diff --git a/docs/TODO.txt b/docs/TODO.txt
index 1f6b962..30e5346 100644
--- a/docs/TODO.txt
+++ b/docs/TODO.txt
@@ -34,7 +34,9 @@ DONE: Import/export keywords
 DONE: A way to check the type of a variable (typeOf keyword)
 
 
-TODO: slice and dot notation around the builtin _index function
+TODO: slice and dot notation around the builtin _index and _dot functions
+
+
 TODO: ternary operator
 TODO: Nullish types?
 TODO: hooks on the external libraries, triggered on import
@@ -42,7 +44,8 @@ TODO: standard library
 TODO: external script runner library
 TODO: document how it all works - book?
 TODO: maximum recursion/function depth
-
+TODO: better API
+TODO: packaging for release?
 
 NOPE: a = b = c = 1;
-NOPE: functions return a set number of values
\ No newline at end of file
+NOPE: functions return a set number of values
diff --git a/source/compiler.c b/source/compiler.c
index 83f4124..bd2eb98 100644
--- a/source/compiler.c
+++ b/source/compiler.c
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ static int writeLiteralToCompiler(Compiler* compiler, Literal literal) {
 	return index;
 }
 
-static void writeCompilerWithJumps(Compiler* compiler, Node* node, void* breakAddressesPtr, void* continueAddressesPtr, int jumpOffsets) { //NOTE: jumpOfsets are included, because function arg and return indexes are embedded in the code body i.e. need to include thier sizes in the jump
+static Opcode writeCompilerWithJumps(Compiler* compiler, Node* node, void* breakAddressesPtr, void* continueAddressesPtr, int jumpOffsets) { //NOTE: jumpOfsets are included, because function arg and return indexes are embedded in the code body i.e. need to include thier sizes in the jump
 	//grow if the bytecode space is too small
 	if (compiler->count + 32 > compiler->capacity) {
 		int oldCapacity = compiler->capacity;
@@ -295,11 +295,31 @@ static void writeCompilerWithJumps(Compiler* compiler, Node* node, void* breakAd
 			compiler->bytecode[compiler->count++] = (unsigned char)node->unary.opcode; //1 byte
 		break;
 
-		case NODE_BINARY:
+		//all infixes come here
+		case NODE_BINARY: {
 			//pass to the child nodes, then embed the binary command (math, etc.)
-			writeCompilerWithJumps(compiler, node->binary.left, breakAddressesPtr, continueAddressesPtr, jumpOffsets);
-			writeCompilerWithJumps(compiler, node->binary.right, breakAddressesPtr, continueAddressesPtr, jumpOffsets);
+			Opcode override = writeCompilerWithJumps(compiler, node->binary.left, breakAddressesPtr, continueAddressesPtr, jumpOffsets);
+
+			//special case for when indexing
+			if (override != OP_EOF && node->binary.opcode >= OP_VAR_ASSIGN && node->binary.opcode <= OP_VAR_MODULO_ASSIGN) {
+				writeCompilerWithJumps(compiler, node->binary.right, breakAddressesPtr, continueAddressesPtr, jumpOffsets);
+				compiler->bytecode[compiler->count++] = (unsigned char)override + 2; //1 byte WARNING: enum arithmetic
+				compiler->bytecode[compiler->count++] = (unsigned char)node->binary.opcode; //1 byte
+				return OP_EOF;
+			}
+
+			//return from the index-binary
+			Opcode ret = writeCompilerWithJumps(compiler, node->binary.right, breakAddressesPtr, continueAddressesPtr, jumpOffsets);
+
+			//loopy logic - if opcode == index or dot
+			if (node->binary.opcode == OP_INDEX || node->binary.opcode == OP_DOT) {
+				return node->binary.opcode;
+			}
+
 			compiler->bytecode[compiler->count++] = (unsigned char)node->binary.opcode; //1 byte
+
+			return ret;
+		}
 		break;
 
 		case NODE_GROUPING:
@@ -339,6 +359,7 @@ static void writeCompilerWithJumps(Compiler* compiler, Node* node, void* breakAd
 
 		case NODE_PAIR:
 			fprintf(stderr, ERROR "[internal] NODE_PAIR encountered in writeCompilerWithJumps()\n" RESET);
+			compiler->bytecode[compiler->count++] = OP_EOF; //1 byte
 		break;
 
