Begin experimental option to not use caching.

Remove useless code in world metatable
Make tiny.world(...) return newworld, ...

.travis.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+language: erlang
+
+env:
+  global:
+    - LUAROCKS_BASE=luarocks-2.2.2
+  matrix:
+    - LUA=lua5.1 LUA_DEV=liblua5.1-dev LUA_VER=5.1 LUA_SFX=5.1 LUA_INCDIR=/usr/include/lua5.1
+    - LUA=lua5.2 LUA_DEV=liblua5.2-dev LUA_VER=5.2 LUA_SFX=5.2 LUA_INCDIR=/usr/include/lua5.2
+    - LUA=luajit LUA_DEV=libluajit-5.1-dev LUA_VER=5.1 LUA_SFX=jit LUA_INCDIR=/usr/include/luajit-2.0
+
+before_install:
+  - if [ $LUA = "luajit" ]; then
+      sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mwild1/ppa -y && sudo apt-get update -y;
+      sudo apt-get install lua5.1;
+      sudo apt-get install liblua5.1-dev;
+    fi
+  - sudo apt-get install $LUA
+  - sudo apt-get install $LUA_DEV
+  - lua$LUA_SFX -v
+  # Install a recent luarocks release
+  - wget http://luarocks.org/releases/$LUAROCKS_BASE.tar.gz
+  - tar zxvpf $LUAROCKS_BASE.tar.gz
+  - cd $LUAROCKS_BASE
+  - ./configure
+    --lua-version=$LUA_VER --lua-suffix=$LUA_SFX --with-lua-include="$LUA_INCDIR"
+  - sudo make
+  - sudo make install
+  - cd $TRAVIS_BUILD_DIR
+
+install:
+  - sudo -E luarocks install busted
+
+script:
+  - sudo -E busted -v
+
+notifications:
+  email:
+    on_success: change
+    on_failure: always

LICENSE.txt

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-Copyright (c) 2015 Calvin Rose
+Copyright (c) 2016 Calvin Rose
 
 Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
 

README.md

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # tiny-ecs #
 
+[![Build Status](https://travis-ci.org/bakpakin/tiny-ecs.png?branch=master)](https://travis-ci.org/bakpakin/tiny-ecs)
+
 [![License](http://img.shields.io/badge/Licence-MIT-brightgreen.svg)](LICENSE)
 
 Tiny-ecs is an Entity Component System for lua that's simple, flexible, and useful.

rockspecs/tiny-ecs-1.1-6.rockspec

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+package = "tiny-ecs"
+version = "1.1-6"
+source = {
+    url = "git://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    tag = "1.1-6"
+}
+description = {
+    summary = "Entity Component System for Lua.",
+    detailed = [[
+        Pure Lua implementation of an easy to use, compact, fast, and flexible
+        Entity Component System. Works well with Object Orientation.
+    ]],
+    homepage = "https://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    license = "MIT"
+}
+dependencies = {
+    "lua >= 5.1"
+}
+build = {
+    type = "builtin",
+    modules = {
+        tiny = "tiny.lua"
+    }
+}

rockspecs/tiny-ecs-1.1-7.rockspec

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+package = "tiny-ecs"
+version = "1.1-7"
+source = {
+    url = "git://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    tag = "1.1-7"
+}
+description = {
+    summary = "Entity Component System for Lua.",
+    detailed = [[
+        Pure Lua implementation of an easy to use, compact, fast, and flexible
+        Entity Component System. Works well with Object Orientation.
+    ]],
+    homepage = "https://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    license = "MIT"
+}
+dependencies = {
+    "lua >= 5.1"
+}
+build = {
+    type = "builtin",
+    modules = {
+        tiny = "tiny.lua"
+    }
+}

rockspecs/tiny-ecs-1.2-1.rockspec

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+package = "tiny-ecs"
+version = "1.2-1"
+source = {
+    url = "git://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    tag = "1.2-1"
+}
+description = {
+    summary = "Entity Component System for Lua.",
+    detailed = [[
+        Pure Lua implementation of an easy to use, compact, fast, and flexible
+        Entity Component System. Works well with Object Orientation.
+    ]],
+    homepage = "https://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    license = "MIT"
+}
+dependencies = {
+    "lua >= 5.1"
+}
+build = {
+    type = "builtin",
+    modules = {
+        tiny = "tiny.lua"
+    }
+}

