result.getClass();
+			if (!expectedResultType.isAssignableFrom(resultType)) {
+				// Attempt conversion to the requested type, may throw an exception
+				result = context.getTypeConverter().convertValue(result, TypeDescriptor.valueOf(expectedResultType));
+			}
+		}
+		return (T) result;
+	}
+
 
 	public Class getValueType() throws EvaluationException {
-		return ast.getValueInternal(new ExpressionState(new StandardEvaluationContext(), configuration)).getTypeDescriptor().getType();
+		return ast.getValueInternal(new ExpressionState(getEvaluationContext(), configuration)).getTypeDescriptor().getType();
 	}
 
 	public Class getValueType(EvaluationContext context) throws EvaluationException {
@@ -92,8 +126,23 @@ public class SpelExpression implements Expression {
 		return typeDescriptor.getType();
 	}
 
+	public Class getValueType(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		ExpressionState eState = new ExpressionState(context, toTypedValue(rootObject), configuration);
+		TypeDescriptor typeDescriptor = ast.getValueInternal(eState).getTypeDescriptor();
+		return typeDescriptor.getType();
+	}
+
+	public Class getValueType(Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		return ast.getValueInternal(new ExpressionState(getEvaluationContext(), configuration)).getTypeDescriptor().getType();
+	}
+
 	public TypeDescriptor getValueTypeDescriptor() throws EvaluationException {
-		return ast.getValueInternal(new ExpressionState(new StandardEvaluationContext(), configuration)).getTypeDescriptor();
+		return ast.getValueInternal(new ExpressionState(getEvaluationContext(), configuration)).getTypeDescriptor();
+	}
+	
+	public TypeDescriptor getValueTypeDescriptor(Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		ExpressionState eState = new ExpressionState(getEvaluationContext(), toTypedValue(rootObject), configuration);
+		return ast.getValueInternal(eState).getTypeDescriptor();
 	}
 	
 	public TypeDescriptor getValueTypeDescriptor(EvaluationContext context) throws EvaluationException {
@@ -102,6 +151,12 @@ public class SpelExpression implements Expression {
 		return ast.getValueInternal(eState).getTypeDescriptor();
 	}
 	
+	public TypeDescriptor getValueTypeDescriptor(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		Assert.notNull(context, "The EvaluationContext is required");
+		ExpressionState eState = new ExpressionState(context, toTypedValue(rootObject), configuration);
+		return ast.getValueInternal(eState).getTypeDescriptor();
+	}
+	
 	public String getExpressionString() {
 		return expression;
 	}
@@ -111,10 +166,29 @@ public class SpelExpression implements Expression {
 		return ast.isWritable(new ExpressionState(context, configuration));
 	}
 
+	public boolean isWritable(Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		return ast.isWritable(new ExpressionState(getEvaluationContext(), toTypedValue(rootObject), configuration));
+	}
+	
+	public boolean isWritable(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject) throws EvaluationException {
+		Assert.notNull(context, "The EvaluationContext is required");		
+		return ast.isWritable(new ExpressionState(context, toTypedValue(rootObject), configuration));
+	}
+
 	public void setValue(EvaluationContext context, Object value) throws EvaluationException {
 		Assert.notNull(context, "The EvaluationContext is required");		
 		ast.setValue(new ExpressionState(context, configuration), value);
 	}
+
+	public void setValue(Object rootObject, Object value) throws EvaluationException {
+		ast.setValue(new ExpressionState(getEvaluationContext(), toTypedValue(rootObject), configuration), value);
+	}
+	
+	public void setValue(EvaluationContext context, Object rootObject, Object value) throws EvaluationException {
+		Assert.notNull(context, "The EvaluationContext is required");		
+		ast.setValue(new ExpressionState(context, toTypedValue(rootObject), configuration), value);
+	}
+
 	
 	// impl only
 
@@ -135,5 +209,33 @@ public class SpelExpression implements Expression {
 	public String toStringAST() {
 		return ast.toStringAST();
 	}
+	
+	/**
+     * Return the default evaluation context that will be used if none is supplied on an evaluation call
+     * @return the default evaluation context
+     */
+	public EvaluationContext getEvaluationContext() {
+		if (defaultContext==null) {
+			defaultContext = new StandardEvaluationContext();
+		}
+		return defaultContext;
+	}
+	
+	/**
+     * Set the evaluation context that will be used if none is specified on an evaluation call.
+     *
+     * @param context an evaluation context
+     */
+	public void setEvaluationContext(EvaluationContext context) {
+		this.defaultContext = context;
+	}
+
+	private TypedValue toTypedValue(Object object) {
+		if (object==null) {
+			return TypedValue.NULL_TYPED_VALUE;
+		} else {
+			return new TypedValue(object);
+		}
+	}
 
 }

org.springframework.expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/Indexer.java

@@ -206,7 +206,6 @@ public class Indexer extends SpelNodeImpl {
 		return sb.toString();
 	}
 
-	@SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
 	private void setArrayElement(ExpressionState state, Object ctx, int idx, Object newValue, Class clazz) throws EvaluationException {
 		Class<?> arrayComponentType = clazz;
 		if (arrayComponentType == Integer.TYPE) {

org.springframework.expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/MethodReference.java