 		case NODE_VAR_DECL: {
@@ -736,11 +757,66 @@ static void writeCompilerWithJumps(Compiler* compiler, Node* node, void* breakAd
 			compiler->bytecode[compiler->count++] = (unsigned char)OP_EXPORT; //1 byte
 		}
 		break;
+
+		case NODE_INDEX: {
+			//pass to the child nodes, then embed the opcode
+
+			//first
+			if (!node->index.first) {
+				writeLiteralToCompiler(compiler, TO_NULL_LITERAL);
+			}
+			else {
+				writeCompilerWithJumps(compiler, node->index.first, breakAddressesPtr, continueAddressesPtr, jumpOffsets);
+			}
+
+			//second
+			if (!node->index.second) {
+				writeLiteralToCompiler(compiler, TO_NULL_LITERAL);
+			}
+			else {
+				writeCompilerWithJumps(compiler, node->index.second, breakAddressesPtr, continueAddressesPtr, jumpOffsets);
+			}
+
+			//third
+			if (!node->index.third) {
+				writeLiteralToCompiler(compiler, TO_NULL_LITERAL);
+			}
+			else {
+				writeCompilerWithJumps(compiler, node->index.third, breakAddressesPtr, continueAddressesPtr, jumpOffsets);
+			}
+
+			// compiler->bytecode[compiler->count++] = (unsigned char)OP_INDEX; //1 byte
+
+			return OP_INDEX_ASSIGN; //override binary's instruction IF it is assign
+		}
+		break;
+
+		case NODE_DOT: {
+			//pass to the child nodes, then embed the opcode
+			if (!node->index.first) {
+				writeLiteralToCompiler(compiler, TO_NULL_LITERAL);
+			}
+			else {
+				writeCompilerWithJumps(compiler, node->index.first, breakAddressesPtr, continueAddressesPtr, jumpOffsets);
+			}
+
+			// compiler->bytecode[compiler->count++] = (unsigned char)OP_DOT; //1 byte
+
+			return OP_DOT_ASSIGN;
+		}
+		break;
 	}
+
+	return OP_EOF;
 }
 
 void writeCompiler(Compiler* compiler, Node* node) {
-	writeCompilerWithJumps(compiler, node, NULL, NULL, 0);
+	Opcode op = writeCompilerWithJumps(compiler, node, NULL, NULL, 0);
+
+	//compensate for indexing & dot notation being screwy
+	if (op != OP_EOF) {
+		compiler->bytecode[compiler->count++] = (unsigned char)op; //1 byte
+	}
 }
 
 void freeCompiler(Compiler* compiler) {
diff --git a/source/interpreter.c b/source/interpreter.c
index 75acbe4..a91f607 100644
--- a/source/interpreter.c
+++ b/source/interpreter.c
@@ -1345,6 +1345,430 @@ static bool execExport(Interpreter* interpreter) {
 	return true;
 }
 
