diff --git a/repl/main.c b/repl/main.c
index 9f88889..e6c6ec5 100644
--- a/repl/main.c
+++ b/repl/main.c
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 #include "toy_lexer.h"
 #include "toy_parser.h"
-#include "toy_module_compiler.h"
+#include "toy_compiler.h"
 #include "toy_vm.h"
 
 #include <stdio.h>
@@ -332,16 +332,15 @@ int repl(const char* filepath) {
 			continue;
 		}
 
-		unsigned char* buffer = Toy_compileModule(ast);
-		Toy_Module module = Toy_parseModule(buffer);
-		Toy_bindVM(&vm, &module, runCount++ > 0);
+		unsigned char* bytecode = Toy_compileToBytecode(ast);
+		Toy_bindVM(&vm, bytecode, runCount++ > 0);
 
 		//run
 		Toy_runVM(&vm);
 
 		//free the memory, and leave the VM ready for the next loop
 		Toy_resetVM(&vm, true);
-		free(buffer);
+		free(bytecode);
 
 		printf("%s> ", prompt); //shows the terminal prompt
 	}
@@ -368,7 +367,7 @@ static void debugStackPrint(Toy_Stack* stack) {
 
 			//print value
 			Toy_String* string = Toy_stringifyValue(&stringBucket, Toy_unwrapValue(v));
-			char* buffer = Toy_getStringRawBuffer(string);
+			char* buffer = Toy_getStringRaw(string);
 			printf("%s", buffer);
 			free(buffer);
 			Toy_freeString(string);
@@ -382,23 +381,23 @@ static void debugStackPrint(Toy_Stack* stack) {
 
 static void debugScopePrint(Toy_Scope* scope, int depth) {
 	//DEBUG: if there's anything in the scope, print it
-	if (scope->table->count > 0) {
+	if (scope->count > 0) {
 		Toy_Bucket* stringBucket = Toy_allocateBucket(TOY_BUCKET_IDEAL);
 
 		printf("Scope %d Dump\n-------------------------\ntype\tname\tvalue\n", depth);
-		for (unsigned int i = 0; i < scope->table->capacity; i++) {
-			if ( (TOY_VALUE_IS_STRING(scope->table->data[i].key) && TOY_VALUE_AS_STRING(scope->table->data[i].key)->info.type == TOY_STRING_NAME) != true) {
+		for (unsigned int i = 0; i < scope->capacity; i++) {
+			if (scope->data[i].key.info.length == 0) {
 				continue;
 			}
 
-			Toy_Value k = scope->table->data[i].key;
-			Toy_Value v = scope->table->data[i].value;
+			Toy_String k = scope->data[i].key;
+			Toy_Value v = scope->data[i].value;
 
-			printf("%s\t%s\t", Toy_private_getValueTypeAsCString(v.type), TOY_VALUE_AS_STRING(k)->name.data);
+			printf("%s\t%s\t", Toy_private_getValueTypeAsCString(v.type), k.leaf.data);
 
 			//print value
 			Toy_String* string = Toy_stringifyValue(&stringBucket, Toy_unwrapValue(v));
-			char* buffer = Toy_getStringRawBuffer(string);
+			char* buffer = Toy_getStringRaw(string);
 			printf("%s", buffer);
 			free(buffer);
 			Toy_freeString(string);
@@ -481,16 +480,14 @@ int main(int argc, const char* argv[]) {
 
 		Toy_Bucket* bucket = Toy_allocateBucket(TOY_BUCKET_IDEAL);
 		Toy_Ast* ast = Toy_scanParser(&bucket, &parser);
-		unsigned char* buffer = Toy_compileModule(ast);
+		unsigned char* bytecode = Toy_compileToBytecode(ast);
 		Toy_freeBucket(&bucket);
 		free(source);
 
 		//run the compiled code
 		Toy_VM vm;
 		Toy_initVM(&vm);
-
-		Toy_Module module = Toy_parseModule(buffer);
-		Toy_bindVM(&vm, &module, false);
+		Toy_bindVM(&vm, bytecode, false);
 
 		Toy_runVM(&vm);
 
@@ -502,7 +499,7 @@ int main(int argc, const char* argv[]) {
 
 		//cleanup
 		Toy_freeVM(&vm);
-		free(buffer);
+		free(bytecode);
 	}
 	else {
 		repl(argv[0]);
diff --git a/scripts/hello_world.toy b/scripts/hello_world.toy
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c71d05d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/hello_world.toy
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+print "Hello world";
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/source/toy_module_compiler.c b/source/toy_compiler.c
similarity index 86%
rename from source/toy_module_compiler.c
rename to source/toy_compiler.c
index 7c55379..b943ffb 100644
--- a/source/toy_module_compiler.c
+++ b/source/toy_compiler.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#include "toy_module_compiler.h"
+#include "toy_compiler.h"
 #include "toy_console_colors.h"
 
 #include "toy_opcodes.h"
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ Toy_private_EscapeArray* Toy_private_resizeEscapeArray(Toy_private_EscapeArray*
 	ptr = (Toy_private_EscapeArray*)realloc(ptr, capacity * sizeof(Toy_private_EscapeEntry_t) + sizeof(Toy_private_EscapeArray));
 
 	if (ptr == NULL) {
-		fprintf(stderr, TOY_CC_ERROR "ERROR: Failed to resize an escape array within 'Toy_ModuleCompiler' from %d to %d capacity\n" TOY_CC_RESET, (int)originalCapacity, (int)capacity);
+		fprintf(stderr, TOY_CC_ERROR "ERROR: Failed to resize an escape array within 'Toy_Bytecode' from %d to %d capacity\n" TOY_CC_RESET, (int)originalCapacity, (int)capacity);
 		exit(-1);
 	}
 
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ static void expand(unsigned char** handle, unsigned int* capacity, unsigned int*
 		(*handle) = realloc((*handle), (*capacity));
 
 		if ((*handle) == NULL) {
-			fprintf(stderr, TOY_CC_ERROR "ERROR: Failed to allocate %d space for a part of 'Toy_ModuleCompiler'\n" TOY_CC_RESET, (int)(*capacity));
+			fprintf(stderr, TOY_CC_ERROR "ERROR: Failed to allocate %d space for a part of 'Toy_Bytecode'\n" TOY_CC_RESET, (int)(*capacity));
 			exit(1);
 		}
 	}
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ static unsigned int emitCStringToData(unsigned char** dataHandle, unsigned int*
 	return addr; //return the address of the string in the data section
 }
 