@@ -52,7 +52,6 @@ public class MethodReference extends SpelNodeImpl {
 		TypedValue currentContext = state.getActiveContextObject();
 		Object[] arguments = new Object[getChildCount()];
 		for (int i = 0; i < arguments.length; i++) {
-//			System.out.println(i);
 			arguments[i] = children[i].getValueInternal(state).getValue();
 		}
 		if (currentContext.getValue() == null) {

org.springframework.expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/Projection.java

@@ -45,7 +45,6 @@ public class Projection extends SpelNodeImpl {
 		this.nullSafe = nullSafe;
 	}
 
-	@SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
 	@Override
 	public TypedValue getValueInternal(ExpressionState state) throws EvaluationException {
 		TypedValue op = state.getActiveContextObject();

org.springframework.expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/PropertyOrFieldReference.java

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import org.springframework.expression.TypedValue;
 import org.springframework.expression.spel.ExpressionState;
 import org.springframework.expression.spel.SpelEvaluationException;
 import org.springframework.expression.spel.SpelMessage;
+import org.springframework.expression.spel.support.ReflectivePropertyResolver;
 
 /**
  * Represents a simple property or field reference.
@@ -57,9 +58,10 @@ public class PropertyOrFieldReference extends SpelNodeImpl {
 	@Override
 	public TypedValue getValueInternal(ExpressionState state) throws EvaluationException {
 		TypedValue result = readProperty(state, this.name);
-		TypeDescriptor resultDescriptor = result.getTypeDescriptor();
+		
 		// Dynamically create the objects if the user has requested that optional behaviour
 		if (result.getValue()==null && state.configuredToDynamicallyCreateNullObjects() && nextChildIs(Indexer.class,PropertyOrFieldReference.class)) {
+			TypeDescriptor resultDescriptor = result.getTypeDescriptor();
 			// Creating lists and maps
 			if ((resultDescriptor.getType().equals(List.class) || resultDescriptor.getType().equals(Map.class))) {
 				// Create a new collection or map ready for the indexer
@@ -130,7 +132,6 @@ public class PropertyOrFieldReference extends SpelNodeImpl {
 	 */
 	private TypedValue readProperty(ExpressionState state, String name) throws EvaluationException {
 		TypedValue contextObject = state.getActiveContextObject();
-		EvaluationContext eContext = state.getEvaluationContext();
 		Object targetObject = contextObject.getValue();
 
 		if (targetObject == null && nullSafe) {
@@ -151,6 +152,7 @@ public class PropertyOrFieldReference extends SpelNodeImpl {
 
 		Class<?> contextObjectClass = getObjectClass(contextObject.getValue());
 		List<PropertyAccessor> accessorsToTry = getPropertyAccessorsToTry(contextObjectClass, state);
+		EvaluationContext eContext = state.getEvaluationContext();
 
 		// Go through the accessors that may be able to resolve it. If they are a cacheable accessor then
 		// get the accessor and use it. If they are not cacheable but report they can read the property
@@ -159,6 +161,9 @@ public class PropertyOrFieldReference extends SpelNodeImpl {
 			try {
 				for (PropertyAccessor accessor : accessorsToTry) {
 					if (accessor.canRead(eContext, contextObject.getValue(), name)) {
+						if (accessor instanceof ReflectivePropertyResolver) {
+							accessor = ((ReflectivePropertyResolver)accessor).createOptimalAccessor(eContext, contextObject.getValue(), name);
+						}
 						this.cachedReadAccessor = accessor;
 						return accessor.read(eContext, contextObject.getValue(), name);
 					}
@@ -224,7 +229,7 @@ public class PropertyOrFieldReference extends SpelNodeImpl {
 
 	public boolean isWritableProperty(String name, ExpressionState state) throws SpelEvaluationException {
 		Object contextObject = state.getActiveContextObject().getValue();
-		TypeDescriptor td = state.getActiveContextObject().getTypeDescriptor();
+//		TypeDescriptor td = state.getActiveContextObject().getTypeDescriptor();
 		EvaluationContext eContext = state.getEvaluationContext();
 
 		List<PropertyAccessor> resolversToTry = getPropertyAccessorsToTry(getObjectClass(contextObject),state);

org.springframework.expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/support/ReflectivePropertyResolver.java

@@ -44,11 +44,11 @@ import org.springframework.util.StringUtils;
  */
 public class ReflectivePropertyResolver implements PropertyAccessor {
 
-	protected final Map<CacheKey, Member> readerCache = new ConcurrentHashMap<CacheKey, Member>();
+	protected Map<CacheKey, InvokerPair> readerCache;
 
-	protected final Map<CacheKey, Member> writerCache = new ConcurrentHashMap<CacheKey, Member>();
+	protected Map<CacheKey, Member> writerCache;
 	
-	protected final Map<CacheKey, TypeDescriptor> typeDescriptorCache = new ConcurrentHashMap<CacheKey,TypeDescriptor>();
+	protected Map<CacheKey, TypeDescriptor> typeDescriptorCache;
 
