Index: uspace/lib/libc/Makefile
===================================================================
--- uspace/lib/libc/Makefile	(revision 3926f304505def449c2e06ef0f850cfc9d3ca437)
+++ uspace/lib/libc/Makefile	(revision 45454e9b4eae43c54f3381318875dcf28b2419a0)
@@ -72,4 +72,5 @@
 	generic/ipc.c \
 	generic/async.c \
+	generic/loader.c \
 	generic/getopt.c \
 	generic/libadt/list.o \
Index: uspace/lib/libc/generic/loader.c
===================================================================
--- uspace/lib/libc/generic/loader.c	(revision 45454e9b4eae43c54f3381318875dcf28b2419a0)
+++ uspace/lib/libc/generic/loader.c	(revision 45454e9b4eae43c54f3381318875dcf28b2419a0)
@@ -0,0 +1,244 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2008 Jiri Svoboda
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+ * are met:
+ *
+ * - Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ * - Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *   documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ * - The name of the author may not be used to endorse or promote products
+ *   derived from this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR
+ * IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
+ * OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED.
+ * IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
+ * INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT
+ * NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF
+ * THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+
+/** @addtogroup libc
+ * @{
+ */
+/** @file
+ */ 
+
+#include <ipc/ipc.h>
+#include <ipc/loader.h>
+#include <libc.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <async.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+#include <vfs/vfs.h>
+#include <loader/loader.h>
+
+/** Connect to a new program loader.
+ *
+ * Spawns a new program loader task and returns the connection structure.
+ * @return	Pointer to the loader connection structure (should be
+ *		de-allocated using free() after use).
+ */
+loader_t *loader_spawn(void)
+{
+	int phone_id, rc;
+	loader_t *ldr;
+
+	/*
+	 * Ask kernel to spawn a new loader task.
+	 */
+	rc = __SYSCALL1(SYS_PROGRAM_SPAWN_LOADER, (sysarg_t) &phone_id);
+	if (rc != 0)
+		return NULL;
+
+	/*
+	 * Say hello so that the loader knows the incoming connection's
+	 * phone hash.
+	 */
+	rc = async_req_0_0(phone_id, LOADER_HELLO);
+	if (rc != EOK)
+		return NULL;
+
+	ldr = malloc(sizeof(loader_t));
+	if (ldr == NULL)
+		return NULL;
+
+	ldr->phone_id = phone_id;
+	return ldr;
+}
+
+/** Get ID of the new task.
+ *
+ * Retrieves the ID of the new task from the loader.
+ *
+ * @param ldr		Loader connection structure.
+ * @param task_id	Points to a variable where the ID should be stored.
+ * @return		Zero on success or negative error code.
+ */
+int loader_get_task_id(loader_t *ldr, task_id_t *task_id)
+{
+	ipc_call_t answer;
+	aid_t req;
+	int rc;
+	ipcarg_t retval;
+
+	/* Get task ID. */
+	req = async_send_0(ldr->phone_id, LOADER_GET_TASKID, &answer);
+	rc = ipc_data_read_start(ldr->phone_id, task_id, sizeof(task_id));
+	if (rc != EOK) {
+		async_wait_for(req, NULL);
+		return rc;
+	}
+
+	async_wait_for(req, &retval);
+	return (int)retval;
+}
+
+/** Set pathname of the program to load.
+ *
+ * Sets the name of the program file to load. The name can be relative
+ * to the current working directory (it will be absolutized before
+ * sending to the loader).
+ *
+ * @param ldr		Loader connection structure.
+ * @param path		Pathname of the program file.
+ * @return		Zero on success or negative error code.
+ */
+int loader_set_pathname(loader_t *ldr, const char *path)
+{
+	ipc_call_t answer;
+	aid_t req;
+	int rc;
+	ipcarg_t retval;
+
+	char *pa;
+	size_t pa_len;
+
+	pa = absolutize(path, &pa_len);
+	if (!pa)
+		return 0;
+
+	/* Send program pathname */
+	req = async_send_0(ldr->phone_id, LOADER_SET_PATHNAME, &answer);
+	rc = ipc_data_write_start(ldr->phone_id, (void *)pa, pa_len);
+	if (rc != EOK) {
+		async_wait_for(req, NULL);
+		return rc;
+	}
+
+	free(pa);
+
+	async_wait_for(req, &retval);
+	return (int)retval;
+}
+
+
+/** Set command-line arguments for the program.
+ *
+ * Sets the vector of command-line arguments to be passed to the loaded
+ * program. By convention, the very first argument is typically the same as
+ * the command used to execute the program.
+ *
+ * @param ldr		Loader connection structure.
+ * @param argv		NULL-terminated array of pointers to arguments.
+ * @return		Zero on success or negative error code.
+ */
+int loader_set_args(loader_t *ldr, char *const argv[])
+{
+	aid_t req;
+	ipc_call_t answer;
+	ipcarg_t rc;
+
+	char *const *ap;
+	char *dp;
+	char *arg_buf;
+	size_t buffer_size;
+
+	/* 
+	 * Serialize the arguments into a single array. First
+	 * compute size of the buffer needed.
+	 */
+	ap = argv;
+	buffer_size = 0;
+	while (*ap != NULL) {
+		buffer_size += strlen(*ap) + 1;
+		++ap;
+	}
+
+	arg_buf = malloc(buffer_size);
+	if (arg_buf == NULL) return ENOMEM;
+
+	/* Now fill the buffer with null-terminated argument strings */
+	ap = argv;
+	dp = arg_buf;
+	while (*ap != NULL) {
+		strcpy(dp, *ap);
+		dp += strlen(*ap) + 1;
+
+		++ap;
+	}
+
+	/* Send serialized arguments to the loader */
+
+	req = async_send_0(ldr->phone_id, LOADER_SET_ARGS, &answer);
+	rc = ipc_data_write_start(ldr->phone_id, (void *)arg_buf, buffer_size);
+	if (rc != EOK) {
+		async_wait_for(req, NULL);
+		return rc;
+	}
+
+	async_wait_for(req, &rc);
+	if (rc != EOK) return rc;
+
+	/* Free temporary buffer */
+	free(arg_buf);
+
+	return EOK;
+}
+
+/** Instruct loader to execute the program.
+ *
+ * After using this function, no further operations must be performed
+ * on the loader structure. It should be de-allocated using free().
+ *
+ * @param ldr		Loader connection structure.
+ * @return		Zero on success or negative error code.
+ */
+int loader_start_program(loader_t *ldr)
+{
+	int rc;
+
+	rc = async_req_0_0(ldr->phone_id, LOADER_RUN);
+	if (rc != EOK)
+		return rc;
+
+	ipc_hangup(ldr->phone_id);
+	return EOK;
+}
+
+/** Cancel the loader session.
+ *
+ * Tells the loader not to load any program and terminate.
+ * After using this function, no further operations must be performed
+ * on the loader structure. It should be de-allocated using free().
+ *
+ * @param ldr		Loader connection structure.
+ * @return		Zero on success or negative error code.
+ */
+void loader_abort(loader_t *ldr)
+{
+	ipc_hangup(ldr->phone_id);
+	ldr->phone_id = 0;
+}
+
+/** @}
+ */
Index: uspace/lib/libc/generic/task.c
===================================================================
--- uspace/lib/libc/generic/task.c	(revision 3926f304505def449c2e06ef0f850cfc9d3ca437)
+++ uspace/lib/libc/generic/task.c	(revision 45454e9b4eae43c54f3381318875dcf28b2419a0)
@@ -35,12 +35,8 @@
 