-static unsigned int emitString(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_String* str) {
+static unsigned int emitString(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_String* str) {
 	//the address within the data section
 	unsigned int dataAddr = 0;
 
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ static unsigned int emitString(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_String* str) {
 	return 1;
 }
 
-static unsigned int emitParameters(Toy_ModuleCompiler* mb, Toy_Ast* ast) {
+static unsigned int emitParameters(Toy_Bytecode* mb, Toy_Ast* ast) {
 	//recursive checks
 	if (ast == NULL) {
 		return 0;
@@ -211,12 +211,12 @@ static unsigned int emitParameters(Toy_ModuleCompiler* mb, Toy_Ast* ast) {
 	return 1;
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeModuleCompilerCode(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_Ast* ast); //forward declare for recursion
-static void writeModuleCompilerBody(Toy_ModuleCompiler* mb, Toy_Ast* ast);
-static unsigned char* writeModuleCompilerResult(Toy_ModuleCompiler* mb);
-static unsigned int writeInstructionAssign(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstVarAssign ast, bool chainedAssignment); //forward declare for chaining of var declarations
+static unsigned int writeBytecodeFromAst(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_Ast* ast); //forward declare for recursion
+static void writeBytecodeBody(Toy_Bytecode* mb, Toy_Ast* ast);
+static unsigned char* collateBytecodeBody(Toy_Bytecode* mb);
+static unsigned int writeInstructionAssign(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstVarAssign ast, bool chainedAssignment); //forward declare for chaining of var declarations
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionValue(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstValue ast) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionValue(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstValue ast) {
 	EMIT_BYTE(mb, code, TOY_OPCODE_READ);
 	EMIT_BYTE(mb, code, ast.value.type);
 
@@ -263,11 +263,11 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionValue(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstValue
 	return 1;
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionUnary(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstUnary ast) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionUnary(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstUnary ast) {
 	unsigned int result = 0;
 
 	if (ast.flag == TOY_AST_FLAG_NEGATE) {
-		result = writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.child);
+		result = writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.child);
 
 		EMIT_BYTE(mb, code, TOY_OPCODE_NEGATE);
 
@@ -371,10 +371,10 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionUnary(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstUnary
 	return result;
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionBinary(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstBinary ast) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionBinary(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstBinary ast) {
 	//left, then right, then the binary's operation
-	writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.left);
-	writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.right);
+	writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.left);
+	writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.right);
 
 	if (ast.flag == TOY_AST_FLAG_ADD) {
 		EMIT_BYTE(mb, code,TOY_OPCODE_ADD);
@@ -408,9 +408,9 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionBinary(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstBinar
 	return 1; //leaves only 1 value on the stack
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionBinaryShortCircuit(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstBinaryShortCircuit ast) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionBinaryShortCircuit(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstBinaryShortCircuit ast) {
 	//lhs
-	writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.left);
+	writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.left);
 
 	//duplicate the top (so the lhs can be 'returned' by this expression, if needed)
 	EMIT_BYTE(mb, code,TOY_OPCODE_DUPLICATE);
@@ -449,7 +449,7 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionBinaryShortCircuit(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb,
 	EMIT_BYTE(mb, code, 0);
 
 	//rhs
-	writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.right);
+	writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.right);
 
 	//set the parameter
 	OVERWRITE_INT(mb, code, paramAddr, CURRENT_ADDRESS(mb, code) - (paramAddr + 4));
@@ -457,10 +457,10 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionBinaryShortCircuit(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb,
 	return 1; //leaves only 1 value on the stack
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionCompare(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstCompare ast) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionCompare(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstCompare ast) {
 	//left, then right, then the compare's operation
-	writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.left);
-	writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.right);
+	writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.left);
+	writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.right);
 
 	if (ast.flag == TOY_AST_FLAG_COMPARE_EQUAL) {
 		EMIT_BYTE(mb, code,TOY_OPCODE_COMPARE_EQUAL);
@@ -499,13 +499,13 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionCompare(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstComp
 	return 1; //leaves only 1 value on the stack
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionGroup(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstGroup ast) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionGroup(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstGroup ast) {
 	//not certain what this leaves
-	return writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.child);
+	return writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.child);
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionCompound(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstCompound ast) {
-	unsigned int result = writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.child);
+static unsigned int writeInstructionCompound(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstCompound ast) {
+	unsigned int result = writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.child);
 
 	if (ast.flag == TOY_AST_FLAG_COMPOUND_ARRAY) {
 		//signal how many values to read in as array elements
@@ -542,12 +542,12 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionCompound(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstCom
 	}
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionAggregate(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstAggregate ast) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionAggregate(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstAggregate ast) {
 	unsigned int result = 0;
 
 	//left, then right
-	result += writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.left);
-	result += writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.right);
+	result += writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.left);
+	result += writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.right);
 
 	if (ast.flag == TOY_AST_FLAG_COLLECTION) {
 		//collections are handled above
@@ -575,10 +575,10 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionAggregate(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstAg
 	}
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionAssert(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstAssert ast) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionAssert(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstAssert ast) {
 	//the thing to print
-	writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.child);
-	writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.message);
+	writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.child);
+	writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.message);
 
 	//output the print opcode
 	EMIT_BYTE(mb, code, TOY_OPCODE_ASSERT);
@@ -591,9 +591,9 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionAssert(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstAsser
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionIfThenElse(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstIfThenElse ast) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionIfThenElse(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstIfThenElse ast) {
 	//cond-branch
-	writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.condBranch);
+	writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.condBranch);
 
 	//emit the jump word (opcode, type, condition, padding)
 	EMIT_BYTE(mb, code, TOY_OPCODE_JUMP);
@@ -604,7 +604,7 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionIfThenElse(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstI
 	unsigned int thenParamAddr = SKIP_INT(mb, code); //parameter to be written later
 
 	//emit then-branch
-	writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.thenBranch);
+	writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.thenBranch);
 
 	if (ast.elseBranch != NULL) {
 		//emit the jump-to-end (opcode, type, condition, padding)
@@ -619,7 +619,7 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionIfThenElse(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstI
 		OVERWRITE_INT(mb, code, thenParamAddr, CURRENT_ADDRESS(mb, code) - (thenParamAddr + 4));
 