rockspecs/tiny-ecs-1.3-1.rockspec

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+package = "tiny-ecs"
+version = "1.3-1"
+source = {
+    url = "git://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    tag = "1.3-1"
+}
+description = {
+    summary = "Entity Component System for Lua.",
+    detailed = [[
+        Pure Lua implementation of an easy to use, compact, fast, and flexible
+        Entity Component System. Works well with Object Orientation.
+    ]],
+    homepage = "https://github.com/bakpakin/tiny-ecs",
+    license = "MIT"
+}
+dependencies = {
+    "lua >= 5.1"
+}
+build = {
+    type = "builtin",
+    modules = {
+        tiny = "tiny.lua"
+    }
+}

spec/tiny_spec.lua

@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+local GLOBALS = {}
+for k, v in pairs(_G) do
+    GLOBALS[k] = v
+end
+
 local tiny = require "tiny"
 
 local function deep_copy(x)
@@ -85,6 +90,49 @@ describe('tiny-ecs:', function()
 
         end)
 
+        it("Can use functions as subfilters", function()
+
+            local f1 = tiny.requireAny('a', 'b', 'c')
+            local f2 = tiny.requireAll('x', 'y', 'z')
+            local f = tiny.requireAll(f1, f2)
+
+            assert.truthy(f(nil, {
+                x = true, y = true, z = true, a = true, b = true, c = true
+            }))
+            assert.truthy(f(nil, {
+                x = true, y = true, z = true, a = true
+            }))
+            assert.falsy(f(nil, {
+                x = true, y = true, a = true
+            }))
+            assert.falsy(f(nil, {
+                x = true, y = true, z = true
+            }))
+
+        end)
+
+        it("Can use string filters", function()
+
+            local f = tiny.filter('a|b|c')
+
+            assert.truthy(f(nil, {
+                a = true, b = true, c = true
+            }))
+            assert.truthy(f(nil, {
+                a = true
+            }))
+            assert.truthy(f(nil, {
+                b = true
+            }))
+            assert.truthy(f(nil, {
+                c = true
+            }))
+            assert.falsy(f(nil, {
+                x = true, y = true, z = true
+            }))
+
+        end)
+
     end)
 
     describe('World:', function()
@@ -115,6 +163,11 @@ describe('tiny-ecs:', function()
             timePassed = 0
         end)
 
+        after_each(function()
+            world:clearSystems()
+            world:refresh()
+        end)
+
         it("Create World", function()
             assert.equals(world:getEntityCount(), 3)
             assert.equals(world:getSystemCount(), 2)
@@ -180,9 +233,11 @@ describe('tiny-ecs:', function()
         end)
 
         it("Remove Entities Multiple Times", function()
+            assert.equals(3, world:getEntityCount())
             world:update(1)
             world:remove(entity1, entity2, entity3)
             world:update(2)
+            assert.equals(0, world:getEntityCount())
             world:remove(entity1, entity2, entity3)
             world:update(2)
             assert.equals(2, world:getSystemCount())
@@ -191,7 +246,7 @@ describe('tiny-ecs:', function()
 
         it("Add Systems Multiple Times", function()
             world:update(1)
-            world:add(moveSystem, oneTimeSystem)
+            assert.has_error(function() world:add(moveSystem, oneTimeSystem) end, "System already belongs to a World.")
             world:update(2)
             assert.equals(2, world:getSystemCount())
             assert.equals(3, world:getEntityCount())
@@ -201,7 +256,7 @@ describe('tiny-ecs:', function()
             world:update(1)
             world:remove(moveSystem)
             world:update(2)
-            world:remove(moveSystem)
+            assert.has_error(function() world:remove(moveSystem) end, "System does not belong to this World.")
             world:update(2)
             assert.equals(1, world:getSystemCount())
             assert.equals(3, world:getEntityCount())
@@ -211,18 +266,18 @@ describe('tiny-ecs:', function()
             world:update(1)
             world:setSystemIndex(moveSystem, 2)
             world:update(1)
-            assert.equals(2, world:getSystemIndex(moveSystem))
-            assert.equals(1, world:getSystemIndex(oneTimeSystem))
+            assert.equals(2, moveSystem.index)
+            assert.equals(1, oneTimeSystem.index)
         end)
 
         it("Sorts Entities in Sorting Systems", function()
             local sortsys = tiny.sortedProcessingSystem()
-            sortsys.filter = tiny.requireAll("vel")
+            sortsys.filter = tiny.filter("vel|xform")
             function sortsys:compare(e1, e2)
                 return e1.vel.x < e2.vel.x
             end
             world:add(sortsys)
-            world:update(0)
+            world:refresh()
             assert.equals(sortsys.entities[1], entity2)
             assert.equals(sortsys.entities[2], entity3)
             assert.equals(sortsys.entities[3], entity1)
@@ -230,4 +285,8 @@ describe('tiny-ecs:', function()
 
     end)
 