+static bool execIndex(Interpreter* interpreter) {
+	//assume -> compound, first, second, third are all on the stack
+
+	Literal third = popLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack);
+	Literal second = popLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack);
+	Literal first = popLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack);
+	Literal compound = popLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack);
+
+	if (!IS_IDENTIFIER(compound)) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Unknown literal found in indexing notation\n");
+		freeLiteral(third);
+		freeLiteral(second);
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	if (!parseIdentifierToValue(interpreter, &compound)) {
+		freeLiteral(third);
+		freeLiteral(second);
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	if (!IS_ARRAY(compound) && !IS_DICTIONARY(compound) && !IS_STRING(compound)) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Unknown compound found in indexing notation\n");
+		freeLiteral(third);
+		freeLiteral(second);
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	//get the index function
+	Literal func = TO_NULL_LITERAL;
+	char* keyStr = "_index";
+	Literal key = TO_IDENTIFIER_LITERAL(copyString(keyStr, strlen(keyStr)), strlen(keyStr));
+
+	if (!getScopeVariable(interpreter->scope, key, &func) || !IS_FUNCTION_NATIVE(func)) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("couldn't get the _index function\n");
+		freeLiteral(third);
+		freeLiteral(second);
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		freeLiteral(func);
+		freeLiteral(key);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	//build the argument list
+	LiteralArray arguments;
+	initLiteralArray(&arguments);
+
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, compound);
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, first);
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, second);
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, third);
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, TO_NULL_LITERAL); //it expects an assignment command
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, TO_NULL_LITERAL); //it expects an assignment "opcode"
+
+	//call the function
+	NativeFn fn = (NativeFn)AS_FUNCTION(func).bytecode;
+	fn(interpreter, &arguments);
+
+	//clean up
+	freeLiteral(third);
+	freeLiteral(second);
+	freeLiteral(first);
+	freeLiteral(compound);
+	freeLiteral(func);
+	freeLiteralArray(&arguments);
+	freeLiteral(key);
+
+	return true;
+}
+
+static bool execDot(Interpreter* interpreter) {
+	//assume -> compound, first are all on the stack
+
+	Literal first = popLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack);
+	Literal compound = popLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack);
+
+	if (!IS_IDENTIFIER(compound)) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Unknown literal found in dot notation\n");
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	if (!parseIdentifierToValue(interpreter, &compound)) {
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	if (!IS_ARRAY(compound) && !IS_DICTIONARY(compound) && !IS_STRING(compound)) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Unknown compound found in dot notation\n");
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	//get the index function
+	Literal func = TO_NULL_LITERAL;
+	char* keyStr = "_dot";
+	Literal key = TO_IDENTIFIER_LITERAL(copyString(keyStr, strlen(keyStr)), strlen(keyStr));
+
+	if (!getScopeVariable(interpreter->scope, key, &func) || !IS_FUNCTION_NATIVE(func)) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("couldn't get the _dot function\n");
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		freeLiteral(func);
+		freeLiteral(key);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	//build the argument list
+	LiteralArray arguments;
+	initLiteralArray(&arguments);
+
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, compound);
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, first);
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, TO_NULL_LITERAL); //it expects an assignment command
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, TO_NULL_LITERAL); //it expects an assignment "opcode"
+
+	//call the function
+	NativeFn fn = (NativeFn)AS_FUNCTION(func).bytecode;
+	fn(interpreter, &arguments);
+
+	//clean up
+	freeLiteral(first);
+	freeLiteral(compound);
+	freeLiteral(func);
+	freeLiteralArray(&arguments);
+	freeLiteral(key);
+
+	return true;
+}
+
+static bool execIndexAssign(Interpreter* interpreter) {
+	//assume -> compound, first, second, third, assign are all on the stack
+
+	Literal assign = popLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack);
+	Literal third = popLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack);
+	Literal second = popLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack);
+	Literal first = popLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack);
+	Literal compound = popLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack);
+
+	if (!IS_IDENTIFIER(compound)) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Unknown literal found in index assigning notation\n");
+		freeLiteral(assign);
+		freeLiteral(third);
+		freeLiteral(second);
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	Literal idn = copyLiteral(compound);
+
+	if (!parseIdentifierToValue(interpreter, &compound)) {
+		freeLiteral(assign);
+		freeLiteral(third);
+		freeLiteral(second);
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		freeLiteral(idn);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	if (!IS_ARRAY(compound) && !IS_DICTIONARY(compound) && !IS_STRING(compound)) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Unknown compound found in index assigning notation\n");
+		freeLiteral(assign);
+		freeLiteral(third);
+		freeLiteral(second);
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		freeLiteral(idn);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	//get the index function
+	Literal func = TO_NULL_LITERAL;
+	char* keyStr = "_index";
+	Literal key = TO_IDENTIFIER_LITERAL(copyString(keyStr, strlen(keyStr)), strlen(keyStr));
+
+	if (!getScopeVariable(interpreter->scope, key, &func) || !IS_FUNCTION_NATIVE(func)) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("couldn't get the _index function\n");
+		freeLiteral(assign);
+		freeLiteral(third);
+		freeLiteral(second);
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		freeLiteral(idn);
+		freeLiteral(func);
+		freeLiteral(key);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	//build the opcode
+	unsigned char opcode = readByte(interpreter->bytecode, &interpreter->count);