 		//emit the else branch
-		writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.elseBranch);
+		writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.elseBranch);
 
 		//specify the ending position for the else branch
 		OVERWRITE_INT(mb, code, elseParamAddr, CURRENT_ADDRESS(mb, code) - (elseParamAddr + 4));
@@ -633,12 +633,12 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionIfThenElse(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstI
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionWhileThen(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstWhileThen ast) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionWhileThen(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstWhileThen ast) {
 	//begin
 	unsigned int beginAddr = CURRENT_ADDRESS(mb, code);
 
 	//cond-branch
-	writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.condBranch);
+	writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.condBranch);
 
 	//emit the jump word (opcode, type, condition, padding)
 	EMIT_BYTE(mb, code, TOY_OPCODE_JUMP);
@@ -649,7 +649,7 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionWhileThen(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstWh
 	unsigned int paramAddr = SKIP_INT(mb, code); //parameter to be written later
 
 	//emit then-branch
-	writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.thenBranch);
+	writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.thenBranch);
 
 	//jump to begin to repeat the conditional test
 	EMIT_BYTE(mb, code, TOY_OPCODE_JUMP);
@@ -694,7 +694,7 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionWhileThen(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstWh
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionBreak(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstBreak ast) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionBreak(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstBreak ast) {
 	//unused
 	(void)ast;
 
@@ -718,7 +718,7 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionBreak(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstBreak
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionContinue(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstContinue ast) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionContinue(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstContinue ast) {
 	//unused
 	(void)ast;
 
@@ -742,9 +742,9 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionContinue(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstCon
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionReturn(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstReturn ast) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionReturn(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstReturn ast) {
 	//the things to return
-	unsigned int retCount = writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.child);
+	unsigned int retCount = writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.child);
 
 	//output the print opcode
 	EMIT_BYTE(mb, code,TOY_OPCODE_RETURN);
@@ -757,9 +757,9 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionReturn(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstRetur
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionPrint(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstPrint ast) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionPrint(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstPrint ast) {
 	//the thing to print
-	writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.child);
+	writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.child);
 
 	//output the print opcode
 	EMIT_BYTE(mb, code,TOY_OPCODE_PRINT);
@@ -772,13 +772,13 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionPrint(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstPrint
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionVarDeclare(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstVarDeclare ast) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionVarDeclare(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstVarDeclare ast) {
 	//if we're dealing with chained assignments, hijack the next assignment with 'chainedAssignment' set to true
 	if (checkForChaining(ast.expr)) {
 		writeInstructionAssign(mb, ast.expr->varAssign, true);
 	}
 	else {
-		writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.expr); //default value
+		writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.expr); //default value
 	}
 
 	//delcare with the given name string
@@ -792,7 +792,7 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionVarDeclare(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstV
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionAssign(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstVarAssign ast, bool chainedAssignment) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionAssign(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstVarAssign ast, bool chainedAssignment) {
 	unsigned int result = 0;
 
 	//target is a name string
@@ -811,15 +811,15 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionAssign(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstVarAs
 
 	//target is an indexing of some compound value
 	else if (ast.target->type == TOY_AST_AGGREGATE && ast.target->aggregate.flag == TOY_AST_FLAG_INDEX) {
-		writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.target->aggregate.left); //any deeper indexing will just work, using reference values
-		writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.target->aggregate.right); //key
+		writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.target->aggregate.left); //any deeper indexing will just work, using reference values
+		writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.target->aggregate.right); //key
 
 		//if we're dealing with chained assignments, hijack the next assignment with 'chainedAssignment' set to true
 		if (checkForChaining(ast.expr)) {
 			result += writeInstructionAssign(mb, ast.expr->varAssign, true);
 		}
 		else {
-			result += writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.expr); //default value
+			result += writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.expr); //default value
 		}
 
 		EMIT_BYTE(mb, code, TOY_OPCODE_ASSIGN_COMPOUND); //uses the top three values on the stack
@@ -844,7 +844,7 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionAssign(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstVarAs
 			result += writeInstructionAssign(mb, ast.expr->varAssign, true);
 		}
 		else {
-			result += writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.expr); //default value
+			result += writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.expr); //default value
 		}
 
 		EMIT_BYTE(mb, code, TOY_OPCODE_ASSIGN);
@@ -863,7 +863,7 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionAssign(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstVarAs
 			result += writeInstructionAssign(mb, ast.expr->varAssign, true);
 		}
 		else {
-			result += writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.expr); //default value
+			result += writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.expr); //default value
 		}
 
 		EMIT_BYTE(mb, code,TOY_OPCODE_ADD);
@@ -882,7 +882,7 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionAssign(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstVarAs
 			result += writeInstructionAssign(mb, ast.expr->varAssign, true);
 		}
 		else {
-			result += writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.expr); //default value
+			result += writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.expr); //default value
 		}
 
 		EMIT_BYTE(mb, code,TOY_OPCODE_SUBTRACT);
@@ -901,7 +901,7 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionAssign(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstVarAs
 			result += writeInstructionAssign(mb, ast.expr->varAssign, true);
 		}
 		else {
-			result += writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.expr); //default value
+			result += writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.expr); //default value
 		}
 
 		EMIT_BYTE(mb, code,TOY_OPCODE_MULTIPLY);
@@ -920,7 +920,7 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionAssign(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstVarAs
 			result += writeInstructionAssign(mb, ast.expr->varAssign, true);
 		}
 		else {
-			result += writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.expr); //default value
+			result += writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.expr); //default value
 		}
 
 		EMIT_BYTE(mb, code,TOY_OPCODE_DIVIDE);
@@ -939,7 +939,7 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionAssign(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstVarAs
 			result += writeInstructionAssign(mb, ast.expr->varAssign, true);
 		}
 		else {
-			result += writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.expr); //default value
+			result += writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.expr); //default value
 		}
 