 	/**
 	 * @return null which means this is a general purpose accessor
@@ -65,21 +65,29 @@ public class ReflectivePropertyResolver implements PropertyAccessor {
 		if ((type.isArray() && name.equals("length"))) {
 			return true;
 		}
+		if (this.readerCache==null) {
+			this.readerCache = new ConcurrentHashMap<CacheKey, InvokerPair>();
+			if (this.typeDescriptorCache == null) {
+				this.typeDescriptorCache = new ConcurrentHashMap<CacheKey,TypeDescriptor>();
+			}
+		}
 		CacheKey cacheKey = new CacheKey(type, name);
 		if (this.readerCache.containsKey(cacheKey)) {
 			return true;
 		}
 		Method method = findGetterForProperty(name, type, target instanceof Class);
 		if (method != null) {
-			this.readerCache.put(cacheKey, method);
-			this.typeDescriptorCache.put(cacheKey, new TypeDescriptor(new MethodParameter(method,-1)));
+			TypeDescriptor typeDescriptor = new TypeDescriptor(new MethodParameter(method,-1));
+			this.readerCache.put(cacheKey, new InvokerPair(method,typeDescriptor));
+			this.typeDescriptorCache.put(cacheKey, typeDescriptor);
 			return true;
 		}
 		else {
 			Field field = findField(name, type, target instanceof Class);
 			if (field != null) {
-				this.readerCache.put(cacheKey, field);	
-				this.typeDescriptorCache.put(cacheKey, new TypeDescriptor(field));
+				TypeDescriptor typeDescriptor = new TypeDescriptor(field);
+				this.readerCache.put(cacheKey, new InvokerPair(field,typeDescriptor));	
+				this.typeDescriptorCache.put(cacheKey, typeDescriptor);
 				return true;
 			}
 		}
@@ -99,23 +107,25 @@ public class ReflectivePropertyResolver implements PropertyAccessor {
 			return new TypedValue(Array.getLength(target),TypeDescriptor.valueOf(Integer.TYPE));
 		}
 
+		if (this.readerCache==null) {
+			this.readerCache = new ConcurrentHashMap<CacheKey, InvokerPair>();
+		}
 		CacheKey cacheKey = new CacheKey(type, name);
-		Member cachedMember = this.readerCache.get(cacheKey);
+		InvokerPair invoker = this.readerCache.get(cacheKey);
 
-		if (cachedMember == null || cachedMember instanceof Method) {
-			Method method = (Method) cachedMember;
+		if (invoker == null || invoker.member instanceof Method) {
+			Method method = (Method) (invoker==null?null:invoker.member);
 			if (method == null) {
 				method = findGetterForProperty(name, type, target instanceof Class);
 				if (method != null) {
-					cachedMember = method;
-					this.readerCache.put(cacheKey, cachedMember);
+					invoker = new InvokerPair(method,new TypeDescriptor(new MethodParameter(method,-1)));
+					this.readerCache.put(cacheKey, invoker);
 				}
 			}
 			if (method != null) {
 				try {
 					ReflectionUtils.makeAccessible(method);
-					TypeDescriptor resultTypeDescriptor = new TypeDescriptor(new MethodParameter(method,-1));
-					return new TypedValue(method.invoke(target),resultTypeDescriptor);
+					return new TypedValue(method.invoke(target),invoker.typeDescriptor);
 				}
 				catch (Exception ex) {
 					throw new AccessException("Unable to access property '" + name + "' through getter", ex);
@@ -123,19 +133,19 @@ public class ReflectivePropertyResolver implements PropertyAccessor {
 			}
 		}
 
-		if (cachedMember == null || cachedMember instanceof Field) {
-			Field field = (Field) cachedMember;
+		if (invoker == null || invoker.member instanceof Field) {
+			Field field = (Field) (invoker==null?null:invoker.member);
 			if (field == null) {
 				field = findField(name, type, target instanceof Class);
 				if (field != null) {
-					cachedMember = field;
-					this.readerCache.put(cacheKey, cachedMember);
+					invoker = new InvokerPair(field, new TypeDescriptor(field));
+					this.readerCache.put(cacheKey, invoker);
 				}
 			}
 			if (field != null) {
 				try {
 					ReflectionUtils.makeAccessible(field);
-					return new TypedValue(field.get(target),new TypeDescriptor(field));
+					return new TypedValue(field.get(target),invoker.typeDescriptor);
 				}
 				catch (Exception ex) {
 					throw new AccessException("Unable to access field: " + name, ex);
@@ -151,6 +161,12 @@ public class ReflectivePropertyResolver implements PropertyAccessor {
 			return false;
 		}
 		Class<?> type = (target instanceof Class ? (Class<?>) target : target.getClass());
+		if (this.writerCache == null) {
+			this.writerCache = new ConcurrentHashMap<CacheKey, Member>();
+			if (this.typeDescriptorCache == null) {
+				this.typeDescriptorCache = new ConcurrentHashMap<CacheKey,TypeDescriptor>();
+			}
+		}
 		CacheKey cacheKey = new CacheKey(type, name);
 		if (this.writerCache.containsKey(cacheKey)) {
 			return true;
@@ -187,7 +203,9 @@ public class ReflectivePropertyResolver implements PropertyAccessor {
 				throw new AccessException("Type conversion failure",evaluationException);
 			}
 		}
-		
+		if (this.writerCache == null) {
+			this.writerCache = new ConcurrentHashMap<CacheKey, Member>();
+		}
 		CacheKey cacheKey = new CacheKey(type, name);
 		Member cachedMember = this.writerCache.get(cacheKey);
 