+	char* opStr = "";
+	switch(opcode) {
+		case OP_VAR_ASSIGN:
+			opStr = "=";
+		break;
+		case OP_VAR_ADDITION_ASSIGN:
+			opStr = "+=";
+		break;
+		case OP_VAR_SUBTRACTION_ASSIGN:
+			opStr = "-=";
+		break;
+		case OP_VAR_MULTIPLICATION_ASSIGN:
+			opStr = "*=";
+		break;
+		case OP_VAR_DIVISION_ASSIGN:
+			opStr = "/=";
+		break;
+		case OP_VAR_MODULO_ASSIGN:
+			opStr = "%=";
+		break;
+
+		default:
+			interpreter->errorOutput("bad opcode in index assigning notation\n");
+			freeLiteral(assign);
+			freeLiteral(third);
+			freeLiteral(second);
+			freeLiteral(first);
+			freeLiteral(compound);
+			freeLiteral(idn);
+			freeLiteral(func);
+			freeLiteral(key);
+			return false;
+	}
+
+	Literal op = TO_STRING_LITERAL(copyString(opStr, strlen(opStr)), strlen(opStr));
+
+	//build the argument list
+	LiteralArray arguments;
+	initLiteralArray(&arguments);
+
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, compound);
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, first);
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, second);
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, third);
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, assign); //it expects an assignment command
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, op); //it expects an assignment "opcode"
+
+	//call the function
+	NativeFn fn = (NativeFn)AS_FUNCTION(func).bytecode;
+	fn(interpreter, &arguments);
+
+	//save the result (assume top of the interpreter stack is the new compound value)
+	Literal result = popLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack);
+	if (!setScopeVariable(interpreter->scope, idn, result, true)) {//TODO: check this const-ness
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Incorrect type assigned to compound member: ");
+		printLiteralCustom(result, interpreter->errorOutput);
+		interpreter->errorOutput("\n");
+
+		//clean up
+		freeLiteral(op);
+		freeLiteral(assign);
+		freeLiteral(third);
+		freeLiteral(second);
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		freeLiteral(idn);
+		freeLiteral(func);
+		freeLiteralArray(&arguments);
+		freeLiteral(key);
+		freeLiteral(result);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	//clean up
+	freeLiteral(op);
+	freeLiteral(assign);
+	freeLiteral(third);
+	freeLiteral(second);
+	freeLiteral(first);
+	freeLiteral(compound);
+	freeLiteral(idn);
+	freeLiteral(func);
+	freeLiteralArray(&arguments);
+	freeLiteral(key);
+	freeLiteral(result);
+
+	return true;
+}
+
+static bool execDotAssign(Interpreter* interpreter) {
+	//assume -> compound, first, assign are all on the stack
+
+	Literal assign = popLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack);
+	Literal first = popLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack);
+	Literal compound = popLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack);
+
+	if (!IS_IDENTIFIER(compound)) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Unknown literal found in dot assigning notation\n");
+		freeLiteral(assign);
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	Literal idn = copyLiteral(compound);
+
+	if (!parseIdentifierToValue(interpreter, &compound)) {
+		freeLiteral(assign);
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		freeLiteral(idn);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	if (!IS_ARRAY(compound) && !IS_DICTIONARY(compound) && !IS_STRING(compound)) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Unknown compound found in dot assigning notation\n");
+		freeLiteral(assign);
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		freeLiteral(idn);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	//get the index function
+	Literal func = TO_NULL_LITERAL;
+	char* keyStr = "_dot";
+	Literal key = TO_IDENTIFIER_LITERAL(copyString(keyStr, strlen(keyStr)), strlen(keyStr));
+
+	if (!getScopeVariable(interpreter->scope, key, &func) || !IS_FUNCTION_NATIVE(func)) {
+		interpreter->errorOutput("couldn't get the _dot function\n");
+		freeLiteral(assign);
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		freeLiteral(idn);
+		freeLiteral(func);
+		freeLiteral(key);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	//build the opcode
+	unsigned char opcode = readByte(interpreter->bytecode, &interpreter->count);
+	char* opStr = "";
+	switch(opcode) {
+		case OP_VAR_ASSIGN:
+			opStr = "=";
+		break;
+		case OP_VAR_ADDITION_ASSIGN:
+			opStr = "+=";
+		break;
+		case OP_VAR_SUBTRACTION_ASSIGN:
+			opStr = "-=";
+		break;
+		case OP_VAR_MULTIPLICATION_ASSIGN:
+			opStr = "*=";
+		break;
+		case OP_VAR_DIVISION_ASSIGN:
+			opStr = "/=";
+		break;
+		case OP_VAR_MODULO_ASSIGN:
+			opStr = "%=";
+		break;
+
+		default:
+			interpreter->errorOutput("bad opcode in dot assigning notation\n");
+			freeLiteral(assign);
+			freeLiteral(first);
+			freeLiteral(compound);
+			freeLiteral(idn);
+			freeLiteral(func);
+			freeLiteral(key);
+			return false;
+	}
+
+	Literal op = TO_STRING_LITERAL(copyString(opStr, strlen(opStr)), strlen(opStr));
+
+	//build the argument list
+	LiteralArray arguments;
+	initLiteralArray(&arguments);
+
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, compound);
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, first);
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, assign); //it expects an assignment command
+	pushLiteralArray(&arguments, op); //it expects an assignment "opcode"
+
+	//call the function
+	NativeFn fn = (NativeFn)AS_FUNCTION(func).bytecode;
+	fn(interpreter, &arguments);
+
+	//save the result (assume top of the interpreter stack is the new compound value)
+	Literal result = popLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack);
+	if (!setScopeVariable(interpreter->scope, idn, result, true)) {//TODO: check this const-ness
+		interpreter->errorOutput("Incorrect type assigned to compound member: ");
+		printLiteralCustom(result, interpreter->errorOutput);
+		interpreter->errorOutput("\n");
+
+		//clean up
+		freeLiteral(op);
+		freeLiteral(assign);
+		freeLiteral(first);
+		freeLiteral(compound);
+		freeLiteral(idn);
+		freeLiteral(func);
+		freeLiteralArray(&arguments);
+		freeLiteral(key);
+		freeLiteral(result);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	//clean up
+	freeLiteral(op);
+	freeLiteral(assign);
+	freeLiteral(first);
+	freeLiteral(compound);
+	freeLiteral(idn);
+	freeLiteral(func);
+	freeLiteralArray(&arguments);
+	freeLiteral(key);
+	freeLiteral(result);
+
+	return true;
+}
+
 //the heart of toy
 static void execInterpreter(Interpreter* interpreter) {
 	//set the starting point for the interpreter
@@ -1552,6 +1976,30 @@ static void execInterpreter(Interpreter* interpreter) {
 				}
 			break;
 
