diff --git a/src/buddies/bd/bdInit.h b/src/buddies/bd/bdInit.h
index 10ce971ed..e83290885 100644
--- a/src/buddies/bd/bdInit.h
+++ b/src/buddies/bd/bdInit.h
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 #define HDR_bdInit
 
 #include "bdCommon.h"
+#include "tlLog.h"  //  because of BD_MAIN
 
 namespace bd
 {
@@ -34,6 +35,44 @@ namespace bd
  */
 void BD_PUBLIC init ();
 
+/**
+ *  @brief Provides a main () implementation
+ *
+ *  Use this macro like this:
+ *
+ *  @code
+ *  #include "bdInit.h"
+ *
+ *  BD_MAIN_FUNC
+ *  {
+ *    .. your code. Use argc and argv for the arguments.
+ *  }
+ *
+ *  BD_MAIN
+ */
+
+#define BD_MAIN \
+  int main (int argc, char *argv []) \
+  { \
+    try { \
+      bd::init (); \
+      return main_func (argc, argv); \
+    } catch (tl::CancelException & /*ex*/) { \
+      return 1; \
+    } catch (std::exception &ex) { \
+      tl::error << ex.what (); \
+      return 1; \
+    } catch (tl::Exception &ex) { \
+      tl::error << ex.msg (); \
+      return 1; \
+    } catch (...) { \
+      tl::error << "unspecific error"; \
+    } \
+  }
+
+#define BD_MAIN_FUNC \
+  int main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
+
 }
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/buddies/bd/bdReaderOptions.cc b/src/buddies/bd/bdReaderOptions.cc
index 7c0018f1c..0309a760e 100644
--- a/src/buddies/bd/bdReaderOptions.cc
+++ b/src/buddies/bd/bdReaderOptions.cc
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ namespace bd
 {
 
 GenericReaderOptions::GenericReaderOptions ()
-  : m_create_other_layers (true)
+  : m_prefix ("i"), m_group_prefix ("Input"), m_create_other_layers (true)
 {
   //  .. nothing yet ..
 }
@@ -37,16 +37,16 @@ void
 GenericReaderOptions::add_options (tl::CommandLineOptions &cmd)
 {
   {
-    std::string group ("[Input options - General]");
+    std::string group ("[" + m_group_prefix + " options - General]");
 
     cmd << tl::arg (group +
-                    "!-is|--skip-unknown-layers", &m_create_other_layers, "Skips unknown layers",
+                    "!-" + m_prefix + "s|--" + m_long_prefix + "skip-unknown-layers", &m_create_other_layers, "Skips unknown layers",
                     "This option is effective with the the --layer-map option. If combined with "
                     "--skip-unknown-layers, layers not listed in the layer map will not be read. "
                     "By default, corresponding entries are created also for unknown layers."
                    )
         << tl::arg (group +
-                    "-im|--layer-map=map", this, &GenericReaderOptions::set_layer_map, "Specifies the layer mapping for the input",
+                    "-" + m_prefix + "m|--" + m_long_prefix + "layer-map=map", this, &GenericReaderOptions::set_layer_map, "Specifies the layer mapping for the input",
                     "This option specifies a layer selection or mapping. The selection or mapping is a sequence of source and optional "
                     "target specifications. The specifications are separated by blanks or double-slash sequences (//).\n"
                     "\n"
@@ -76,37 +76,37 @@ GenericReaderOptions::add_options (tl::CommandLineOptions &cmd)
   }
 
   {
-    std::string group ("[Input options - GDS2 and OASIS]");
+    std::string group ("[" + m_group_prefix + " options - GDS2 and OASIS specific]");
 
     cmd << tl::arg (group +
-                    "#!--disable-texts", &m_common_reader_options.enable_text_objects, "Skips text objects",
+                    "#!--" + m_long_prefix + "disable-texts", &m_common_reader_options.enable_text_objects, "Skips text objects",
                     "With this option set, text objects won't be read."
                    )
         << tl::arg (group +
-                    "#!--disable-properties", &m_common_reader_options.enable_properties, "Skips properties",
+                    "#!--" + m_long_prefix + "disable-properties", &m_common_reader_options.enable_properties, "Skips properties",
                     "With this option set, properties won't be read."
                    )
       ;
   }
 
