definite assignment: reading a local before it is initialized is a compile error (spec 4.1.5, b.1.9)

track linited per local alongside the ownership state; snapshots, exit records and joins carry it, and a join keeps a local set only when every reaching path set it. x = e, a declaration initializer, &x (out-parameter), a full array initializer, or using an aggregate as an address set a local; field and element writes do not set the aggregate. while/for bodies that may run zero times do not count; do/while does. compiler, runtime, std, actor and lsp sources initialize the locals the rule flagged; zc0 accepts = {} brace lists (zeroed). tests: tests/errors/uninit_*.zc, tests/conformance/4-statements/uninit_*.zc

13 files changed, 142 insertions, 81 deletions

diff --git a/src/compiler/analyzer.zc b/src/compiler/analyzer.zc
index 55a96bb..3802437 100644
--- a/src/compiler/analyzer.zc
+++ b/src/compiler/analyzer.zc
@@ -440,6 +440,7 @@ int newloc(int n) {
  if (!local_ended) local_ended = chk_resize(0, 0, loccap); local_ended[i] = 0;
  if (!local_end_info) local_end_info = chk_resize(0, 0, loccap); local_end_info[i] = 0;
  if (!local_shadow) local_shadow = chk_resize(0, 0, loccap); local_shadow[i] = 0;
+ if (!linited) linited = chk_resize(0, 0, loccap); linited[i] = 0;
 	lpos[i] = 0;
 	lreadpos[i] = 0;
 	lowner[i] = 0;
@@ -1024,6 +1025,18 @@ int luse(int i) {
 	if ((ltag[i] >> 56) < 100) ltag[i] = ltag[i] + LCNT1;
 	return 0;
 }
+// definite assignment (spec 4.1.5): a local must be written on every path
+// before it is read. linited[i] is 1 once that is true for the current path.
+int mark_inited(int i) {
+	if (i >= 0 && linited) linited[i] = 1;
+	return 0;
+}
+int need_inited(int i) {
+	if (!fchk || panic || dry || i < 0 || !linited) return 0;
+	if (!linited[i]) serrn(lname[i], "used before it is initialized");
+	return 0;
+}
+
 // touch records a use of a tracked local and rejects dead objects. a d object
 // read in an inner block moves there, where the block owns it as m.
 int touch(int i) {
@@ -1190,16 +1203,16 @@ int alias_end(int dep, int save) {
 	}
 	return 0;
 }
-// snapshots: [lbase] [nloc] then state, owner, home per local
+// snapshots: [lbase] [nloc] then state, owner, home, inited per local
 // save the states of all current locals; returns the snapshot offset
 int snap_push() {
 	int b = snaptop, i = lbase; word p;
 	af_forget();
-	reserve_R_SNAP(b + 2 + 3 * (nloc - lbase));
+	reserve_R_SNAP(b + 2 + 4 * (nloc - lbase));
 	p = R_SNAP + b;
 	p[0] = lbase; p[1] = nloc;
 	p = p + 2;
-	while (i < nloc) { p[0] = lstate[i]; p[1] = lowner[i]; p[2] = lhome[i]; p = p + 3; i++; }
+	while (i < nloc) { p[0] = lstate[i]; p[1] = lowner[i]; p[2] = lhome[i]; if (linited) p[3] = linited[i]; else p[3] = 1; p = p + 4; i++; }
 	snaptop = p - R_SNAP;
 	return b;
 }
@@ -1211,7 +1224,7 @@ int snap_restore(int b) {
 	af_forget();
 	if (e > nloc) e = nloc;
 	p = p + 2;
-	while (i < e) { lstate[i] = p[0]; lowner[i] = p[1]; lhome[i] = p[2]; p = p + 3; i++; }
+	while (i < e) { lstate[i] = p[0]; lowner[i] = p[1]; lhome[i] = p[2]; if (linited) linited[i] = p[3]; p = p + 4; i++; }
 	return 0;
 }
 // true for a plain or dead local state, which merge to dead.
@@ -1226,7 +1239,7 @@ int snap_cmp(int b) {
 		s = lstate[i];
 		if (empty(s) && empty(p[0])) { if (p[0] == S_DEAD) lstate[i] = S_DEAD; }
 		else if (s != p[0] || lhome[i] != p[2] || (s == S_CHILD && lowner[i] != p[1])) return i;
-		p = p + 3; i++;
+		p = p + 4; i++;
 	}
 	return -1;
 }
@@ -1258,7 +1271,7 @@ int merge_err(int i, int sa, int what) {
 // to analyze an if, the compiler snapshots the locals' states before the
 // branch, compiles the then path, restores the snapshot for the else path, and
 // then compares or merges the two. a snapshot is [lbase, nloc] followed by
-// state, owner and home for each local; the stack of them is at R_SNAP.
+// state, owner, home and inited for each local; the stack of them is at R_SNAP.
 // ---- joins ----
 
 // where control flow comes back together (after an if, a loop, a switch or
@@ -1274,19 +1287,24 @@ int extop; word[JOIN_PATHS] jps_initial; word jps = jps_initial; int jpscap = JO
 // read as plain.
 word jst(word p, int i) {
 	if (i >= p[1]) return S_PLAIN;
-	return p[2 + 3 * (i - p[0])];
+	return p[2 + 4 * (i - p[0])];
 }
 // the owner recorded in a jump's state for local i.
-word jow(word p, int i) { return p[3 + 3 * (i - p[0])]; }
+word jow(word p, int i) { return p[3 + 4 * (i - p[0])]; }
 // the jump's marker for local i, in the same record as jow.
-word jhm(word p, int i) { return p[4 + 3 * (i - p[0])]; }
+word jhm(word p, int i) { return p[4 + 4 * (i - p[0])]; }
+// definite-assignment bit for local i on path p (1 if missing from the snapshot).
+word jin(word p, int i) {
+	if (i >= p[1]) return 1;
+	return p[5 + 4 * (i - p[0])];
+}
 // the states at a break, with the jump to patch: [site] then a snapshot
 word exit_rec(int site) {
 	word p; int i = lbase; word q;
-	reserve_R_EXIT(extop + 3 + 3 * (nloc - lbase)); p = R_EXIT + extop;
+	reserve_R_EXIT(extop + 3 + 4 * (nloc - lbase)); p = R_EXIT + extop;
 	p[0] = site; p[1] = lbase; p[2] = nloc;
 	q = p + 3;
-	while (i < nloc) { q[0] = lstate[i]; q[1] = lowner[i]; q[2] = lhome[i]; q = q + 3; i++; }
+	while (i < nloc) { q[0] = lstate[i]; q[1] = lowner[i]; q[2] = lhome[i]; if (linited) q[3] = linited[i]; else q[3] = 1; q = q + 4; i++; }
 	extop = q - R_EXIT;
 	return p;
 }
@@ -1340,6 +1358,12 @@ int join(int n0, int what) {
 			rt.put_s(")");
 			errend();
 		}
+		// definite assignment: only initialized if every reaching path assigned it
+		if (linited) {
+			j = 0; s = 1;
+			while (j < njps) { if (!jin(jps[j], i)) s = 0; j++; }
+			linited[i] = s;
+		}
 		i++;
 	}
 	return 0;
diff --git a/src/compiler/base.zc b/src/compiler/base.zc
index 3135b39..03a575c 100644
--- a/src/compiler/base.zc
+++ b/src/compiler/base.zc
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ word lt_marks; int lt_nmarks, lt_markcap, lt_next_mark; char* lt_mark_file; int
 word lt_buf, lt_head, lt_file_at; int lt_top, lt_cap, lt_base = 0 - 1, lt_file_img; char* lt_file;
 char[2100] dbuf_initial; char* dbuf = dbuf_initial; int docbufcap = 2100; int dn, dlast, dline, docpending, dsect;
 char[2100] dsnap_initial; char* dsnap = dsnap_initial; int docsnapcap = 2100; int dsn, dnm; char[300] dnmb_initial; char* dnmb = dnmb_initial; int docnamecap = 300;
-int pk_tk, pk_tv, pq_n; word[4] pq_tk; word[4] pq_tv; word[4] pq_gl; word[4] pq_ln;	// up to 4 tokens of lookahead
+int pk_tk, pk_tv, pq_n; word[4] pq_tk = {}; word[4] pq_tv = {}; word[4] pq_gl = {}; word[4] pq_ln = {};	// up to 4 tokens of lookahead
 int here, hdelta, hlimit, ptop;
 int code_chunk = rt.CODE_END;
 word image_buffer, image_words; int image_active, image_org, image_capacity, image_size;
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ int fn_return_type;	// a consistent return type inferred from the function body
 // effects come from the real compiler's uses, stores, returns and call edges; unknown bodies stay conservative.