 		EMIT_BYTE(mb, code,TOY_OPCODE_MODULO);
@@ -956,7 +956,7 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionAssign(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstVarAs
 	return result + (chainedAssignment ? 1 : 0);
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionAccess(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstVarAccess ast) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionAccess(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstVarAccess ast) {
 	if (!(ast.child->type == TOY_AST_VALUE && TOY_VALUE_IS_STRING(ast.child->value.value))) {
 		fprintf(stderr, TOY_CC_ERROR "COMPILER ERROR: Found a non-name-string in a value node when trying to write access\n" TOY_CC_RESET);
 		(*mb)->panic = true;
@@ -982,7 +982,7 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionAccess(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstVarAc
 	return 1;
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionFnDeclare(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstFnDeclare ast) {
+static unsigned int writeInstructionFnDeclare(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstFnDeclare ast) {
 	/*
 	FnDeclare: name, params, body
 
@@ -1001,16 +1001,16 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionFnDeclare(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstFn
 		.right->value.value.as.string.name (param4: any)
 	*/
 
-	//generate the submodule
-	Toy_ModuleCompiler compiler = { 0 };
+	//generate the subroutine
+	Toy_Bytecode compiler = { 0 };
 
 	compiler.breakEscapes = Toy_private_resizeEscapeArray(NULL, TOY_ESCAPE_INITIAL_CAPACITY);
 	compiler.continueEscapes = Toy_private_resizeEscapeArray(NULL, TOY_ESCAPE_INITIAL_CAPACITY);
 
 	//compile the ast to memory
 	unsigned int paramCount = emitParameters(&compiler, ast.params);
-	writeModuleCompilerBody(&compiler, ast.body);
-	unsigned char* submodule = writeModuleCompilerResult(&compiler);
+	writeBytecodeBody(&compiler, ast.body);
+	unsigned char* subroutine = collateBytecodeBody(&compiler);
 
 	//cleanup the compiler
 	Toy_private_resizeEscapeArray(compiler.breakEscapes, 0);
@@ -1022,10 +1022,10 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionFnDeclare(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstFn
 	free(compiler.data);
 	free(compiler.subs);
 
-	//write the submodule to the subs section
+	//write the subroutine to the subs section
 	unsigned int subsAddr = (*mb)->subsCount;
-	emitBuffer(&((*mb)->subs), &((*mb)->subsCapacity), &((*mb)->subsCount), submodule, *((unsigned int*)submodule));
-	free(submodule);
+	emitBuffer(&((*mb)->subs), &((*mb)->subsCapacity), &((*mb)->subsCount), subroutine, *((unsigned int*)subroutine));
+	free(subroutine);
 
 	//read the function as a value, with the address as a parameter
 	EMIT_BYTE(mb, code, TOY_OPCODE_READ);
@@ -1047,8 +1047,8 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionFnDeclare(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstFn
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeInstructionFnInvoke(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstFnInvoke ast) {
-	unsigned int argCount = writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.args);
+static unsigned int writeInstructionFnInvoke(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_AstFnInvoke ast) {
+	unsigned int argCount = writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.args);
 
 	if (argCount > 255) {
 		fprintf(stderr, TOY_CC_ERROR "COMPILER ERROR: Invalid function invokation with %d functions arguments (maximum 255)\n" TOY_CC_RESET, (int)argCount);
@@ -1056,7 +1056,7 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionFnInvoke(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstFnI
 		return 0;
 	}
 
-	unsigned int fnCount = writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast.function);
+	unsigned int fnCount = writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast.function);
 
 	if (fnCount != 1) {
 		fprintf(stderr, TOY_CC_ERROR "COMPILER ERROR: Invalid function invokation with %d function AST nodes (expected 1)\n" TOY_CC_RESET, (int)fnCount);
@@ -1073,7 +1073,7 @@ static unsigned int writeInstructionFnInvoke(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_AstFnI
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static unsigned int writeModuleCompilerCode(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_Ast* ast) {
+static unsigned int writeBytecodeFromAst(Toy_Bytecode** mb, Toy_Ast* ast) {
 	if (ast == NULL) {
 		return 0;
 	}
@@ -1098,8 +1098,8 @@ static unsigned int writeModuleCompilerCode(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_Ast* as
 				(*mb)->currentScopeDepth++;
 			}
 
-			result += writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast->block.child);
-			result += writeModuleCompilerCode(mb, ast->block.next);
+			result += writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast->block.child);
+			result += writeBytecodeFromAst(mb, ast->block.next);
 
 			if (ast->block.innerScope) {
 				EMIT_BYTE(mb, code, TOY_OPCODE_SCOPE_POP);
@@ -1210,10 +1210,10 @@ static unsigned int writeModuleCompilerCode(Toy_ModuleCompiler** mb, Toy_Ast* as
 	return result;
 }
 
-static void writeModuleCompilerBody(Toy_ModuleCompiler* mb, Toy_Ast* ast) {
-	//this is separated from 'writeModuleCompilerResult', to separate the concerns for modules & functions
+static void writeBytecodeBody(Toy_Bytecode* mb, Toy_Ast* ast) {
+	//this is separated from 'collateBytecodeBody', to separate the concerns for bytecode & functions
 
-	writeModuleCompilerCode(&mb, ast);
+	writeBytecodeFromAst(&mb, ast);
 
 	EMIT_BYTE(&mb, code, TOY_OPCODE_RETURN); //end terminator
 	EMIT_BYTE(&mb, code, 0); //4-byte alignment
@@ -1221,7 +1221,7 @@ static void writeModuleCompilerBody(Toy_ModuleCompiler* mb, Toy_Ast* ast) {
 	EMIT_BYTE(&mb, code, 0);
 }
 
-static unsigned char* writeModuleCompilerResult(Toy_ModuleCompiler* mb) {
+static unsigned char* collateBytecodeBody(Toy_Bytecode* mb) {
 	//if an error occurred, just exit
 	if (mb->panic) {
 		return NULL;
@@ -1312,16 +1312,16 @@ static unsigned char* writeModuleCompilerResult(Toy_ModuleCompiler* mb) {
 }
 
 //exposed functions
-unsigned char* Toy_compileModule(Toy_Ast* ast) {
+unsigned char* Toy_compileToBytecode(Toy_Ast* ast) {
 	//setup
-	Toy_ModuleCompiler compiler = { 0 };
+	Toy_Bytecode compiler = { 0 };
 
 	compiler.breakEscapes = Toy_private_resizeEscapeArray(NULL, TOY_ESCAPE_INITIAL_CAPACITY);
 	compiler.continueEscapes = Toy_private_resizeEscapeArray(NULL, TOY_ESCAPE_INITIAL_CAPACITY);
 
