Index: generic/nsf.c
===================================================================
diff -u -N -rdadc7c6c6858ff3b816ff4cc585e0d76684ec374 -r35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30
--- generic/nsf.c	(.../nsf.c)	(revision dadc7c6c6858ff3b816ff4cc585e0d76684ec374)
+++ generic/nsf.c	(.../nsf.c)	(revision 35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30)
@@ -9248,13 +9248,28 @@
 
 static void
 NsfParamDefsSyntaxOne(Tcl_Obj *argStringObj, Nsf_Param CONST *pPtr) {
-  Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, pPtr->name, -1, INT_MAX, NULL);
   if (pPtr->nrArgs > 0 && *pPtr->name == '-') {
+    Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, pPtr->name, -1, INT_MAX, NULL);
     Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, " ", 1, INT_MAX, NULL);
-    Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, ParamGetDomain(pPtr), -1, INT_MAX, NULL);
-    if (pPtr->flags & NSF_ARG_MULTIVALUED) {
-      Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, " ...", 4, INT_MAX, NULL);	
+    if ((pPtr->flags & NSF_ARG_IS_ENUMERATION)) {
+      Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, ParamGetDomain(pPtr), -1, INT_MAX, NULL);
+      if (pPtr->flags & NSF_ARG_MULTIVALUED) {
+	Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, " ...", 4, INT_MAX, NULL);	
+      }
+    } else {
+      Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, "/", 1, INT_MAX, NULL);
+      Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, ParamGetDomain(pPtr), -1, INT_MAX, NULL);
+      if (pPtr->flags & NSF_ARG_MULTIVALUED) {
+	Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, " ...", 4, INT_MAX, NULL);	
+      }
+      Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, "/", 1, INT_MAX, NULL);
     }
+  } else if (*pPtr->name != '-') {
+    Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, "/", 1, INT_MAX, NULL);
+    Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, pPtr->name, -1, INT_MAX, NULL);
+    Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, "/", 1, INT_MAX, NULL);
+  } else {
+    Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, pPtr->name, -1, INT_MAX, NULL);
   }
 }
 
@@ -9301,14 +9316,12 @@
     }
 
     if (pPtr->converter == ConvertToNothing && strcmp(pPtr->name, "args") == 0) {
-      Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, "?arg ...?", 9, INT_MAX, NULL);
+      Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, "?/arg .../?", 11, INT_MAX, NULL);
     } else if (pPtr->flags & NSF_ARG_REQUIRED) {
       if ((pPtr->flags & NSF_ARG_IS_ENUMERATION)) {
 	Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, ParamGetDomain(pPtr), -1, INT_MAX, NULL);
       } else {
-	Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, "/", 1, INT_MAX, NULL);
 	NsfParamDefsSyntaxOne(argStringObj, pPtr);
-	Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, "/", 1, INT_MAX, NULL);
       }
     } else {
       Tcl_AppendLimitedToObj(argStringObj, "?", 1, INT_MAX, NULL);
@@ -17582,7 +17595,7 @@
 ListCmdParams(Tcl_Interp *interp, Tcl_Command cmd, CONST char *methodName,
 	      NsfParamsPrintStyle printStyle) {
   NsfParamDefs *paramDefs;
-  Tcl_Obj *list;
+  Tcl_Obj *listObj;
   Proc *procPtr;
 
   assert(methodName);
@@ -17594,9 +17607,9 @@
     /*
      * Obtain parameter info from paramDefs.
      */
-    list = ListParamDefs(interp, paramDefs->paramsPtr, printStyle);
-    Tcl_SetObjResult(interp, list);
-    DECR_REF_COUNT2("paramDefsObj", list);
+    listObj = ListParamDefs(interp, paramDefs->paramsPtr, printStyle);
+    Tcl_SetObjResult(interp, listObj);
+    DECR_REF_COUNT2("paramDefsObj", listObj);
     return TCL_OK;
   }
 
@@ -17607,7 +17620,7 @@
      */
     CompiledLocal *args = procPtr->firstLocalPtr;
 
