Replaced uses of wax:cast with the templated as method (like in boost program options).

13 files changed, 99 insertions, 113 deletions

diff --git a/host/include/uhd/gain_handler.hpp b/host/include/uhd/gain_handler.hpp
index 2d3f8a3f4..a71d63c84 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/gain_handler.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/gain_handler.hpp
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ public:
      */
     template <class T> static bool is_equal(const wax::obj &a, const wax::obj &b){
         try{
-            return wax::cast<T>(a) == wax::cast<T>(b);
+            return a.as<T>() == b.as<T>();
         }
         catch(const wax::bad_cast &){
             return false;
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/props.hpp b/host/include/uhd/props.hpp
index f2ba1769f..0dddba647 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/props.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/props.hpp
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ namespace uhd{
      */
     inline named_prop_t extract_named_prop(const wax::obj &key, const std::string &name = ""){
         if (key.type() == typeid(named_prop_t)){
-            return wax::cast<named_prop_t>(key);
+            return key.as<named_prop_t>();
         }
         return named_prop_t(key, name);
     }
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/wax.hpp b/host/include/uhd/wax.hpp
index 4fd54ba14..0291a06b7 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/wax.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/wax.hpp
@@ -19,32 +19,35 @@
 #define INCLUDED_WAX_HPP
 
 #include <boost/any.hpp>
-#include <iostream>
 
 /*!
  * WAX - it's a metaphor!
  *
- * The WAX framework allows object to have generic/anyobj properties.
+ * The WAX framework allows an object to have generic/anyobj properties.
  * These properties can be addressed through generic/anyobj identifiers.
- * A property of a WAX object may even be another WAX object.
  *
- * When a property is a WAX object, the returned value must be an obj pointer.
- * A WAX object provides two objs of pointers: obj::ptr and obj::sptr.
- * The choice of pointer vs smart pointer depends on the owner of the memory.
+ * The WAX object itself is an anytype container much like boost::any.
+ * To retrieve the value of the appropriate type, use my_obj.as<type>().
  *
  * Proprties may be referenced though the [] overloaded operator.
  * The [] operator returns a special proxy that allows for assigment.
  * Also, the [] operators may be chained as in the folowing examples:
- *   my_obj[prop1][prop2][prop3] = value
- *   value = my_obj[prop1][prop2][prop3]
+ *   my_obj[prop1][prop2][prop3] = value;
+ *   value = my_obj[prop1][prop2][prop3].as<type>();
  *
- * Any value returned from an access operation is of wax::obj.
- * To use this value, it must be cast with wax::cast<new_obj>(value).
+ * Property nesting occurs when a WAX object gets another object's link.
+ * This special link is obtained through a call to my_obj.get_link().
  */
 
 namespace wax{
 
     /*!
+     * The wax::bad cast will be thrown when
+     * cast is called with the wrong typeid.
+     */
+    typedef boost::bad_any_cast bad_cast;
+
+    /*!
      * WAX object base class:
      *
      * A wax obj has two major purposes:
@@ -126,7 +129,7 @@ namespace wax{
 
         /*!
          * Cast this obj into the desired type.
-         * Usage myobj.as<type>()
+         * Usage: myobj.as<type>()
          *
          * \return an object of the desired type
          * \throw wax::bad_cast when the cast fails
@@ -154,24 +157,6 @@ namespace wax{
 
     };
 
-    /*!
-     * The wax::bad cast will be thrown when
-     * cast is called with the wrong typeid.
-     */
-    typedef boost::bad_any_cast bad_cast;
-
-    /*!
-     * Cast a wax::obj into the desired obj.
-     * Usage wax::cast<new_obj>(my_value).
-     *
-     * \param val the obj to cast
-     * \return an object of the desired type
-     * \throw wax::bad_cast when the cast fails
-     */
-    template<class T> T cast(const obj &val){
-        return val.as<T>();
-    }
-
 } //namespace wax
 