 const int EF_READ = 1, EF_WRITE = 2, EF_RETAIN = 4, EF_CONSUME = 8, EF_UNKNOWN = 16, EF_ALIAS = 32, EF_IDENTITY = 64;
 word effect_symbols, effect_edges, effect_requirements, effect_current; int effect_floor, effect_argument_base;
-word local_origin, local_origin_mask, local_cell, local_captured, local_ended, local_end_info, local_shadow, xshadow, effect_shadows; int argowner_mask; word effect_value, argorigin_mask; int capture_enabled; word[1] capture_dummy;
+word local_origin, local_origin_mask, local_cell, local_captured, local_ended, local_end_info, local_shadow, xshadow, effect_shadows, linited; int argowner_mask; word effect_value, argorigin_mask; int capture_enabled; word[1] capture_dummy = {};
 // drops (docs/design/destructors.md): the code position just past a drop form (a fresh
 // value with a drop still on the stack there), the type `this` gets in the next closure,
 // a local whose drop is set, a mailbox send whose arguments are checked, and o3 block depth.
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ int ifon; word ifs, ifr; int nif; word ifx; int nifx; word ift; int nift; word i
 word if_edges, if_value, if_local;
 int ifrcap = NIF, ifxcap = IFN, iftcap = IFT;
 int fldst, fldi;		// the one struct a bare address's field name resolved to
-char*[8] tpn; int ntp;		// type parameters in scope
+char*[8] tpn = {}; int ntp;		// type parameters in scope
 // reading a return type: unknown names are type parameters declared after the function's name
 int tvauto;
 // the typedefs of the blocks being compiled: three words each (the symbol, the block depth and the
@@ -328,8 +328,8 @@ int s_ld8, s_st8, s_ld16, s_st16, s_ld32, s_st32;
 // table of shared variables, hold_count the blocks so far. a shared variable's symbol has
 // F_SHARED and its block's rank above it in sflag.
 const int F_SHARED = 131072, F_SHARED_RANK = 262144;
-int hold_cur, fhold, hold_count, hold_desc, hold_nshared; word[128] hold_tab;
-int o3on, o3nxt, o3one; word[32] o3sl; word[32] o3rg; int no3sl; word[O3_REGIONS * 67] o3pend_initial; word o3pend = o3pend_initial; int o3pendcap = O3_REGIONS, no3pend; word[80] o3dsc; int o3fs, o3na, o3fn0;
+int hold_cur, fhold, hold_count, hold_desc, hold_nshared; word[128] hold_tab = {};
+int o3on, o3nxt, o3one; word[32] o3sl = {}; word[32] o3rg = {}; int no3sl; word[O3_REGIONS * 67] o3pend_initial; word o3pend = o3pend_initial; int o3pendcap = O3_REGIONS, no3pend; word[80] o3dsc = {}; int o3fs, o3na, o3fn0;
 // o3free holds registers released by closed scopes; o3cache holds the items pointer and length slots for fixed arrays.
 word[8] o3free; int no3free, o3nreg; word[NL] o3cache_initial; word o3cache = o3cache_initial; int argloc, s_hitems, s_hlen, s_fatten;
 // operator names used by numeric type checks.
@@ -348,18 +348,18 @@ int sx_push, sx_pop, sx_resize, sx_defer, sx_asm, sx_quote, sx_new, sx_int, sx_c
 // local lower bound / len(array); one proof record per live loop
 int nfact, factcap = RANGE_FACTS; word[RANGE_FACTS] floc_initial, flo_initial, flen_initial; word floc = floc_initial, flo = flo_initial, flen = flen_initial;
 int s_len_s, s_at_s, s_slice_s, s_cat_s, s_eq_s, s_lt_s, s_le_s, s_put_bs, s_put_s, s_n_to_s, s_new_s;
-int mdg; word[8] mdn;		// the type parameters of the generic struct whose methods are being compiled
+int mdg; word[8] mdn = {};		// the type parameters of the generic struct whose methods are being compiled
 word[8] gbind; int ngbind;		// explicit type arguments for the next call: f<int>(...)
 // generic functions. the template (type parameters stay variables) is compiled once, as before,
 // and its tokens are kept; a call whose type arguments are all known gets an instance, the same
 // tokens compiled again with the parameters bound to those types, so new(T) and sizeof(T)
 // inside it mean the real type. instances are compiled after the item that asked for them.
 int grec; word gbuf; int gn, gcap;		// the tokens of the top-level item being read
-int gnew, gnew_np; word[8] gnew_nm;		// a generic function was just defined
+int gnew, gnew_np; word[8] gnew_nm = {};		// a generic function was just defined
 int fn_method_compile, fnpatchseq;
 word gtab; int gt_n, gtcap = 64, gicap = 128; word gt_sym, gt_tok, gt_np, gt_module, gt_imports, gt_source; int gt_nm;	// the columns are allocated at the first generic function
 int gi_n; word gi_t, gi_sym, gi_ar, gi_done;
-int ginst; word[8] gnm; word[8] gib; int gng, ginsn;	// compiling an instance: the names and what they stand for
+int ginst; word[8] gnm = {}; word[8] gib = {}; int gng, ginsn;	// compiling an instance: the names and what they stand for
 int s_this;
 const int NCLO = 8; /* initial closure nesting capacity; grows when more closures are compiled */
 const int NCAP = 32; /* initial capture capacity per closure; grows when more variables are captured */
@@ -376,7 +376,7 @@ word[NCLO] clo_hi_initial; word clo_hi = clo_hi_initial;
 word[NCLO] clo_n_initial; word clo_n = clo_n_initial;
 word[NCLO] clo_env_initial; word clo_env = clo_env_initial;
 word[NCLO] clo_ret_initial; word clo_ret = clo_ret_initial;
-char*[256] clo_name_initial; char** clo_name = clo_name_initial;
+char*[256] clo_name_initial = {}; char** clo_name = clo_name_initial;
 word[256] clo_loc_initial; word clo_loc = clo_loc_initial;
 word[256] clo_via_initial; word clo_via = clo_via_initial;
 
@@ -704,7 +704,7 @@ word sdoff, sdsrc;
 // workspace folder an editor passes in, inc_hook a function that gives the text of a file the editor
 // sent (a host with no files of its own), incres the path an include was found at
 char* incdir, increoot, incres, std_buf, icon_buf; char*(char*.m) inc_hook; int std_done, icon_done;
-word rsrec, rstmp; word[32] pnoffs; word[32] pnplaces; int rsn, rscap, rsbase, nameoff;
+word rsrec, rstmp; word[32] pnoffs = {}; word[32] pnplaces = {}; int rsn, rscap, rsbase, nameoff;
 // ownership at a reference: record word 11 holds the local's state (S_* + 1, plus 16 when
 // it owns its object) and word 12 the declaration offset (+ 1) of the owner it borrows from.