   {
-    std::string group ("[Input options - GDS2]");
+    std::string group ("[" + m_group_prefix + " options - GDS2 specific]");
 
     cmd << tl::arg (group +
-                    "#!--no-multi-xy-records", &m_gds2_reader_options.allow_multi_xy_records, "Gives an error on multi-XY records",
+                    "#!--" + m_long_prefix + "no-multi-xy-records", &m_gds2_reader_options.allow_multi_xy_records, "Gives an error on multi-XY records",
                     "This option disables an advanced interpretation of GDS2 which allows unlimited polygon and path "
                     "complexity. For compatibility with other readers, this option restores the standard behavior and "
                     "disables this feature."
                    )
         << tl::arg (group +
-                    "#!--no-big-records", &m_gds2_reader_options.allow_big_records, "Gives an error on big (>32767 bytes) records",
+                    "#!--" + m_long_prefix + "no-big-records", &m_gds2_reader_options.allow_big_records, "Gives an error on big (>32767 bytes) records",
                     "The GDS2 specification claims the record length to be a signed 16 bit value. So a record "
                     "can be 32767 bytes max. To allow bigger records (i.e. bigger polygons), the usual approach "
                     "is to take the length as a unsigned 16 bit value, so the length is up to 65535 bytes. "
                     "This option restores the original behavior and reports big (>32767 bytes) records are errors."
                    )
         << tl::arg (group +
-                    "-ib|--box-mode=mode", &m_gds2_reader_options.box_mode, "Specifies how BOX records are read",
+                    "-" + m_prefix + "b|--" + m_long_prefix + "box-mode=mode", &m_gds2_reader_options.box_mode, "Specifies how BOX records are read",
                     "This an option provided for compatibility with other readers. The mode value specifies how "
                     "BOX records are read:\n"
                     "\n"
@@ -119,10 +119,10 @@ GenericReaderOptions::add_options (tl::CommandLineOptions &cmd)
   }
 
   {
-    std::string group ("[Input options - OASIS]");
+    std::string group ("[" + m_group_prefix + " options - OASIS specific]");
 
     cmd << tl::arg (group +
-                    "#--expect-strict-mode=mode", &m_oasis_reader_options.expect_strict_mode, "Makes the reader expect strict or non-strict mode",
+                    "#--" + m_long_prefix + "expect-strict-mode=mode", &m_oasis_reader_options.expect_strict_mode, "Makes the reader expect strict or non-strict mode",
                     "With this option, the OASIS reader will expect strict mode (mode is 1) or expect non-strict mode "
                     "(mode is 0). By default, both modes are allowed. This is a diagnostic feature and does not "
                     "have any other effect than checking the mode."
@@ -131,10 +131,10 @@ GenericReaderOptions::add_options (tl::CommandLineOptions &cmd)
   }
 
   {
-    std::string group ("[Input options - CIF and DXF]");
+    std::string group ("[" + m_group_prefix + " options - CIF and DXF specific]");
 
     cmd << tl::arg (group +
-                    "-id|--dbu-in=dbu", this, &GenericReaderOptions::set_dbu, "Specifies the database unit to use",
+                    "-" + m_prefix + "d|--" + m_long_prefix + "dbu-in=dbu", this, &GenericReaderOptions::set_dbu, "Specifies the database unit to use",
                     "This option specifies the database unit the resulting layer will have. "
                     "The value is given in micrometer units. The default value is 1nm (0.001)."
                    )
@@ -142,10 +142,10 @@ GenericReaderOptions::add_options (tl::CommandLineOptions &cmd)
   }
 
   {
-    std::string group ("[Input options - CIF]");
+    std::string group ("[" + m_group_prefix + " options - CIF specific]");
 
     cmd << tl::arg (group +
-                    "-iw|--wire-mode=mode", &m_cif_reader_options.wire_mode, "Specifies how wires (W) are read",
+                    "-" + m_prefix + "w|--" + m_long_prefix + "wire-mode=mode", &m_cif_reader_options.wire_mode, "Specifies how wires (W) are read",
                     "This option specifies how wire objects (W) are read:\n"
                     "\n"
                     "* 0: as square ended paths (the default)\n"
@@ -156,22 +156,22 @@ GenericReaderOptions::add_options (tl::CommandLineOptions &cmd)
   }
 