@@ -218,7 +236,7 @@ public class ReflectivePropertyResolver implements PropertyAccessor {
 				field = findField(name, type, target instanceof Class);
 				if (field != null) {
 					cachedMember = field;
-					this.readerCache.put(cacheKey, cachedMember);
+					this.writerCache.put(cacheKey, cachedMember);
 				}
 			}
 			if (field != null) {
@@ -315,7 +333,23 @@ public class ReflectivePropertyResolver implements PropertyAccessor {
 		}
 		return null;
 	}
+	
+	/**
+	 * Captures the member (method/field) to call reflectively to access a property value and the type descriptor for the
+	 * value returned by the reflective call.
+	 */
+	private static class InvokerPair {
+		
+		final Member member;
+		
+		final TypeDescriptor typeDescriptor;
 
+		public InvokerPair(Member member, TypeDescriptor typeDescriptor) {
+			this.member = member;
+			this.typeDescriptor = typeDescriptor;
+		}	
+		
+	}
 
 	private static class CacheKey {
 
@@ -346,4 +380,148 @@ public class ReflectivePropertyResolver implements PropertyAccessor {
 		}
 	}
 
+	/** 
+	 * Attempt to create an optimized property accessor tailored for a property of a particular name on
+	 * a particular class.  The general ReflectivePropertyAccessor will always work but is not optimal 
+	 * due to the need to lookup which reflective member (method/field) to use each time read() is called.
+	 * This method will just return the ReflectivePropertyAccessor instance if it is unable to build
+	 * something more optimal.
+	 */
+	public PropertyAccessor createOptimalAccessor(EvaluationContext eContext, Object target, String name) {
+		// Don't be clever for arrays or null target
+		if (target==null) {
+			return this;
+		}
+		Class<?> type = (target instanceof Class ? (Class<?>) target : target.getClass());
+		if (type.isArray()) {
+			return this;
+		}
+		
+		CacheKey cacheKey = new CacheKey(type, name);
+		if (this.readerCache==null) {
+			this.readerCache = new ConcurrentHashMap<CacheKey, InvokerPair>();
+			if (this.typeDescriptorCache == null) {
+				this.typeDescriptorCache = new ConcurrentHashMap<CacheKey,TypeDescriptor>();
+			}
+		}
+		InvokerPair invocationTarget = this.readerCache.get(cacheKey);
+		
+		if (invocationTarget == null || invocationTarget.member instanceof Method) {
+			Method method = (Method) (invocationTarget==null?null:invocationTarget.member);
+			if (method == null) {
+				method = findGetterForProperty(name, type, target instanceof Class);
+				if (method != null) {
+					invocationTarget = new InvokerPair(method,new TypeDescriptor(new MethodParameter(method,-1)));
+					ReflectionUtils.makeAccessible(method);
+					this.readerCache.put(cacheKey, invocationTarget);
+				}
+			}
+			if (method != null) {
+				return new OptimalPropertyAccessor(invocationTarget);
+			}
+		}
+
+		if (invocationTarget == null || invocationTarget.member instanceof Field) {
+			Field field = (Field) (invocationTarget==null?null:invocationTarget.member);
+			if (field == null) {
+				field = findField(name, type, target instanceof Class);
+				if (field != null) {
+					invocationTarget = new InvokerPair(field, new TypeDescriptor(field));
+					ReflectionUtils.makeAccessible(field);
+					this.readerCache.put(cacheKey, invocationTarget);
+				}
+			}
+			if (field != null) {
+				return new OptimalPropertyAccessor(invocationTarget);
+			}
+		}
+		return this;
+	}
+	
+	/**
+	 * An optimized form of a PropertyAccessor that will use reflection but only knows how to access a particular property 
+	 * on a particular class.  This is unlike the general ReflectivePropertyResolver which manages a cache of methods/fields that 
+	 * may be invoked to access different properties on different classes.  This optimal accessor exists because looking up
+	 * the appropriate reflective object by class/name on each read is not cheap.
+	 */
+	static class OptimalPropertyAccessor implements PropertyAccessor {
+		private final Member member;
+		private final TypeDescriptor typeDescriptor;
+		private final boolean needsToBeMadeAccessible;
+		
+		OptimalPropertyAccessor(InvokerPair target) {
+			this.member = target.member;			
+			this.typeDescriptor = target.typeDescriptor;
+			if (this.member instanceof Field) {
+				Field field = (Field)member;
+				needsToBeMadeAccessible = (!Modifier.isPublic(field.getModifiers()) || !Modifier.isPublic(field.getDeclaringClass().getModifiers())) 
+				&& !field.isAccessible();
+			} else {
+				Method method = (Method)member;
+				needsToBeMadeAccessible = ((!Modifier.isPublic(method.getModifiers()) || !Modifier.isPublic(method.getDeclaringClass().getModifiers()))
+						&& !method.isAccessible());
+			}
+		}
+
+		public Class[] getSpecificTargetClasses() {
+			throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Should not be called on an OptimalPropertyAccessor");
+		}
+		
+		public boolean canRead(EvaluationContext context, Object target, String name) throws AccessException {
+			if (target == null) {
+				return false;
+			}
+			Class<?> type = (target instanceof Class ? (Class<?>) target : target.getClass());
+			if (type.isArray()) {
+				return false;
+			}
+			if (member instanceof Method) {
+				Method method = (Method)member;
+				String getterName = "get" + StringUtils.capitalize(name);
+				if (getterName.equals(method.getName())) {
+					return true;
+				}
+				getterName = "is" + StringUtils.capitalize(name);
+				return getterName.equals(method.getName());
+			} else {
+				Field field = (Field)member;
+				return field.getName().equals(name);
+			}
+		}
+
+		public TypedValue read(EvaluationContext context, Object target, String name) throws AccessException {
+			if (member instanceof Method) {
+				try {
+					if (needsToBeMadeAccessible) {
+						ReflectionUtils.makeAccessible((Method)member);
+					}
+					return new TypedValue(((Method)member).invoke(target),typeDescriptor);
+				} catch (Exception e) {
+					throw new AccessException("Unable to access property '" + name + "' through getter", e);
+				}
+			}		
+			if (member instanceof Field) {
+				try {
+					if (needsToBeMadeAccessible) {
+						ReflectionUtils.makeAccessible((Field)member);
+					}
+					return new TypedValue(((Field)member).get(target),typeDescriptor);
+				}
+				catch (Exception ex) {
+					throw new AccessException("Unable to access field: " + name, ex);
+				}
+			}
+			throw new AccessException("Neither getter nor field found for property '" + name + "'");
+		}
+
+		public boolean canWrite(EvaluationContext context, Object target, String name) throws AccessException {
+			throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Should not be called on an OptimalPropertyAccessor");
+		}
+		
+		public void write(EvaluationContext context, Object target, String name, Object newValue)
+				throws AccessException {
+			throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Should not be called on an OptimalPropertyAccessor");
+		}
+		
+	}
 }