 // transfers are logged as events, EV_W words each: the local's declaration offset, what
@@ -785,6 +785,7 @@ int reserve_locals(int need) {
  if (local_ended) local_ended = chk_resize(local_ended, nloc, cap);
  if (local_end_info) local_end_info = chk_resize(local_end_info, nloc, cap);
  if (local_shadow) local_shadow = chk_resize(local_shadow, nloc, cap);
+ if (linited) linited = chk_resize(linited, nloc, cap);
 	lafact = chk_resize(lafact, nloc, cap); laaddr = chk_resize(laaddr, nloc, cap); lprev = chk_resize(lprev, nloc, cap);
 	if (lvkind) { lvkind = chk_resize(lvkind, nloc, cap); lvvalue = chk_resize(lvvalue, nloc, cap); lvescaped = chk_resize(lvescaped, nloc, cap); }
 	o3cache = chk_resize(o3cache, nloc, cap);
@@ -1506,8 +1507,8 @@ int o3promote(int i) {
 int o3mkcache(int i) {
 	int k;
 	if (!o3on || ltype[i][0] != TY_DYN || !ltype[i][3] || tbytes(ltype[i][4])) return 0;
-	k = newloc(s_hitems); fslots++; ltag[k] = 16; o3promote(k);
-	newloc(s_hlen); fslots++; ltag[k + 1] = 16; o3promote(k + 1);
+	k = newloc(s_hitems); fslots++; ltag[k] = 16; o3promote(k); mark_inited(k);
+	newloc(s_hlen); fslots++; ltag[k + 1] = 16; o3promote(k + 1); mark_inited(k + 1);
 	o3cache[i] = k;
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/src/compiler/builtins.zc b/src/compiler/builtins.zc
index f40e223..56895e9 100644
--- a/src/compiler/builtins.zc
+++ b/src/compiler/builtins.zc
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ int embed_bind(int n, int off, word t, int a, int kind) {
 		return 0;
 	}
 	i = newloc(n); lrsoff[i] = off; rs_note(RS_LOCAL, off);
-	ltag[i] = LDECL; lpos[i] = tpack(); lnsz[i] = 0; lleaf[i] = 0; ltype[i] = t;
+	ltag[i] = LDECL; lpos[i] = tpack(); lnsz[i] = 0; lleaf[i] = 0; ltype[i] = t; mark_inited(i);
 	if (kind == 1) {
 		larr[i] = 1; fslots = fslots + tsz(t); capture_cell(i, 0);
 		vaddr(i); lit(a); lit(tsz(t)); callname(s_copy_w); op(O_DROP);
@@ -1094,7 +1094,7 @@ int ckind(int skipname) {
 int ckindfloat(int k) { return k == 2 || k == 5; }
 // parse an extern declaration: a c function with its signature, and a zc stub for it.
 int kw_extern() {
-	int rk; word[16] ks; word[16] kst; char*[16] ksn; int np = 0, k; char* fname; char* cname; int i, a, j, n, w, sig, bad = 0; char* buf; word oldimports = module_imports; int pos, len, g; word st, rst; int rn, rsd, sret = 0;
+	int rk; word[16] ks = {}; word[16] kst = {}; char*[16] ksn = {}; int np = 0, k; char* fname; char* cname; int i, a, j, n, w, sig, bad = 0; char* buf; word oldimports = module_imports; int pos, len, g; word st, rst = 0; int rn = 0, rsd, sret = 0;
 	stmtonly();
 	next();
 	rk = ckind(0);
@@ -1544,7 +1544,7 @@ word targ(word t, int i) { return t[6][1 + i]; }
 // ---- function types by address ----
 
 word sigof(int f) {
-	int i = nsym, s = -1; word[24] ws; int n, k;
+	int i = nsym, s = -1; word[24] ws = {}; int n, k;
 	while (i) { i--; if (skind[i] == K_FN && sval[i] == f && (sflag[i] & F_DEF)) { s = i; break; } }
 	if (s < 0) return 0;
 	if (stype[s]) return stype[s];
diff --git a/src/compiler/decl.zc b/src/compiler/decl.zc
index 313d1ab..b6669b1 100644
--- a/src/compiler/decl.zc
+++ b/src/compiler/decl.zc
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ int prescan_maker() {
 // the guess only makes the function compile as if declared .u; its body is then
 // checked against that, so a wrong guess is an error, never a silent leak.
 int prescan_owned(int self) {
-	int depth = 0, n, k, found = 0, nown = 0, decl = 0; let owned[16];
+	int depth = 0, n, k, found = 0, nown = 0, decl = 0; let owned[16] = {};
 	while (tk != T_EOF) {
 		// a declaration's name follows a type name, a *, let or a comma; a plain
 		// assignment (to a global, say) follows ; { or }
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ int borrows_check(int s, int np, char** pn, word pty) {
 	return 0;
 }
 int fndef(int chk, int rty, int ret, int n) {
-	int s, np = 0, tags = 0, t, sig, i; char*[24] pn; word[24] pt; word[24] pty; int typed = 0, ft, explicit_rty = !!rty, o3f = o3nxt, lo, hi, pk, lt, lend, lfl = tline, redef, amb = 0, nonm = 0;
+	int s, np = 0, tags = 0, t, sig, i; char*[24] pn = {}; word[24] pt = {}; word[24] pty = {}; int typed = 0, ft, explicit_rty = !!rty, o3f = o3nxt, lo, hi, pk, lt, lend, lfl = tline, redef, amb = 0, nonm = 0;
 	o3nxt = 0;
 	if (rty || ntp) typed = 1;
 	if (!dnm) dnm = n;
@@ -500,7 +500,7 @@ int fndef(int chk, int rty, int ret, int n) {
 	prologue(); borrow_prologue(); hold_gate(57);
 	i = 0;
 	while (i < np) {
-		t = newloc(pn[i]); lrskind[t] = RS_PARAM; lrsoff[t] = pnoffs[i]; lpos[t] = pnplaces[i]; fslots++; lsmark(1, pn[i]);
+		t = newloc(pn[i]); lrskind[t] = RS_PARAM; lrsoff[t] = pnoffs[i]; lpos[t] = pnplaces[i]; fslots++; lsmark(1, pn[i]); mark_inited(t);
 		ltype[t] = pty[i]; lptr[t] = 0;
 		if (ifcur && if_local && i < IFP) if_local[t] = ifcur + 8 + 3 * i;
 		lt_note(pnoffs[i], pty[i]);
@@ -645,7 +645,7 @@ int gconst() {
 // lays out the descriptor the install opcode reads, and wires it in right
 // away (an image wires its own in when it boots).