-    list = Tcl_NewListObj(0, NULL);
+    listObj = Tcl_NewListObj(0, NULL);
     for ( ; args; args = args->nextPtr) {
 
       if (!TclIsCompiledLocalArgument(args)) {
@@ -17616,30 +17629,39 @@
 
       if (printStyle == NSF_PARAMS_SYNTAX && strcmp(args->name, "args") == 0) {
 	if (args != procPtr->firstLocalPtr) {
-	  Tcl_AppendToObj(list, " ", 1);
+	  Tcl_AppendToObj(listObj, " ", 1);
 	}
-	Tcl_AppendToObj(list, "?arg ...?", 9);
+	Tcl_AppendToObj(listObj, "?/arg .../?", 11);
       } else {
 	if (printStyle == NSF_PARAMS_SYNTAX) {
-	  /* a default means that the arg is optional xxxxxx */
+	  /* 
+	   * A default means that the argument is optional.
+	   */
 	  if (args->defValuePtr) {
-	    Tcl_AppendToObj(list, "?", 1);
-	    Tcl_AppendToObj(list, args->name, -1);
-	    Tcl_AppendToObj(list, " ", 1);
-	    Tcl_ListObjAppendElement(interp, list, args->defValuePtr);
-	    Tcl_AppendToObj(list, "?", 1);
+	    Tcl_AppendToObj(listObj, "?", 1);
+	    Tcl_AppendToObj(listObj, args->name, -1);
+	    Tcl_AppendToObj(listObj, "?", 1);
 	  } else {
-	    Tcl_AppendToObj(list, "/", 1);
-	    Tcl_AppendToObj(list, args->name, -1);
-	    Tcl_AppendToObj(list, "/", 1);
+	    Tcl_AppendToObj(listObj, "/", 1);
+	    Tcl_AppendToObj(listObj, args->name, -1);
+	    Tcl_AppendToObj(listObj, "/", 1);
 	  }
 	} else {
-	  Tcl_ListObjAppendElement(interp, list, Tcl_NewStringObj(args->name, -1));
+	  Tcl_Obj *innerListObj = Tcl_NewListObj(0, NULL);
+
+	  Tcl_ListObjAppendElement(interp, innerListObj, Tcl_NewStringObj(args->name, -1));
+	  /* 
+	   * Return default just for NSF_PARAMS_PARAMETER.
+	   */
+	  if (args->defValuePtr && printStyle == NSF_PARAMS_PARAMETER) {
+	    Tcl_ListObjAppendElement(interp, innerListObj, args->defValuePtr);
+	  }
+	  Tcl_ListObjAppendElement(interp, listObj, innerListObj);
 	}
       }
     }
 
-    Tcl_SetObjResult(interp, list);
+    Tcl_SetObjResult(interp, listObj);
     return TCL_OK;
   }
 
Index: generic/nsf.tcl
===================================================================
diff -u -N -r7495af656ca04a32826ecb0b6e207f886eaaa7f8 -r35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30
--- generic/nsf.tcl	(.../nsf.tcl)	(revision 7495af656ca04a32826ecb0b6e207f886eaaa7f8)
+++ generic/nsf.tcl	(.../nsf.tcl)	(revision 35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30)
@@ -191,8 +191,8 @@
   # if HOME is not set, and ~ is resolved, Tcl chokes on that
   if {![info exists ::env(HOME)]} {set ::env(HOME) /root}
 
-  set ::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::xotclnext) "?--noArgs? ?arg ...?"
+  set ::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::xotclnext) "?--noArgs? ?/arg .../?"
   set ::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::__unset_unknown_args) ""
-  set ::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::exithandler) "?get?|?set cmds?|?unset?"
+  set ::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::exithandler) "?get?|?set /cmds/?|?unset?"
 
 }
Index: generic/predefined.h
===================================================================
diff -u -N -r8c8969ab850d118f76305689bd95e980b8f4543f -r35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30
--- generic/predefined.h	(.../predefined.h)	(revision 8c8969ab850d118f76305689bd95e980b8f4543f)
+++ generic/predefined.h	(.../predefined.h)	(revision 35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30)
@@ -78,8 +78,8 @@
 "return /tmp}\n"
 "namespace export tmpdir\n"
 "if {![info exists ::env(HOME)]} {set ::env(HOME) /root}\n"
-"set ::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::xotclnext) \"?--noArgs? ?arg ...?\"\n"
+"set ::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::xotclnext) \"?--noArgs? ?/arg .../?\"\n"
 "set ::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::__unset_unknown_args) \"\"\n"
-"set ::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::exithandler) \"?get?|?set cmds?|?unset?\"}\n"
+"set ::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::exithandler) \"?get?|?set /cmds/?|?unset?\"}\n"
 "";
 