+			case OP_INDEX:
+				if (!execIndex(interpreter)) {
+					return;
+				}
+			break;
+
+			case OP_DOT:
+				if (!execDot(interpreter)) {
+					return;
+				}
+			break;
+
+			case OP_INDEX_ASSIGN:
+				if (!execIndexAssign(interpreter)) {
+					return;
+				}
+			break;
+
+			case OP_DOT_ASSIGN:
+				if (!execDotAssign(interpreter)) {
+					return;
+				}
+			break;
+
 			case OP_POP_STACK:
 				while (interpreter->stack.count > 0) {
 					freeLiteral(popLiteralArray(&interpreter->stack));
@@ -1915,6 +2363,8 @@ void resetInterpreter(Interpreter* interpreter) {
 	interpreter->scope = pushScope(NULL);
 
 	//globally available functions
+	injectNativeFn(interpreter, "_index", _index);
+	injectNativeFn(interpreter, "_dot", _dot);
 	injectNativeFn(interpreter, "_set", _set);
 	injectNativeFn(interpreter, "_get", _get);
 	injectNativeFn(interpreter, "_push", _push);
diff --git a/source/interpreter.h b/source/interpreter.h
index 708321c..edce019 100644
--- a/source/interpreter.h
+++ b/source/interpreter.h
@@ -30,12 +30,13 @@ typedef struct Interpreter {
 	bool panic;
 } Interpreter;
 
-//for native function API
+//native function API
 typedef int (*NativeFn)(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments);
 bool injectNativeFn(Interpreter* interpreter, char* name, NativeFn func);
-bool parseIdentifierToValue(Interpreter* interpreter, Literal* literalPtr);
+//TODO: injectNativeHook
 
 //utilities for the host program
+bool parseIdentifierToValue(Interpreter* interpreter, Literal* literalPtr);
 void setInterpreterPrint(Interpreter* interpreter, PrintFn printOutput);
 void setInterpreterAssert(Interpreter* interpreter, PrintFn assertOutput);
 void setInterpreterError(Interpreter* interpreter, PrintFn errorOutput);
diff --git a/source/lib_builtin.c b/source/lib_builtin.c
index a0741e4..a2f2bbb 100644
--- a/source/lib_builtin.c
+++ b/source/lib_builtin.c
@@ -2,6 +2,52 @@
 