   {
-    std::string group ("[Input options - DXF]");
+    std::string group ("[" + m_group_prefix + " options - DXF specific]");
 
     cmd << tl::arg (group +
-                    "-iu|--dxf-unit=unit", &m_dxf_reader_options.unit, "Specifies the DXF drawing units",
+                    "-" + m_prefix + "u|--" + m_long_prefix + "dxf-unit=unit", &m_dxf_reader_options.unit, "Specifies the DXF drawing units",
                     "Since DXF is unitless, this value needs to be given to specify the drawing units. "
                     "By default, a drawing unit of micrometers is assumed."
                    )
         << tl::arg (group +
-                    "#--dxf-text-scaling=factor", &m_dxf_reader_options.text_scaling, "Specifies text scaling",
+                    "#--" + m_long_prefix + "dxf-text-scaling=factor", &m_dxf_reader_options.text_scaling, "Specifies text scaling",
                     "This value specifies text scaling in percent. A value of 100 roughly means that the letter "
                     "pitch of the font will be 92% of the specified text height. That value applies for ROMANS fonts. "
                     "When generating GDS texts, a value of 100 generates TEXT objects with "
                     "the specified size. Smaller values generate smaller sizes."
                    )
         << tl::arg (group +
-                    "#--dxf-polyline-mode=mode", &m_dxf_reader_options.polyline_mode, "Specifies how POLYLINE records are handled",
+                    "#--" + m_long_prefix + "dxf-polyline-mode=mode", &m_dxf_reader_options.polyline_mode, "Specifies how POLYLINE records are handled",
                     "This value specifies how POLYLINE records are handled:\n"
                     "\n"
                     "* 0: automatic mode\n"
@@ -181,11 +181,11 @@ GenericReaderOptions::add_options (tl::CommandLineOptions &cmd)
                     "* 4: as 3 and auto-close contours"
                    )
         << tl::arg (group +
-                    "#--dxf-circle-points=points", &m_dxf_reader_options.circle_points, "Specifies the number of points for a full circle for arc interpolation",
-                    "See --dxf-circle-accuracy for another way of specifying the number of points per circle."
+                    "#--" + m_long_prefix + "dxf-circle-points=points", &m_dxf_reader_options.circle_points, "Specifies the number of points for a full circle for arc interpolation",
+                    "See --" + m_long_prefix + "dxf-circle-accuracy for another way of specifying the number of points per circle."
                    )
         << tl::arg (group +
-                    "#--dxf-circle-accuracy=value", &m_dxf_reader_options.circle_accuracy, "Specifies the accuracy of circle approximation",
+                    "#--" + m_long_prefix + "dxf-circle-accuracy=value", &m_dxf_reader_options.circle_accuracy, "Specifies the accuracy of circle approximation",
                     "This value specifies the approximation accuracy of the circle and other\n"
                     "\"round\" structures. If this value is a positive number bigger than the\n"
                     "database unit (see dbu), it will control the number of points the\n"
@@ -198,11 +198,11 @@ GenericReaderOptions::add_options (tl::CommandLineOptions &cmd)
                     "The value is given in the units of the DXF file."
                    )
         << tl::arg (group +
-                    "#--dxf-render-texts-as-polygons", &m_dxf_reader_options.render_texts_as_polygons, "Renders texts as polygons",
+                    "#--" + m_long_prefix + "dxf-render-texts-as-polygons", &m_dxf_reader_options.render_texts_as_polygons, "Renders texts as polygons",
                     "If this option is used, texts are converted to polygons instead of being converted to labels."
                    )
         << tl::arg (group +
-                    "#--dxf-keep-other-cells", &m_dxf_reader_options.keep_other_cells, "Keeps cells which are not instantiated by the top cell",
+                    "#--" + m_long_prefix + "dxf-keep-other-cells", &m_dxf_reader_options.keep_other_cells, "Keeps cells which are not instantiated by the top cell",
                     "With this option, all cells not found to be instantiated are kept as additional top cells. "
                     "By default, such cells are removed."
                    )
diff --git a/src/buddies/bd/bdReaderOptions.h b/src/buddies/bd/bdReaderOptions.h
index 1df5e9e52..93dfaa4d7 100644
--- a/src/buddies/bd/bdReaderOptions.h
+++ b/src/buddies/bd/bdReaderOptions.h
@@ -67,7 +67,38 @@ public:
    */
   void configure (db::LoadLayoutOptions &load_options);
 
