diff --git a/eo/src/utils/Makefile.am b/eo/src/utils/Makefile.am
index 5767df46..5c041cb7 100644
--- a/eo/src/utils/Makefile.am
+++ b/eo/src/utils/Makefile.am
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ libeoutils_a_SOURCES 	= eoParser.cpp \
 			eoFileMonitor.cpp \
 			eoStdoutMonitor.cpp \
 			eoRealBounds.cpp \
+			eoIntBounds.cpp \
 			make_help.cpp
 
 AM_CXXFLAGS 		= -I$(top_srcdir)/src
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ utilsinclude_HEADERS 	= checkpointing \
 			eoPopStat.h \
 			eoRNG.h \
 			eoRealBounds.h \
+			eoIntBounds.h \
 			eoRealVectorBounds.h \
 			eoRndGenerators.h \
 			eoScalarFitnessStat.h \
diff --git a/eo/src/utils/eoIntBounds.cpp b/eo/src/utils/eoIntBounds.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..924efe29
--- /dev/null
+++ b/eo/src/utils/eoIntBounds.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+#ifdef _MSC_VER
+// to avoid long name warnings
+#pragma warning(disable:4786)
+#endif 
+
+#include <ctime>
+
+#ifdef HAVE_SSTREAM
+#include <sstream>
+#else
+#include <strstream>
+#endif
+
+#include "eoIntBounds.h"
+
+
+// the global dummy bounds 
+// (used for unbounded variables when bounds are required)
+eoIntNoBounds eoDummyIntNoBounds;
+
+///////////// helper read functions defined in eoRealBounds.cpp
+extern bool remove_leading(std::string & _s, const std::string _delim);
+extern double read_double(std::string _s);
+extern long int read_int(std::string _s);
+
+
+/** the constructor for eoGeneralIntBound - from a string 
+ */
+eoIntBounds* eoGeneralIntBounds::getBoundsFromString(std::string _value)
+{
+  // now read
+  std::string delim(",; ");
+  std::string beginOrClose("[(])");
+  if (!remove_leading(_value, delim)) // only delimiters were left
+    throw std::runtime_error("Syntax error in eoGeneralIntBounds Ctor");
+
+  // look for opening char
+  size_t posDeb = _value.find_first_of(beginOrClose);	// allow ]a,b]
+  if (posDeb >= _value.size())	// nothing left to read 
+    throw std::runtime_error("Syntax error in eoGeneralIntBounds Ctor");
+
+  // ending char: next {}() after posDeb
+  size_t posFin = _value.find_first_of(beginOrClose,posDeb+1);
+  if (posFin >= _value.size())	// not found
+    throw std::runtime_error("Syntax error in eoGeneralIntBounds Ctor");
+
+  // the bounds
+  std::string sBounds = _value.substr(posDeb+1, posFin-posDeb-1);
+  // and remove from original string
+  _value = _value.substr(posFin+1);
+  
+  remove_leading(sBounds, delim);
+  size_t posDelim = sBounds.find_first_of(delim);
+  if (posDelim >= sBounds.size())
+    throw std::runtime_error("Syntax error in eoGeneralIntBounds Ctor");
+
+      bool minBounded=false, maxBounded=false;
+      long int minBound=0, maxBound=0;
+
+      // min bound
+      std::string sMinBounds = sBounds.substr(0,posDelim);
+
+      if ( (sMinBounds != std::string("-inf")) &&
+	   (sMinBounds != std::string("-infinity"))
+	   )
+	{
+	  minBounded = true;
+	  minBound = read_int(sMinBounds);
+	}
+
+      // max bound
+      size_t posEndDelim = sBounds.find_first_not_of(delim,posDelim);
+
+      std::string sMaxBounds = sBounds.substr(posEndDelim);
+
+      if ( (sMaxBounds != std::string("+inf")) &&
+	   (sMaxBounds != std::string("+infinity"))
+	   )
+	{
+	  maxBounded = true;
+	  maxBound = read_int(sMaxBounds);
+	}
+
+      // now create the embedded eoIntBounds object
+      eoIntBounds * locBound;
+      if (minBounded && maxBounded)
+	{
+	  if (maxBound <= minBound)
+	    throw std::runtime_error("Syntax error in eoGeneralIntBounds Ctor");
+	  locBound = new eoIntInterval(minBound, maxBound);
+	}	  
+      else if (!minBounded && !maxBounded)	// no bound at all
+	locBound = new eoIntNoBounds;
+      else if (!minBounded && maxBounded)
+	locBound = new eoIntAboveBound(maxBound);
+      else if (minBounded && !maxBounded)
+	locBound = new eoIntBelowBound(minBound);
+      return locBound;
+}
diff --git a/eo/src/utils/eoIntBounds.h b/eo/src/utils/eoIntBounds.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a38253b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/eo/src/utils/eoIntBounds.h
@@ -0,0 +1,689 @@
+// -*- mode: c++; c-indent-level: 4; c++-member-init-indent: 8; comment-column: 35; -*-
+
+//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// eoIntBounds.h
+// (c) Marc Schoenauer 2001, Maarten Keijzer 2000, GeNeura Team, 1998
+/* 
+    This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+    modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+    License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+    version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+
+    This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+    Lesser General Public License for more details.
+
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+    License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+    Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA
+
+    Contact: todos@geneura.ugr.es, http://geneura.ugr.es
+             Marc.Schoenauer@polytechnique.fr
+             mak@dhi.dk
+ */
+//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+#ifndef _eoIntBounds_h
+#define _eoIntBounds_h
+
+#include <stdexcept>		   // std::exceptions!
+#include <utils/eoRNG.h>
+
+/**
+\defgroup EvolutionStrategies
+
+*/
+
+
+/**
+\class eoIntBounds eoIntBounds.h es/eoIntBounds.h
+\ingroup EvolutionStrategies
+
+    Defines bound classes for real numbers.
+
+Scalar type:
+------------
+Basic class is eoIntBounds, a pure virtual.
+
+The following pure virtual methods are to be used in mutations:
+- void foldsInBounds(long int &) that folds any value that falls out of 
+  the bounds back into the bounds, by bouncing on the limit (if any)
+- bool isInBounds(long int) that simply says whether or not the argument 
+  is in the bounds
+- void truncate(long int &) that set the argument to the bound value it
+it exceeds it
+
+So mutation can choose 
+- iterate trying until they fall in bounds, 
+- only try once and "restd::pair" by using the foldsInBounds method
+- only try once and restd::pair using the truncate method (will create a