Index: library/nx/nx.tcl
===================================================================
diff -u -N -r5cb647f407e85768c452ee22eaf881d628511c87 -r35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30
--- library/nx/nx.tcl	(.../nx.tcl)	(revision 5cb647f407e85768c452ee22eaf881d628511c87)
+++ library/nx/nx.tcl	(.../nx.tcl)	(revision 35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30)
@@ -2451,15 +2451,15 @@
 
   #interp alias {} ::nx::self {} ::nsf::self
 
-  set value "?classes?|?add class?|?delete class?"
+  set value "?/class .../?|?add /class/?|?delete /class/?"
   set "::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::classes::nx::Object::object mixin)" $value
   set "::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::classes::nx::Class::mixin)"         $value
   set "::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::classes::nx::Class::superclass)"    $value
-  set "::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::classes::nx::Object::class)"        "?className?"
-  set value "?filters?|?add filter?|?delete filter?"
+  set "::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::classes::nx::Object::class)"        "?/className/?"
+  set value "?/filters/?|?add /filter/?|?delete /filter/?"
   set "::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::classes::nx::Object::object filter)" $value
   set "::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::classes::nx::Class::filter)"         $value
-  set "::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::classes::nx::Object::eval)"          "arg ?arg ...?"
+  set "::nsf::parametersyntax(::nsf::classes::nx::Object::eval)"          "/arg/ ?/arg/ ...?"
   unset value
 
   ::nsf::configure debug 1
Index: library/xotcl/tests/testx.xotcl
===================================================================
diff -u -N -r5d1617640ad71fd52b069f81cfcadbe4cbb6f2a2 -r35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30
--- library/xotcl/tests/testx.xotcl	(.../testx.xotcl)	(revision 5d1617640ad71fd52b069f81cfcadbe4cbb6f2a2)
+++ library/xotcl/tests/testx.xotcl	(.../testx.xotcl)	(revision 35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30)
@@ -4029,26 +4029,26 @@
     o y 4 56 5
   } m
   errorCheck $m \
-      {invalid argument '5', maybe too many arguments; should be "::o y ?-x value? ?-a value? a b"} \
+      {invalid argument '5', maybe too many arguments; should be "::o y ?-x /value/? ?-a /value/? /a/ /b/"} \
       "wrong \# check 1"
 
   catch {
     o y
   } m
   errorCheck $m {required argument 'a' is missing, should be:
-	::o y ?-x value? ?-a value? a b} "wrong \# check 2"
+	::o y ?-x /value/? ?-a /value/? /a/ /b/} "wrong \# check 2"
 
   catch {
     o y -x 1
   } m
   errorCheck $m {required argument 'a' is missing, should be:
-	::o y ?-x value? ?-a value? a b} "wrong \# check 3"
+	::o y ?-x /value/? ?-a /value/? /a/ /b/} "wrong \# check 3"
 
   catch {
     o z1 a 1 2 3
   } m
   errorCheck $m {required argument 'x' is missing, should be:
-	::o z1 -x value ?-a value? a ?arg ...?} "required missing"
+	::o z1 -x /value/ ?-a /value/? /a/ ?/arg .../?} "required missing"
   errorCheck [o z1 -x 1  a 1 2 3] "1 -- 1 2 3" "invocation 1"
   errorCheck [o z2 -x 2  a 1 2 3] "2 -- a 1 2 3 -- 1  -- 1 2" "invocation 2"
   catch {
@@ -4128,7 +4128,7 @@
   catch {oa foo "--"} msg
   
   errorCheck $msg {required argument 'b' is missing, should be:
-	::oa foo ?-a value? b} "Non-pos arg: double dash alone"
+	::oa foo ?-a /value/? /b/} "Non-pos arg: double dash alone"
 	