 #endif /* INCLUDED_WAX_HPP */
diff --git a/host/lib/gain_handler.cpp b/host/lib/gain_handler.cpp
index 7eb87558c..847bc0528 100644
--- a/host/lib/gain_handler.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/gain_handler.cpp
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ private:
     gain_t get_overall_gain_val(void);
     gain_range_t get_overall_gain_range(void);
     template <class T> T get_named_prop(const wax::obj &prop, const std::string &name){
-        return wax::cast<T>(_link[named_prop_t(prop, name)]);
+        return _link[named_prop_t(prop, name)].as<T>();
     }
 };
 
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ gain_handler_impl::~gain_handler_impl(void){
 }
 
 prop_names_t gain_handler_impl::get_gain_names(void){
-    return wax::cast<prop_names_t>(_link[_props.names]);
+    return _link[_props.names].as<prop_names_t>();
 }
 
 gain_t gain_handler_impl::get_overall_gain_val(void){
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ bool gain_handler_impl::intercept_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val)
     //not a gain value key... dont handle
     if (not _is_equal(key, _props.value)) return false;
 
-    gain_t gain_val = wax::cast<gain_t>(val);
+    gain_t gain_val = val.as<gain_t>();
 
     //not a wildcard... dont handle (but check name and range)
     if (name != ""){
diff --git a/host/lib/simple_device.cpp b/host/lib/simple_device.cpp
index ac83ffaed..62a38cb79 100644
--- a/host/lib/simple_device.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/simple_device.cpp
@@ -42,15 +42,15 @@ static tune_result_t tune(
     bool is_tx
 ){
     wax::obj subdev_freq_proxy = subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_FREQ];
-    bool subdev_quadrature = wax::cast<bool>(subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_QUADRATURE]);
-    bool subdev_spectrum_inverted = wax::cast<bool>(subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_SPECTRUM_INVERTED]);
+    bool subdev_quadrature = subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_QUADRATURE].as<bool>();
+    bool subdev_spectrum_inverted = subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_SPECTRUM_INVERTED].as<bool>();
     wax::obj dxc_freq_proxy = dxc[std::string("freq")];
-    double dxc_sample_rate = wax::cast<double>(dxc[std::string("rate")]);
+    double dxc_sample_rate = dxc[std::string("rate")].as<double>();
 
     // Ask the d'board to tune as closely as it can to target_freq+lo_offset
     double target_inter_freq = target_freq + lo_offset;
     subdev_freq_proxy = target_inter_freq;
-    double actual_inter_freq = wax::cast<double>(subdev_freq_proxy);
+    double actual_inter_freq = subdev_freq_proxy.as<double>();
 
     // Calculate the DDC setting that will downconvert the baseband from the
     // daughterboard to our target frequency.
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ static tune_result_t tune(
     target_dxc_freq *= (is_tx)? -1.0 : +1.0;
 
     dxc_freq_proxy = target_dxc_freq;
-    double actual_dxc_freq = wax::cast<double>(dxc_freq_proxy);
+    double actual_dxc_freq = dxc_freq_proxy.as<double>();
 
     //return some kind of tune result tuple/struct
     tune_result_t tune_result;
@@ -117,8 +117,8 @@ device_addr_t args_to_device_addr(const std::string &args){
 
 static std::vector<double> get_xx_rates(wax::obj decerps, wax::obj rate){
     std::vector<double> rates;
-    BOOST_FOREACH(size_t decerp, wax::cast<std::vector<size_t> >(decerps)){
-        rates.push_back(wax::cast<double>(rate)/decerp);
+    BOOST_FOREACH(size_t decerp, decerps.as<std::vector<size_t> >()){
+        rates.push_back(rate.as<double>()/decerp);
     }
     return rates;
 }
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ public:
     }
 
     std::string get_name(void){
-        return wax::cast<std::string>(_mboard[MBOARD_PROP_NAME]);
+        return _mboard[MBOARD_PROP_NAME].as<std::string>();
     }
 