+    it("Doesn't pollute the global namespace", function()
+        assert.are.same(_G, GLOBALS)
+    end)
+
 end)

tiny.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 --[[
-Copyright (c) 2015 Calvin Rose
+Copyright (c) 2016 Calvin Rose
 
 Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of
 this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in
@@ -23,13 +23,12 @@ CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
 -- @author Calvin Rose
 -- @license MIT
 -- @copyright 2015
-local tiny = { _VERSION = "1.1-5" }
+local tiny = { _VERSION = "scm" }
 
 -- Local versions of standard lua functions
 local tinsert = table.insert
 local tremove = table.remove
 local tsort = table.sort
-local pairs = pairs
 local setmetatable = setmetatable
 local type = type
 local select = select
@@ -85,88 +84,121 @@ local tiny_remove
 --
 -- @section Filter
 
+-- A helper function to compile filters.
+local filterJoin
+
+-- A helper function to filters from string
+local filterBuildString
+
+do
+
+    local loadstring = loadstring or load
+    local function getchr(c)
+        return "\\" .. c:byte()
+    end
+    local function make_safe(text)
+        return ("%q"):format(text):gsub('\n', 'n'):gsub("[\128-\255]", getchr)
+    end
+
+    local function filterJoinRaw(prefix, seperator, ...)
+        local accum = {}
+        local build = {}
+        for i = 1, select('#', ...) do
+            local item = select(i, ...)
+            if type(item) == 'string' then
+                accum[#accum + 1] = ("(e[%s] ~= nil)"):format(make_safe(item))
+            elseif type(item) == 'function' then
+                build[#build + 1] = ('local subfilter_%d_ = select(%d, ...)'):format(i, i)
+                accum[#accum + 1] = ('(subfilter_%d_(system, e))'):format(i)
+            else
+                error 'Filter token must be a string or a filter function.'
+            end
+        end
+        local source = ('do %s\n return function(system, e) return %s(%s) end end'):format(
+            table.concat(build, '\n'),
+            prefix,
+            table.concat(accum, seperator)
+        )
+        local loader, err = loadstring(source)
+        if err then error(err) end
+        return loader(...)
+    end
+
+    function filterJoin(...)
+        local state, value = pcall(filterJoinRaw, ...)
+        if state then return value else return nil, value end
+    end
+
+    local function buildPart(str)
+        local accum = {}
+        local subParts = {}
+        str = str:gsub('%b()', function(p)
+            subParts[#subParts + 1] = buildPart(p:sub(2, -2))
+            return ('\255%d'):format(#subParts)
+        end)
+        for invert, part, sep in str:gmatch('(%!?)([^%|%&%!]+)([%|%&%!]?)') do
+            if part:match('^\255%d+$') then
+                local partIndex = tonumber(part:match(part:sub(2)))
+                accum[#accum + 1] = ('%s(%s)'):format(invert == '' and '' or 'not', subParts[partIndex])
+            else
+                accum[#accum + 1] = ("(e[%s] %s nil)"):format(make_safe(part), invert == '' and '~=' or '==')
+            end
+            if sep ~= '' then
+                accum[#accum + 1] = (sep == '|' and ' or ' or ' and ')
+            end
+        end
+        return table.concat(accum)
+    end
+
+    function filterBuildString(str)
+        local source = ("return function(_, e) return %s end"):format(buildPart(str))
+        local loader, err = loadstring(source)
+        if err then
+            error(err)
+        end
+        return loader()
+    end
+
+end
+
 --- Makes a Filter that selects Entities with all specified Components and
 -- Filters.
 function tiny.requireAll(...)
-    local components = {...}
-    local len = #components
-    return function(system, e)
-        local c
-        for i = 1, len do
-            c = components[i]
-            if type(c) == 'function' then
-                if not c(system, e) then
-                    return false
-                end
-            elseif e[c] == nil then
-                return false
-            end
-        end
-        return true
-    end
+    return filterJoin('', ' and ', ...)
 end
 
 --- Makes a Filter that selects Entities with at least one of the specified
 -- Components and Filters.
 function tiny.requireAny(...)
-    local components = {...}
-    local len = #components
-    return function(system, e)
-        local c
-        for i = 1, len do
-            c = components[i]
-            if type(c) == 'function' then
-                if c(system, e) then
-                    return true
-                end
-            elseif e[c] ~= nil then
-                return true
-            end
-        end
-        return false
-    end
+    return filterJoin('', ' or ', ...)
 end
 