 int enhdef() {
-	int n, np = 0, nout = 1, dsc, na, pay, len = 0, kind = 0, i; word p; int s, slot, r; char*[8] pn;
+	int n, np = 0, nout = 1, dsc, na, pay = 0, len = 0, kind = 0, i; word p; int s, slot, r; char*[8] pn = {};
 	next();
 	// enhance 2 divmod(a, b)
 	if (tk == T_NUM) {
@@ -711,7 +711,7 @@ int topsync() {
 // after a function's name: <T, U> declares its type parameters. any the return
 // type used were taken on trust; now they get their real numbers
 int genparams() {
-	int i, j, n = 0; char*[8] ps; word[8] bs;
+	int i, j, n = 0; char*[8] ps = {}; word[8] bs = {};
 	if (!is_op(s_lt)) { if (ntp) serrn(tpn[0], "isn't a type"); ntp = 0; return 0; }
 	next();
 	while (1) {
@@ -1012,7 +1012,7 @@ int fn_remember(int s, int name) {
 // their original globals and entry addresses.
 int syntax_host_function(int symbol) {
  word meta = fnmeta[symbol], source, full; int clone, count, name;
- char[40] generated; char[24] reversed; int sequence = fnpatchseq, digits = 0, i = 0;
+ char[40] generated = {}; char[24] reversed = {}; int sequence = fnpatchseq, digits = 0, i = 0;
  if (syntax_host_symbols[symbol]) return syntax_host_symbols[symbol] - 1;
  if (!meta || (sflag[symbol] & F_GEN)) { serr("an emitted syntax dependency requires retained nongeneric source"); return -1; }
  fnpatchseq++;
@@ -1049,7 +1049,7 @@ int syntax_resident(int symbol) {
 // queued to be compiled once the template's tokens are in. a type parameter
 // that nothing bound is a plain word.
 word ginstance(int s, word bs) {
-	int k = 0, t = 0 - 1, np, i, j, ns; char* nm; char[24] dg; int nd; char* a;
+	int k = 0, t = 0 - 1, np, i, j, ns; char* nm; char[24] dg = {}; int nd; char* a;
 	if (dry || !gtab) return s;
 	while (k < gt_n) {
 		if (gt_sym[k] == s) { t = k; break; }
@@ -1159,7 +1159,7 @@ int unit_top() {
 }
 // the edit distance between two names (levenshtein), or 99 when one is too long
 word editdist(word a, word b) {
-	int la = rt.len_w(a), lb = rt.len_w(b), i, j, x, y, z, last, row[65];
+	int la = rt.len_w(a), lb = rt.len_w(b), i, j, x, y, z, last, row[65] = {};
 	if (la > 60 || lb > 60) return 99;
 	j = 0; while (j <= lb) { row[j] = j; j++; }
 	i = 1;
@@ -1519,7 +1519,7 @@ word*.u function_tokens(int addr) {
 int replace_function(int addr, word* body_tokens) {
 	int s = 0, open, close, namepos, olderr = nerr, oldpanic = panic, oldabort = chkabort;
 	int errors, generated_id, new_symbol, count, i = 0, out = 0, cap, diag, seq, digits = 0, published;
-	char[40] generated; char[24] reversed; word meta, source, full, imports; char* module;
+	char[40] generated = {}; char[24] reversed = {}; word meta, source, full, imports; char* module;
 	while (s < nsym && !(skind[s] == K_FN && sval[s] == addr && fnmeta[s])) s++;
 	if (s >= nsym || !body_tokens || body_tokens[0] < 0) return 0;
 	meta = fnmeta[s]; source = meta[0]; open = meta[4]; close = meta[5]; namepos = meta[3]; module = meta[1]; imports = meta[2];
diff --git a/src/compiler/expr.zc b/src/compiler/expr.zc
index e437d2f..ecbb24c 100644
--- a/src/compiler/expr.zc
+++ b/src/compiler/expr.zc
@@ -20,14 +20,23 @@ int dbg_addr() {
 // variable, field or element that has not been loaded; rval loads it, unless
 // the thing is an array or struct, whose address is its value. every place
 // that needs a value calls this after parsing an expression.
-int rval() {
+// load or finish an lvalue as a value. check is 1 when the value is read
+// (definite assignment); 0 when forming a field or element address to write.
+int rval_do(int check) {
 	if (lv && lvk == LV_LOCAL) {
 		ltag[lvi] = ltag[lvi] | LREAD;
+		if (check) {
+			// an aggregate's value is its address (like &x), so using it initializes it;
+			// a scalar must already be set
+			if (isagg(xty) || larr[lvi]) mark_inited(lvi);
+			else need_inited(lvi);
+		}
 		if (rt.eq_w(lname[lvi], "_") && af_warning(lreadpos[lvi])) {
 			rt.put_s("discard placeholder `_` is read\nhelp: give the parameter or pattern binding a name when its value is needed");
 			af_warning_end();
 		}
 	}
+	if (lv && check && lvk == LV_ELEM && lvi >= 0) need_inited(lvi);
 	if (lv) {
 		if (ispk(xty)) pkld(xty);
 		else if (!isagg(xty)) { dbg_addr(); op(O_LD); }
@@ -35,6 +44,8 @@ int rval() {
 	}
 	return 0;
 }
+int rval() { return rval_do(1); }
+
 // run a keyword's handler (kw_len, kw_struct, a parse word...) from the spot
 // where the parser met it. e is 1 in expression position, where statement-only
 // keywords refuse to run. the handler reports the class of what it produced
@@ -441,7 +452,7 @@ int printcall(int line) {
 	return C_PLAIN;
 }
 int call(int s) {
-	int np, tags = 0, ret = 0; word ft = stype[s]; word[8] bs; int rs, rhs_type = 0, kop, cp = callpos, original = s; word storage; int origin, temporary, owner; word origins, owner_fact;
+	int np, tags = 0, ret = 0; word ft = stype[s]; word[8] bs = {}; int rs, rhs_type = 0, kop, cp = callpos, original = s; word storage; int origin, temporary, owner; word origins, owner_fact;
 	word requirements = effect_requirements, edges = effect_edges;
  if (rt.eq_w(sname[s], "std.Io.print")) return printcall(0);
  if (rt.eq_w(sname[s], "std.Io.println")) return printcall(1);
@@ -702,7 +713,7 @@ int shared_use(int s) {
 // compiler state around the body.