+  huge bias toward the bound if the soluiton is not far from the bounds)
+
+There is also a uniform() method that generates a uniform value 
+(if possible, i.e. if bounded) in the interval.
+
+Derived class are 
+eoIntInterval that holds a minimum and maximum value, 
+eoIntNoBounds the "unbounded bounds" (-infinity, +infinity)
+eoIntBelowBound the half-bounded interval [min, +infinity)
+eoIntAboveBound the   half-bounded interval (-infinity, max]
+
+THis file also contains the declaration of *the* global object that
+is the unbounded bound
+*/
+class eoIntBounds : public eoPersistent
+{ 
+public:
+  virtual ~eoIntBounds(){}
+
+  /** Self-Test: true if ***both*** a min and a max
+   */
+  virtual bool isBounded(void) const  = 0;
+
+  /** Self-Test: true if no min ***and*** no max
+   *        hence no further need to test/truncate/fold anything
+   */
+  virtual bool hasNoBoundAtAll(void) const  = 0;
+
+  /** Self-Test: bounded from below???
+   */
+  virtual bool isMinBounded(void) const = 0;
+
+  /** Self-Test: bounded from above???
+   */
+  virtual bool isMaxBounded(void) const = 0;
+
+  /** Test on a value: is it in bounds?
+   */
+  virtual bool isInBounds(double)  const = 0;
+
+  /** Put value back into bounds - by folding back and forth
+   */
+  virtual void foldsInBounds(double &)  const = 0;
+
+  /** foldsInBounds for ints: 
+   * call the method for double and convert back */
+  virtual void foldsInBounds(long int & i)  const
+  {
+    double r = double(i);
+    foldsInBounds(r);
+    i = (long int)(r);
+  }
+
+  /** Put value back into bounds - by truncating to a boundary value
+   */
+  virtual void truncate(double &)  const = 0;
+
+  /** truncate for ints: call the method for double and convert back
+   */
+  virtual void truncate(long int & i)  const 
+  {
+    double r = double(i);
+    truncate(r);
+    i = (long int)(r);
+  }
+
+  /** get minimum value 
+   *  @std::exception if does not exist
+   */  
+  virtual long int minimum()  const = 0 ;
+  /** get maximum value
+   *  @std::exception if does not exist
+   */  
+  virtual long int maximum()  const = 0 ;
+  /** get range
+   *  @std::exception if unbounded
+   */  
+  virtual long int range()  const = 0;
+
+  /** random generator of uniform numbers in bounds
+   * uses same naming convention than eo::rng
+   * @std::exception if unbounded
+   */
+  virtual double uniform(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng)  const = 0;
+  virtual long int random(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng)  const = 0;
+
+  /** for memory managements - ugly */
+  virtual eoIntBounds * dup()  const = 0;
+};
+
+/** A default class for unbounded variables
+ */
+class eoIntNoBounds : public eoIntBounds
+{
+public:
+  virtual ~eoIntNoBounds(){}
+
+  virtual bool isBounded(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual bool hasNoBoundAtAll(void) const  {return true;}
+  virtual bool isMinBounded(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual bool isMaxBounded(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual void foldsInBounds(double &)  const {return;}
+  virtual void truncate(double &)  const {return;}
+  virtual bool isInBounds(double)  const {return true;}
+
+  virtual long int minimum() const
+  {
+    throw std::logic_error("Trying to get minimum of unbounded eoIntBounds");
+  }
+  virtual long int maximum() const 
+  {
+    throw std::logic_error("Trying to get maximum of unbounded eoIntBounds");
+  }
+  virtual long int range() const 
+  {
+    throw std::logic_error("Trying to get range of unbounded eoIntBounds");
+  }
+
+  virtual double uniform(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng) const 
+  {
+    throw std::logic_error("Trying to generate uniform values in unbounded eoIntBounds");
+  }
+  virtual long int random(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng) const 
+  {
+    throw std::logic_error("Trying to generate uniform values in unbounded eoIntBounds");
+  }
+
+  // methods from eoPersistent
+  /**
+   * Read object.
+   * @param _is A std::istream.
+   * but reading should not be done here, because of bound problems
+   * see eoIntVectorBounds
+   */
+  virtual void readFrom(std::istream& _is) 
+  {
+    throw std::runtime_error("Should not use eoIntBounds::readFrom");
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Write object. It's called printOn since it prints the object on a stream.
+   * @param _os A std::ostream.
+   */
+  virtual void printOn(std::ostream& _os) const
+  {
+    _os << "[-inf,+inf]";
+  }
+
+  /** for memory managements - ugly */
+  virtual eoIntBounds * dup() const 
+  {
+    return new eoIntNoBounds(*this);
+  }
+
+};
+
+// one object for all - see eoIntBounds.cpp
+extern eoIntNoBounds eoDummyIntNoBounds;
+
+/**
+ * fully bounded eoIntBound == interval
+ */
+class eoIntInterval : public eoIntBounds
+{
+public :
+  virtual ~eoIntInterval(){}
+  
+  /** 
+      Simple bounds = minimum and maximum (allowed)
+  */
+  eoIntInterval(long int _min=0, long int _max=1) : 
+    repMinimum(_min), repMaximum(_max), repRange(_max-_min) 
+  {
+    if (repRange<=0)
+      throw std::logic_error("Void range in eoIntBounds");
+  }
+
+  // accessors  
+  virtual long int minimum() const { return repMinimum; }
+  virtual long int maximum() const { return repMaximum; }
+  virtual long int range()  const { return repRange; }
+
+  // description
+  virtual bool isBounded(void)  const {return true;}
+  virtual bool hasNoBoundAtAll(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual bool isMinBounded(void)  const {return true;}
+  virtual bool isMaxBounded(void)  const {return true;}
+
+  virtual double uniform(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng) const 
+  {
+    return repMinimum + _rng.uniform(repRange);
+  }  
+
+  virtual long int random(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng) const 
+  {
+    return repMinimum + _rng.random(repRange);
+  }  
+
+  // says if a given double is within the bounds
+  virtual bool isInBounds(double _r) const 
+  {