org.springframework.expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/support/StandardEvaluationContext.java

@@ -47,15 +47,15 @@ public class StandardEvaluationContext implements EvaluationContext {
 
 	private TypedValue rootObject;
 
-	private final List<ConstructorResolver> constructorResolvers = new ArrayList<ConstructorResolver>();
+	private List<ConstructorResolver> constructorResolvers;
 
-	private final List<MethodResolver> methodResolvers = new ArrayList<MethodResolver>();
+	private List<MethodResolver> methodResolvers;
 
-	private final List<PropertyAccessor> propertyAccessors = new ArrayList<PropertyAccessor>();
+	private List<PropertyAccessor> propertyAccessors;
 
-	private TypeLocator typeLocator = new StandardTypeLocator();
+	private TypeLocator typeLocator;
 
-	private TypeConverter typeConverter = new StandardTypeConverter();
+	private TypeConverter typeConverter;
 
 	private TypeComparator typeComparator = new StandardTypeComparator();
 
@@ -65,9 +65,7 @@ public class StandardEvaluationContext implements EvaluationContext {
 
 
 	public StandardEvaluationContext() {
-		this.methodResolvers.add(new ReflectiveMethodResolver());
-		this.constructorResolvers.add(new ReflectiveConstructorResolver());
-		this.propertyAccessors.add(new ReflectivePropertyResolver());
+		setRootObject(null);
 	}
 	
 	public StandardEvaluationContext(Object rootObject) {
@@ -77,7 +75,11 @@ public class StandardEvaluationContext implements EvaluationContext {
 
 
 	public void setRootObject(Object rootObject) {
-		this.rootObject = new TypedValue(rootObject, TypeDescriptor.forObject(rootObject));
+		if (this.rootObject == null) {
+			this.rootObject = TypedValue.NULL_TYPED_VALUE; 
+		} else {
+			this.rootObject = new TypedValue(rootObject);//, TypeDescriptor.forObject(rootObject));
+		}
 	}
 
 	public void setRootObject(Object rootObject, TypeDescriptor typeDescriptor) {
@@ -89,35 +91,65 @@ public class StandardEvaluationContext implements EvaluationContext {
 	}
 
 	public void addConstructorResolver(ConstructorResolver resolver) {
+		ensureConstructorResolversInitialized();
 		this.constructorResolvers.add(this.constructorResolvers.size() - 1, resolver);
 	}
-
+	
 	public List<ConstructorResolver> getConstructorResolvers() {
+		ensureConstructorResolversInitialized();
 		return this.constructorResolvers;
 	}
 
+	private void ensureConstructorResolversInitialized() {
+		if (this.constructorResolvers == null) {
+			this.constructorResolvers = new ArrayList<ConstructorResolver>();
+			this.constructorResolvers.add(new ReflectiveConstructorResolver());
+		}
+	}
+
 	public void addMethodResolver(MethodResolver resolver) {
+		ensureMethodResolversInitialized();
 		this.methodResolvers.add(this.methodResolvers.size() - 1, resolver);
 	}
 
 	public List<MethodResolver> getMethodResolvers() {
+		ensureMethodResolversInitialized();
 		return this.methodResolvers;
 	}
+	
+	private void ensureMethodResolversInitialized() {
+		if (this.methodResolvers == null) {
+			this.methodResolvers = new ArrayList<MethodResolver>();
+			this.methodResolvers.add(new ReflectiveMethodResolver());
+		}
+	}
 
 	public void addPropertyAccessor(PropertyAccessor accessor) {
+		ensurePropertyAccessorsInitialized();
 		this.propertyAccessors.add(this.propertyAccessors.size() - 1, accessor);
 	}
 
 	public List<PropertyAccessor> getPropertyAccessors() {
+		ensurePropertyAccessorsInitialized();
 		return this.propertyAccessors;
 	}
 