+  /**
+   *  @brief Sets the option prefix for the short option name
+   *  By default, the prefix is set to "i", so the short options are
+   *  called "-is", "-id" etc.
+   */
+  void set_prefix (const std::string &s)
+  {
+    m_prefix = s;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   *  @brief Sets the option prefix for the long option name
+   *  The prefix is prepended to the name, so with "a-", the long names
+   *  are "--a-unit" etc. By default, this prefix is empty.
+   */
+  void set_long_prefix (const std::string &s)
+  {
+    m_long_prefix = s;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   *  @brief Sets the group name prefix
+   *  By default, this prefix is "Input", so the group names are
+   *  "Input options - GDS2" for example.
+   */
+  void set_group_prefix (const std::string &s)
+  {
+    m_group_prefix = s;
+  }
+
 private:
+  std::string m_prefix, m_long_prefix, m_group_prefix;
   db::LayerMap m_layer_map;
   bool m_create_other_layers;
   db::CommonReaderOptions m_common_reader_options;
diff --git a/src/buddies/strm2cif/strm2cif.cc b/src/buddies/strm2cif/strm2cif.cc
index 5b33abdd5..669f007fa 100644
--- a/src/buddies/strm2cif/strm2cif.cc
+++ b/src/buddies/strm2cif/strm2cif.cc
@@ -28,11 +28,8 @@
 #include "dbCIFWriter.h"
 #include "tlCommandLineParser.h"
 
-int
-main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
+BD_MAIN_FUNC
 {
-  bd::init ();
-
   bd::GenericWriterOptions generic_writer_options;
   bd::GenericReaderOptions generic_reader_options;
   std::string infile, outfile;
@@ -49,9 +46,7 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
 
   cmd.parse (argc, argv);
 
-  db::Manager m;
-  db::Layout layout (&m);
-  db::LayerMap map;
+  db::Layout layout;
 
   {
     db::LoadLayoutOptions load_options;
@@ -59,7 +54,7 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
 
     tl::InputStream stream (infile);
     db::Reader reader (stream);
-    map = reader.read (layout, load_options);
+    reader.read (layout, load_options);
   }
 
   {
@@ -74,20 +69,4 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
   return 0;
 }
 
-int
-main (int argc, char *argv [])
-{
-  try {
-    return main_func (argc, argv);
-  } catch (tl::CancelException & /*ex*/) {
-    return 1;
-  } catch (std::exception &ex) {
-    tl::error << ex.what ();
-    return 1;
-  } catch (tl::Exception &ex) {
-    tl::error << ex.msg ();
-    return 1;
-  } catch (...) {
-    tl::error << "ERROR: unspecific error";
-  }
-}
+BD_MAIN
diff --git a/src/buddies/strm2dxf/strm2dxf.cc b/src/buddies/strm2dxf/strm2dxf.cc
index bddbf658b..1de3b265d 100644
--- a/src/buddies/strm2dxf/strm2dxf.cc
+++ b/src/buddies/strm2dxf/strm2dxf.cc
@@ -28,11 +28,8 @@
 #include "dbDXFWriter.h"
 #include "tlCommandLineParser.h"
 
-int
-main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
+BD_MAIN_FUNC
 {
-  bd::init ();
-
   bd::GenericWriterOptions generic_writer_options;
   bd::GenericReaderOptions generic_reader_options;
   std::string infile, outfile;
@@ -49,9 +46,7 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
 
   cmd.parse (argc, argv);
 
-  db::Manager m;
-  db::Layout layout (&m);
-  db::LayerMap map;
+  db::Layout layout;
 
   {
     db::LoadLayoutOptions load_options;
@@ -59,7 +54,7 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
 
     tl::InputStream stream (infile);
     db::Reader reader (stream);
-    map = reader.read (layout, load_options);
+    reader.read (layout, load_options);
   }
 
   {
@@ -74,20 +69,4 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
   return 0;
 }
 
-int
-main (int argc, char *argv [])
-{
-  try {
-    return main_func (argc, argv);
-  } catch (tl::CancelException & /*ex*/) {
-    return 1;
-  } catch (std::exception &ex) {
-    tl::error << ex.what ();
-    return 1;
-  } catch (tl::Exception &ex) {
-    tl::error << ex.msg ();
-    return 1;
-  } catch (...) {
-    tl::error << "ERROR: unspecific error";
-  }
-}
+BD_MAIN
diff --git a/src/buddies/strm2gds/strm2gds.cc b/src/buddies/strm2gds/strm2gds.cc
index eb05b9b28..6da35ce8e 100644
--- a/src/buddies/strm2gds/strm2gds.cc
+++ b/src/buddies/strm2gds/strm2gds.cc
@@ -28,11 +28,8 @@
 #include "dbGDS2Writer.h"
 #include "tlCommandLineParser.h"
 
