Consider using a metaobject system and having every object/type in your system able to use ASN.1 -- this will allow any language to hook into this system and yo

Consider using a metaobject system and having every object/type in your system able to use ASN.1 -- this will allow any language to hook into this system and you get OpenVMS-like interlanguage compatibility "for free". Add in a stream system and a general text <-> object system and you now have a system where every program is using a system-provided parser for command parameters.