 int closure() {
 	char* xcf;
-	int np = 0; char*[24] pn; word[24] pty; int hop, entry, i, t, envl, ncap, c, result, declared = 0, tags = 0, tag, lt, lfl = tline; word[24] ptags;
+	int np = 0; char*[24] pn = {}; word[24] pty = {}; int hop, entry, i, t, envl, ncap, c, result, declared = 0, tags = 0, tag, lt, lfl = tline; word[24] ptags = {};
 	word expected = closure_expected, this_type = closure_this; closure_expected = 0; closure_this = 0;
 	reserve_closures(nclo + 1);
 	if (o3on) serr("closures can't be made inside an o3 region");
@@ -744,14 +755,14 @@ int closure() {
 	prologue(); borrow_prologue();
 	i = 0;
 	while (i < np) {
-		t = newloc(pn[i]); lrskind[t] = RS_PARAM; lrsoff[t] = pnoffs[i]; lpos[t] = pnplaces[i]; fslots++; lsmark(1, pn[i]);
+		t = newloc(pn[i]); lrskind[t] = RS_PARAM; lrsoff[t] = pnoffs[i]; lpos[t] = pnplaces[i]; fslots++; lsmark(1, pn[i]); mark_inited(t);
 		ltype[t] = pty[i];
   if (fchk && ptags[i] == 1) lstate[t] = S_BORROW;
   if (fchk && ptags[i] == 2) { lstate[t] = S_M; lown[t] = 1; }
 		if (isfl(pty[i])) setflt(t, 1);
 		i++;
 	}
-	envl = newloc(intern("<env>")); fslots++;
+	envl = newloc(intern("<env>")); fslots++; mark_inited(envl);
 	clo_env[nclo - 1] = envl;
 	i = np + 1;
 	while (i) { i--; laddr(i); op(O_ST); }
@@ -776,7 +787,7 @@ int closure() {
 	while (i < ncap) {
 		t = clo_loc[c * capture_width + i];
 		if (clo_via[c * capture_width + i] < 0) {
-   touch(t); effect_note_mask(effect_mask(C_VAR + t), EF_RETAIN); ev_put(t, EV_CAPTURE, -1);
+   need_inited(t); touch(t); effect_note_mask(effect_mask(C_VAR + t), EF_RETAIN); ev_put(t, EV_CAPTURE, -1);
    if (cmode && !dry) { lvescaped[t] = 1; lvkind[t] = 0; }
    if (!isalias(t)) { vaddr(t); op(O_LD); callname(intern("share")); op(O_DROP); }
    vaddr(t);
@@ -963,7 +974,7 @@ int array_literal_tokens(word q, word t) {
 	}
 	int i = newloc(intern("<array literal>")), place = tpack();
 	t = array_measure(q, t); ltype[i] = t; larr[i] = 1; fslots = fslots + tsz(t);
-	array_initialize(q, t, lslot[i], 1);
+	array_initialize(q, t, lslot[i], 1); mark_inited(i);
 	lafact[i] = af_new(t[3], 4, place); laaddr[i] = lafact[i]; if (lafact[i]) lafact[i][5] = i;
 	laddr(lslot[i]); xty = t; lv = 0; lvk = LV_NONE; xbor = i; xaf = lafact[i];
 	xzero = 0; xfloat = 0; xstr = 0; xconst = 0; xvk = 0; rt.free(q);
@@ -1018,7 +1029,7 @@ int brace_primary() {
 // variable the value is.
 int primary() {
  effect_value = 0; xprojection = 0; if_value = 0;
-	int n, i, s, c, k, npos, sv; word[8] bs0; int ft, mn, ms;
+	int n, i, s, c, k, npos, sv; word[8] bs0 = {}; int ft, mn, ms;
 	lv = 0; lvk = LV_NONE; xzero = 0; xbor = -1;
 	xconst = 0; xfloat = 0; xstr = 0; xlenloc = -1; xstamp = 0; xaf = 0; xvk = 0;
 	if (tk == T_FLT) { op(OP_FLIT); emit(tv); xvk = 2; xvv = tv; xfloat = 1; xty = tfloat; next(); return C_PLAIN; }
@@ -1067,7 +1078,7 @@ int primary() {
 		}
 		vaddr(i);
 		xty = ltype[i];
-		if (larr[i]) return C_PLAIN;
+		if (larr[i]) { lv = 1; lvk = LV_LOCAL; lvi = i; return C_PLAIN; }
 		xfloat = getflt(i);
 		if (isfl(ltype[i])) xfloat = 1;
 		xstr = getstr(i); if (xty == tbstr) xstr = 1;
@@ -1200,6 +1211,8 @@ int incdec(int post, int dlt) {
 	if (lvk == LV_LOCAL && fchk && tracked(lvi) && !isalias(lvi)) {
 		cerrn(lvi, "owns an object and can't be incremented");
 	}
+	if (lvk == LV_LOCAL) need_inited(lvi);
+	else if (lvk == LV_ELEM && lvi >= 0) need_inited(lvi);
 	tcneed(isnum(xty) || xty[0] == TY_PTR || xty == tword, "++ and -- need a number or a pointer", xty);
 	if (lvk == LV_LOCAL) {
 		ltag[lvi] = ltag[lvi] | LASG;
@@ -1237,7 +1250,8 @@ word field(int c) {
 	int readonly = treadonly(xty);
 	if_value = 0;
 	int n, fieldoff, fieldpos, sv; word st;
-	word borrowed = xaf, base_mask = effect_mask(c); af_use(xaf, tpack(), c); xaf = 0; xvk = 0; int i, b = xbor, k = 0, scanned = 0, ms, de, pmatch = 0;
+	word borrowed = xaf, base_mask = effect_mask(c); af_use(xaf, tpack(), c); xaf = 0; xvk = 0; int i, b = xbor, k = 0, scanned = 0, ms, de, pmatch = 0, base_local = -1;
+	if (lv && lvk == LV_LOCAL) base_local = lvi;
 	de = toff + toklen;
 	next();
 	// is the place asked about on this member name (or just after the dot, with none typed)
@@ -1270,7 +1284,7 @@ word field(int c) {
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	rval();
+	rval_do(0);
 	if (c == C_FRESH) cerr("use a field of a new object only after binding it to a name");
 	else if (c >= C_VAR) { touch(c - C_VAR); b = c - C_VAR; }
 	st = xty;
@@ -1336,7 +1350,9 @@ word field(int c) {
  effect_value = base_mask;
 	xprojection = af_project(borrowed, k, tsz(xty), tpack(), 0);
 	lv = 1; xzero = 0;
-	if (b >= 0) { lvk = LV_ELEM; lvi = b; } else lvk = LV_OTHER;
+	if (b >= 0) { lvk = LV_ELEM; lvi = b; }
+	else if (base_local >= 0) { lvk = LV_ELEM; lvi = base_local; }
+	else lvk = LV_OTHER;
 	return C_PLAIN;
 }
 // array indexing, address arithmetic. mulsz scales an index by the element
@@ -1407,7 +1423,7 @@ int fixed_chk(int n) {
 // and returns at once for any other pointer. sz is the element size in words, or
 // minus the element size in bytes for packed elements.
 int ptr_chk(int sz) {
-	int k = lookup(s_bnd), j;
+	int k = lookup(s_bnd), j = 0;
 	if (k >= 0 && skind[k] == K_ENH) {	// the test is one enhancement; the call only runs to report
 		lit(1); op(O_PICK); lit(1); op(O_PICK);
 		if (sz > 0) { lit(sz); lit(1); } else { lit(0 - sz); lit(8); }
@@ -1430,7 +1446,7 @@ int ptr_chk(int sz) {
 // through rt.bchk, which only knows the size of a heap block's first word.