 	//compile the ast to memory
-	writeModuleCompilerBody(&compiler, ast);
-	unsigned char* buffer = writeModuleCompilerResult(&compiler);
+	writeBytecodeBody(&compiler, ast);
+	unsigned char* buffer = collateBytecodeBody(&compiler);
 
 	//cleanup
 	Toy_private_resizeEscapeArray(compiler.breakEscapes, 0);
diff --git a/source/toy_module_compiler.h b/source/toy_compiler.h
similarity index 87%
rename from source/toy_module_compiler.h
rename to source/toy_compiler.h
index 7b85289..514b85b 100644
--- a/source/toy_module_compiler.h
+++ b/source/toy_compiler.h
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@ typedef struct Toy_private_EscapeArray {
 
 TOY_API Toy_private_EscapeArray* Toy_private_resizeEscapeArray(Toy_private_EscapeArray* ptr, unsigned int capacity);
 
-//structure for holding the module as it is built
-typedef struct Toy_ModuleCompiler {
+//structure for holding the bytecode during compilation
+typedef struct Toy_Bytecode {
 	unsigned char* code; //the instruction set
 	unsigned int codeCapacity;
 	unsigned int codeCount;
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ typedef struct Toy_ModuleCompiler {
 	unsigned int dataCapacity;
 	unsigned int dataCount;
 
-	unsigned char* subs; //submodules, built recursively
+	unsigned char* subs; //subroutines etc, built recursively
 	unsigned int subsCapacity;
 	unsigned int subsCount;
 
@@ -57,6 +57,6 @@ typedef struct Toy_ModuleCompiler {
 
 	//compilation errors
 	bool panic;
-} Toy_ModuleCompiler;
+} Toy_Bytecode;
 
-TOY_API unsigned char* Toy_compileModule(Toy_Ast* ast);
+TOY_API unsigned char* Toy_compileToBytecode(Toy_Ast* ast);
diff --git a/source/toy_function.c b/source/toy_function.c
index 9004757..a0af800 100644
--- a/source/toy_function.c
+++ b/source/toy_function.c
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 #include "toy_function.h"
 
-Toy_Function* Toy_createModuleFunction(Toy_Bucket** bucketHandle, Toy_Module module) {
+Toy_Function* Toy_createFunctionFromBytecode(Toy_Bucket** bucketHandle, unsigned char* bytecode) {
 	Toy_Function* fn = (Toy_Function*)Toy_partitionBucket(bucketHandle, sizeof(Toy_Function));
 
-	fn->type = TOY_FUNCTION_MODULE;
-	fn->module.module = module;
+	fn->type = TOY_FUNCTION_CUSTOM;
+	fn->bytecode.code = bytecode;
 
 	return fn;
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/source/toy_function.h b/source/toy_function.h
index bd1a0d4..741f33f 100644
--- a/source/toy_function.h
+++ b/source/toy_function.h
@@ -1,18 +1,17 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #include "toy_common.h"
-
-#include "toy_module.h"
+#include "toy_bucket.h"
 
 typedef enum Toy_FunctionType {
-	TOY_FUNCTION_MODULE,
+	TOY_FUNCTION_CUSTOM,
 	TOY_FUNCTION_NATIVE,
 } Toy_FunctionType;
 
-typedef struct Toy_FunctionModule {
+typedef struct Toy_FunctionBytecode {
 	Toy_FunctionType type;
-	Toy_Module module;
-} Toy_FunctionModule;
+	unsigned char* code;
+} Toy_FunctionBytecode;
 
 typedef struct Toy_FunctionNative {
 	Toy_FunctionType type;
@@ -21,8 +20,8 @@ typedef struct Toy_FunctionNative {
 
 typedef union Toy_Function_t {
 	Toy_FunctionType type;
-	Toy_FunctionModule module;
+	Toy_FunctionBytecode bytecode;
 	Toy_FunctionNative native;
 } Toy_Function;
 
-TOY_API Toy_Function* Toy_createModuleFunction(Toy_Bucket** bucketHandle, Toy_Module module);
+TOY_API Toy_Function* Toy_createFunctionFromBytecode(Toy_Bucket** bucketHandle, unsigned char* bytecode);
diff --git a/source/toy_module.c b/source/toy_module.c
deleted file mode 100644
index 7189933..0000000
--- a/source/toy_module.c
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,44 +0,0 @@
-#include "toy_module.h"
-#include "toy_console_colors.h"
-
-static inline unsigned int readUnsignedInt(unsigned char** handle) {
-	unsigned int i = *((unsigned int*)(*handle));
-	(*handle) += 4;
-	return i;
-}
-
-Toy_Module Toy_parseModule(unsigned char* ptr) {
-	if (ptr == NULL) {
-		return (Toy_Module){ 0 };
-	}
-
-	Toy_Module module;
-
-	module.parentScope = NULL;
-
-	module.code = ptr;
-
-	//header
-	readUnsignedInt(&ptr);
-
-	module.jumpsCount = readUnsignedInt(&ptr);
-	module.paramCount = readUnsignedInt(&ptr);
-	module.dataCount = readUnsignedInt(&ptr);
-	module.subsCount = readUnsignedInt(&ptr);
-
-	module.codeAddr = readUnsignedInt(&ptr);
-	if (module.jumpsCount) {
-		module.jumpsAddr = readUnsignedInt(&ptr);
-	}
-	if (module.paramCount) {
-		module.paramAddr = readUnsignedInt(&ptr);
-	}
-	if (module.dataCount) {
-		module.dataAddr = readUnsignedInt(&ptr);
-	}
-	if (module.subsCount) {
-		module.subsAddr = readUnsignedInt(&ptr);
-	}
-
-	return module;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/source/toy_module.h b/source/toy_module.h
deleted file mode 100644
index 82033a0..0000000
--- a/source/toy_module.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,27 +0,0 @@
-#pragma once
-
-#include "toy_common.h"
-#include "toy_scope.h"
-
-//runtime module info
-typedef struct Toy_Module {
-	//closure support - points to parent scope
-	Toy_Scope* parentScope;
-
-	unsigned char* code;
-
-	//extracted metadata
-	// unsigned int codeCount; //NOTE: not used
-	unsigned int jumpsCount;
-	unsigned int paramCount;
-	unsigned int dataCount;
-	unsigned int subsCount;
-
-	unsigned int codeAddr;
-	unsigned int jumpsAddr;
-	unsigned int paramAddr;
-	unsigned int dataAddr;
-	unsigned int subsAddr;
-} Toy_Module;
-
-TOY_API Toy_Module Toy_parseModule(unsigned char* ptr);
diff --git a/source/toy_value.c b/source/toy_value.c
index 6d155a1..c6404a3 100644
--- a/source/toy_value.c
+++ b/source/toy_value.c
@@ -430,19 +430,17 @@ int Toy_compareValues(Toy_Value left, Toy_Value right) {
 Toy_String* Toy_stringifyValue(Toy_Bucket** bucketHandle, Toy_Value value) {
 	MAYBE_UNWRAP(value);
 