+	private void ensurePropertyAccessorsInitialized() {
+		if (this.propertyAccessors == null) {
+			this.propertyAccessors = new ArrayList<PropertyAccessor>();
+			this.propertyAccessors.add(new ReflectivePropertyResolver());
+		}
+	}
+
 	public void setTypeLocator(TypeLocator typeLocator) {
 		Assert.notNull(typeLocator, "TypeLocator must not be null");
 		this.typeLocator = typeLocator;
 	}
 
 	public TypeLocator getTypeLocator() {
+		if (this.typeLocator == null) {
+			 this.typeLocator = new StandardTypeLocator();
+		}
 		return this.typeLocator;
 	}
 
@@ -127,6 +159,9 @@ public class StandardEvaluationContext implements EvaluationContext {
 	}
 
 	public TypeConverter getTypeConverter() {
+		if (this.typeConverter == null) {
+			 this.typeConverter = new StandardTypeConverter();
+		}
 		return this.typeConverter;
 	}
 

org.springframework.expression/src/test/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ExpressionStateTests.java

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 
 package org.springframework.expression.spel;
 
+import java.util.EmptyStackException;
 import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.Map;
 
@@ -117,8 +118,10 @@ public class ExpressionStateTests extends ExpressionTestCase {
 		ExpressionState state = getState();
 		Assert.assertEquals(Inventor.class,state.getRootContextObject().getValue().getClass());
 
+		// although the root object is being set on the evaluation context, the value in the 'state' remains what it was when constructed
 		((StandardEvaluationContext) state.getEvaluationContext()).setRootObject(null);
-		Assert.assertEquals(null, state.getRootContextObject().getValue());
+		Assert.assertEquals(Inventor.class,state.getRootContextObject().getValue().getClass());
+		// Assert.assertEquals(null, state.getRootContextObject().getValue());
 		
 		state = new ExpressionState(new StandardEvaluationContext());
 		Assert.assertEquals(TypedValue.NULL_TYPED_VALUE,state.getRootContextObject());
@@ -133,6 +136,13 @@ public class ExpressionStateTests extends ExpressionTestCase {
 		ExpressionState state = getState();
 		Assert.assertEquals(state.getRootContextObject().getValue(),state.getActiveContextObject().getValue());
 		
+		try {
+			state.popActiveContextObject();
+			Assert.fail("stack should be empty...");
+		} catch (EmptyStackException ese) {
+			// success
+		}
+		
 		state.pushActiveContextObject(new TypedValue(34));
 		Assert.assertEquals(34,state.getActiveContextObject().getValue());
 		
@@ -168,6 +178,17 @@ public class ExpressionStateTests extends ExpressionTestCase {
 		Assert.assertNull(state.lookupLocalVariable("goo"));
 	}
 	
+	@Test
+	public void testRootObjectConstructor() {
+		EvaluationContext ctx = getContext();
+		// TypedValue root = ctx.getRootObject();
+		// supplied should override root on context
+		ExpressionState state = new ExpressionState(ctx,new TypedValue("i am a string"));
+		TypedValue stateRoot = state.getRootContextObject();
+		Assert.assertEquals(String.class,stateRoot.getTypeDescriptor().getType());
+		Assert.assertEquals("i am a string",stateRoot.getValue());
+	}
+	
 	@Test
 	public void testPopulatedNestedScopesMap() {
 		ExpressionState state = getState();
@@ -257,5 +278,9 @@ public class ExpressionStateTests extends ExpressionTestCase {
 		ExpressionState state = new ExpressionState(context);
 		return state;
 	}
+	
+	private EvaluationContext getContext() {
+		return TestScenarioCreator.getTestEvaluationContext();
+	}
 
 }

org.springframework.expression/src/test/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/HelperTests.java