 #include "memory.h"
 
+int _index(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments) {
+	//_index(compound, first, second, third, assignValue, op)
+	Literal op = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+	Literal assign = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+	Literal third = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+	Literal second = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+	Literal first = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+	Literal compound = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+
+	printLiteralCustom(compound, interpreter->printOutput);
+	printLiteralCustom(first, interpreter->printOutput);
+	printLiteralCustom(second, interpreter->printOutput);
+	printLiteralCustom(third, interpreter->printOutput);
+	printLiteralCustom(op, interpreter->printOutput);
+	printLiteralCustom(assign, interpreter->printOutput);
+
+	freeLiteral(compound);
+	freeLiteral(first);
+	freeLiteral(second);
+	freeLiteral(third);
+	freeLiteral(op);
+	freeLiteral(assign);
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int _dot(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments) {
+	//_dot(compound, first, assignValue, opcode)
+	Literal op = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+	Literal assign = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+	Literal first = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+	Literal compound = popLiteralArray(arguments);
+
+	printLiteralCustom(compound, interpreter->printOutput);
+	printLiteralCustom(first, interpreter->printOutput);
+	printLiteralCustom(op, interpreter->printOutput);
+	printLiteralCustom(assign, interpreter->printOutput);
+
+	freeLiteral(compound);
+	freeLiteral(first);
+	freeLiteral(op);
+	freeLiteral(assign);
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
 int _set(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments) {
 	//if wrong number of arguments, fail
 	if (arguments->count != 3) {
@@ -413,4 +459,4 @@ int _clear(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments) {
 
 	freeLiteral(obj);
 	return 1;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/source/lib_builtin.h b/source/lib_builtin.h
index 419afcf..a32c6ea 100644
--- a/source/lib_builtin.h
+++ b/source/lib_builtin.h
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 #include "interpreter.h"
 
+int _index(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments);
+int _dot(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments);
 int _set(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments);
 int _get(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments);
 int _push(Interpreter* interpreter, LiteralArray* arguments);
diff --git a/source/literal.h b/source/literal.h
index fec0bbc..09574fd 100644
--- a/source/literal.h
+++ b/source/literal.h
@@ -99,8 +99,6 @@ void freeLiteral(Literal literal);
 #define IS_TRUTHY(x) _isTruthy(x)
 
 #define MAX_STRING_LENGTH					4096
-// #define STRLEN(lit)							((lit).as.string.length)
-// #define STRLEN_I(lit)						((lit).as.identifier.length)
 #define HASH_I(lit)							((lit).as.identifier.hash)
 #define TYPE_PUSH_SUBTYPE(lit, subtype)		_typePushSubtype(lit, subtype)
 
diff --git a/source/literal_array.c b/source/literal_array.c
index 6d7f6bd..f7bbc9f 100644
--- a/source/literal_array.c
+++ b/source/literal_array.c
@@ -12,6 +12,16 @@ void initLiteralArray(LiteralArray* array) {
 	array->literals = NULL;
 }
 
+void freeLiteralArray(LiteralArray* array) {
+	//clean up memory
+	for(int i = 0; i < array->count; i++) {
+		freeLiteral(array->literals[i]);
+	}
+
+	FREE_ARRAY(Literal, array->literals, array->capacity);
+	initLiteralArray(array);
+}
+
 int pushLiteralArray(LiteralArray* array, Literal literal) {
 	if (array->capacity < array->count + 1) {
 		int oldCapacity = array->capacity;
@@ -39,16 +49,6 @@ Literal popLiteralArray(LiteralArray* array) {
 	return ret;
 }
 