+    if (_r < repMinimum)
+      return false;
+    if (_r > repMaximum)
+      return false;
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  // folds a value into bounds
+  virtual void foldsInBounds(double &  _r) const 
+  {
+    long iloc;
+    double dlargloc = 2 * range() ;
+
+    if (fabs(_r) > 1.0E9)		// iloc too large!
+      {
+	_r = uniform();
+	return;
+      }
+
+    if ( (_r > maximum()) )
+      {
+	iloc = (long) ( (_r-minimum()) / dlargloc ) ;
+	_r -= dlargloc * iloc ;
+	if ( _r > maximum() )
+	  _r = 2*maximum() - _r ;
+      }
+    
+    if (_r < minimum()) 
+      {
+	iloc = (long) ( (maximum()-_r) / dlargloc ) ;
+	_r += dlargloc * iloc ;
+	if (_r < minimum())
+	  _r = 2*minimum() - _r ;
+      }
+  }    
+
+  // truncates to the bounds
+  virtual void truncate(double & _r) const 
+  {
+    if (_r < repMinimum)
+      _r = repMinimum;
+    else if (_r > repMaximum)
+      _r = repMaximum;
+    return;
+  }
+
+  // methods from eoPersistent
+  /**
+   * Read object.
+   * @param _is A std::istream.
+   * but reading should not be done here, because of bound problems
+   * see eoIntVectorBounds
+   */
+  virtual void readFrom(std::istream& _is) 
+  {
+    throw std::runtime_error("Should not use eoIntInterval::readFrom");
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Write object. It's called printOn since it prints the object on a stream.
+   * @param _os A std::ostream.
+   */
+  virtual void printOn(std::ostream& _os) const
+  {
+    _os << "[" << repMinimum << "," << repMaximum << "]";
+  }
+
+  /** for memory managements - ugly */
+  virtual eoIntBounds * dup() const 
+  {
+    return new eoIntInterval(*this);
+  }
+
+private :
+  long int repMinimum;
+  long int repMaximum;
+  long int repRange;			   // to minimize operations ???
+};
+
+/**
+ * an eoIntBound bounded from below only
+ */
+class eoIntBelowBound : public eoIntBounds
+{
+public :
+  virtual ~eoIntBelowBound(){}  
+  /** 
+      Simple bounds = minimum
+  */
+  eoIntBelowBound(long int _min=0) : 
+    repMinimum(_min)
+  {}
+
+  // accessors  
+  virtual long int minimum() const { return repMinimum; }
+
+  virtual long int maximum() const 
+  {
+    throw std::logic_error("Trying to get maximum of eoIntBelowBound");
+  }
+  virtual long int range() const 
+  {
+    throw std::logic_error("Trying to get range of eoIntBelowBound");
+  }
+
+  virtual double uniform(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng) const 
+  {
+    throw std::logic_error("Trying to generate uniform values in eoIntBelowBound");
+  }
+  virtual long int random(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng) const 
+  {
+    throw std::logic_error("Trying to generate uniform values in eoIntBelowBound");
+  }
+
+  // description
+  virtual bool isBounded(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual bool hasNoBoundAtAll(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual bool isMinBounded(void)  const {return true;}
+  virtual bool isMaxBounded(void) const  {return false;}
+
+  // says if a given double is within the bounds
+  virtual bool isInBounds(double _r) const 
+  {
+    if (_r < repMinimum)
+      return false;
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  // folds a value into bounds
+  virtual void foldsInBounds(double &  _r) const 
+  {
+    // easy as a pie: symmetry w.r.t. minimum
+    if (_r < repMinimum)	   // nothing to do otherwise
+      _r = 2*repMinimum - _r;
+    return ;
+  }    
+
+  // truncates to the bounds
+  virtual void truncate(double & _r) const 
+  {
+    if (_r < repMinimum)
+      _r = repMinimum;
+    return;
+  }
+
+  // methods from eoPersistent
+  /**
+   * Read object.
+   * @param _is A std::istream.
+   * but reading should not be done here, because of bound problems
+   * see eoIntVectorBounds
+   */
+  virtual void readFrom(std::istream& _is) 
+  {
+    throw std::runtime_error("Should not use eoIntBelowBound::readFrom");
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Write object. It's called printOn since it prints the object on a stream.
+   * @param _os A std::ostream.
+   */
+  virtual void printOn(std::ostream& _os) const
+  {
+    _os << "[" << repMinimum << ",+inf]";
+  }
+
+  /** for memory managements - ugly */
+  virtual eoIntBounds * dup() const 
+  {
+    return new eoIntBelowBound(*this);
+  }
+
+private :
+  long int repMinimum;
+};
+
+/**
+An eoIntBound bounded from above only
+*/
+class eoIntAboveBound : public eoIntBounds
+{
+public :
+  virtual ~eoIntAboveBound(){}
+  
+  /** 
+      Simple bounds = minimum
+  */
+  eoIntAboveBound(long int _max=0) : 
+    repMaximum(_max)
+  {}
+
+  // accessors  
+  virtual long int maximum() const  { return repMaximum; }
+
+  virtual long int minimum() const 
+  {
+    throw std::logic_error("Trying to get minimum of eoIntAboveBound");
+  }
+  virtual long int range() const 
+  {
+    throw std::logic_error("Trying to get range of eoIntAboveBound");
+  }
+
+  virtual double uniform(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng) const 
+  {
+    throw std::logic_error("Trying to generate uniform values in eoIntAboveBound");
+  }
+  virtual long int random(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng) const 
+  {
+    throw std::logic_error("Trying to generate uniform values in eoIntAboveBound");
+  }
+
+  // description
+  virtual bool isBounded(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual bool hasNoBoundAtAll(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual bool isMinBounded(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual bool isMaxBounded(void)  const {return true;}
+
+  // says if a given double is within the bounds
+  virtual bool isInBounds(double _r) const 
+  {
+    if (_r > repMaximum)
+      return false;
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  // folds a value into bounds
+  virtual void foldsInBounds(double &  _r) const 
+  {
+    // easy as a pie: symmetry w.r.t. maximum
+    if (_r > repMaximum)	   // nothing to do otherwise
+      _r = 2*repMaximum - _r;
+    return ;
+  }    
+