     /*******************************************************************
@@ -157,21 +157,21 @@ public:
     }
 
     bool get_streaming(void){
-        return wax::cast<bool>(_rx_ddc[std::string("enabled")]);
+        return _rx_ddc[std::string("enabled")].as<bool>();
     }
 
     /*******************************************************************
      * RX methods
      ******************************************************************/
     void set_rx_rate(double rate){
-        double samp_rate = wax::cast<double>(_rx_ddc[std::string("rate")]);
+        double samp_rate = _rx_ddc[std::string("rate")].as<double>();
         assert_has(get_rx_rates(), rate, "simple device rx rate");
         _rx_ddc[std::string("decim")] = size_t(samp_rate/rate);
     }
 
     double get_rx_rate(void){
-        double samp_rate = wax::cast<double>(_rx_ddc[std::string("rate")]);
-        size_t decim = wax::cast<size_t>(_rx_ddc[std::string("decim")]);
+        double samp_rate = _rx_ddc[std::string("rate")].as<double>();
+        size_t decim = _rx_ddc[std::string("decim")].as<size_t>();
         return samp_rate/decim;
     }
 
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ public:
     tune_result_t set_rx_freq(double target_freq){
         double lo_offset = 0.0;
         //if the local oscillator will be in the passband, use an offset
-        if (wax::cast<bool>(_rx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_LO_INTERFERES])){
+        if (_rx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_LO_INTERFERES].as<bool>()){
             lo_offset = get_rx_rate()*2.0;
         }
         return tune(target_freq, lo_offset, _rx_subdev, _rx_ddc, false/* not tx */);
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ public:
     std::vector<double> get_rx_freq_range(void){
         std::vector<double> range(2);
         boost::tie(range[0], range[1]) = \
-            wax::cast<freq_range_t>(_rx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_FREQ_RANGE]);
+            _rx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_FREQ_RANGE].as<freq_range_t>();
         return range;
     }
 
@@ -200,13 +200,13 @@ public:
     }
 
     float get_rx_gain(void){
-        return wax::cast<gain_t>(_rx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN]);
+        return _rx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN].as<gain_t>();
     }
 
     std::vector<float> get_rx_gain_range(void){
         std::vector<float> range(3);
         boost::tie(range[0], range[1], range[2]) = \
-            wax::cast<gain_range_t>(_rx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN_RANGE]);
+            _rx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN_RANGE].as<gain_range_t>();
         return range;
     }
 
@@ -215,25 +215,25 @@ public:
     }
 
     std::string get_rx_antenna(void){
-        return wax::cast<std::string>(_rx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_ANTENNA]);
+        return _rx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_ANTENNA].as<std::string>();
     }
 
     std::vector<std::string> get_rx_antennas(void){
-        return wax::cast<std::vector<std::string> >(_rx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_ANTENNA_NAMES]);
+        return _rx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_ANTENNA_NAMES].as<std::vector<std::string> >();
     }
 
     /*******************************************************************
      * TX methods
      ******************************************************************/
     void set_tx_rate(double rate){
-        double samp_rate = wax::cast<double>(_tx_duc[std::string("rate")]);
+        double samp_rate = _tx_duc[std::string("rate")].as<double>();
         assert_has(get_tx_rates(), rate, "simple device tx rate");
         _tx_duc[std::string("interp")] = size_t(samp_rate/rate);
     }
 
     double get_tx_rate(void){
-        double samp_rate = wax::cast<double>(_tx_duc[std::string("rate")]);
-        size_t interp = wax::cast<size_t>(_tx_duc[std::string("interp")]);
+        double samp_rate = _tx_duc[std::string("rate")].as<double>();
+        size_t interp = _tx_duc[std::string("interp")].as<size_t>();
         return samp_rate/interp;
     }
 