-void freeLiteralArray(LiteralArray* array) {
-	//clean up memory
-	for(int i = 0; i < array->count; i++) {
-		freeLiteral(array->literals[i]);
-	}
-
-	FREE_ARRAY(Literal, array->literals, array->capacity);
-	initLiteralArray(array);
-}
-
 //find a literal in the array that matches the "literal" argument
 int findLiteralIndex(LiteralArray* array, Literal literal) {
 	for (int i = 0; i < array->count; i++) {
diff --git a/source/literal_array.h b/source/literal_array.h
index 94230db..16f43b9 100644
--- a/source/literal_array.h
+++ b/source/literal_array.h
@@ -9,8 +9,9 @@ typedef struct LiteralArray {
 } LiteralArray;
 
 void initLiteralArray(LiteralArray* array);
+void freeLiteralArray(LiteralArray* array);
 int pushLiteralArray(LiteralArray* array, Literal literal);
 Literal popLiteralArray(LiteralArray* array);
-void freeLiteralArray(LiteralArray* array);
+//TODO: set & get
 
 int findLiteralIndex(LiteralArray* array, Literal literal);
diff --git a/source/literal_dictionary.h b/source/literal_dictionary.h
index f6cb34a..2e7e387 100644
--- a/source/literal_dictionary.h
+++ b/source/literal_dictionary.h
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ typedef struct _entry {
 typedef struct LiteralDictionary {
 	_entry* entries;
 	int capacity;
-	int contains; //count + tombstones
 	int count;
+	int contains; //count + tombstones, for internal use
 } LiteralDictionary;
 
 void initLiteralDictionary(LiteralDictionary* dictionary);
diff --git a/source/node.c b/source/node.c
index ec3e247..a635bce 100644
--- a/source/node.c
+++ b/source/node.c
@@ -99,6 +99,13 @@ void freeNodeCustom(Node* node, bool freeSelf) {
 			freeLiteral(node->import.identifier);
 			freeLiteral(node->import.alias);
 		break;
+
+		case NODE_INDEX:
+		case NODE_DOT:
+			freeNode(node->index.first);
+			freeNode(node->index.second);
+			freeNode(node->index.third);
+		break;
 	}
 
 	if (freeSelf) {
@@ -261,4 +268,26 @@ void emitNodeImport(Node** nodeHandle, NodeType mode, Literal identifier, Litera
 	tmp->import.alias = copyLiteral(alias);
 
 	*nodeHandle = tmp;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
+
+void emitNodeIndex(Node** nodeHandle, Node* first, Node* second, Node* third) {
+	Node* tmp = ALLOCATE(Node, 1);
+
+	tmp->type = NODE_INDEX;
+	tmp->index.first = first;
+	tmp->index.second = second;
+	tmp->index.third = third;
+
+	*nodeHandle = tmp;
+}
+
+void emitNodeDot(Node** nodeHandle, Node* first) {
+	Node* tmp = ALLOCATE(Node, 1);
+
+	tmp->type = NODE_DOT;
+	tmp->index.first = first;
+	tmp->index.second = NULL;
+	tmp->index.third = NULL;
+
+	*nodeHandle = tmp;
+}
diff --git a/source/node.h b/source/node.h
index 9025bd0..82b2c33 100644
--- a/source/node.h
+++ b/source/node.h
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ typedef enum NodeType {
 	NODE_INCREMENT_POSTFIX,
 	NODE_IMPORT,
 	NODE_EXPORT,
+	NODE_INDEX,
+	NODE_DOT,
 } NodeType;
 
 typedef struct NodeLiteral {
@@ -124,6 +126,13 @@ typedef struct NodeImport {
 	Literal alias;
 } NodeImport;
 
+typedef struct NodeIndex {
+	NodeType type;
+	Node* first;
+	Node* second;
+	Node* third;
+} NodeIndex;
+
 union _node {
 	NodeType type;
 	NodeLiteral atomic;
@@ -140,6 +149,7 @@ union _node {
 	NodePath path;
 	NodeIncrement increment;
 	NodeImport import;
+	NodeIndex index;
 };
 
 void freeNode(Node* node);
@@ -157,4 +167,6 @@ void emitNodeFnCollection(Node** nodeHandle);
 void emitNodePath(Node** nodeHandle, NodeType type, Node* preClause, Node* postClause, Node* condition, Node* thenPath, Node* elsePath);
 void emitNodePrefixIncrement(Node** nodeHandle, Literal identifier, int increment);
 void emitNodePostfixIncrement(Node** nodeHandle, Literal identifier, int increment);
-void emitNodeImport(Node** nodeHandle, NodeType mode, Literal identifier, Literal alias);
\ No newline at end of file
+void emitNodeImport(Node** nodeHandle, NodeType mode, Literal identifier, Literal alias);
+void emitNodeIndex(Node** nodeHandle, Node* first, Node* second, Node* third);
+void emitNodeDot(Node** nodeHandle, Node* first);
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/source/opcodes.h b/source/opcodes.h
index b2c6b9f..9e77116 100644
--- a/source/opcodes.h
+++ b/source/opcodes.h
@@ -48,6 +48,13 @@ typedef enum Opcode {
 	OP_IMPORT,
 	OP_EXPORT,
 