-int
-main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
+BD_MAIN_FUNC
 {
-  bd::init ();
-
   bd::GenericWriterOptions generic_writer_options;
   bd::GenericReaderOptions generic_reader_options;
   std::string infile, outfile;
@@ -49,9 +46,7 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
 
   cmd.parse (argc, argv);
 
-  db::Manager m;
-  db::Layout layout (&m);
-  db::LayerMap map;
+  db::Layout layout;
 
   {
     db::LoadLayoutOptions load_options;
@@ -59,7 +54,7 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
 
     tl::InputStream stream (infile);
     db::Reader reader (stream);
-    map = reader.read (layout, load_options);
+    reader.read (layout, load_options);
   }
 
   {
@@ -74,20 +69,4 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
   return 0;
 }
 
-int
-main (int argc, char *argv [])
-{
-  try {
-    return main_func (argc, argv);
-  } catch (tl::CancelException & /*ex*/) {
-    return 1;
-  } catch (std::exception &ex) {
-    tl::error << ex.what ();
-    return 1;
-  } catch (tl::Exception &ex) {
-    tl::error << ex.msg ();
-    return 1;
-  } catch (...) {
-    tl::error << "ERROR: unspecific error";
-  }
-}
+BD_MAIN
diff --git a/src/buddies/strm2gdstxt/strm2gdstxt.cc b/src/buddies/strm2gdstxt/strm2gdstxt.cc
index 703161374..c5be4ebe4 100644
--- a/src/buddies/strm2gdstxt/strm2gdstxt.cc
+++ b/src/buddies/strm2gdstxt/strm2gdstxt.cc
@@ -28,11 +28,8 @@
 #include "contrib/dbGDS2TextWriter.h"
 #include "tlCommandLineParser.h"
 
-int
-main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
+BD_MAIN_FUNC
 {
-  bd::init ();
-
   bd::GenericWriterOptions generic_writer_options;
   bd::GenericReaderOptions generic_reader_options;
   std::string infile, outfile;
@@ -49,9 +46,7 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
 
   cmd.parse (argc, argv);
 
-  db::Manager m;
-  db::Layout layout (&m);
-  db::LayerMap map;
+  db::Layout layout;
 
   {
     db::LoadLayoutOptions load_options;
@@ -59,7 +54,7 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
 
     tl::InputStream stream (infile);
     db::Reader reader (stream);
-    map = reader.read (layout, load_options);
+    reader.read (layout, load_options);
   }
 
   {
@@ -74,20 +69,4 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
   return 0;
 }
 
-int
-main (int argc, char *argv [])
-{
-  try {
-    return main_func (argc, argv);
-  } catch (tl::CancelException & /*ex*/) {
-    return 1;
-  } catch (std::exception &ex) {
-    tl::error << ex.what ();
-    return 1;
-  } catch (tl::Exception &ex) {
-    tl::error << ex.msg ();
-    return 1;
-  } catch (...) {
-    tl::error << "ERROR: unspecific error";
-  }
-}
+BD_MAIN
diff --git a/src/buddies/strm2oas/strm2oas.cc b/src/buddies/strm2oas/strm2oas.cc
index b042ec3b6..7832e2747 100644
--- a/src/buddies/strm2oas/strm2oas.cc
+++ b/src/buddies/strm2oas/strm2oas.cc
@@ -28,11 +28,8 @@
 #include "dbOASISWriter.h"
 #include "tlCommandLineParser.h"
 
-int
-main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
+BD_MAIN_FUNC
 {
-  bd::init ();
-
   bd::GenericWriterOptions generic_writer_options;
   bd::GenericReaderOptions generic_reader_options;
   std::string infile, outfile;
@@ -49,9 +46,7 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
 
   cmd.parse (argc, argv);
 
-  db::Manager m;
-  db::Layout layout (&m);
-  db::LayerMap map;
+  db::Layout layout;
 
   {
     db::LoadLayoutOptions load_options;
@@ -59,7 +54,7 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
 
     tl::InputStream stream (infile);
     db::Reader reader (stream);
-    map = reader.read (layout, load_options);
+    reader.read (layout, load_options);
   }
 