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ public:
     tune_result_t set_tx_freq(double target_freq){
         double lo_offset = 0.0;
         //if the local oscillator will be in the passband, use an offset
-        if (wax::cast<bool>(_tx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_LO_INTERFERES])){
+        if (_tx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_LO_INTERFERES].as<bool>()){
             lo_offset = get_tx_rate()*2.0;
         }
         return tune(target_freq, lo_offset, _tx_subdev, _tx_duc, true/* is tx */);
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ public:
     std::vector<double> get_tx_freq_range(void){
         std::vector<double> range(2);
         boost::tie(range[0], range[1]) = \
-            wax::cast<freq_range_t>(_tx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_FREQ_RANGE]);
+            _tx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_FREQ_RANGE].as<freq_range_t>();
         return range;
     }
 
@@ -262,13 +262,13 @@ public:
     }
 
     float get_tx_gain(void){
-        return wax::cast<gain_t>(_tx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN]);
+        return _tx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN].as<gain_t>();
     }
 
     std::vector<float> get_tx_gain_range(void){
         std::vector<float> range(3);
         boost::tie(range[0], range[1], range[2]) = \
-            wax::cast<gain_range_t>(_tx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN_RANGE]);
+            _tx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN_RANGE].as<gain_range_t>();
         return range;
     }
 
@@ -277,11 +277,11 @@ public:
     }
 
     std::string get_tx_antenna(void){
-        return wax::cast<std::string>(_tx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_ANTENNA]);
+        return _tx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_ANTENNA].as<std::string>();
     }
 
     std::vector<std::string> get_tx_antennas(void){
-        return wax::cast<std::vector<std::string> >(_tx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_ANTENNA_NAMES]);
+        return _tx_subdev[SUBDEV_PROP_ANTENNA_NAMES].as<std::vector<std::string> >();
     }
 
 private:
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/basic.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/basic.cpp
index e719950e8..095b77ce1 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/basic.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/basic.cpp
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ void basic_rx::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
     boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
-    switch(wax::cast<subdev_prop_t>(key)){
+    switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
     case SUBDEV_PROP_NAME:
         val = std::string(str(boost::format("%s:%s")
             % dboard_id::to_string(get_rx_id())
@@ -159,14 +159,14 @@ void basic_rx::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
     boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
-    switch(wax::cast<subdev_prop_t>(key)){
+    switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN:
-        ASSERT_THROW(wax::cast<gain_t>(val) == gain_t(0));
+        ASSERT_THROW(val.as<gain_t>() == gain_t(0));
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_ANTENNA:
-        ASSERT_THROW(wax::cast<std::string>(val) == std::string(""));
+        ASSERT_THROW(val.as<std::string>() == std::string(""));
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ void basic_tx::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
     boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
-    switch(wax::cast<subdev_prop_t>(key)){
+    switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
     case SUBDEV_PROP_NAME:
         val = dboard_id::to_string(get_tx_id());
         return;
@@ -265,14 +265,14 @@ void basic_tx::tx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
     boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
-    switch(wax::cast<subdev_prop_t>(key)){
+    switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN:
-        ASSERT_THROW(wax::cast<gain_t>(val) == gain_t(0));
+        ASSERT_THROW(val.as<gain_t>() == gain_t(0));
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_ANTENNA:
-        ASSERT_THROW(wax::cast<std::string>(val) == std::string(""));
+        ASSERT_THROW(val.as<std::string>() == std::string(""));
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dboard_impl.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dboard_impl.cpp
index da05c3241..6d957436e 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dboard_impl.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dboard_impl.cpp
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ void usrp2_impl::rx_dboard_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
     boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
-    switch(wax::cast<dboard_prop_t>(key)){
+    switch(key.as<dboard_prop_t>()){
     case DBOARD_PROP_NAME:
         val = std::string("usrp2 dboard (rx unit)");
         return;
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ void usrp2_impl::tx_dboard_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
     boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
-    switch(wax::cast<dboard_prop_t>(key)){
+    switch(key.as<dboard_prop_t>()){
     case DBOARD_PROP_NAME:
         val = std::string("usrp2 dboard (tx unit)");
         return;
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dsp_impl.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dsp_impl.cpp
index cb7f58ec8..7520c1757 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dsp_impl.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dsp_impl.cpp
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ void usrp2_impl::update_ddc_enabled(void){
 void usrp2_impl::ddc_get(const wax::obj &key, wax::obj &val){
     //handle the case where the key is an expected dsp property
     if (key.type() == typeid(dsp_prop_t)){
-        switch(wax::cast<dsp_prop_t>(key)){
+        switch(key.as<dsp_prop_t>()){
         case DSP_PROP_NAME:
             val = std::string("usrp2 ddc0");
             return;
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ void usrp2_impl::ddc_get(const wax::obj &key, wax::obj &val){
     }
 