+  // truncates to the bounds
+  virtual void truncate(double & _r) const 
+  {
+    if (_r > repMaximum)
+      _r = repMaximum;
+    return;
+  }
+
+  // methods from eoPersistent
+  /**
+   * Read object.
+   * @param _is A std::istream.
+   * but reading should not be done here, because of bound problems
+   * see eoIntVectorBounds
+   */
+  virtual void readFrom(std::istream& _is) 
+  {
+    throw std::runtime_error("Should not use eoIntAboveBound::readFrom");
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Write object. It's called printOn since it prints the object on a stream.
+   * @param _os A std::ostream.
+   */
+  virtual void printOn(std::ostream& _os) const
+  {
+    _os << "[-inf," << repMaximum << "]";
+  }
+
+  /** for memory managements - ugly */
+  virtual eoIntBounds * dup() const 
+  {
+    return new eoIntAboveBound(*this);
+  }
+
+private :
+  long int repMaximum;
+};
+
+//////////////////////// tentative for a general BOUND class that is constructed from a string
+
+class eoGeneralIntBounds : public eoIntBounds
+{
+public:
+  /** Ctor: from a string, chooses the type of bound */
+  eoGeneralIntBounds(std::string _s)
+  {
+    repBound = getBoundsFromString(_s);
+  }
+
+  /** Need a Cpy Ctor because we are allocating memory */
+  eoGeneralIntBounds(eoGeneralIntBounds & _b)
+  {
+    // replicate the embedded bound (I'm pretty sure there is another
+    // way to do that !!!
+
+    bool minBounded = _b.isMinBounded();
+    bool maxBounded = _b.isMaxBounded();
+    long int minimum, maximum;
+    const eoIntBounds & bb = _b.theBounds();
+    if (minBounded) minimum = bb.minimum();
+    if (maxBounded) maximum = bb.maximum();
+
+      if (minBounded && maxBounded)
+	repBound = new eoIntInterval(minimum, maximum);
+      else if (!minBounded && !maxBounded)	// no bound at all
+	repBound = new eoIntNoBounds;
+      else if (!minBounded && maxBounded)
+	repBound = new eoIntAboveBound(maximum);
+      else if (minBounded && !maxBounded)
+	repBound = new eoIntBelowBound(minimum);
+  }
+
+  eoGeneralIntBounds& operator=(const eoGeneralIntBounds& _b)
+  {
+    // replicate the embedded bound (I'm pretty sure there is another
+    // way to do that !!!
+
+    bool minBounded = _b.isMinBounded();
+    bool maxBounded = _b.isMaxBounded();
+    long int minimum, maximum;
+    const eoIntBounds & bb = _b.theBounds();
+    if (minBounded) minimum = bb.minimum();
+    if (maxBounded) maximum = bb.maximum();
+
+    // first delete the embedded bounds if necessary
+    if (repBound)
+      delete repBound;
+    // now reallocate
+      if (minBounded && maxBounded)
+	repBound = new eoIntInterval(minimum, maximum);
+      else if (!minBounded && !maxBounded)	// no bound at all
+	repBound = new eoIntNoBounds;
+      else if (!minBounded && maxBounded)
+	repBound = new eoIntAboveBound(maximum);
+      else if (minBounded && !maxBounded)
+	repBound = new eoIntBelowBound(minimum);
+      return (*this);
+  }
+
+
+  /** Need a Dtor because we allocate an actual bound  */
+  ~eoGeneralIntBounds()
+  {
+    delete repBound;
+  }
+
+  ///// and now all methods from the embedded bounds
+  /** Self-Test: true if ***both*** a min and a max
+   */
+  virtual bool isBounded(void)  const {return repBound->isBounded();}
+
+  /** Self-Test: true if no min ***and*** no max
+   *        hence no further need to test/truncate/fold anything
+   */
+  virtual bool hasNoBoundAtAll(void)  const {return repBound->hasNoBoundAtAll();}
+
+  /** Self-Test: bounded from below???
+   */
+  virtual bool isMinBounded(void)  const {return repBound->isMinBounded();}
+
+  /** Self-Test: bounded from above???
+   */
+  virtual bool isMaxBounded(void) const {return repBound->isMaxBounded();}
+
+  /** Test on a value: is it in bounds?
+   */
+  virtual bool isInBounds(double _x)  const {return repBound->isInBounds(_x);}
+
+  /** Put value back into bounds - by folding back and forth
+   */
+  virtual void foldsInBounds(double & _x) const {return repBound->foldsInBounds(_x);}
+
+  /** Put value back into bounds - by truncating to a boundary value
+   */
+  virtual void truncate(double & _x)  const {return repBound->truncate(_x);}
+
+  /** get minimum value 
+   *  @std::exception if does not exist
+   */  
+  virtual long int minimum()  const {return repBound->minimum();}
+  /** get maximum value
+   *  @std::exception if does not exist
+   */  
+  virtual long int maximum() const {return repBound->maximum();}
+  /** get range
+   *  @std::exception if unbounded
+   */  
+  virtual long int range()  const {return repBound->range();}
+
+  /** random generator of uniform doubles in bounds
+   * @std::exception if unbounded
+   */
+  virtual double uniform(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng)  const {return repBound->uniform();}
+
+  /** random generator of uniform ints in bounds
+   * @std::exception if unbounded
+   */
+  virtual long int random(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng)  const {return repBound->random();}
+
+  /** for memory managements - ugly */
+  virtual eoIntBounds * dup() const  {return repBound->dup();}
+
+  /** for efficiency, it's better to use the embedded boud directly */
+  const eoIntBounds & theBounds()  const { return *repBound;} 
+
+  /** don't forget the printOn method - 
+   * again that of the embedded bound
+   */
+  virtual void printOn(std::ostream& _os) const
+  {
+    repBound->printOn(_os);
+  }
+
+  /** no readFrom ??? Have to check that later */
+  virtual void readFrom(std::istream& _is) 
+  {
+    std::string s;
+    _is >> s;
+    if (repBound)
+      delete repBound;
+    repBound = getBoundsFromString(s);
+  }
+
+private:
+  // reading from a string
+  eoIntBounds * getBoundsFromString(std::string);
+
+  eoIntBounds * repBound;
+};
+
+
+#endif
diff --git a/eo/src/utils/eoRealBounds.cpp b/eo/src/utils/eoRealBounds.cpp
index 4b8fabb8..cd59620b 100644
--- a/eo/src/utils/eoRealBounds.cpp
+++ b/eo/src/utils/eoRealBounds.cpp
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 #include "eoRealBounds.h"
 #include "eoRealVectorBounds.h"
 