 --- Makes a Filter that rejects Entities with all specified Components and
 -- Filters, and selects all other Entities.
 function tiny.rejectAll(...)
-    local components = {...}
-    local len = #components
-    return function(system, e)
-        local c
-        for i = 1, len do
-            c = components[i]
-            if type(c) == 'function' then
-                if not c(system, e) then
-                    return true
-                end
-            elseif e[c] == nil then
-                return true
-            end
-        end
-        return false
-    end
+    return filterJoin('not', ' and ', ...)
 end
 
 --- Makes a Filter that rejects Entities with at least one of the specified
 -- Components and Filters, and selects all other Entities.
 function tiny.rejectAny(...)
-    local components = {...}
-    local len = #components
-    return function(system, e)
-        local c
-        for i = 1, len do
-            c = components[i]
-            if type(c) == 'function' then
-                if c(system, e) then
-                    return false
-                end
-            elseif e[c] ~= nil then
-                return false
-            end
-        end
-        return true
-    end
+    return filterJoin('not', ' or ', ...)
+end
+
+--- Makes a Filter from a string. Syntax of `pattern` is as follows.
+--
+--   * Tokens are alphanumeric strings including underscores.
+--   * Tokens can be separated by |, &, or surrounded by parentheses.
+--   * Tokens can be prefixed with !, and are then operated on with a boolean 'not'.
+--
+-- Examples are best:
+--    'a|b|c' - Matches entities with an 'a' component OR a 'b' component or a 'c' component.
+--    'a&!b&c' - Matches entities with an 'a' component AND NOT a 'b' component AND a 'c' component.
+--    'a|(b&c&d)|e - Matches 'a' OR ('b' AND 'c' AND 'd') OR 'e'
+-- @param pattern
+function tiny.filter(pattern)
+    local state, value = pcall(filterBuildString, pattern)
+    if state then return value else return nil, value end
 end
 
 --- System functions.
@@ -187,6 +219,10 @@ end
 -- from the System.
 --   * `function system:onModify(dt)` - Called when the System is modified by
 -- adding or removing Entities from the System.
+--   * `function system:onAddToWorld(world)` - Called when the System is added
+-- to the World, before any entities are added to the system.
+--   * `function system:onRemoveFromWorld(world)` - Called when the System is
+-- removed from the world, after all Entities are removed from the System.
 --
 -- For Filters, it is convenient to use `tiny.requireAll` or `tiny.requireAny`,
 -- but one can write their own filters as well. Set the Filter of a System like
@@ -206,12 +242,15 @@ end
 --   * The `active` flag is whether or not the System is updated automatically.
 -- Inactive Systems should be updated manually or not at all via
 -- `system:update(dt)`. Defaults to true.
---   * The 'entities' field is an ordered list of Entities in the System. This
+--   * The `entities` field is an ordered list of Entities in the System. This
 -- list can be used to quickly iterate through all Entities in a System.
 --   * The `interval` field is an optional field that makes Systems update at
 -- certain intervals using buffered time, regardless of World update frequency.
 -- For example, to make a System update once a second, set the System's interval
 -- to 1.
+--   * The `index` field is the System's index in the World. Lower indexed
+-- Systems are processed before higher indices. The `index` is a read only
+-- field; to set the `index`, use `tiny.setSystemIndex(world, system)`.
 --   * The `indices` field is a table of Entity keys to their indices in the
 -- `entities` list. Most Systems can ignore this.
 --   * The `modified` flag is an indicator if the System has been modified in
@@ -232,21 +271,31 @@ end
 
 -- Update function for all Processing Systems.
 local function processingSystemUpdate(system, dt)
-    local entities = system.entities
     local preProcess = system.preProcess
     local process = system.process
     local postProcess = system.postProcess
-    local entity
 
     if preProcess then
         preProcess(system, dt)
     end
 
     if process then
-        local len = #entities
-        for i = 1, len do
-            entity = entities[i]
-            process(system, entity, dt)
+        if system.nocache then
+            local entities = system.world.entityList
+            local filter = system.filter
+            if filter then
+                for i = 1, #entities do
+                    local entity = entities[i]
+                    if filter(system, entity) then
+                        process(system, entity, dt)
+                    end
+                end
+            end
+        else
+            local entities = system.entities
+            for i = 1, #entities do
+                process(system, entities[i], dt)
+            end
         end
     end
 
@@ -255,7 +304,7 @@ local function processingSystemUpdate(system, dt)
     end
 end
 