     //handle string-based properties specific to this dsp
-    std::string key_name = wax::cast<std::string>(key);
+    std::string key_name = key.as<std::string>();
     if (key_name == "rate"){
         val = get_master_clock_freq();
         return;
@@ -152,9 +152,9 @@ void usrp2_impl::ddc_get(const wax::obj &key, wax::obj &val){
 
 void usrp2_impl::ddc_set(const wax::obj &key, const wax::obj &val){
     //handle string-based properties specific to this dsp
-    std::string key_name = wax::cast<std::string>(key);
+    std::string key_name = key.as<std::string>();
     if (key_name == "decim"){
-        size_t new_decim = wax::cast<size_t>(val);
+        size_t new_decim = val.as<size_t>();
         assert_has(
             _allowed_decim_and_interp_rates,
             new_decim, "usrp2 decimation"
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ void usrp2_impl::ddc_set(const wax::obj &key, const wax::obj &val){
         return;
     }
     else if (key_name == "freq"){
-        freq_t new_freq = wax::cast<freq_t>(val);
+        freq_t new_freq = val.as<freq_t>();
         ASSERT_THROW(new_freq <= get_master_clock_freq()/2.0);
         ASSERT_THROW(new_freq >= -get_master_clock_freq()/2.0);
         _ddc_freq = new_freq; //shadow
@@ -172,13 +172,13 @@ void usrp2_impl::ddc_set(const wax::obj &key, const wax::obj &val){
         return;
     }
     else if (key_name == "enabled"){
-        bool new_enabled = wax::cast<bool>(val);
+        bool new_enabled = val.as<bool>();
         _ddc_enabled = new_enabled; //shadow
         update_ddc_enabled();
         return;
     }
     else if (key_name == "stream_at"){
-        time_spec_t new_stream_at = wax::cast<time_spec_t>(val);
+        time_spec_t new_stream_at = val.as<time_spec_t>();
         _ddc_stream_at = new_stream_at; //shadow
         //update_ddc_enabled(); //dont update from here
         return;
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ void usrp2_impl::update_duc_config(void){
 void usrp2_impl::duc_get(const wax::obj &key, wax::obj &val){
     //handle the case where the key is an expected dsp property
     if (key.type() == typeid(dsp_prop_t)){
-        switch(wax::cast<dsp_prop_t>(key)){
+        switch(key.as<dsp_prop_t>()){
         case DSP_PROP_NAME:
             val = std::string("usrp2 duc0");
             return;
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ void usrp2_impl::duc_get(const wax::obj &key, wax::obj &val){
     }
 