+	//for indexing
+	OP_INDEX,
+	OP_DOT,
+
+	OP_INDEX_ASSIGN,
+	OP_DOT_ASSIGN,
+
 	//comparion of values
 	OP_COMPARE_EQUAL,
 	OP_COMPARE_NOT_EQUAL,
diff --git a/source/parser.c b/source/parser.c
index 47751ec..f1afc34 100644
--- a/source/parser.c
+++ b/source/parser.c
@@ -717,6 +717,60 @@ static Opcode fnCall(Parser* parser, Node** nodeHandle) {
 	return OP_EOF;
 }
 
+static Opcode indexAccess(Parser* parser, Node** nodeHandle) {
+	advance(parser);
+
+	//val[first : second : third]
+
+	Node* first = NULL;
+	Node* second = NULL;
+	Node* third = NULL;
+
+	//eat the first
+	if (!match(parser, TOKEN_COLON)) {
+		parsePrecedence(parser, &first, PREC_TERNARY);
+	}
+
+	if (match(parser, TOKEN_BRACKET_RIGHT)) {
+		emitNodeIndex(nodeHandle, first, second, third);
+		return OP_INDEX;
+	}
+
+	consume(parser, TOKEN_COLON, "Expected ':' in index notation");
+
+	//eat the second
+	if (!match(parser, TOKEN_COLON)) {
+		parsePrecedence(parser, &second, PREC_TERNARY);
+	}
+
+	if (match(parser, TOKEN_BRACKET_RIGHT)) {
+		emitNodeIndex(nodeHandle, first, second, third);
+		return OP_INDEX;
+	}
+
+	consume(parser, TOKEN_COLON, "Expected ':' in index notation");
+
+	//eat the third
+	parsePrecedence(parser, &third, PREC_TERNARY);
+	emitNodeIndex(nodeHandle, first, second, third);
+
+	consume(parser, TOKEN_BRACKET_RIGHT, "Expected ']' in index notation");
+
+	return OP_INDEX;
+}
+
+static Opcode dot(Parser* parser, Node** nodeHandle) {
+	advance(parser); //for the dot
+	advance(parser); //for the identifier
+
+	Node* first = NULL;
+
+	identifier(parser, &first); //specific case
+	emitNodeDot(nodeHandle, first);
+
+	return OP_DOT;
+}
+
 ParseRule parseRules[] = { //must match the token types
 	//types
 	{atomic, NULL, PREC_PRIMARY},// TOKEN_NULL,
@@ -779,7 +833,7 @@ ParseRule parseRules[] = { //must match the token types
 	//logical operators
 	{grouping, fnCall, PREC_CALL},// TOKEN_PAREN_LEFT,
 	{NULL, NULL, PREC_NONE},// TOKEN_PAREN_RIGHT,
-	{compound, NULL, PREC_CALL},// TOKEN_BRACKET_LEFT,
+	{compound, indexAccess, PREC_CALL},// TOKEN_BRACKET_LEFT,
 	{NULL, NULL, PREC_NONE},// TOKEN_BRACKET_RIGHT,
 	{NULL, NULL, PREC_NONE},// TOKEN_BRACE_LEFT,
 	{NULL, NULL, PREC_NONE},// TOKEN_BRACE_RIGHT,
@@ -797,7 +851,7 @@ ParseRule parseRules[] = { //must match the token types
 	{NULL, NULL, PREC_NONE},// TOKEN_COLON,
 	{NULL, NULL, PREC_NONE},// TOKEN_SEMICOLON,
 	{NULL, NULL, PREC_NONE},// TOKEN_COMMA,
-	{NULL, NULL, PREC_NONE},// TOKEN_DOT,
+	{NULL, dot, PREC_CALL},// TOKEN_DOT,
 	{NULL, NULL, PREC_NONE},// TOKEN_PIPE,
 	{NULL, NULL, PREC_NONE},// TOKEN_REST,