   Class C
   C create c1
Index: tests/cget.test
===================================================================
diff -u -N -rdadc7c6c6858ff3b816ff4cc585e0d76684ec374 -r35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30
--- tests/cget.test	(.../cget.test)	(revision dadc7c6c6858ff3b816ff4cc585e0d76684ec374)
+++ tests/cget.test	(.../cget.test)	(revision 35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30)
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@
   #
   # configure without arguments
   #
-  ? {p1 configure} "?-sex value? -famnam value ?-age integer? ?-friends value ...? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin mixinreg ...? ?-class class? ?-object-filter filterreg ...? ?__initcmd?"
+  ? {p1 configure} "?-sex /value/? -famnam /value/ ?-age /integer/? ?-friends /value .../? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initcmd/?"
 }
 
 #
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@
   #
   # configure without arguments
   #
-  ? {p1 configure} "?-bar1 value? ?-bar2 value? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin mixinreg ...? ?-class class? ?-object-filter filterreg ...? ?__initcmd?"
+  ? {p1 configure} "?-bar1 /value/? ?-bar2 /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initcmd/?"
 
   #
   # test gettin/setting via slots
Index: tests/contains.test
===================================================================
diff -u -N -rf858f142f5fab4f88996b3eb709c3afa55114be9 -r35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30
--- tests/contains.test	(.../contains.test)	(revision f858f142f5fab4f88996b3eb709c3afa55114be9)
+++ tests/contains.test	(.../contains.test)	(revision 35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30)
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@
 C public method foo {{-new 0} name value} { return $value}
 catch {c1 foo -name a b} errMsg
 ? {set errMsg} \
-    {invalid argument 'b', maybe too many arguments; should be "::c1 foo ?-new value? name value"}
+    {invalid argument 'b', maybe too many arguments; should be "::c1 foo ?-new /value/? /name/ /value/"}
 
 # Test resolving of implicit namespaces in relationcmds (here
 # superclass) in the nx namespace.
Index: tests/disposition.test
===================================================================
diff -u -N -rf858f142f5fab4f88996b3eb709c3afa55114be9 -r35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30
--- tests/disposition.test	(.../disposition.test)	(revision f858f142f5fab4f88996b3eb709c3afa55114be9)
+++ tests/disposition.test	(.../disposition.test)	(revision 35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30)
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@
       "value for parameter '-x' expected"
   ? {[C new -single-np [list -x X]] eval {set :single-np}} \
       "invalid non-positional argument '-x X', valid are : -x;
- should be \"::__%&singleton single-np -x value\""
+ should be \"::__%&singleton single-np -x /value/\""
 
   #
   # INTERACTIONS with other parameter types
@@ -1262,7 +1262,7 @@
   # ISSUE: positional objparam + alias + noarg -> what's the point?
   # noarg & ?z? are irritating, ?z? should not be printed!
   #
-  ? {T create t XXX} "invalid argument 'XXX', maybe too many arguments; should be \"::t configure ?z?\""
+  ? {T create t XXX} "invalid argument 'XXX', maybe too many arguments; should be \"::t configure ?/z/?\""
 
   ::obj object mixin {}
   T setObjectParams [list z:alias]
Index: tests/info-method.test
===================================================================
diff -u -N -r5cb647f407e85768c452ee22eaf881d628511c87 -r35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30
--- tests/info-method.test	(.../info-method.test)	(revision 5cb647f407e85768c452ee22eaf881d628511c87)
+++ tests/info-method.test	(.../info-method.test)	(revision 35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30)
@@ -662,7 +662,7 @@
   ? {nx::Object info method parameter "info lookup methods"} \
       "-callprotection -incontext:switch -methodtype -nomixins:switch -path:switch -source pattern:optional"
   ? {nx::Object info method syntax "info lookup methods"} \
-      "?-callprotection all|public|protected|private? ?-incontext? ?-methodtype all|scripted|builtin|alias|forwarder|object|setter|nsfproc? ?-nomixins? ?-path? ?-source all|application|baseclasses? ?pattern?"
+      "?-callprotection all|public|protected|private? ?-incontext? ?-methodtype all|scripted|builtin|alias|forwarder|object|setter|nsfproc? ?-nomixins? ?-path? ?-source all|application|baseclasses? ?/pattern/?"
 