--- Sorts Systems by a function system.sort(entity1, entity2) on modify.
+-- Sorts Systems by a function system.sortDelegate(entity1, entity2) on modify.
 local function sortedSystemOnModify(system, dt)
     local entities = system.entities
     local indices = system.indices
@@ -269,8 +318,7 @@ local function sortedSystemOnModify(system, dt)
     end
     tsort(entities, sortDelegate)
     for i = 1, #entities do
-        local entity = entities[i]
-        indices[entity] = i
+        indices[entities[i]] = i
     end
 end
 
@@ -287,9 +335,9 @@ end
 -- Processing Systems have three extra callbacks besides those inheritted from
 -- vanilla Systems.
 --
---     function system:preProcess(entities, dt) -- Called before iteration.
---     function system:process(entities, dt) -- Process each entity.
---     function system:postProcess(entity, dt) -- Called after iteration.
+--     function system:preProcess(dt) -- Called before iteration.
+--     function system:process(entity, dt) -- Process each entity.
+--     function system:postProcess(dt) -- Called after iteration.
 --
 -- Processing Systems have their own `update` method, so don't implement a
 -- a custom `update` callback for Processing Systems.
@@ -342,9 +390,10 @@ end
 local worldMetaTable
 
 --- Creates a new World.
--- Can optionally add default Systems and Entities.
+-- Can optionally add default Systems and Entities. Returns the new World along
+-- with default Entities and Systems.
 function tiny.world(...)
-    local ret = {
+    local ret = setmetatable({
 
         -- List of Entities to add
         entitiesToAdd = {},
@@ -352,6 +401,9 @@ function tiny.world(...)
         -- List of Entities to remove
         entitiesToRemove = {},
 
+        -- List of Entities to change
+        entitiesToChange = {},
+
         -- List of Entities to add
         systemsToAdd = {},
 
@@ -361,48 +413,53 @@ function tiny.world(...)
         -- Set of Entities
         entities = {},
 
-        -- Number of Entities in World.
+        -- List of Entities
+        entityList = {},
+
+        -- Number of Entities in World
         entityCount = 0,
 
-        -- List of System Data. A data element is a table with 4
-        -- keys: system, indices, entities, and active.
-        systems = {},
-
-        -- Table of Systems to System Indices
-        systemIndices = {}
-    }
+        -- List of Systems
+        systems = {}
+    }, worldMetaTable)
 
     tiny_add(ret, ...)
     tiny_manageSystems(ret)
     tiny_manageEntities(ret)
 
-    return setmetatable(ret, worldMetaTable)
+    return ret, ...
 end
 
 --- Adds an Entity to the world.
 -- Also call this on Entities that have changed Components such that they
--- match different Filters.
+-- match different Filters. Returns the Entity.
 function tiny.addEntity(world, entity)
-    local e2a = world.entitiesToAdd
-    e2a[#e2a + 1] = entity
     if world.entities[entity] then
-        tiny_removeEntity(world, entity)
+        local e2c = world.entitiesToChange
+        e2c[#e2c + 1] = entity
+    else
+        local e2a = world.entitiesToAdd
+        e2a[#e2a + 1] = entity
     end
+    return entity
 end
 tiny_addEntity = tiny.addEntity
 
---- Adds a System to the world.
+--- Adds a System to the world. Returns the System.
 function tiny.addSystem(world, system)
+    assert(system.world == nil, "System already belongs to a World.")
     local s2a = world.systemsToAdd
     s2a[#s2a + 1] = system
+    system.world = world
+    return system
 end
 tiny_addSystem = tiny.addSystem
 
---- Shortcut for adding multiple Entities and Systems to the World.
+--- Shortcut for adding multiple Entities and Systems to the World. Returns all
+-- added Entities and Systems.
 function tiny.add(world, ...)
-    local obj
     for i = 1, select("#", ...) do
-        obj = select(i, ...)
+        local obj = select(i, ...)
         if obj then
             if isSystem(obj) then
                 tiny_addSystem(world, obj)
@@ -411,104 +468,119 @@ function tiny.add(world, ...)
             end
         end
     end
+    return ...
 end
 tiny_add = tiny.add
 
---- Removes an Entity to the World.
+--- Removes an Entity to the World. Returns the Entity.
 function tiny.removeEntity(world, entity)
     local e2r = world.entitiesToRemove
     e2r[#e2r + 1] = entity
+    return entity
 end
 tiny_removeEntity = tiny.removeEntity
 