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import org.junit.Test;
 import org.springframework.expression.EvaluationContext;
 import org.springframework.expression.EvaluationException;
 import org.springframework.expression.ParseException;
+import org.springframework.expression.PropertyAccessor;
 import org.springframework.expression.TypedValue;
 import org.springframework.expression.spel.ast.FormatHelper;
 import org.springframework.expression.spel.support.ReflectionHelper;
@@ -307,6 +308,82 @@ public class HelperTests extends ExpressionTestCase {
 //		Assert.assertEquals(0,rpr.read(ctx,t,"field3").getValue());
 		Assert.assertEquals(false,rpr.read(ctx,t,"property4").getValue());
 		Assert.assertTrue(rpr.canRead(ctx,t,"property4"));
+		
+	}
+	
+	@Test
+	public void testOptimalReflectivePropertyResolver() throws Exception {
+		ReflectivePropertyResolver rpr = new ReflectivePropertyResolver();
+		Tester t = new Tester();
+		t.setProperty("hello");
+		EvaluationContext ctx = new StandardEvaluationContext(t);
+//		Assert.assertTrue(rpr.canRead(ctx, t, "property"));
+//		Assert.assertEquals("hello",rpr.read(ctx, t, "property").getValue());
+//		Assert.assertEquals("hello",rpr.read(ctx, t, "property").getValue()); // cached accessor used
+		
+		PropertyAccessor optA = rpr.createOptimalAccessor(ctx, t, "property");
+		Assert.assertTrue(optA.canRead(ctx, t, "property"));
+		Assert.assertFalse(optA.canRead(ctx, t, "property2"));
+		try {
+			optA.canWrite(ctx, t, "property");
+			Assert.fail();
+		} catch (UnsupportedOperationException uoe) {
+			// success
+		}
+		try {
+			optA.canWrite(ctx, t, "property2");
+			Assert.fail();
+		} catch (UnsupportedOperationException uoe) {
+			// success
+		}
+		Assert.assertEquals("hello",optA.read(ctx, t, "property").getValue());
+		Assert.assertEquals("hello",optA.read(ctx, t, "property").getValue()); // cached accessor used
+
+		try {
+			optA.getSpecificTargetClasses();
+			Assert.fail();
+		} catch (UnsupportedOperationException uoe) {
+			// success
+		}
+		try {
+			optA.write(ctx,t,"property",null);
+			Assert.fail();
+		} catch (UnsupportedOperationException uoe) {
+			// success
+		}
+
+		optA = rpr.createOptimalAccessor(ctx, t, "field");
+		Assert.assertTrue(optA.canRead(ctx, t, "field"));
+		Assert.assertFalse(optA.canRead(ctx, t, "field2"));
+		try {
+			optA.canWrite(ctx, t, "field");
+			Assert.fail();
+		} catch (UnsupportedOperationException uoe) {
+			// success
+		}
+		try {
+			optA.canWrite(ctx, t, "field2");
+			Assert.fail();
+		} catch (UnsupportedOperationException uoe) {
+			// success
+		}
+		Assert.assertEquals(3,optA.read(ctx, t, "field").getValue());
+		Assert.assertEquals(3,optA.read(ctx, t, "field").getValue()); // cached accessor used
+
+		try {
+			optA.getSpecificTargetClasses();
+			Assert.fail();
+		} catch (UnsupportedOperationException uoe) {
+			// success
+		}
+		try {
+			optA.write(ctx,t,"field",null);
+			Assert.fail();
+		} catch (UnsupportedOperationException uoe) {
+			// success
+		}
+
+
 	}
 	
 

org.springframework.expression/src/test/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/LiteralExpressionTests.java

@@ -37,9 +37,17 @@ public class LiteralExpressionTests {
 		EvaluationContext ctx = new StandardEvaluationContext();
 		checkString("somevalue", lEx.getValue(ctx));
 		checkString("somevalue", lEx.getValue(ctx, String.class));
+		checkString("somevalue", lEx.getValue(new Rooty()));
+		checkString("somevalue", lEx.getValue(new Rooty(), String.class));
+		checkString("somevalue", lEx.getValue(ctx, new Rooty()));
+		checkString("somevalue", lEx.getValue(ctx, new Rooty(),String.class));
 		Assert.assertEquals("somevalue", lEx.getExpressionString());
 		Assert.assertFalse(lEx.isWritable(new StandardEvaluationContext()));
+		Assert.assertFalse(lEx.isWritable(new Rooty()));
+		Assert.assertFalse(lEx.isWritable(new StandardEvaluationContext(), new Rooty()));
 	}
+	
+	static class Rooty {}
 
 	@Test
 	public void testSetValue() {
@@ -52,6 +60,24 @@ public class LiteralExpressionTests {
 			// success, not allowed - whilst here, check the expression value in the exception
 			Assert.assertEquals(ee.getExpressionString(), "somevalue");
 		}
+		try {
+			LiteralExpression lEx = new LiteralExpression("somevalue");
+			lEx.setValue(new Rooty(), "flibble");
+			Assert.fail("Should have got an exception that the value cannot be set");
+		}
+		catch (EvaluationException ee) {
+			// success, not allowed - whilst here, check the expression value in the exception
+			Assert.assertEquals(ee.getExpressionString(), "somevalue");
+		}
+		try {
+			LiteralExpression lEx = new LiteralExpression("somevalue");
+			lEx.setValue(new StandardEvaluationContext(), new Rooty(), "flibble");
+			Assert.fail("Should have got an exception that the value cannot be set");
+		}
+		catch (EvaluationException ee) {
+			// success, not allowed - whilst here, check the expression value in the exception
+			Assert.assertEquals(ee.getExpressionString(), "somevalue");
+		}
 	}
 