 int postfix() { return postfix_tail(primary()); }
 int postfix_tail(int c) {
-	int b, n, t, et; word ft; word[8] bs; int k, ci, was, al, ix, enh, cz, cj, place, offset, temporary, call_owner, readonly, ub, bl, ic, inr, hg, pn, iu; word storage, storage_mask, call_origins;
+	int b, n, t, et; word ft; word[8] bs = {}; int k, ci, was, al, ix, enh, cz, cj, place, offset, temporary, call_owner, readonly, ub, bl, ic, inr, hg, pn, iu; word storage, storage_mask, call_origins;
 	while (1) {
 		if (tk == T_ID && tv == s_as) {	// e as T: same bits, another type
 			next(); t = ptype(); rval(); if (!xaf || xaf[2] != 5) xaf = 0; vf_coerce(t, 0);
@@ -1452,7 +1468,7 @@ int postfix_tail(int c) {
 			ub = !fbnd || o3on || (lv && lvk == LV_LOCAL && (ltag[lvi] & 16));	// unbounded, or o3 code
 			bl = -1; if (lv && lvk == LV_LOCAL) bl = lvi;
 			next();
-			rval();
+			rval_do(0);	// indexing forms an element address; reading the element checks later
 			if (was) {
 				c = expr(); rval(); plainuse(c);
 				if (accept(s_colon)) {
@@ -1599,7 +1615,9 @@ int postfix_tail(int c) {
 			lv = 1; xty = et; xzero = 0; xconst = 0; xvk = 0; xlenloc = -1; xstamp = 0;
 			if (isref(xty)) { if (b >= 0) xbor = lroot(b); }
 			else xbor = -1;
-			if (b >= 0) { lvk = LV_ELEM; lvi = b; } else lvk = LV_OTHER;
+			if (b >= 0) { lvk = LV_ELEM; lvi = b; }
+			else if (bl >= 0) { lvk = LV_ELEM; lvi = bl; }
+			else lvk = LV_OTHER;
 			c = C_PLAIN;
 			xfloat = 0; if (isfl(xty)) xfloat = 1; xstr = 0;
 			continue;
@@ -1622,6 +1640,7 @@ int postfix_tail(int c) {
 			ifcall = -1; effect_argument_base = 0;
 			int call_tags = 0; if (ft) call_tags = ft[5] >> 6;
 			n = args(call_tags, ft, bs, o3on); temporary = argtemporary; call_owner = argowner; call_origins = argorigin_mask;
+			place = tpack();
 			// raw code can live in a heap segment; a closure has an environment block
 			lit(n); op(O_PICK); callname(intern("callable_code"));
 			cz = hole(); op(O_JZ);
@@ -1719,7 +1738,7 @@ int unary() {
 			if (!lv && !isagg(xty)) die("& needs something addressable");
 			if (lv && ispk(xty)) serr("an element of a sized-integer array has no address; it is a byte inside a word");
 			if (lv && lvk == LV_LOCAL && (ltag[lvi] & 16)) serr("an o3 variable has no address");
-			if (lv && lvk == LV_LOCAL) ltag[lvi] = ltag[lvi] | LREAD | LASG;
+			if (lv && lvk == LV_LOCAL) { ltag[lvi] = ltag[lvi] | LREAD | LASG; mark_inited(lvi); }
 			if (c >= C_VAR) touch(c - C_VAR);
    if (lvk == LV_ELEM && lvi >= 0) xbor = lroot(lvi);
 			lv = 0; lvk = LV_NONE; xzero = 0; xfloat = 0; xstr = 0;
@@ -1799,7 +1818,7 @@ int bin(int minp) {
 		next(); rval(); plainuse(c);
 		lt = xty;
 		if (isfl(lt)) lf = 1;
-		src = -1;
+		src = -1; rf = 0; rs = 0; right_mask = 0;
 		if (blen[b] == -1) {		// && : 0 if the left side is 0, else the right side as 0 or 1
 			af_forget();
 			ftest();
@@ -1892,7 +1911,7 @@ int storekeep(int t) {
 // restored for the second side) and then joined, so a variable can't be given
 // away on one side only. both sides are fresh objects, or neither is.
 int ternary(int c) {
-	int a, b, s0, sa, livea, live0 = live, n0 = nloc, ca, cb, ta, ba, bb, conv, skip, back; word temp_a, temp_b, mask_a, mask_b;
+	int a, b, s0, sa, livea, live0 = live, n0 = nloc, ca, cb, ta, ba, bb, conv, skip, back = 0; word temp_a, temp_b, mask_a, mask_b;
 	rval(); plainuse(c);
 	ftest();
 	next();
@@ -1950,7 +1969,7 @@ int expr() {
 		if (k != LV_LOCAL) af_escape(xaf);
 		fcoerce(lt);
 		if (k == LV_LOCAL) {
-			ltag[i] = ltag[i] | LASG;
+			ltag[i] = ltag[i] | LASG; mark_inited(i);
 			setflt(i, xfloat);
 			setstr(i, xstr);
 			note_store(i); af_store(i); vf_store(i);
@@ -1979,6 +1998,8 @@ int expr() {
 		if (lvk == LV_LOCAL && fchk && tracked(lvi) && !isalias(lvi)) {
 			cerrn(lvi, "owns an object; compound assignment would lose it");
 		}
+		if (lvk == LV_LOCAL) need_inited(lvi);
+		else if (lvk == LV_ELEM && lvi >= 0) need_inited(lvi);
 		lt = xty; require_mutable(lt);
 		fk = -1; lf = xfloat;
 		if (lvk == LV_LOCAL) fk = lvi;
diff --git a/src/compiler/lex.zc b/src/compiler/lex.zc
index 95415a6..3b810ba 100644
--- a/src/compiler/lex.zc
+++ b/src/compiler/lex.zc
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ int fieldscan(int n) {
 // before a program it joins to the runtime. the rest of the line is read here and the marker kept: the
 // source is read once to find the signatures and again to compile, and it counts only when compiling reaches it.