   {
@@ -74,20 +69,4 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
   return 0;
 }
 
-int
-main (int argc, char *argv [])
-{
-  try {
-    return main_func (argc, argv);
-  } catch (tl::CancelException & /*ex*/) {
-    return 1;
-  } catch (std::exception &ex) {
-    tl::error << ex.what ();
-    return 1;
-  } catch (tl::Exception &ex) {
-    tl::error << ex.msg ();
-    return 1;
-  } catch (...) {
-    tl::error << "ERROR: unspecific error";
-  }
-}
+BD_MAIN
diff --git a/src/buddies/strm2txt/strm2txt.cc b/src/buddies/strm2txt/strm2txt.cc
index eff133517..6a05edb91 100644
--- a/src/buddies/strm2txt/strm2txt.cc
+++ b/src/buddies/strm2txt/strm2txt.cc
@@ -27,11 +27,8 @@
 #include "dbTextWriter.h"
 #include "tlCommandLineParser.h"
 
-int
-main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
+BD_MAIN_FUNC
 {
-  bd::init ();
-
   bd::GenericReaderOptions generic_reader_options;
   std::string infile, outfile;
 
@@ -46,9 +43,7 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
 
   cmd.parse (argc, argv);
 
-  db::Manager m;
-  db::Layout layout (&m);
-  db::LayerMap map;
+  db::Layout layout;
 
   {
     db::LoadLayoutOptions load_options;
@@ -56,7 +51,7 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
 
     tl::InputStream stream (infile);
     db::Reader reader (stream);
-    map = reader.read (layout, load_options);
+    reader.read (layout, load_options);
   }
 
   {
@@ -68,20 +63,4 @@ main_func (int argc, char *argv [])
   return 0;
 }
 
-int
-main (int argc, char *argv [])
-{
-  try {
-    return main_func (argc, argv);
-  } catch (tl::CancelException & /*ex*/) {
-    return 1;
-  } catch (std::exception &ex) {
-    tl::error << ex.what ();
-    return 1;
-  } catch (tl::Exception &ex) {
-    tl::error << ex.msg ();
-    return 1;
-  } catch (...) {
-    tl::error << "ERROR: unspecific error";
-  }
-}
+BD_MAIN
diff --git a/src/buddies/strmcmp/strmcmp.cc b/src/buddies/strmcmp/strmcmp.cc
index 44219e048..079c33ef4 100644
--- a/src/buddies/strmcmp/strmcmp.cc
+++ b/src/buddies/strmcmp/strmcmp.cc
@@ -21,55 +21,147 @@
 */
 
 #include "bdInit.h"
+#include "bdReaderOptions.h"
 #include "dbLayout.h"
 #include "dbLayoutDiff.h"
 #include "dbReader.h"
+#include "tlCommandLineParser.h"
 