 	@Test
@@ -59,6 +85,12 @@ public class LiteralExpressionTests {
 		LiteralExpression lEx = new LiteralExpression("somevalue");
 		Assert.assertEquals(String.class, lEx.getValueType());
 		Assert.assertEquals(String.class, lEx.getValueType(new StandardEvaluationContext()));
+		Assert.assertEquals(String.class, lEx.getValueType(new Rooty()));
+		Assert.assertEquals(String.class, lEx.getValueType(new StandardEvaluationContext(), new Rooty()));
+		Assert.assertEquals(String.class, lEx.getValueTypeDescriptor().getType());
+		Assert.assertEquals(String.class, lEx.getValueTypeDescriptor(new StandardEvaluationContext()).getType());
+		Assert.assertEquals(String.class, lEx.getValueTypeDescriptor(new Rooty()).getType());
+		Assert.assertEquals(String.class, lEx.getValueTypeDescriptor(new StandardEvaluationContext(), new Rooty()).getType());
 	}
 
 	private void checkString(String expectedString, Object value) {

org.springframework.expression/src/test/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/TemplateExpressionParsingTests.java

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import junit.framework.Assert;
 
 import org.junit.Test;
 import org.springframework.expression.EvaluationContext;
+import org.springframework.expression.EvaluationException;
 import org.springframework.expression.Expression;
 import org.springframework.expression.ParseException;
 import org.springframework.expression.ParserContext;
@@ -98,6 +99,10 @@ public class TemplateExpressionParsingTests extends ExpressionTestCase {
 		expr = parser.parseExpression("abc", DEFAULT_TEMPLATE_PARSER_CONTEXT);
 		o = expr.getValue();
 		Assert.assertEquals("abc", o.toString());
+
+		expr = parser.parseExpression("abc", DEFAULT_TEMPLATE_PARSER_CONTEXT);
+		o = expr.getValue((Object)null);
+		Assert.assertEquals("abc", o.toString());
 	}
 
 	@Test
@@ -106,13 +111,53 @@ public class TemplateExpressionParsingTests extends ExpressionTestCase {
 		Expression ex = parser.parseExpression("hello ${'world'}", DEFAULT_TEMPLATE_PARSER_CONTEXT);
 		checkString("hello world", ex.getValue());
 		checkString("hello world", ex.getValue(String.class));
+		checkString("hello world", ex.getValue((Object)null, String.class));
+		checkString("hello world", ex.getValue(new Rooty()));
+		checkString("hello world", ex.getValue(new Rooty(), String.class));
+
 		EvaluationContext ctx = new StandardEvaluationContext();
 		checkString("hello world", ex.getValue(ctx));
 		checkString("hello world", ex.getValue(ctx, String.class));
+		checkString("hello world", ex.getValue(ctx, null, String.class));
+		checkString("hello world", ex.getValue(ctx, new Rooty()));
+		checkString("hello world", ex.getValue(ctx, new Rooty(), String.class));
+		checkString("hello world", ex.getValue(ctx, new Rooty(), String.class));
 		Assert.assertEquals("hello ${'world'}", ex.getExpressionString());
 		Assert.assertFalse(ex.isWritable(new StandardEvaluationContext()));
+		Assert.assertFalse(ex.isWritable(new Rooty()));
+		Assert.assertFalse(ex.isWritable(new StandardEvaluationContext(), new Rooty()));
+
+		Assert.assertEquals(String.class,ex.getValueType());
+		Assert.assertEquals(String.class,ex.getValueType(ctx));
+		Assert.assertEquals(String.class,ex.getValueTypeDescriptor().getType());
+		Assert.assertEquals(String.class,ex.getValueTypeDescriptor(ctx).getType());
+		Assert.assertEquals(String.class,ex.getValueType(new Rooty()));
+		Assert.assertEquals(String.class,ex.getValueType(ctx, new Rooty()));
+		Assert.assertEquals(String.class,ex.getValueTypeDescriptor(new Rooty()).getType());
+		Assert.assertEquals(String.class,ex.getValueTypeDescriptor(ctx, new Rooty()).getType());
+		
+		try {
+			ex.setValue(ctx, null);
+			Assert.fail();
+		} catch (EvaluationException ee) {
+			// success
+		}
+		try {
+			ex.setValue((Object)null, null);
+			Assert.fail();
+		} catch (EvaluationException ee) {
+			// success
+		}
+		try {
+			ex.setValue(ctx, null, null);
+			Assert.fail();
+		} catch (EvaluationException ee) {
+			// success
+		}
 	}
 	
+	static class Rooty {}
+	
 	@Test
 	public void testNestedExpressions() throws Exception {
 		SpelExpressionParser parser = new SpelExpressionParser();
@@ -204,6 +249,16 @@ public class TemplateExpressionParsingTests extends ExpressionTestCase {
 		Assert.assertEquals("abc", tpc.getExpressionPrefix());
 		Assert.assertEquals("def", tpc.getExpressionSuffix()); 
 		Assert.assertTrue(tpc.isTemplate());
+
+		tpc = new TemplateParserContext();
+		Assert.assertEquals("#{", tpc.getExpressionPrefix());
+		Assert.assertEquals("}", tpc.getExpressionSuffix()); 
+		Assert.assertTrue(tpc.isTemplate());
+		
+		ParserContext pc = ParserContext.TEMPLATE_EXPRESSION;
+		Assert.assertEquals("#{", pc.getExpressionPrefix());
+		Assert.assertEquals("}", pc.getExpressionSuffix()); 
+		Assert.assertTrue(pc.isTemplate());
 	}
 	
 	// ---