---- Removes a System from the world.
+--- Removes a System from the world. Returns the System.
 function tiny.removeSystem(world, system)
+    assert(system.world == world, "System does not belong to this World.")
     local s2r = world.systemsToRemove
     s2r[#s2r + 1] = system
+    return system
 end
 tiny_removeSystem = tiny.removeSystem
 
---- Shortcut for removing multiple Entities and Systems from the World.
+--- Shortcut for removing multiple Entities and Systems from the World. Returns
+-- all removed Systems and Entities
 function tiny.remove(world, ...)
-    local obj
     for i = 1, select("#", ...) do
-        obj = select(i, ...)
+        local obj = select(i, ...)
         if obj then
             if isSystem(obj) then
                 tiny_removeSystem(world, obj)
             else -- Assume obj is an Entity
-               tiny_removeEntity(world, obj)
+                tiny_removeEntity(world, obj)
             end
         end
     end
+    return ...
 end
 tiny_remove = tiny.remove
 
 -- Adds and removes Systems that have been marked from the World.
 function tiny_manageSystems(world)
-        local s2a, s2r = world.systemsToAdd, world.systemsToRemove
+    local s2a, s2r = world.systemsToAdd, world.systemsToRemove
 
-        -- Early exit
-        if #s2a == 0 and #s2r == 0 then
-            return
-        end
+    -- Early exit
+    if #s2a == 0 and #s2r == 0 then
+        return
+    end
 
-        local systemIndices = world.systemIndices
-        local entities = world.entities
-        local systems = world.systems
-        local system, index, filter
-        local entityList, entityIndices, entityIndex, onRemove, onAdd
+    world.systemsToAdd = {}
+    world.systemsToRemove = {}
 
-        -- Remove Systems
-        for i = 1, #s2r do
-            system = s2r[i]
-            index = systemIndices[system]
-            if index then
-                onRemove = system.onRemove
-                if onRemove then
-                    entityList = system.entities
-                    for j = 1, #entityList do
-                        onRemove(system, entityList[j])
-                    end
-                end
-                systemIndices[system] = nil
-                tremove(systems, index)
-                for j = index, #systems do
-                    systemIndices[systems[j]] = j
-                end
+    local worldEntityList = world.entityList
+    local systems = world.systems
+
+    -- Remove Systems
+    for i = 1, #s2r do
+        local system = s2r[i]
+        local index = system.index
+        local onRemove = system.onRemove
+        if onRemove and not system.nocache then
+            local entityList = system.entities
+            for j = 1, #entityList do
+                onRemove(system, entityList[j])
             end
-            s2r[i] = nil
-
-            -- Clean up System
-            system.world = nil
-            system.entities = nil
-            system.indices = nil
         end
+        tremove(systems, index)
+        for j = index, #systems do
+            systems[j].index = j
+        end
+        local onRemoveFromWorld = system.onRemoveFromWorld
+        if onRemoveFromWorld then
+            onRemoveFromWorld(system, world)
+        end
+        s2r[i] = nil
 
-        -- Add Systems
-        for i = 1, #s2a do
-            system = s2a[i]
-            if not systemIndices[system] then
-                entityList = {}
-                entityIndices = {}
-                system.entities = entityList
-                system.indices = entityIndices
-                if system.active == nil then
-                    system.active = true
-                end
-                system.modified = true
-                system.world = world
-                index = #systems + 1
-                systemIndices[system] = index
-                systems[index] = system
+        -- Clean up System
+        system.world = nil
+        system.entities = nil
+        system.indices = nil
+        system.index = nil
+    end
 
-                -- Try to add Entities
-                onAdd = system.onAdd
-                filter = system.filter
+    -- Add Systems
+    for i = 1, #s2a do
+        local system = s2a[i]
+        if systems[system.index or 0] ~= system then
+            if not system.nocache then
+                system.entities = {}
+                system.indices = {}
+            end
+            if system.active == nil then
+                system.active = true
+            end
+            system.modified = true
+            system.world = world
+            local index = #systems + 1
+            system.index = index
+            systems[index] = system
+            local onAddToWorld = system.onAddToWorld
+            if onAddToWorld then
+                onAddToWorld(system, world)
+            end
+
+            -- Try to add Entities
+            if not system.nocache then
+                local entityList = system.entities
+                local entityIndices = system.indices
+                local onAdd = system.onAdd
+                local filter = system.filter
                 if filter then
-                    for entity in pairs(entities) do
+                    for j = 1, #worldEntityList do
+                        local entity = worldEntityList[j]
                         if filter(system, entity) then
-                            entityIndex = #entityList + 1
+                            local entityIndex = #entityList + 1
                             entityList[entityIndex] = entity
                             entityIndices[entity] = entityIndex
                             if onAdd then
@@ -518,82 +590,135 @@ function tiny_manageSystems(world)
                     end
                 end
             end
-            s2a[i] = nil
         end
+        s2a[i] = nil
+    end
 end
 