     //handle string-based properties specific to this dsp
-    std::string key_name = wax::cast<std::string>(key);
+    std::string key_name = key.as<std::string>();
     if (key_name == "rate"){
         val = get_master_clock_freq();
         return;
@@ -280,9 +280,9 @@ void usrp2_impl::duc_get(const wax::obj &key, wax::obj &val){
 
 void usrp2_impl::duc_set(const wax::obj &key, const wax::obj &val){
     //handle string-based properties specific to this dsp
-    std::string key_name = wax::cast<std::string>(key);
+    std::string key_name = key.as<std::string>();
     if (key_name == "interp"){
-        size_t new_interp = wax::cast<size_t>(val);
+        size_t new_interp = val.as<size_t>();
         assert_has(
             _allowed_decim_and_interp_rates,
             new_interp, "usrp2 interpolation"
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ void usrp2_impl::duc_set(const wax::obj &key, const wax::obj &val){
         return;
     }
     else if (key_name == "freq"){
-        freq_t new_freq = wax::cast<freq_t>(val);
+        freq_t new_freq = val.as<freq_t>();
         ASSERT_THROW(new_freq <= get_master_clock_freq()/2.0);
         ASSERT_THROW(new_freq >= -get_master_clock_freq()/2.0);
         _duc_freq = new_freq; //shadow
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/mboard_impl.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/mboard_impl.cpp
index b66de8262..4b15c7f3e 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/mboard_impl.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/mboard_impl.cpp
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ void usrp2_impl::mboard_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
 
     //handle the other props
     if (key.type() == typeid(std::string)){
-        if (wax::cast<std::string>(key) == "mac-addr"){
+        if (key.as<std::string>() == "mac-addr"){
             //setup the out data
             usrp2_ctrl_data_t out_data;
             out_data.id = htonl(USRP2_CTRL_ID_GIVE_ME_YOUR_MAC_ADDR_BRO);
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ void usrp2_impl::mboard_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
             return;
         }
 
-        if (wax::cast<std::string>(key) == "ip-addr"){
+        if (key.as<std::string>() == "ip-addr"){
             //setup the out data
             usrp2_ctrl_data_t out_data;
             out_data.id = htonl(USRP2_CTRL_ID_GIVE_ME_YOUR_IP_ADDR_BRO);
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ void usrp2_impl::mboard_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
     }
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
-    switch(wax::cast<mboard_prop_t>(key)){
+    switch(key.as<mboard_prop_t>()){
     case MBOARD_PROP_NAME:
         val = std::string("usrp2 mboard");
         return;
@@ -208,11 +208,11 @@ void usrp2_impl::mboard_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
 void usrp2_impl::mboard_set(const wax::obj &key, const wax::obj &val){
     //handle the other props
     if (key.type() == typeid(std::string)){
-        if (wax::cast<std::string>(key) == "mac-addr"){
+        if (key.as<std::string>() == "mac-addr"){
             //setup the out data
             usrp2_ctrl_data_t out_data;
             out_data.id = htonl(USRP2_CTRL_ID_HERE_IS_A_NEW_MAC_ADDR_BRO);
-            mac_addr_t mac_addr(wax::cast<std::string>(val));
+            mac_addr_t mac_addr(val.as<std::string>());
             std::memcpy(out_data.data.mac_addr, &mac_addr, sizeof(mac_addr_t));
 
             //send and recv
@@ -221,11 +221,11 @@ void usrp2_impl::mboard_set(const wax::obj &key, const wax::obj &val){
             return;
         }
 
-        if (wax::cast<std::string>(key) == "ip-addr"){
+        if (key.as<std::string>() == "ip-addr"){
             //setup the out data
             usrp2_ctrl_data_t out_data;
             out_data.id = htonl(USRP2_CTRL_ID_HERE_IS_A_NEW_IP_ADDR_BRO);
-            out_data.data.ip_addr = htonl(boost::asio::ip::address_v4::from_string(wax::cast<std::string>(val)).to_ulong());
+            out_data.data.ip_addr = htonl(boost::asio::ip::address_v4::from_string(val.as<std::string>()).to_ulong());
 