 #include <task.h>
-#include <ipc/ipc.h>
-#include <ipc/loader.h>
 #include <libc.h>
-#include <string.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
-#include <async.h>
 #include <errno.h>
-#include <vfs/vfs.h>
+#include <loader/loader.h>
 
 task_id_t task_get_id(void)
@@ -53,70 +49,8 @@
 }
 
-static int task_spawn_loader(void)
-{
-	int phone_id, rc;
-
-	rc = __SYSCALL1(SYS_PROGRAM_SPAWN_LOADER, (sysarg_t) &phone_id);
-	if (rc != 0)
-		return rc;
-
-	return phone_id;
-}
-
-static int loader_set_args(int phone_id, const char *argv[])
-{
-	aid_t req;
-	ipc_call_t answer;
-	ipcarg_t rc;
-
-	const char **ap;
-	char *dp;
-	char *arg_buf;
-	size_t buffer_size;
-	size_t len;
-
-	/* 
-	 * Serialize the arguments into a single array. First
-	 * compute size of the buffer needed.
-	 */
-	ap = argv;
-	buffer_size = 0;
-	while (*ap != NULL) {
-		buffer_size += strlen(*ap) + 1;
-		++ap;
-	}
-
-	arg_buf = malloc(buffer_size);
-	if (arg_buf == NULL) return ENOMEM;
-
-	/* Now fill the buffer with null-terminated argument strings */
-	ap = argv;
-	dp = arg_buf;
-	while (*ap != NULL) {
-		strcpy(dp, *ap);
-		dp += strlen(*ap) + 1;
-
-		++ap;
-	}
-
-	/* Send serialized arguments to the loader */
-
-	req = async_send_0(phone_id, LOADER_SET_ARGS, &answer);
-	rc = ipc_data_write_start(phone_id, (void *)arg_buf, buffer_size);
-	if (rc != EOK) {
-		async_wait_for(req, NULL);
-		return rc;
-	}
-
-	async_wait_for(req, &rc);
-	if (rc != EOK) return rc;
-
-	/* Free temporary buffer */
-	free(arg_buf);
-
-	return EOK;
-}
-
-/** Create a new task by running an executable from VFS.
+/** Create a new task by running an executable from the filesystem.
+ *
+ * This is really just a convenience wrapper over the more complicated
+ * loader API.
  *
  * @param path	pathname of the binary to execute
@@ -126,72 +60,39 @@
 task_id_t task_spawn(const char *path, char *const argv[])
 {
-	int phone_id;
-	ipc_call_t answer;
-	aid_t req;
+	loader_t *ldr;
+	task_id_t task_id;
 	int rc;
-	ipcarg_t retval;
-
-	char *pa;
-	size_t pa_len;
-	task_id_t task_id;
-
-	pa = absolutize(path, &pa_len);
-	if (!pa)
-		return 0;
 