-	//TODO: could have "constant" strings that can be referenced, instead of null, true, false, etc. - new string type of 'permanent'
-
 	switch(value.type) {
 		case TOY_VALUE_NULL:
-			return Toy_createString(bucketHandle, "<null>"); //TODO: remake "createString" to to handle params like this
+			return Toy_toString(bucketHandle, "<null>");
 
 		case TOY_VALUE_BOOLEAN:
-			return Toy_createString(bucketHandle, value.as.boolean ? "<true>" : "<false>");
+			return Toy_toString(bucketHandle, value.as.boolean ? "<true>" : "<false>");
 
 		case TOY_VALUE_INTEGER: {
 			char buffer[16];
 			sprintf(buffer, "%d", value.as.integer);
-			return Toy_createString(bucketHandle, buffer);
+			return Toy_toString(bucketHandle, buffer);
 		}
 
 		case TOY_VALUE_FLOAT: {
@@ -463,7 +461,7 @@ Toy_String* Toy_stringifyValue(Toy_Bucket** bucketHandle, Toy_Value value) {
 			//wipe the trailing zeros
 			while(decimal != length && buffer[length-1] == '0') buffer[--length] = '\0';
 
-			return Toy_createStringLength(bucketHandle, buffer, length);
+			return Toy_toStringLength(bucketHandle, buffer, length);
 		}
 
 		case TOY_VALUE_STRING:
@@ -475,14 +473,14 @@ Toy_String* Toy_stringifyValue(Toy_Bucket** bucketHandle, Toy_Value value) {
 
 			//if array is empty, skip below
 			if (ptr->count == 0) {
-				Toy_String* empty = Toy_createString(bucketHandle, "[]");
+				Toy_String* empty = Toy_toString(bucketHandle, "[]");
 				return empty;
 			}
 
-			Toy_String* open = Toy_createStringLength(bucketHandle, "[", 1);
-			Toy_String* close = Toy_createStringLength(bucketHandle, "]", 1);
-			Toy_String* comma = Toy_createStringLength(bucketHandle, ",", 1); //reusable
-			Toy_String* quote = Toy_createStringLength(bucketHandle, "\"", 1); //reusable
+			Toy_String* open = Toy_toStringLength(bucketHandle, "[", 1);
+			Toy_String* close = Toy_toStringLength(bucketHandle, "]", 1);
+			Toy_String* comma = Toy_toStringLength(bucketHandle, ",", 1); //reusable
+			Toy_String* quote = Toy_toStringLength(bucketHandle, "\"", 1); //reusable
 			bool needsComma = false;
 
 			Toy_String* string = open;
@@ -538,15 +536,15 @@ Toy_String* Toy_stringifyValue(Toy_Bucket** bucketHandle, Toy_Value value) {
 
 			//if table is empty, skip below
 			if (ptr->count == 0) {
-				Toy_String* empty = Toy_createString(bucketHandle, "[:]");
+				Toy_String* empty = Toy_toString(bucketHandle, "[:]");
 				return empty;
 			}
 
-			Toy_String* open = Toy_createStringLength(bucketHandle, "[", 1);
-			Toy_String* close = Toy_createStringLength(bucketHandle, "]", 1);
-			Toy_String* colon = Toy_createStringLength(bucketHandle, ":", 1); //reusable
-			Toy_String* comma = Toy_createStringLength(bucketHandle, ",", 1); //reusable
-			Toy_String* quote = Toy_createStringLength(bucketHandle, "\"", 1); //reusable
+			Toy_String* open = Toy_toStringLength(bucketHandle, "[", 1);
+			Toy_String* close = Toy_toStringLength(bucketHandle, "]", 1);
+			Toy_String* colon = Toy_toStringLength(bucketHandle, ":", 1); //reusable
+			Toy_String* comma = Toy_toStringLength(bucketHandle, ",", 1); //reusable
+			Toy_String* quote = Toy_toStringLength(bucketHandle, "\"", 1); //reusable
 			bool needsComma = false;
 
 			Toy_String* string = open;
@@ -626,7 +624,7 @@ Toy_String* Toy_stringifyValue(Toy_Bucket** bucketHandle, Toy_Value value) {
 
 		case TOY_VALUE_FUNCTION:
 			//dummy
-			return Toy_createString(bucketHandle, "<fn>");
+			return Toy_toString(bucketHandle, "<fn>");
 
 		case TOY_VALUE_OPAQUE:
 		case TOY_VALUE_ANY:
diff --git a/source/toy_vm.c b/source/toy_vm.c
index 6004081..bf408ea 100644
--- a/source/toy_vm.c
+++ b/source/toy_vm.c
@@ -73,12 +73,7 @@ static void processRead(Toy_VM* vm) {
 
 			//build a string from the data section
 			if (stringType == TOY_STRING_LEAF) {
-				value = TOY_VALUE_FROM_STRING(Toy_createString(&vm->memoryBucket, cstring));
-			}
-			else if (stringType == TOY_STRING_NAME) {
-				Toy_ValueType valueType = TOY_VALUE_UNKNOWN;
-
-				value = TOY_VALUE_FROM_STRING(Toy_createNameStringLength(&vm->memoryBucket, cstring, len, valueType, false));
+				value = TOY_VALUE_FROM_STRING(Toy_toStringLength(&vm->memoryBucket, cstring, len));
 			}
 			else {
 				Toy_error("Invalid string type found in opcode read");
@@ -161,11 +156,8 @@ static void processRead(Toy_VM* vm) {
 
 			unsigned int addr = (unsigned int)READ_INT(vm);
 
-			Toy_Module module = Toy_parseModule(vm->code + vm->subsAddr + addr);
-			module.parentScope = Toy_private_pushDummyScope(&vm->memoryBucket, vm->scope);
-
 			//create and push the function value
-			Toy_Function* function = Toy_createModuleFunction(&vm->memoryBucket, module);
+			Toy_Function* function = Toy_createFunctionFromBytecode(&vm->memoryBucket, vm->code + vm->subsAddr + addr);
 			value = TOY_VALUE_FROM_FUNCTION(function);
 
 			break;
@@ -210,7 +202,7 @@ static void processDeclare(Toy_VM* vm) {
 	char* cstring = (char*)(vm->code + vm->dataAddr + jump);
 