             //send and recv
             usrp2_ctrl_data_t in_data = ctrl_send_and_recv(out_data);
@@ -235,10 +235,10 @@ void usrp2_impl::mboard_set(const wax::obj &key, const wax::obj &val){
     }
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
-    switch(wax::cast<mboard_prop_t>(key)){
+    switch(key.as<mboard_prop_t>()){
 
     case MBOARD_PROP_PPS_SOURCE:{
-            std::string name = wax::cast<std::string>(val);
+            std::string name = val.as<std::string>();
             assert_has(_pps_source_dict.get_keys(), name, "usrp2 pps source");
             _pps_source = name; //shadow
             update_clock_config();
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ void usrp2_impl::mboard_set(const wax::obj &key, const wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case MBOARD_PROP_PPS_POLARITY:{
-            std::string name = wax::cast<std::string>(val);
+            std::string name = val.as<std::string>();
             assert_has(_pps_polarity_dict.get_keys(), name, "usrp2 pps polarity");
             _pps_polarity = name; //shadow
             update_clock_config();
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ void usrp2_impl::mboard_set(const wax::obj &key, const wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case MBOARD_PROP_REF_SOURCE:{
-            std::string name = wax::cast<std::string>(val);
+            std::string name = val.as<std::string>();
             assert_has(_ref_source_dict.get_keys(), name, "usrp2 reference source");
             _ref_source = name; //shadow
             update_clock_config();
@@ -262,12 +262,12 @@ void usrp2_impl::mboard_set(const wax::obj &key, const wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case MBOARD_PROP_TIME_NOW:{
-        set_time_spec(wax::cast<time_spec_t>(val), true);
+        set_time_spec(val.as<time_spec_t>(), true);
         return;
     }
 
     case MBOARD_PROP_TIME_NEXT_PPS:{
-        set_time_spec(wax::cast<time_spec_t>(val), false);
+        set_time_spec(val.as<time_spec_t>(), false);
         return;
     }
 
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/usrp2_impl.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/usrp2_impl.cpp
index 850a738d4..22b7e109f 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/usrp2_impl.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/usrp2_impl.cpp
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ void usrp2_impl::get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
     boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
-    switch(wax::cast<device_prop_t>(key)){
+    switch(key.as<device_prop_t>()){
     case DEVICE_PROP_NAME:
         val = std::string("usrp2 device");
         return;
diff --git a/host/lib/wax.cpp b/host/lib/wax.cpp
index 0348d9a66..0e2e82a3a 100644
--- a/host/lib/wax.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/wax.cpp
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ public:
     wax::obj & operator()(void) const{
         //recursively resolve link args to get at original pointer
         if (_obj_ptr->type() == typeid(link_args_t)){
-            return wax::cast<link_args_t>(*_obj_ptr)();
+            return _obj_ptr->as<link_args_t>()();
         }
         return *const_cast<wax::obj *>(_obj_ptr);
     }
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ public:
         _obj_link = obj_ptr->get_link();
     }
     wax::obj & operator()(void) const{
-        return wax::cast<link_args_t>(_obj_link)();
+        return _obj_link.as<link_args_t>()();
     }
     const wax::obj & key(void) const{
         return _key;
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ wax::obj wax::obj::operator[](const obj &key){
         obj val = resolve();
         //check if its a special link and call
         if (val.type() == typeid(link_args_t)){
-            return cast<link_args_t>(val)()[key];
+            return val.as<link_args_t>()()[key];
         }
         //unknown obj
         throw std::runtime_error("cannot use [] on non wax::obj link");
diff --git a/host/test/gain_handler_test.cpp b/host/test/gain_handler_test.cpp
index 51497b741..a4005c0de 100644
--- a/host/test/gain_handler_test.cpp
+++ b/host/test/gain_handler_test.cpp
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ private:
         boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
 
         //handle the get request conditioned on the key
-        switch(wax::cast<prop_t>(key)){
+        switch(key.as<prop_t>()){
         case PROP_GAIN_VALUE:
             val = _gain_values[name];
             return;
@@ -81,9 +81,9 @@ private:
         boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
 