+
 // the global dummy bounds 
 // (used for unbounded variables when bounds are required)
 eoRealNoBounds eoDummyRealNoBounds;
@@ -46,14 +47,14 @@ double read_double(std::string _s)
   return r;
 }
 
-int read_int(std::string _s)
+long int read_int(std::string _s)
 {
 #ifdef HAVE_SSTREAM
     std::istringstream is(_s);
 #else
   std::istrstream is(_s.c_str());
 #endif
-  int i;
+  long int i;
   is >> i;
   return i;
 }
@@ -191,3 +192,80 @@ void eoRealVectorBounds::adjust_size(unsigned _dim)
       factor[factor.size()-1] += missing;
     }
 }
+
+/** the constructor for eoGeneralRealBound - from a string 
+ *  very similar to the eoRealVectorBounds::readFrom above 
+ *  but was written much later so the readFrom does not call this one
+ *  as it should do 
+ */
+eoRealBounds* eoGeneralRealBounds::getBoundsFromString(std::string _value)
+{
+  // now read
+  std::string delim(",; ");
+  std::string beginOrClose("[(])");
+  if (!remove_leading(_value, delim)) // only delimiters were left
+    throw std::runtime_error("Syntax error in eoGeneralRealBounds Ctor");
+
+  // look for opening char
+  size_t posDeb = _value.find_first_of(beginOrClose);	// allow ]a,b]
+  if (posDeb >= _value.size())	// nothing left to read 
+    throw std::runtime_error("Syntax error in eoGeneralRealBounds Ctor");
+
+  // ending char: next {}() after posDeb
+  size_t posFin = _value.find_first_of(beginOrClose,posDeb+1);
+  if (posFin >= _value.size())	// not found
+    throw std::runtime_error("Syntax error in eoGeneralRealBounds Ctor");
+
+  // the bounds
+  std::string sBounds = _value.substr(posDeb+1, posFin-posDeb-1);
+  // and remove from original string
+  _value = _value.substr(posFin+1);
+  
+  remove_leading(sBounds, delim);
+  size_t posDelim = sBounds.find_first_of(delim);
+  if (posDelim >= sBounds.size())
+    throw std::runtime_error("Syntax error in eoGeneralRealBounds Ctor");
+
+      bool minBounded=false, maxBounded=false;
+      double minBound=0, maxBound=0;
+
+      // min bound
+      std::string sMinBounds = sBounds.substr(0,posDelim);
+
+      if ( (sMinBounds != std::string("-inf")) &&
+	   (sMinBounds != std::string("-infinity"))
+	   )
+	{
+	  minBounded = true;
+	  minBound = read_double(sMinBounds);
+	}
+
+      // max bound
+      size_t posEndDelim = sBounds.find_first_not_of(delim,posDelim);
+
+      std::string sMaxBounds = sBounds.substr(posEndDelim);
+
+      if ( (sMaxBounds != std::string("+inf")) &&
+	   (sMaxBounds != std::string("+infinity"))
+	   )
+	{
+	  maxBounded = true;
+	  maxBound = read_double(sMaxBounds);
+	}
+
+      // now create the embedded eoRealBounds object
+      eoRealBounds * locBound;
+      if (minBounded && maxBounded)
+	{
+	  if (maxBound <= minBound)
+	    throw std::runtime_error("Syntax error in eoGeneralRealBounds Ctor");
+	  locBound = new eoRealInterval(minBound, maxBound);
+	}	  
+      else if (!minBounded && !maxBounded)	// no bound at all
+	locBound = new eoRealNoBounds;
+      else if (!minBounded && maxBounded)
+	locBound = new eoRealAboveBound(maxBound);
+      else if (minBounded && !maxBounded)
+	locBound = new eoRealBelowBound(minBound);
+      return locBound;
+}
diff --git a/eo/src/utils/eoRealBounds.h b/eo/src/utils/eoRealBounds.h
index 0ed662b0..fa69e440 100644
--- a/eo/src/utils/eoRealBounds.h
+++ b/eo/src/utils/eoRealBounds.h
@@ -79,53 +79,53 @@ public:
 