--- Adds and removes Entities that have been marked.
+-- Adds, removes, and changes Entities that have been marked.
 function tiny_manageEntities(world)
-    local e2a, e2r = world.entitiesToAdd, world.entitiesToRemove
+
+    local e2a = world.entitiesToAdd
+    local e2r = world.entitiesToRemove
+    local e2c = world.entitiesToChange
 
     -- Early exit
-    if #e2a == 0 and #e2r == 0 then
+    if #e2a == 0 and #e2r == 0 and #e2c == 0 then
         return
     end
 
+    world.entitiesToChange = {}
+    world.entitiesToAdd = {}
+    world.entitiesToRemove = {}
+
     local entities = world.entities
+    local entityList = world.entityList
     local systems = world.systems
     local entityCount = world.entityCount
-    local entity, system, index
-    local onRemove, onAdd, ses, seis, filter, tmpEntity
+
+    -- Change Entities
+    for i = 1, #e2c do
+        local entity = e2c[i]
+        if entities[entity] then
+            for j = 1, #systems do
+                local system = systems[j]
+                if not system.nocache then
+                    local ses = system.entities
+                    local seis = system.indices
+                    local index = seis[entity]
+                    local filter = system.filter
+                    if filter and filter(system, entity) then
+                        if not index then
+                            system.modified = true
+                            index = #ses + 1
+                            ses[index] = entity
+                            seis[entity] = index
+                            local onAdd = system.onAdd
+                            if onAdd then
+                                onAdd(system, entity)
+                            end
+                        end
+                    elseif index then
+                        system.modified = true
+                        local tmpEntity = ses[#ses]
+                        ses[index] = tmpEntity
+                        seis[tmpEntity] = index
+                        seis[entity] = nil
+                        ses[#ses] = nil
+                        local onRemove = system.onRemove
+                        if onRemove then
+                            onRemove(system, entity)
+                        end
+                    end
+                end
+            end
+        end
+        e2c[i] = nil
+    end
 
     -- Remove Entities
     for i = 1, #e2r do
-        entity = e2r[i]
-        if entities[entity] then
+        local entity = e2r[i]
+        e2r[i] = nil
+        local listIndex = entities[entity]
+        if listIndex then
+            -- Remove Entity from world state
+            local lastEntity = entityList[#entityList]
+            entities[lastEntity] = listIndex
             entities[entity] = nil
+            entityList[listIndex] = lastEntity
+            entityList[#entityList] = nil
             entityCount = entityCount - 1
-
+            -- Remove from cached systems
             for j = 1, #systems do
-                system = systems[j]
-                ses = system.entities
-                seis = system.indices
-                index = seis[entity]
-
-                if index then
-                    system.modified = true
-                    tmpEntity = ses[#ses]
-                    ses[index] = tmpEntity
-                    seis[tmpEntity] = index
-                    seis[entity] = nil
-                    ses[#ses] = nil
-                    onRemove = system.onRemove
-                    if onRemove then
-                        onRemove(system, entity)
+                local system = systems[j]
+                if not system.nocache then
+                    local ses = system.entities
+                    local seis = system.indices
+                    local index = seis[entity]
+                    if index then
+                        system.modified = true
+                        local tmpEntity = ses[#ses]
+                        ses[index] = tmpEntity
+                        seis[tmpEntity] = index
+                        seis[entity] = nil
+                        ses[#ses] = nil
+                        local onRemove = system.onRemove
+                        if onRemove then
+                            onRemove(system, entity)
+                        end
                     end
                 end
-
             end
-
         end
-        e2r[i] = nil
     end
 
     -- Add Entities
     for i = 1, #e2a do
-        entity = e2a[i]
+        local entity = e2a[i]
         if not entities[entity] then
-            entities[entity] = true
+            local listIndex = #entityList + 1
+            entities[entity] = listIndex
+            entityList[listIndex] = entity
             entityCount = entityCount + 1
-
             for j = 1, #systems do
-                system = systems[j]
-                ses = system.entities
-                seis = system.indices
-                filter = system.filter
-                if filter and filter(system, entity) then
-                    system.modified = true
-                    index = #ses + 1
-                    ses[index] = entity
-                    seis[entity] = index
-                    onAdd = system.onAdd
-                    if onAdd then
-                        onAdd(system, entity)
+                local system = systems[j]
+                if not system.nocache then
+                    local ses = system.entities
+                    local seis = system.indices
+                    local filter = system.filter
+                    if filter and filter(system, entity) then
+                        system.modified = true
+                        local index = #ses + 1
+                        ses[index] = entity
+                        seis[entity] = index
+                        local onAdd = system.onAdd
+                        if onAdd then
+                            onAdd(system, entity)
+                        end
                     end
                 end
-
             end
-
         end
         e2a[i] = nil
     end
@@ -602,6 +727,25 @@ function tiny_manageEntities(world)
     world.entityCount = entityCount
 end
 