 	//build the name string
-	Toy_String* name = Toy_createNameStringLength(&vm->memoryBucket, cstring, len, type, constant);
+	Toy_String* name = Toy_toStringLength(&vm->memoryBucket, cstring, len);
 
 	//get the value
 	Toy_Value value = Toy_popStack(&vm->stack);
@@ -221,7 +213,7 @@ static void processDeclare(Toy_VM* vm) {
 	}
 
 	//declare it
-	Toy_declareScope(vm->scope, name, value);
+	Toy_declareScope(vm->scope, name, type, value, constant);
 
 	//cleanup
 	Toy_freeString(name);
@@ -232,18 +224,20 @@ static void processAssign(Toy_VM* vm) {
 	Toy_Value value = Toy_popStack(&vm->stack);
 	Toy_Value name = Toy_popStack(&vm->stack);
 
-	//check name string type
-	if (!TOY_VALUE_IS_STRING(name) || TOY_VALUE_AS_STRING(name)->info.type != TOY_STRING_NAME) {
-		Toy_error("Invalid assignment target");
-		Toy_freeValue(name);
-		Toy_freeValue(value);
-		return;
-	}
+	//TODO: remove 'TOY_STRING_NAME' entirely
+	// //check name string type
+	// if (!TOY_VALUE_IS_STRING(name) || TOY_VALUE_AS_STRING(name)->info.type != TOY_STRING_NAME) {
+	// 	Toy_error("Invalid assignment target");
+	// 	Toy_freeValue(name);
+	// 	Toy_freeValue(value);
+	// 	return;
+	// }
 
-	//BUGFIX: only allowable type coersion
-	if (TOY_VALUE_AS_STRING(name)->name.varType == TOY_VALUE_FLOAT && value.type == TOY_VALUE_INTEGER) {
-		value = TOY_VALUE_FROM_FLOAT( (float)TOY_VALUE_AS_INTEGER(value) );
-	}
+	// //FIXME
+	// //BUGFIX: only allowable type coersion
+	// if (TOY_VALUE_AS_STRING(name)->name.varType == TOY_VALUE_FLOAT && value.type == TOY_VALUE_INTEGER) {
+	// 	value = TOY_VALUE_FROM_FLOAT( (float)TOY_VALUE_AS_INTEGER(value) );
+	// }
 
 	//assign it
 	Toy_assignScope(vm->scope, TOY_VALUE_AS_STRING(name), value); //scope now owns the value, doesn't need to be freed
@@ -265,7 +259,7 @@ static void processAssignCompound(Toy_VM* vm) {
 	Toy_Value target = Toy_popStack(&vm->stack);
 
 	//shake out variable names
-	if (TOY_VALUE_IS_STRING(target) && TOY_VALUE_AS_STRING(target)->info.type == TOY_STRING_NAME) {
+	if (TOY_VALUE_IS_STRING(target)) {
 		Toy_Value* valuePtr = Toy_accessScopeAsPointer(vm->scope, TOY_VALUE_AS_STRING(target));
 		Toy_freeValue(target);
 		if (valuePtr == NULL) {
@@ -344,12 +338,12 @@ static void processAssignCompound(Toy_VM* vm) {
 static void processAccess(Toy_VM* vm) {
 	Toy_Value name = Toy_popStack(&vm->stack);
 
-	//check name string type
-	if (!TOY_VALUE_IS_STRING(name) || TOY_VALUE_AS_STRING(name)->info.type != TOY_STRING_NAME) {
-		Toy_pushStack(&vm->stack, TOY_VALUE_FROM_NULL());
-		Toy_error("Invalid access target");
-		return;
-	}
+	// //check name string type
+	// if (!TOY_VALUE_IS_STRING(name) || TOY_VALUE_AS_STRING(name)->info.type != TOY_STRING_NAME) {
+	// 	Toy_pushStack(&vm->stack, TOY_VALUE_FROM_NULL());
+	// 	Toy_error("Invalid access target");
+	// 	return;
+	// }
 
 	//find the value
 	Toy_Value* valuePtr = Toy_accessScopeAsPointer(vm->scope, TOY_VALUE_AS_STRING(name));
@@ -397,13 +391,14 @@ static void processInvoke(Toy_VM* vm) {
 	Toy_Function* fn = TOY_VALUE_AS_FUNCTION(value);
 
 	switch(fn->type) {
-		case TOY_FUNCTION_MODULE: {
-			Toy_Module module = fn->module.module;
-
-			//NOTE: counts within the modules actually specify size in memory, so the argCount is multiplied by 8 for the 8 bytes used in the params table
+		case TOY_FUNCTION_CUSTOM: {
+			//spin up a new sub-vm
+			Toy_VM subVM;
+			Toy_inheritVM(&subVM, vm);
+			Toy_bindVM(&subVM, fn->bytecode.code, false);
 
 			//check args count
-			if (argCount * 8 != module.paramCount) {
+			if (argCount * 8 != subVM.paramCount) {
 				Toy_error("Incorrect number of parameters specified for function call");
 				break;
 			}
@@ -413,26 +408,21 @@ static void processInvoke(Toy_VM* vm) {
 				break;
 			}
 
-			//spin up a new sub-vm
-			Toy_VM subVM;
-			Toy_inheritVM(&subVM, vm);
-			Toy_bindVM(&subVM, &module, false);
-
 			//inject params, backwards from the stack
 			for (unsigned int i = argCount; i > 0; i--) {
 				Toy_Value argValue = Toy_popStack(&vm->stack);
 
 				//paramAddr is relative to the data section, and is followed by the param type
-				unsigned int paramAddr = ((unsigned int*)(module.code + module.paramAddr))[(i-1)*2];
-				Toy_ValueType paramType = (Toy_ValueType)(((unsigned int*)(module.code + module.paramAddr))[(i-1)*2 + 1]);
+				unsigned int paramAddr = ((unsigned int*)(subVM.code + subVM.paramAddr))[(i-1)*2];
+				Toy_ValueType paramType = (Toy_ValueType)(((unsigned int*)(subVM.code + subVM.paramAddr))[(i-1)*2 + 1]);
 