 	/* Spawn a program loader */	
-	phone_id = task_spawn_loader();
-	if (phone_id < 0)
-		return 0;
-
-	/*
-	 * Say hello so that the loader knows the incoming connection's
-	 * phone hash.
-	 */
-	rc = async_req_0_0(phone_id, LOADER_HELLO);
-	if (rc != EOK)
+	ldr = loader_spawn();
+	if (ldr == NULL)
 		return 0;
 
 	/* Get task ID. */
-	req = async_send_0(phone_id, LOADER_GET_TASKID, &answer);
-	rc = ipc_data_read_start(phone_id, &task_id, sizeof(task_id));
-	if (rc != EOK) {
-		async_wait_for(req, NULL);
-		goto error;
-	}
-
-	async_wait_for(req, &retval);
-	if (retval != EOK)
+	rc = loader_get_task_id(ldr, &task_id);
+	if (rc != EOK)
 		goto error;
 
 	/* Send program pathname */
-	req = async_send_0(phone_id, LOADER_SET_PATHNAME, &answer);
-	rc = ipc_data_write_start(phone_id, (void *)pa, pa_len);
-	if (rc != EOK) {
-		async_wait_for(req, NULL);
-		return 1;
-	}
-
-	async_wait_for(req, &retval);
-	if (retval != EOK)
+	rc = loader_set_pathname(ldr, path);
+	if (rc != EOK)
 		goto error;
 
 	/* Send arguments */
-	rc = loader_set_args(phone_id, argv);
+	rc = loader_set_args(ldr, argv);
 	if (rc != EOK)
 		goto error;
 
 	/* Request loader to start the program */	
-	rc = async_req_0_0(phone_id, LOADER_RUN);
+	rc = loader_start_program(ldr);
 	if (rc != EOK)
 		goto error;
 
 	/* Success */
-	ipc_hangup(phone_id);
 	return task_id;
 
 	/* Error exit */
 error:
-	ipc_hangup(phone_id);
+	loader_abort(ldr);
 	return 0;
 }
Index: uspace/lib/libc/include/ipc/loader.h
===================================================================
--- uspace/lib/libc/include/ipc/loader.h	(revision 3926f304505def449c2e06ef0f850cfc9d3ca437)
+++ uspace/lib/libc/include/ipc/loader.h	(revision 45454e9b4eae43c54f3381318875dcf28b2419a0)
@@ -33,6 +33,6 @@
  */ 
 
-#ifndef LIBC_LOADER_H_
-#define LIBC_LOADER_H_
+#ifndef LIBC_IPC_LOADER_H_
+#define LIBC_IPC_LOADER_H_
 
 #include <ipc/ipc.h>
Index: uspace/lib/libc/include/loader/loader.h
===================================================================
--- uspace/lib/libc/include/loader/loader.h	(revision 45454e9b4eae43c54f3381318875dcf28b2419a0)
+++ uspace/lib/libc/include/loader/loader.h	(revision 45454e9b4eae43c54f3381318875dcf28b2419a0)
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2008 Jiri Svoboda
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+ * are met:
+ *
+ * - Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ * - Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *   documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ * - The name of the author may not be used to endorse or promote products
+ *   derived from this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR
+ * IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
+ * OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED.
+ * IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
+ * INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT
+ * NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF
+ * THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+
+/** @addtogroup fs
+ * @{
+ */
+/** @file
+ * @brief Program loader interface.
+ */
+
+#ifndef LIBC_LOADER_H_
+#define LIBC_LOADER_H_
+
+/** Abstraction of a loader connection */
+typedef struct {
+	/** ID of the phone connected to the loader. */
+	int phone_id;
+} loader_t;
+
+extern loader_t *loader_spawn(void);
+extern int loader_get_task_id(loader_t *, task_id_t *);
+extern int loader_set_pathname(loader_t *, const char *);
+extern int loader_set_args(loader_t *, char *const []);
+extern int loader_start_program(loader_t *);
+extern void loader_abort(loader_t *);
+
+#endif
+
+/**
+ * @}
+ */
Index: uspace/lib/libc/include/loader/pcb.h
===================================================================
--- uspace/lib/libc/include/loader/pcb.h	(revision 3926f304505def449c2e06ef0f850cfc9d3ca437)
+++ uspace/lib/libc/include/loader/pcb.h	(revision 45454e9b4eae43c54f3381318875dcf28b2419a0)
@@ -41,5 +41,6 @@
 typedef void (*entry_point_t)(void);
 
-/**
+/** Program Control Block.
+ *
  * Holds pointers to data passed from the program loader to the program
  * and/or to the dynamic linker. This includes the program entry point,