+--- Manages Entities and Systems marked for deletion or addition. Call this
+-- before modifying Systems and Entities outside of a call to `tiny.update`.
+-- Do not call this within a call to `tiny.update`.
+function tiny.refresh(world)
+    tiny_manageSystems(world)
+    tiny_manageEntities(world)
+    local systems = world.systems
+    for i = 1, #systems do
+        local system = systems[i]
+        if system.active then
+            local onModify = system.onModify
+            if onModify and system.modified then
+                onModify(system, 0)
+            end
+            system.modified = false
+        end
+    end
+end
+
 --- Updates the World by dt (delta time). Takes an optional parameter, `filter`,
 -- which is a Filter that selects Systems from the World, and updates only those
 -- Systems. If `filter` is not supplied, all Systems are updated. Put this
@@ -612,23 +756,22 @@ function tiny.update(world, dt, filter)
     tiny_manageEntities(world)
 
     local systems = world.systems
-    local system, update, interval, onModify
 
     --  Iterate through Systems IN ORDER
     for i = 1, #systems do
-        system = systems[i]
+        local system = systems[i]
         if system.active and ((not filter) or filter(world, system)) then
 
             -- Call the modify callback on Systems that have been modified.
-            onModify = system.onModify
+            local onModify = system.onModify
             if onModify and system.modified then
                 onModify(system, dt)
             end
 
-            --Update Systems that have an update method (most Systems)
-            update = system.update
+            -- Update Systems that have an update method (most Systems)
+            local update = system.update
             if update then
-                interval = system.interval
+                local interval = system.interval
                 if interval then
                     local bufferedTime = (system.bufferedTime or 0) + dt
                     while bufferedTime >= interval do
@@ -650,8 +793,9 @@ end
 
 --- Removes all Entities from the World.
 function tiny.clearEntities(world)
-    for e in pairs(world.entities) do
-        tiny_removeEntity(world, e)
+    local el = world.entityList
+    for i = 1, #el do
+        tiny_removeEntity(world, el[i])
     end
 end
 
@@ -673,26 +817,28 @@ function tiny.getSystemCount(world)
     return #(world.systems)
 end
 
---- Gets the index of a System in the World. Lower indexed Systems are processed
--- before higher indexed systems.
+--- Gets the index of the System in the World.
+-- A simpler alternative is `system.index`.
 function tiny.getSystemIndex(world, system)
-    return world.systemIndices[system]
+    return system.index
 end
 
 --- Sets the index of a System in the World, and returns the old index. Changes
 -- the order in which they Systems processed, because lower indexed Systems are
--- processed first.
+-- processed first. Returns the old system.index.
 function tiny.setSystemIndex(world, system, index)
-    local systemIndices = world.systemIndices
-    local oldIndex = systemIndices[system]
+    local oldIndex = system.index
     local systems = world.systems
-    local system = systems[oldIndex]
+
+    if index < 0 then
+        index = tiny.getSystemCount(world) + 1 + index
+    end
 
     tremove(systems, oldIndex)
     tinsert(systems, index, system)
 
     for i = oldIndex, index, index >= oldIndex and 1 or -1 do
-        systemIndices[systems[i]] = i
+        systems[i].index = i
     end
 
     return oldIndex
@@ -707,6 +853,7 @@ worldMetaTable = {
         remove = tiny.remove,
         removeEntity = tiny.removeEntity,
         removeSystem = tiny.removeSystem,
+        refresh = tiny.refresh,
         update = tiny.update,
         clearEntities = tiny.clearEntities,
         clearSystems = tiny.clearSystems,
@@ -714,7 +861,10 @@ worldMetaTable = {
         getSystemCount = tiny.getSystemCount,
         getSystemIndex = tiny.getSystemIndex,
         setSystemIndex = tiny.setSystemIndex
-    }
+    },
+    __tostring = function(self)
+        return "<tiny-ecs_World>"
+    end
 }
 
 return tiny