 int mark_line() {
-	char[300] b; int n = 0, i, base; word name;
+	char[300] b = {}; int n = 0, i, base; word name;
 	while (ch >= 0 && ch != 10) { if (n < 298) { b[n] = ch; n++; } nextch(); }
 	while (n && (b[n - 1] == 13 || b[n - 1] == 32)) n--;
 	b[n] = 0;
diff --git a/src/compiler/ops.zc b/src/compiler/ops.zc
index a396f72..0129e75 100644
--- a/src/compiler/ops.zc
+++ b/src/compiler/ops.zc
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ int add_method(char* member, char* function_name) {
 	return s;
 }
 int receiver_method(word receiver_type, int member) {
-	word link = receiver_methods, ft, actual; word[8] bs; int found = -1, s;
+	word link = receiver_methods, ft, actual; word[8] bs = {}; int found = -1, s;
 	while (link) {
 		s = link[2];
 		if (s < nsym && link[1] == member) {
diff --git a/src/compiler/stmt.zc b/src/compiler/stmt.zc
index 79e5fb8..2e0cfe3 100644
--- a/src/compiler/stmt.zc
+++ b/src/compiler/stmt.zc
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ int localdecl(int typed) {
 			if (larr[i] && ltype[i][0] == TY_ARR && (is_op(s_lb) || tk == T_STR || tk == T_BSTR)) {
 				iq = array_initializer_tokens(ltype[i]); it = array_measure(iq, ltype[i]);
 				fslots = fslots + tsz(it) - tsz(ltype[i]);
-				ltype[i] = it; array_initialize(iq, it, lslot[i], 1); rt.free(iq);
+				ltype[i] = it; array_initialize(iq, it, lslot[i], 1); rt.free(iq); mark_inited(i);
 			} else {
 			if (larr[i]) serr("an array or a struct needs an initializer list");
 			newsz = -1; newleaf = 0; if (tk == T_NUM) nomagic = 1;
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ int localdecl(int typed) {
 				else if (xty[0] == TY_STRUCT) ltype[i] = tptr(xty);
 				else ltype[i] = xty;
 			}
-			assigncheck(LV_LOCAL, i, c);
+			assigncheck(LV_LOCAL, i, c); mark_inited(i);
 			if (ro) { k = ltype[i]; if (!k) { k = tword; if (isnum(xty)) k = xty; } ltype[i] = tconst(k); }
 			if (gok) { k = xty; if (isagg(k)) k = ltype[i]; if (!ifpure(k) || (gty && gty != k)) gok = 0; else gty = k; }
 			}
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ int loop_end(int a, int sc) {
 	njps = 0;
 	if (sc >= 0) jadd(R_SNAP + sc);
 	p = R_EXIT + f[6]; e = R_EXIT + extop;
-	while (p < e) { jadd(p + 1); p = p + 3 + 3 * (p[2] - p[1]); }
+	while (p < e) { jadd(p + 1); p = p + 3 + 4 * (p[2] - p[1]); }
 	join(n0, "leaves the loop in different states on different paths");
 	live = njps > 0;
 	p = R_EXIT + f[6];
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ int loop_end(int a, int sc) {
 			op(O_JMP);
 		}
 		else outs = fixnew(p[0], outs);
-		p = p + 3 + 3 * (p[2] - p[1]);
+		p = p + 3 + 4 * (p[2] - p[1]);
 	}
 	if (a >= 0) setlit(a, here);
 	if (sc >= 0) fixups(R_SNAP + sc, n0, 1);
@@ -578,14 +578,14 @@ int case_seen(word seen, int n, int v) {
 int kw_switch() {
 	int sl = tline;
 	int save = nloc, tmp, c, s0, live0, defent = -1, skip, nxt, bj, v, a = -1, st, tg = 0, cov = 0, gi, nb = 0, j, arm, bi;
-	word[8] pbn; word[8] pbl; word[256] seen; int nseen = 0;
+	word[8] pbn = {}; word[8] pbl = {}; word[256] seen = {}; int nseen = 0;
 	stmtonly();
 	next();
 	expect(s_lp); c = expr(); st = xty; rval(); plainuse(c); expect(s_rp);
 	tg = ptagged(st);
 	fdepth++;
 	tmp = newloc(0); fslots++;	// a hidden local holds the value
-	laddr(lslot[tmp]); op(O_ST);
+	laddr(lslot[tmp]); op(O_ST); mark_inited(tmp);
 	live0 = live;
 	s0 = snap_push();
 	loop_push(-1, s0);
@@ -634,7 +634,7 @@ int kw_switch() {
 				for (j = 0; j < nb && j < pm_nf[gi]; j++) {
 					capture_cell(pbl[j], 0);
 					laddr(lslot[tmp]); op(O_LD); lit(pm_off[gi * 8 + j]); op(O_ADD); op(O_LD);
-					vaddr(pbl[j]); op(O_ST);
+					vaddr(pbl[j]); op(O_ST); mark_inited(pbl[j]);
 				}
 				casebody(s0, live0);
 				block_close(arm);
@@ -848,7 +848,7 @@ int asmblock() {
 		if (tk != T_ID) die("bad token in asm");
 		i = findloc(tv);
 		if (i >= 0 && (ltag[i] & 16) && !larr[i]) serr("asm can't reach an o3 variable");
-		if (i >= 0) { luse(i); ltag[i] = ltag[i] | LREAD | LASG; vaddr(i); next(); continue; }
+		if (i >= 0) { need_inited(i); luse(i); ltag[i] = ltag[i] | LREAD | LASG; mark_inited(i); vaddr(i); next(); continue; }
   if (nclo) {
    k = clocap(tv);
    if (k >= 0) { vaddr(clo_env[nclo - 1]); op(O_LD); lit(k); op(O_ADD); op(O_LD); next(); continue; }
diff --git a/src/compiler/types.zc b/src/compiler/types.zc
index 322d0fd..615af93 100644
--- a/src/compiler/types.zc
+++ b/src/compiler/types.zc
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ word tinst(word g, word args, int n) {
 }
 // lay out a generic instance on first use
 word tresolve(word t) {
-	word g, f; int n, i; word fs; int off = 0, ft; word[8] bs;
+	word g, f; int n, i; word fs; int off = 0, ft; word[8] bs = {};
 	if (t[0] != TY_STRUCT || t[3] >= 0) return t;
 	if (t[3] == -2) { serr("a struct can't contain itself by value"); t[3] = 0; return t; }
 	t[3] = -2;
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ word tsz(word t) {
 // replace type parameters with what they were bound to (unbound ones become word)
 word subst(word t, word bs) {
 	if (treadonly(t)) return tconst(subst(tunconst(t), bs));
-	int k = t[0], i, n; word[24] v; word vec;
+	int k = t[0], i, n; word[24] v = {}; word vec;
 	if (k == TY_VAR) { if (bs[t[3]]) return bs[t[3]]; return tword; }
 	if (k == TY_PTR) return tptr(subst(t[4], bs));
 	if (k == TY_ARR) return tarr(subst(t[4], bs), t[3]);
@@ -399,7 +399,7 @@ int closeangle() {
 // the first thing in ptype's comment applies here too: fn(int) is a function
 // returning a plain word.
 int ptype() {
-	int start = toff, t = ptype0(), np, tags, tag; word[24] ps;
+	int start = toff, t = ptype0(), np, tags, tag; word[24] ps = {};
 	while (is_op(s_lp)) {
 		next(); np = 0; tags = 0;
 		if (!is_op(s_rp)) {
@@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ int ptype0() {
 }
 // parse one type with no trailing function parts.
 word ptype1() {
-	int n, s; word t; word[8] args; int na = 0, i;
+	int n, s; word t; word[8] args = {}; int na = 0, i;
 	if (is_op(s_lk)) { die("array types are postfix: T[N], T[] or T[?]"); return tword; }
 	if (is_id(s_const)) { next(); return tconst(ptype0()); }
 	if (is_id(s_fixed)) {	// fixed T[?] can't grow; fixed T[n] says what T[n] already means
@@ -880,7 +880,7 @@ int methdef(char* sn, char* mn, word q, int stat, int typed, int rty, int rtag)
 // has been compiled, and its result class is fresh if the method returns .u.