   /** Self-Test: true if ***both*** a min and a max
    */
-  virtual bool isBounded(void) = 0;
+  virtual bool isBounded(void) const  = 0;
 
   /** Self-Test: true if no min ***and*** no max
    *        hence no further need to test/truncate/fold anything
    */
-  virtual bool hasNoBoundAtAll(void) = 0;
+  virtual bool hasNoBoundAtAll(void) const  = 0;
 
   /** Self-Test: bounded from below???
    */
-  virtual bool isMinBounded(void) = 0;
+  virtual bool isMinBounded(void) const = 0;
 
   /** Self-Test: bounded from above???
    */
-  virtual bool isMaxBounded(void) = 0;
+  virtual bool isMaxBounded(void) const = 0;
 
   /** Test on a value: is it in bounds?
    */
-  virtual bool isInBounds(double) = 0;
+  virtual bool isInBounds(double)  const = 0;
 
   /** Put value back into bounds - by folding back and forth
    */
-  virtual void foldsInBounds(double &) = 0;
+  virtual void foldsInBounds(double &)  const = 0;
 
   /** Put value back into bounds - by truncating to a boundary value
    */
-  virtual void truncate(double &) = 0;
+  virtual void truncate(double &)  const = 0;
 
   /** get minimum value 
    *  @std::exception if does not exist
    */  
-  virtual double minimum() = 0;
+  virtual double minimum()  const = 0 ;
   /** get maximum value
    *  @std::exception if does not exist
    */  
-  virtual double maximum() = 0;
+  virtual double maximum()  const = 0 ;
   /** get range
    *  @std::exception if unbounded
    */  
-  virtual double range() = 0;
+  virtual double range()  const = 0;
 
   /** random generator of uniform numbers in bounds
    * @std::exception if unbounded
    */
-  virtual double uniform(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng) = 0;
+  virtual double uniform(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng)  const = 0;
 
   /** for memory managements - ugly */
-  virtual eoRealBounds * dup() = 0;
+  virtual eoRealBounds * dup()  const = 0;
 };
 
 /** A default class for unbounded variables
@@ -135,28 +135,28 @@ class eoRealNoBounds : public eoRealBounds
 public:
   virtual ~eoRealNoBounds(){}
 
-  virtual bool isBounded(void) {return false;}
-  virtual bool hasNoBoundAtAll(void) {return true;}
-  virtual bool isMinBounded(void) {return false;}
-  virtual bool isMaxBounded(void) {return false;}
-  virtual void foldsInBounds(double &) {return;}
-  virtual void truncate(double &) {return;}
-  virtual bool isInBounds(double) {return true;}
+  virtual bool isBounded(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual bool hasNoBoundAtAll(void) const  {return true;}
+  virtual bool isMinBounded(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual bool isMaxBounded(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual void foldsInBounds(double &)  const {return;}
+  virtual void truncate(double &)  const {return;}
+  virtual bool isInBounds(double)  const {return true;}
 
-  virtual double minimum()
+  virtual double minimum() const
   {
     throw std::logic_error("Trying to get minimum of unbounded eoRealBounds");
   }
-  virtual double maximum()
+  virtual double maximum() const 
   {
     throw std::logic_error("Trying to get maximum of unbounded eoRealBounds");
   }
-  virtual double range()
+  virtual double range() const 
   {
     throw std::logic_error("Trying to get range of unbounded eoRealBounds");
   }
 
-  virtual double uniform(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng)
+  virtual double uniform(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng) const 
   {
     throw std::logic_error("Trying to generate uniform values in unbounded eoRealBounds");
   }
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ public:
   }
 
   /** for memory managements - ugly */
-  virtual eoRealBounds * dup()
+  virtual eoRealBounds * dup() const 
   {
     return new eoRealNoBounds(*this);
   }
@@ -212,23 +212,23 @@ public :
   }
 