         //handle the get request conditioned on the key
-        switch(wax::cast<prop_t>(key)){
+        switch(key.as<prop_t>()){
         case PROP_GAIN_VALUE:
-            _gain_values[name] = wax::cast<gain_t>(val);
+            _gain_values[name] = val.as<gain_t>();
             return;
 
         case PROP_GAIN_RANGE:
@@ -103,14 +103,14 @@ BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE(test_gain_handler){
     gainful_obj go0;
 
     BOOST_CHECK_THROW(
-        wax::cast<gain_t>(go0[named_prop_t(PROP_GAIN_VALUE, "fail")]),
+        go0[named_prop_t(PROP_GAIN_VALUE, "fail")].as<gain_t>(),
         std::exception
     );
 
     std::cout << "verifying the overall min, max, step" << std::endl;
     gain_t gain_min, gain_max, gain_step;
     boost::tie(gain_min, gain_max, gain_step) = \
-        wax::cast<gain_range_t>(go0[PROP_GAIN_RANGE]);
+        go0[PROP_GAIN_RANGE].as<gain_range_t>();
     BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(gain_min, gain_t(-10));
     BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(gain_max, gain_t(100));
     BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(gain_step, gain_t(1.5));
@@ -118,5 +118,5 @@ BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE(test_gain_handler){
     std::cout << "verifying the overall gain" << std::endl;
     go0[named_prop_t(PROP_GAIN_VALUE, "g0")] = gain_t(-5);
     go0[named_prop_t(PROP_GAIN_VALUE, "g1")] = gain_t(30);
-    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(wax::cast<gain_t>(go0[PROP_GAIN_VALUE]), gain_t(25));
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(go0[PROP_GAIN_VALUE].as<gain_t>(), gain_t(25));
 }
diff --git a/host/test/wax_test.cpp b/host/test/wax_test.cpp
index e5e1adc25..b793b2690 100644
--- a/host/test/wax_test.cpp
+++ b/host/test/wax_test.cpp
@@ -17,14 +17,15 @@
 
 #include <boost/test/unit_test.hpp>
 #include <uhd/wax.hpp>
+#include <iostream>
 
 enum opt_a_t{OPTION_A_0, OPTION_A_1};
 enum opt_b_t{OPTION_B_0, OPTION_B_1};
 
 BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE(test_enums){
     wax::obj opta = OPTION_A_0;
-    BOOST_CHECK_THROW(wax::cast<opt_b_t>(opta), wax::bad_cast);
-    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(wax::cast<opt_a_t>(opta), OPTION_A_0);
+    BOOST_CHECK_THROW(opta.as<opt_b_t>(), wax::bad_cast);
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(opta.as<opt_a_t>(), OPTION_A_0);
 }
 
 /***********************************************************************
@@ -48,14 +49,14 @@ public:
     }
     void get(const wax::obj &key, wax::obj &value){
         if (d_subs.size() == 0){
-            value = d_nums[wax::cast<size_t>(key)];
+            value = d_nums[key.as<size_t>()];
         }else{
-            value = d_subs[wax::cast<size_t>(key)].get_link();
+            value = d_subs[key.as<size_t>()].get_link();
         }
     }
     void set(const wax::obj &key, const wax::obj &value){
         if (d_subs.size() == 0){
-            d_nums[wax::cast<size_t>(key)] = wax::cast<float>(value);
+            d_nums[key.as<size_t>()] = value.as<float>();
         }else{
             throw std::runtime_error("cant set to a wax demo with sub demos");
         }
@@ -81,7 +82,7 @@ BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE(test_set_get){
                 float val = i * j * k + i + j + k;
                 //std::cout << i << " " << j << " " << k << std::endl;
                 wd[i][j][k] = val;
-                BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(val, wax::cast<float>(wd[i][j][k]));
+                BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(val, wd[i][j][k].as<float>());
             }
         }
     }
@@ -94,5 +95,5 @@ BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE(test_proxy){
 
     std::cout << "assign proxy" << std::endl;
     wax::obj a = p[size_t(0)];
-    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(wax::cast<float>(a), float(5));
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(a.as<float>(), float(5));
 }