   ? {o info object method parameter "foo b"} "x:int y:upper"
 
@@ -698,8 +698,8 @@
   }
 
   C new
-  ? {C info parameter syntax} "?-a value? ?-b value? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin mixinreg ...? ?-class class? ?-object-filter filterreg ...? ?__initcmd?"
-  ? {C info parameter syntax a} "?-a value?"
+  ? {C info parameter syntax} "?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initcmd/?"
+  ? {C info parameter syntax a} "?-a /value/?"
 
   ? {C info parameter definitions} "-a {-b 1} -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -noinit:alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::noinit,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,1..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,1..n __initcmd:initcmd,optional,noleadingdash"
 
@@ -780,12 +780,12 @@
 #
 nx::Test case parametersyntax {
   # a true method
-  ? {::nx::Class info method syntax method} "name arguments ?-returns value? body ?-precondition value? ?-postcondition value?"
+  ? {::nx::Class info method syntax method} "/name/ /arguments/ ?-returns /value/? /body/ ?-precondition /value/? ?-postcondition /value/?"
   # a forwarder to ::nsf::relation; definition comes via array ::nsf::parametersyntax
-  ? {::nx::Class info method syntax mixin} "?classes?|?add class?|?delete class?"
+  ? {::nx::Class info method syntax mixin} "?/class .../?|?add /class/?|?delete /class/?"
 
-  ? {::nx::Class info method syntax ::nx::next} "?arguments?"
-  ? {::nx::Class info method syntax ::nsf::xotclnext} "?--noArgs? ?arg ...?"
+  ? {::nx::Class info method syntax ::nx::next} "?/arguments/?"
+  ? {::nx::Class info method syntax ::nsf::xotclnext} "?--noArgs? ?/arg .../?"
 }
 
 #
@@ -1203,5 +1203,5 @@
 # Test error messages within an ensemble call
 #
 nx::Test case error-in-ensemble {
-  ? {nx::Object info method definition foo 1} {invalid argument '1', maybe too many arguments; should be "::nx::Object info method args|body|definition|exists|registrationhandle|definitionhandle|handle|origin|parameter|syntax|type|precondition|postcondition|submethods|returns name"}
+  ? {nx::Object info method definition foo 1} {invalid argument '1', maybe too many arguments; should be "::nx::Object info method args|body|definition|exists|registrationhandle|definitionhandle|handle|origin|parameter|syntax|type|precondition|postcondition|submethods|returns /name/"}
 }
\ No newline at end of file
Index: tests/method-parameter.test
===================================================================
diff -u -N -rdadc7c6c6858ff3b816ff4cc585e0d76684ec374 -r35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30
--- tests/method-parameter.test	(.../method-parameter.test)	(revision dadc7c6c6858ff3b816ff4cc585e0d76684ec374)
+++ tests/method-parameter.test	(.../method-parameter.test)	(revision 35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30)
@@ -13,17 +13,17 @@
   ? {p1} 0
   ? {p1 -x} {value for parameter '-x' expected}
   ? {p1 -x 1} 1
-  ? {p1 -x 1 2} {invalid argument '2', maybe too many arguments; should be "p1 ?-x value?"}
+  ? {p1 -x 1 2} {invalid argument '2', maybe too many arguments; should be "p1 ?-x /value/?"}
   ? {p1 -x 1 -y} {invalid non-positional argument '-y', valid are : -x;
- should be "p1 ?-x value?"}
-  ? {p1 a} {invalid argument 'a', maybe too many arguments; should be "p1 ?-x value?"}
-  ? {p1 a -x} {invalid argument 'a', maybe too many arguments; should be "p1 ?-x value?"}
+ should be "p1 ?-x /value/?"}
+  ? {p1 a} {invalid argument 'a', maybe too many arguments; should be "p1 ?-x /value/?"}
+  ? {p1 a -x} {invalid argument 'a', maybe too many arguments; should be "p1 ?-x /value/?"}
 
   ? {p1 --} 0
   ? {p1 -y} {invalid non-positional argument '-y', valid are : -x;
- should be "p1 ?-x value?"}
+ should be "p1 ?-x /value/?"}
   ? {p1 -y --} {invalid non-positional argument '-y', valid are : -x;
- should be "p1 ?-x value?"}
+ should be "p1 ?-x /value/?"}
 