   // accessors  
-  virtual double minimum() { return repMinimum; }
-  virtual double maximum() { return repMaximum; }
-  virtual double range()   { return repRange; }
+  virtual double minimum() const { return repMinimum; }
+  virtual double maximum() const { return repMaximum; }
+  virtual double range()  const { return repRange; }
 
   // description
-  virtual bool isBounded(void) {return true;}
-  virtual bool hasNoBoundAtAll(void) {return false;}
-  virtual bool isMinBounded(void) {return true;}
-  virtual bool isMaxBounded(void) {return true;}
+  virtual bool isBounded(void)  const {return true;}
+  virtual bool hasNoBoundAtAll(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual bool isMinBounded(void)  const {return true;}
+  virtual bool isMaxBounded(void)  const {return true;}
 
-  virtual double uniform(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng)
+  virtual double uniform(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng) const 
   {
     return repMinimum + _rng.uniform(repRange);
   }  
 
   // says if a given double is within the bounds
-  virtual bool isInBounds(double _r)
+  virtual bool isInBounds(double _r) const 
   {
     if (_r < repMinimum)
       return false;
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ public :
   }
 
   // folds a value into bounds
-  virtual void foldsInBounds(double &  _r)
+  virtual void foldsInBounds(double &  _r) const 
   {
     long iloc;
     double dlargloc = 2 * range() ;
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ public :
   }    
 
   // truncates to the bounds
-  virtual void truncate(double & _r)
+  virtual void truncate(double & _r) const 
   {
     if (_r < repMinimum)
       _r = repMinimum;
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ public :
   }
 
   /** for memory managements - ugly */
-  virtual eoRealBounds * dup()
+  virtual eoRealBounds * dup() const 
   {
     return new eoRealInterval(*this);
   }
@@ -324,31 +324,31 @@ public :
   {}
 
   // accessors  
-  virtual double minimum() { return repMinimum; }
+  virtual double minimum() const { return repMinimum; }
 
-  virtual double maximum()
+  virtual double maximum() const 
   {
     throw std::logic_error("Trying to get maximum of eoRealBelowBound");
   }
-  virtual double range()
+  virtual double range() const 
   {
     throw std::logic_error("Trying to get range of eoRealBelowBound");
   }
 
   // random generators
-  virtual double uniform(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng)
+  virtual double uniform(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng) const 
   {
     throw std::logic_error("Trying to generate uniform values in eoRealBelowBound");
   }
 
   // description
-  virtual bool isBounded(void) {return false;}
-  virtual bool hasNoBoundAtAll(void) {return false;}
-  virtual bool isMinBounded(void) {return true;}
-  virtual bool isMaxBounded(void) {return false;}
+  virtual bool isBounded(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual bool hasNoBoundAtAll(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual bool isMinBounded(void)  const {return true;}
+  virtual bool isMaxBounded(void) const  {return false;}
 
   // says if a given double is within the bounds
-  virtual bool isInBounds(double _r)
+  virtual bool isInBounds(double _r) const 
   {
     if (_r < repMinimum)
       return false;
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ public :
   }
 
   // folds a value into bounds
-  virtual void foldsInBounds(double &  _r)
+  virtual void foldsInBounds(double &  _r) const 
   {
     // easy as a pie: symmetry w.r.t. minimum
     if (_r < repMinimum)	   // nothing to do otherwise
@@ -365,7 +365,7 @@ public :
   }    
 
   // truncates to the bounds
-  virtual void truncate(double & _r)
+  virtual void truncate(double & _r) const 
   {
     if (_r < repMinimum)
       _r = repMinimum;
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ public :
   }
 
   /** for memory managements - ugly */
-  virtual eoRealBounds * dup()
+  virtual eoRealBounds * dup() const 
   {
     return new eoRealBelowBound(*this);
   }
@@ -419,31 +419,31 @@ public :
   {}
 
   // accessors  
-  virtual double maximum() { return repMaximum; }
+  virtual double maximum() const  { return repMaximum; }
 
-  virtual double minimum()
+  virtual double minimum() const 
   {
     throw std::logic_error("Trying to get minimum of eoRealAboveBound");
   }
-  virtual double range()
+  virtual double range() const 
   {
     throw std::logic_error("Trying to get range of eoRealAboveBound");
   }
 
   // random generators
-  virtual double uniform(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng)
+  virtual double uniform(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng) const 
   {
     throw std::logic_error("Trying to generate uniform values in eoRealAboveBound");
   }
 
   // description
-  virtual bool isBounded(void) {return false;}
-  virtual bool hasNoBoundAtAll(void) {return false;}
-  virtual bool isMinBounded(void) {return false;}
-  virtual bool isMaxBounded(void) {return true;}
+  virtual bool isBounded(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual bool hasNoBoundAtAll(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual bool isMinBounded(void)  const {return false;}
+  virtual bool isMaxBounded(void)  const {return true;}
 
   // says if a given double is within the bounds
-  virtual bool isInBounds(double _r)
+  virtual bool isInBounds(double _r) const 
   {
     if (_r > repMaximum)
       return false;
@@ -451,7 +451,7 @@ public :
   }
 
   // folds a value into bounds
-  virtual void foldsInBounds(double &  _r)
+  virtual void foldsInBounds(double &  _r) const 
   {
     // easy as a pie: symmetry w.r.t. maximum
     if (_r > repMaximum)	   // nothing to do otherwise
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ public :
   }    
 