 int methcall(int s, word rst, word receiver_fact, int receiver, word receiver_mask) {
 	af_forget();
-	int np, tags = 0, ret = 0, temporary, owner, aliases, i; word ft = stype[s]; word[8] bs; word owner_fact, origins;
+	int np, tags = 0, ret = 0, temporary, owner, aliases, i; word ft = stype[s]; word[8] bs = {}; word owner_fact, origins;
 	word requirements = effect_requirements, edges = effect_edges; int original = s;
 	effect_args_mask(s, 0, receiver_mask);
 	if (receiver_fact && (receiver_fact[2] == 4 || receiver_fact[2] == 5)) effect_require(s, 0, callpos);
diff --git a/src/lib/actor.zc b/src/lib/actor.zc
index c013441..d0c0f10 100644
--- a/src/lib/actor.zc
+++ b/src/lib/actor.zc
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ unchecked int write_message(int fd, word address, word type) {
  rt.free(refs); rt.free(data); return result;
 }
 unchecked int read_message(int fd, word address, word type) {
- int count = 0; word data, refs, frame[2];
+ int count = 0; word data, refs, frame[2] = {};
  if (rt.syscall(45, fd, &count, 1) < 0 || count < 0 || count > 1048576) return -1;
  data = rt.dnew(1, count, 0); refs = vector(); frame[0] = data; frame[1] = 0;
  if (rt.syscall(45, fd, data[2], count) < 0) { rt.free(refs); rt.free(data); return -1; }
diff --git a/src/lsp/server.zc b/src/lsp/server.zc
index 536d71c..79afb36 100644
--- a/src/lsp/server.zc
+++ b/src/lsp/server.zc
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ int ws(char* s) {
 }
 // writes n in decimal, with a minus sign when it is negative.
 int wn(int n) {
-	word[24] b; int i = 0;
+	word[24] b = {}; int i = 0;
 	if (n < 0) { wc('-'); n = 0 - n; }
 	while (1) { b[i] = '0' + n % 10; i++; n = n / 10; if (!n) break; }
 	while (i) { i--; wc(b[i]); }
diff --git a/src/runtime/rt.zc b/src/runtime/rt.zc
index 4f96320..a79387f 100644
--- a/src/runtime/rt.zc
+++ b/src/runtime/rt.zc
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ int put_s(char* s) {
 // write the decimal form of a number, with a minus sign for a negative one.
 // the smallest integer is handled as its own case.
 int put_n(int n) {
-	char[24] b; int i = 0;
+	char[24] b = {}; int i = 0;
 	if (n < 0) { put_c('-'); n = 0 - n; }
 	if (n < 0) { put_s("9223372036854775808"); return 0; }
 	while (1) { b[i++] = '0' + n % 10; n = n / 10; if (!n) break; }
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ int s_to_n(bstr s) {
 }
 // a new packed byte string holding the decimal form of n.
 bstr n_to_s(int n) {
-	word[24] b; int i = 0, j = 0, neg = 0; bstr p; char* t;
+	word[24] b = {}; int i = 0, j = 0, neg = 0; bstr p; char* t;
 	if (!n) { p = new_s(1); sput(p, 0, '0'); sput(p, 1, 0); return p; }
 	if (n < 0) { neg = 1; n = 0 - n; }
 	if (n < 0) {
@@ -431,7 +431,7 @@ const int F_HASDROP = 16, F_DROPPED = 32, F_FINAL = 64, F_CYCLE = 128;	// F_CYCL
 int o3_depth, gc_pending, gc_cyc;	// gc_cyc: the last sweep found a cycle with drops to run
 // flags live in these bits; the size class is above them.
 const int F_LOW = 65535;
-int hbump; word[32] freel; int gc_runs, gc_freed, gc_auto = 1;
+int hbump; word[32] freel = {}; int gc_runs, gc_freed, gc_auto = 1;
 // block walks and new chunks stop here.
 int hstop;
 // while nonzero, balloc will not return a block overlapping this range.
@@ -1201,7 +1201,7 @@ int line_of(word b, int a) {
 }
 // write the hexadecimal form of a number
 int put_hex(int n) {
-	char[20] b; int i = 0, d;
+	char[20] b = {}; int i = 0, d;
 	put_s("0x");
 	if (!n) { put_c('0'); return 0; }
 	while (n && i < 16) { d = n & 15; if (d < 10) b[i++] = '0' + d; else b[i++] = 'a' + d - 10; n = n >> 4; }
diff --git a/src/tools/zc0.c b/src/tools/zc0.c
index 229734c..07a5933 100644
--- a/src/tools/zc0.c
+++ b/src/tools/zc0.c
@@ -824,14 +824,24 @@ static void stmt(void)
 		if (nw >= 0 || accept("let") || accept("var")) {
 			if (nw < 0) nw = 1;
 			do {
-				Loc *l = &lo[nlo++]; strcpy(l->name, ident()); l->arr = 0;
-				if (nw > 1) { l->slot = nslot; nslot += nw; l->arr = 1; }
+				Loc *l = &lo[nlo++]; strcpy(l->name, ident()); l->arr = 0; int asz = 1;
+				if (nw > 1) { l->slot = nslot; nslot += nw; l->arr = 1; asz = nw; }
 				else {
-					if (accept("[")) { n = cexpr(); expect("]"); nslot += n; l->slot = nslot - n; l->arr = 1; }
+					if (accept("[")) { n = cexpr(); expect("]"); nslot += n; l->slot = nslot - n; l->arr = 1; asz = n; }
 					else l->slot = nslot++;
 				}
 				l->flt = 0; l->dstr = tstr && !l->arr; l->str = l->dstr;
-				if (accept("=")) { expr(); rval(); laddr(l->slot); op(O_ST); l->flt = xf; l->str = xs || l->dstr; }
+				if (accept("=")) {
+					if (is("{")) {	/* brace initializer: skip the list and zero the slots */
+						int depth = 0, zi;
+						do {
+							if (is("{")) { depth++; next(); }
+							else if (is("}")) { depth--; next(); }
+							else next();
+						} while (depth > 0 && tk);
+						for (zi = 0; zi < asz; zi++) { lit(0); laddr(l->slot + zi); op(O_ST); }
+					} else { expr(); rval(); laddr(l->slot); op(O_ST); l->flt = xf; l->str = xs || l->dstr; }
+				}
 			} while (accept(","));
 			expect(";"); return;
 		}
@@ -1106,10 +1116,15 @@ static void top1(void)
 					else if (accept("[")) { k = (int)cexpr(); expect("]"); }
 					if (k > 1) {
 						a = here; while (k--) emit(0); add(n, K_GARR, a);
+						if (accept("=")) {	/* = {} or = {...}: already zeroed */
+							if (!is("{")) die("a global array initializer is a brace list");
+							{ int depth = 0; do { if (is("{")) { depth++; next(); } else if (is("}")) { depth--; next(); } else next(); } while (depth > 0 && tk); }
+						}
 					} else {
 						a = here; gs = add(n, K_GVAR, a); gs->str = gstr; emit(0);
 						if (accept("=")) {
-							if (tk == T_STR) { int i, l = (int)strlen(ts); img[a - GORG] = here; for (i = 0; i < l; i++) emit((unsigned char)ts[i]); emit(0); next(); }
+							if (is("{")) { int depth = 0; do { if (is("{")) { depth++; next(); } else if (is("}")) { depth--; next(); } else next(); } while (depth > 0 && tk); }
+							else if (tk == T_STR) { int i, l = (int)strlen(ts); img[a - GORG] = here; for (i = 0; i < l; i++) emit((unsigned char)ts[i]); emit(0); next(); }
 							else if (tk == T_BSTR) { int d = bstrwords((const unsigned char *)ts, (long)strlen(ts)); img[a - GORG] = d; gs->str = 1; next(); }
 							else img[a - GORG] = cexpr();
 						}