   #
   # should we really allow numeric nonpos arg names?
@@ -50,15 +50,15 @@
 
   ? {p2a -x 1 -y} {1 -y}
   ? {p2b -x 1 -y} {invalid non-positional argument '-y', valid are : -x;
- should be "p2b ?-x value? ?arg ...?"}
+ should be "p2b ?-x /value/? ?/arg .../?"}
   ? {p2c -x 1 -y} {invalid non-positional argument '-y', valid are : -x;
- should be "p2c ?-x value? ?arg ...?"}
+ should be "p2c ?-x /value/? ?/arg .../?"}
 
   nsf::proc p3a {a -x -y b:noleadingdash -z} {return [list $a [info exists x] [info exists y] $b]}
 
   ? {p3a 100 -x 1 -y 1 200} {100 1 1 200}
   ? {p3a 100 -xx 1 -y 1 200} {invalid non-positional argument '-xx', valid are : -x, -y;
- should be "p3a /a/ ?-x value? ?-y value? /b/ ?-z value?"}  
+ should be "p3a /a/ ?-x /value/? ?-y /value/? /b/ ?-z /value/?"}  
 }
 
 nx::Test case unknown-handler {
@@ -68,15 +68,15 @@
     :create c1
   }
   ? {c1 p1 -x 1 -y} {invalid non-positional argument '-y', valid are : -x;
- should be "::c1 p1 ?-x value?"}
+ should be "::c1 p1 ?-x /value/?"}
 
   proc ::nsf::argument::unknown {method arg args} {
     puts stderr "??? unknown nonpos-arg $arg in $method obj <$args>\n[info frame -1]\n"
     return ""
   }
 
   ? {c1 p1 -x 1 -y} {invalid non-positional argument '-y', valid are : -x;
- should be "::c1 p1 ?-x value?"}
+ should be "::c1 p1 ?-x /value/?"}
 
   if {0} {
     proc ::nsf::argument::unknown {method arg args} {
@@ -87,6 +87,6 @@
     }
     
     ? {c1 p1 -x 1 -y} {invalid non-positional argument '-y', valid are : -x;
- should be "::c1 p1 ?-x value?"}
+ should be "::c1 p1 ?-x /value/?"}
   }
 }
Index: tests/parameters.test
===================================================================
diff -u -N -r5cb647f407e85768c452ee22eaf881d628511c87 -r35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30
--- tests/parameters.test	(.../parameters.test)	(revision 5cb647f407e85768c452ee22eaf881d628511c87)
+++ tests/parameters.test	(.../parameters.test)	(revision 35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30)
@@ -20,14 +20,14 @@
 
   ? {::nsf::method::alias C} \
       {required argument 'methodName' is missing, should be:
-	::nsf::method::alias object ?-per-object? methodName ?-frame method|object|default? cmdName}
+	::nsf::method::alias /object/ ?-per-object? /methodName/ ?-frame method|object|default? /cmdName/}
 
   ? {::nsf::method::alias C foo ::set} "::nsf::classes::C::foo"
 
   ? {::nsf::method::alias C foo ::set 1} \
-      {invalid argument '1', maybe too many arguments; should be "::nsf::method::alias object ?-per-object? methodName ?-frame method|object|default? cmdName"}
+      {invalid argument '1', maybe too many arguments; should be "::nsf::method::alias /object/ ?-per-object? /methodName/ ?-frame method|object|default? /cmdName/"}
 
-  ? {C eval {:property x -class D}} {invalid argument 'D', maybe too many arguments; should be "::C property ?-accessor value? ?-config boolean? ?-incremental? ?-class value? spec ?initblock?"} "Test whether the colon prefix is suppressed"
+  ? {C eval {:property x -class D}} {invalid argument 'D', maybe too many arguments; should be "::C property ?-accessor /value/? ?-config /boolean/? ?-incremental? ?-class /value/? /spec/ ?/initblock/?"} "Test whether the colon prefix is suppressed"
 }
 
 #######################################################
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@
   
   ? {D create d1} \
       {required argument 'd' is missing, should be:
-	::d1 __configure -d value ?-a value? ?-b boolean? ?-c value? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin mixinreg ...? ?-class class? ?-object-filter filterreg ...? ?__initcmd?}
+	::d1 __configure -d /value/ ?-a /value/? ?-b /boolean/? ?-c /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initcmd/?}
   