   // truncates to the bounds
-  virtual void truncate(double & _r)
+  virtual void truncate(double & _r) const 
   {
     if (_r > repMaximum)
       _r = repMaximum;
@@ -489,7 +489,7 @@ public :
   }
 
   /** for memory managements - ugly */
-  virtual eoRealBounds * dup()
+  virtual eoRealBounds * dup() const 
   {
     return new eoRealAboveBound(*this);
   }
@@ -498,4 +498,152 @@ private :
   double repMaximum;
 };
 
+//////////////////////// tentative for a general BOUND class that is constructed from a string
+
+class eoGeneralRealBounds : public eoRealBounds
+{
+public:
+  /** Ctor: from a string, chooses the type of bound */
+  eoGeneralRealBounds(std::string _s)
+  {
+    repBound = getBoundsFromString(_s);
+  }
+
+  /** Need a Cpy Ctor because we are allocating memory */
+  eoGeneralRealBounds(eoGeneralRealBounds & _b)
+  {
+    // replicate the embedded bound (I'm pretty sure there is another
+    // way to do that !!!
+
+    bool minBounded = _b.isMinBounded();
+    bool maxBounded = _b.isMaxBounded();
+    double minimum, maximum;
+    const eoRealBounds & bb = _b.theBounds();
+    if (minBounded) minimum = bb.minimum();
+    if (maxBounded) maximum = bb.maximum();
+
+      if (minBounded && maxBounded)
+	repBound = new eoRealInterval(minimum, maximum);
+      else if (!minBounded && !maxBounded)	// no bound at all
+	repBound = new eoRealNoBounds;
+      else if (!minBounded && maxBounded)
+	repBound = new eoRealAboveBound(maximum);
+      else if (minBounded && !maxBounded)
+	repBound = new eoRealBelowBound(minimum);
+  }
+
+  eoGeneralRealBounds& operator=(const eoGeneralRealBounds& _b)
+  {
+    // replicate the embedded bound (I'm pretty sure there is another
+    // way to do that !!!
+
+    bool minBounded = _b.isMinBounded();
+    bool maxBounded = _b.isMaxBounded();
+    double minimum, maximum;
+    const eoRealBounds & bb = _b.theBounds();
+    if (minBounded) minimum = bb.minimum();
+    if (maxBounded) maximum = bb.maximum();
+
+    // first delete the embedded bounds if necessary
+    if (repBound)
+      delete repBound;
+    // now reallocate
+      if (minBounded && maxBounded)
+	repBound = new eoRealInterval(minimum, maximum);
+      else if (!minBounded && !maxBounded)	// no bound at all
+	repBound = new eoRealNoBounds;
+      else if (!minBounded && maxBounded)
+	repBound = new eoRealAboveBound(maximum);
+      else if (minBounded && !maxBounded)
+	repBound = new eoRealBelowBound(minimum);
+      return (*this);
+  }
+
+
+  /** Need a Dtor because we allocate an actual bound  */
+  ~eoGeneralRealBounds()
+  {
+    delete repBound;
+  }
+
+  ///// and now all methods from the embedded bounds
+  /** Self-Test: true if ***both*** a min and a max
+   */
+  virtual bool isBounded(void)  const {return repBound->isBounded();}
+
+  /** Self-Test: true if no min ***and*** no max
+   *        hence no further need to test/truncate/fold anything
+   */
+  virtual bool hasNoBoundAtAll(void)  const {return repBound->hasNoBoundAtAll();}
+
+  /** Self-Test: bounded from below???
+   */
+  virtual bool isMinBounded(void)  const {return repBound->isMinBounded();}
+
+  /** Self-Test: bounded from above???
+   */
+  virtual bool isMaxBounded(void) const {return repBound->isMaxBounded();}
+
+  /** Test on a value: is it in bounds?
+   */
+  virtual bool isInBounds(double _x)  const {return repBound->isInBounds(_x);}
+
+  /** Put value back into bounds - by folding back and forth
+   */
+  virtual void foldsInBounds(double & _x) const {return repBound->foldsInBounds(_x);}
+
+  /** Put value back into bounds - by truncating to a boundary value
+   */
+  virtual void truncate(double & _x)  const {return repBound->truncate(_x);}
+
+  /** get minimum value 
+   *  @std::exception if does not exist
+   */  
+  virtual double minimum()  const {return repBound->minimum();}
+  /** get maximum value
+   *  @std::exception if does not exist
+   */  
+  virtual double maximum() const {return repBound->maximum();}
+  /** get range
+   *  @std::exception if unbounded
+   */  
+  virtual double range()  const {return repBound->range();}
+
+  /** random generator of uniform numbers in bounds
+   * @std::exception if unbounded
+   */
+  virtual double uniform(eoRng & _rng = eo::rng)  const {return repBound->uniform();}
+
+  /** for memory managements - ugly */
+  virtual eoRealBounds * dup() const  {return repBound->dup();}
+
+  /** for efficiency, it's better to use the embedded boud directly */
+  const eoRealBounds & theBounds()  const { return *repBound;} 
+
+  /** don't forget the printOn method - 
+   * again that of the embedded bound
+   */
+  virtual void printOn(std::ostream& _os) const
+  {
+    repBound->printOn(_os);
+  }
+
+  /** no readFrom ??? Have to check that later */
+  virtual void readFrom(std::istream& _is) 
+  {
+    std::string s;
+    _is >> s;
+    if (repBound)
+      delete repBound;
+    repBound = getBoundsFromString(s);
+  }
+
+private:
+  // reading from a string
+  eoRealBounds * getBoundsFromString(std::string);
+
+  eoRealBounds * repBound;
+};
+
+
 #endif