 				//c-string of the param's name
-				const char* cstr = ((char*)(module.code + module.dataAddr)) + paramAddr;
+				const char* cstr = ((char*)(subVM.code + subVM.dataAddr)) + paramAddr;
 
 				//as a name string
-				Toy_String* name = Toy_createNameStringLength(&subVM.memoryBucket, cstr, strlen(cstr), paramType, true);
+				Toy_String* name = Toy_toStringLength(&subVM.memoryBucket, cstr, strlen(cstr));
 
-				Toy_declareScope(subVM.scope, name, argValue);
+				Toy_declareScope(subVM.scope, name, paramType, argValue, true);
 			}
 
 			//run
@@ -723,7 +713,7 @@ static void processAssert(Toy_VM* vm) {
 
 	//determine the args
 	if (count == 1) {
-		message = TOY_VALUE_FROM_STRING(Toy_createString(&vm->memoryBucket, "assertion failed")); //TODO: needs a better default message
+		message = TOY_VALUE_FROM_STRING(Toy_toString(&vm->memoryBucket, "assertion failed")); //TODO: needs a better default message
 		value = Toy_popStack(&vm->stack);
 	}
 	else if (count == 2) {
@@ -739,7 +729,7 @@ static void processAssert(Toy_VM* vm) {
 	if (TOY_VALUE_IS_NULL(value) || Toy_checkValueIsTruthy(value) != true) {
 		//on a failure, print the message
 		Toy_String* string = Toy_stringifyValue(&vm->memoryBucket, message);
-		char* buffer = Toy_getStringRawBuffer(string);
+		char* buffer = Toy_getStringRaw(string);
 
 		Toy_assertFailure(buffer);
 
@@ -757,7 +747,7 @@ static void processPrint(Toy_VM* vm) {
 	//print the value on top of the stack, popping it
 	Toy_Value value = Toy_popStack(&vm->stack);
 	Toy_String* string = Toy_stringifyValue(&vm->memoryBucket, value);
-	char* buffer = Toy_getStringRawBuffer(string); //TODO: check string type to skip this call
+	char* buffer = Toy_getStringRaw(string); //TODO: check string type to skip this call
 
 	Toy_print(buffer);
 
@@ -847,11 +837,11 @@ static void processIndex(Toy_VM* vm) {
 		//extract cstring, based on type
 		if (str->info.type == TOY_STRING_LEAF) {
 			const char* cstr = str->leaf.data;
-			result = Toy_createStringLength(&vm->memoryBucket, cstr + i, l);
+			result = Toy_toStringLength(&vm->memoryBucket, cstr + i, l);
 		}
 		else if (str->info.type == TOY_STRING_NODE) {
-			char* cstr = Toy_getStringRawBuffer(str);
-			result = Toy_createStringLength(&vm->memoryBucket, cstr + i, l);
+			char* cstr = Toy_getStringRaw(str);
+			result = Toy_toStringLength(&vm->memoryBucket, cstr + i, l);
 			free(cstr);
 		}
 		else {
@@ -1113,28 +1103,41 @@ void Toy_inheritVM(Toy_VM* vm, Toy_VM* parent) {
 	Toy_resetVM(vm, true);
 }
 
-void Toy_bindVM(Toy_VM* vm, Toy_Module* module, bool preserveScope) {
-	vm->code = module->code;
+void Toy_bindVM(Toy_VM* vm, unsigned char* bytecode, bool preserveScope) {
+	vm->code = bytecode; //set code, so it can be read
 
-	vm->jumpsCount = module->jumpsCount;
-	vm->paramCount = module->paramCount;
-	vm->dataCount = module->dataCount;
-	vm->subsCount = module->subsCount;
+	(void)READ_UNSIGNED_INT(vm); //global header
 
-	vm->codeAddr = module->codeAddr;
-	vm->jumpsAddr = module->jumpsAddr;
-	vm->paramAddr = module->paramAddr;
-	vm->dataAddr = module->dataAddr;
-	vm->subsAddr = module->subsAddr;
+	//section headers
+	vm->jumpsCount = READ_UNSIGNED_INT(vm);
+	vm->paramCount = READ_UNSIGNED_INT(vm);
+	vm->dataCount = READ_UNSIGNED_INT(vm);
+	vm->subsCount = READ_UNSIGNED_INT(vm);
 
+	//section locations
+	vm->codeAddr = READ_UNSIGNED_INT(vm);
+	if (vm->jumpsCount) {
+		vm->jumpsAddr = READ_UNSIGNED_INT(vm);
+	}
+	if (vm->paramCount) {
+		vm->paramAddr = READ_UNSIGNED_INT(vm);
+	}
+	if (vm->dataCount) {
+		vm->dataAddr = READ_UNSIGNED_INT(vm);
+	}
+	if (vm->subsCount) {
+		vm->subsAddr = READ_UNSIGNED_INT(vm);
+	}
+
+	//scopes
 	if (preserveScope == false) {
-		vm->scope = Toy_pushScope(&vm->memoryBucket, module->parentScope);
+		vm->scope = Toy_pushScope(&vm->memoryBucket, NULL);
 	}
 }
 
 unsigned int Toy_runVM(Toy_VM* vm) {
 	if (vm->codeAddr == 0) {
-		//ignore uninitialized VMs or empty modules
+		//ignore uninitialized VMs or empty bytecode
 		return 0;
 	}
 
diff --git a/source/toy_vm.h b/source/toy_vm.h
index ee8e92e..a6ce92e 100644
--- a/source/toy_vm.h
+++ b/source/toy_vm.h
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
 
 #include "toy_bucket.h"
 #include "toy_scope.h"
-#include "toy_module.h"
 
 #include "toy_value.h"
 #include "toy_string.h"
@@ -48,7 +47,7 @@ TOY_API void Toy_resetVM(Toy_VM* vm, bool preserveScope);
 TOY_API void Toy_initVM(Toy_VM* vm); //creates memory
 TOY_API void Toy_inheritVM(Toy_VM* vm, Toy_VM* parent); //inherits scope bucket
 
-TOY_API void Toy_bindVM(Toy_VM* vm, Toy_Module* module, bool preserveScope);
+void Toy_bindVM(Toy_VM* vm, unsigned char* bytecode, bool preserveScope);
 TOY_API unsigned int Toy_runVM(Toy_VM* vm);
 TOY_API void Toy_freeVM(Toy_VM* vm);