   ? {D create d2 -d x -b a} \
       {expected boolean but got "a" for parameter "-b"} \
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@
 
   ? {d1 foo} \
       {required argument 'r' is missing, should be:
-	::d1 foo ?-b boolean? -r integer ?-x integer? ?-object object? ?-class class?} \
+	::d1 foo ?-b /boolean/? -r /integer/ ?-x /integer/? ?-object /object/? ?-class /class/?} \
       "call method without a required argument"
 
   ? {d1 foo -r a} \
@@ -1589,17 +1589,17 @@
   }
 
   ? {Foo info method syntax noarg} ""
-  ? {Foo info method syntax onearg} "?-x value?"
-  ? {Foo info method syntax intarg} "?-x integer?"
-  ? {Foo info method syntax intsarg} "?-x integer ...?"
-  ? {Foo info method syntax boolarg} "?-x boolean?"
-  ? {Foo info method syntax classarg} "?-x class?"
-  ? {Foo info method syntax upperarg} "?-x upper?"
-  ? {Foo info method syntax metaclassarg} "?-x metaclass?"
+  ? {Foo info method syntax onearg} "?-x /value/?"
+  ? {Foo info method syntax intarg} "?-x /integer/?"
+  ? {Foo info method syntax intsarg} "?-x /integer .../?"
+  ? {Foo info method syntax boolarg} "?-x /boolean/?"
+  ? {Foo info method syntax classarg} "?-x /class/?"
+  ? {Foo info method syntax upperarg} "?-x /upper/?"
+  ? {Foo info method syntax metaclassarg} "?-x /metaclass/?"
 
   # return enumeration type
   ? {nx::Class info method syntax "info mixinof"} \
-      "?-closure? ?-scope all|class|object? ?pattern?"
+      "?-closure? ?-scope all|class|object? ?/pattern/?"
 }
 
 #
@@ -1897,8 +1897,8 @@
   c1 object mixin add ::M2
   ? {c1 info object mixin classes} {::M2 ::M1}
   ? {c1 cget -object-mixin} {::M2 ::M1}
-  ? {c1 info lookup parameter syntax b1} "-b1 value"
-  ? {c1 info lookup parameter syntax b2} "-b2 value"
+  ? {c1 info lookup parameter syntax b1} "-b1 /value/"
+  ? {c1 info lookup parameter syntax b2} "-b2 /value/"
   ? {lsort [c1 info lookup parameter names b*]} "b1 b2"
 
   #
@@ -1913,7 +1913,7 @@
   #
   c1 object mixin add ::M1
   ? {c1 info object mixin classes} {::M1}
-  ? {c1 info lookup parameter syntax b1} "-b1 value"
+  ? {c1 info lookup parameter syntax b1} "-b1 /value/"
   ? {lsort [c1 info lookup parameter names b*]} "b1"
   #
   # We have the per-object cache; adding a per-object property should
@@ -2259,7 +2259,7 @@
   #
   ? {C info parameter list a} "-a"
   ? {C info parameter definitions a} "{-a a0}"
-  ? {C info parameter syntax a} "?-a value?"
+  ? {C info parameter syntax a} "?-a /value/?"
 
   ? {C info parameter definitions v} ""
   ? {C info slot definitions v} "{::C variable v v0}"
@@ -2269,7 +2269,7 @@
   ? {C create c2 -a 10} ::c2
   ? {C create c2 -v 10} \
       {invalid non-positional argument '-v', valid are : -a, -volatile, -noinit, -object-mixin, -class, -object-filter;
- should be "::c2 configure ?-a value? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin mixinreg ...? ?-class class? ?-object-filter filterreg ...? ?__initcmd?"}
+ should be "::c2 configure ?-a /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initcmd/?"}
 
   #
   # We expect a setter for "a" but not for "v". 
Index: tests/properties.test
===================================================================
diff -u -N -rb531a50ecc43d0c13e2432b099a436c3260c7a49 -r35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30
--- tests/properties.test	(.../properties.test)	(revision b531a50ecc43d0c13e2432b099a436c3260c7a49)
+++ tests/properties.test	(.../properties.test)	(revision 35c0d6ecb3c83cc6d6b0dfe251ba1a0d9071dc30)
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
   #
   # just the public properties are accessible via the configure interface
   #
-  ? {c1 configure} { ?-e value? ?-a value? ?-b value? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin mixinreg ...? ?-class class? ?-object-filter filterreg ...? ?__initcmd?}
+  ? {c1 configure} { ?-e /value/? ?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initcmd/?}
 
   ? {lsort [C info slot definitions]} {{::C property -accessor none {a a1}} {::C property -accessor none {e e1}} {::C property {b b1}} {::C variable -accessor private d d1} {::C variable -accessor private vd vd1} {::C variable -accessor protected c c1} {::C variable -accessor protected vc vc1} {::C variable -accessor public vb vb1} {::C variable va va1} {::C variable ve ve1} {::C variable vf vf1}}
   
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@
   #
   # The use of "-incremental" implies multivalued
   #
-  ? {c1 configure} { ?-e value ...? ?-a value ...? ?-b value ...? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin mixinreg ...? ?-class class? ?-object-filter filterreg ...? ?__initcmd?}
+  ? {c1 configure} { ?-e /value .../? ?-a /value .../? ?-b /value .../? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initcmd/?}
   
   ? {c1 cget -a} a1
   ? {c1 cget -b} b1
@@ -390,7 +390,7 @@
   # just the public properties are accessible via the configure interface
   #
   
-  ? {o1 configure} { ?-e value? ?-a value? ?-b value? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin mixinreg ...? ?-class class? ?-object-filter filterreg ...? ?__initcmd?}
+  ? {o1 configure} { ?-e /value/? ?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initcmd/?}
 
   #
   # just the public properties are accessible via the cget interface
@@ -518,7 +518,7 @@
   #
   # The use of "-incremental" implies multivalued
   #
-  ? {o1 configure} { ?-e value ...? ?-a value ...? ?-b value ...? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin mixinreg ...? ?-class class? ?-object-filter filterreg ...? ?__initcmd?}
+  ? {o1 configure} { ?-e /value .../? ?-a /value .../? ?-b /value .../? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initcmd/?}
   
   ? {o1 cget -a} a1
   ? {o1 cget -b} b1
@@ -682,12 +682,12 @@
   # just the public properties are accessible via the configure interface
   #
   
-  ? {c1 configure} {?-a value? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin mixinreg ...? ?-class class? ?-object-filter filterreg ...? ?__initcmd?}
+  ? {c1 configure} {?-a /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initcmd/?}
 
   ? {c1 cget -a} a1
   ? {c1 configure -a a2} ""
 
-  ? {C configure} {?-b value? ?-superclass class ...? ?-mixin mixinreg ...? ?-filter filterreg ...? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin mixinreg ...? ?-class class? ?-object-filter filterreg ...? ?__initcmd?}
+  ? {C configure} {?-b /value/? ?-superclass /class .../? ?-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-filter /filterreg .../? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initcmd/?}
 
   ? {C cget -b} b1
   ? {C configure -b b2} ""
@@ -741,7 +741,7 @@
   # just the public properties are accessible via the configure interface
   #
   
-  ? {c1 configure} { ?-e value? ?-a value? ?-b value? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin mixinreg ...? ?-class class? ?-object-filter filterreg ...? ?__initcmd?}
+  ? {c1 configure} { ?-e /value/? ?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initcmd/?}
 
   set e [C eval :__objectparameter]
   ? {C eval :__objectparameter} $e
@@ -760,7 +760,7 @@
   #
   # check influence of class-level per-object properties
   #
-  ? {d1 configure} { ?-e value? ?-a value? ?-b value? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin mixinreg ...? ?-class class? ?-object-filter filterreg ...? ?__initcmd?}
+  ? {d1 configure} { ?-e /value/? ?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initcmd/?}
 
   set e [D eval :__objectparameter]
   ? {D eval :__objectparameter} $e
@@ -800,7 +800,7 @@
   # just the public properties are accessible via the configure interface
   #
   
-  ? {o1 configure} { ?-e value? ?-a value? ?-b value? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin mixinreg ...? ?-class class? ?-object-filter filterreg ...? ?__initcmd?}
+  ? {o1 configure} { ?-e /value/? ?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initcmd/?}
 
   set e [o1 eval :__objectparameter]