-int 
-main (int argc, char *argv [])
+BD_MAIN_FUNC
 {
-  if (argc != 3) {
-    printf ("Syntax: strmcmp <infile-a> <infile-b>\n");
-    return 1;
+  bd::init ();
+
+  bd::GenericReaderOptions generic_reader_options_a;
+  generic_reader_options_a.set_prefix ("a");
+  generic_reader_options_a.set_long_prefix ("a-");
+  generic_reader_options_a.set_group_prefix ("Input A");
+
+  bd::GenericReaderOptions generic_reader_options_b;
+  generic_reader_options_a.set_prefix ("b");
+  generic_reader_options_a.set_long_prefix ("b-");
+  generic_reader_options_a.set_group_prefix ("Input B");
+
+  std::string infile_a, infile_b;
+  std::string top_a, top_b;
+  bool silent = false;
+  bool no_text_orientation = true;
+  bool no_text_details = true;
+  bool no_properties = false;
+  bool no_layer_names = false;
+  bool verbose = true;
+  bool as_polygons = false;
+  bool boxes_as_polygons = false;
+  bool flatten_array_insts = false;
+  bool smart_cell_mapping = false;
+  bool paths_as_polygons = false;
+  bool dont_summarize_missing_layers = false;
+  double tolerance = 0.0;
+  int max_count = 0;
+  bool print_properties = false;
+
+  tl::CommandLineOptions cmd;
+  generic_reader_options_a.add_options (cmd);
+  generic_reader_options_b.add_options (cmd);
+
+  cmd << tl::arg ("input_a",                   &infile_a,   "The first input file (any format, may be gzip compressed)")
+      << tl::arg ("input_b",                   &infile_b,   "The second input file (any format, may be gzip compressed)")
+      << tl::arg ("-ta|--top-a=name",          &top_a,      "Specifies the cell to take as top cell from the first layout",
+                  "Use this option to take a specific cell as the top cell from the first layout. All "
+                  "cells not called directly or indirectly from this cell are ignored. If you use this option, "
+                  "--top-b must be specified too and can be different from the first layout's top cell."
+                 )
+      << tl::arg ("-tb|--top-b=name",          &top_b,      "Specifies the cell to take as top cell from the second layout",
+                  "See --top-a for details."
+                 )
+      << tl::arg ("-s|--silent",               &silent,     "Enables silent mode",
+                  "In silent mode, no differences are printed, but the exit code indicates whether "
+                  "the layout are the same (0) or differences exist (> 0)."
+                 )
+      << tl::arg ("#!--with-text-orientation", &no_text_orientation, "Compares orientations for texts",
+                  "With this option, text orientation is compared too. The position of the "
+                  "text is always compared, but the rotation angle is compared only when this option "
+                  "is present."
+                 )
+      << tl::arg ("#!--with-text-details",     &no_text_details, "Compares font and alignment for texts",
+                  "With this option, text font and alignment is compared too."
+                 )
+      << tl::arg ("-np|--without-properties",  &no_properties, "Ignores properties",
+                  "With this option, shape, cell and file properties are not compared."
+                 )
+      << tl::arg ("-nl|--without-layer-names", &no_layer_names, "Ignores layer names",
+                  "With this option, layer names are not compared."
+                 )
+      << tl::arg ("!-u|--terse",               &verbose,    "Skips too many details",
+                  "With this option, no details about differences are printed."
+                 )
+      << tl::arg ("-r|--print-properties",     &print_properties, "Prints shape properties too",
+                  "This option, shape properties are printed too."
+                 )
+      << tl::arg ("-p|--as-polygons",          &as_polygons, "Compares shapes are polygons",
+                  "This option is equivalent to using --boxes-as-polygons and --paths-as-polygons."
+                 )
+      << tl::arg ("--boxes-as-polygons",       &boxes_as_polygons, "Turns boxes into polygons before compare",
+                  "With this option, boxes and equivalent polygons are treated identical."
+                 )
+      << tl::arg ("--paths-as-polygons",       &paths_as_polygons, "Turns paths into polygons before compare",
+                  "With this option, paths and equivalent polygons are treated identical."
+                 )
+      << tl::arg ("--expand-arrays",           &flatten_array_insts, "Expands array instances before compare",
+                  "With this option, arrays are equivalent single instances are treated identical."
+                 )
+      << tl::arg ("-l|--layer-details",        &dont_summarize_missing_layers, "Prints details about differences for missing layers",
+                  "With this option, missing layers are treated as \"empty\" and details about differences to "
+                  "other, non-empty layers are printed. Essentially the content of the non-empty counterpart "
+                  "is printed. Without this option, missing layers are treated as a single difference of type "
+                  "\"missing layer\"."
+                 )
+      << tl::arg ("-c|--cell-mapping",         &smart_cell_mapping, "Attempts to identify cells by their properties",
+                  "If this option is given, the algorithm will try to identify identical cells by their "
+                  "geometrical properties (placement, size etc.) instead of their name. This way, cell renaming can "
+                  "be detected"
+                 )
+      << tl::arg ("-t|--tolerance=value",      &tolerance, "Specifies a tolerance for geometry compare",
+                  "If this value is given, shape comparison allows for this tolerance when comparing "
+                  "coordinates. The tolerance value is given in micrometer units."
+                 )
+      << tl::arg ("-m|--max-count=value",      &max_count, "Specifies the maximum number of differences to report",
+                  "If the value is 1, only a warning saying that the log has been abbreviated is printed. "
+                  "If the value is >1, max-count-1 differences plus one warning about abbreviation is printed. "
+                  "A value of 0 means \"no limitation\". To suppress all output, use --silent."
+                 )
+    ;
+
+  cmd.brief ("This program will compare two layout files on a per-object basis");
+
+  cmd.parse (argc, argv);
+
+  db::Layout layout_a;
+  db::Layout layout_b;
+
+  {
+    db::LoadLayoutOptions load_options;
+    generic_reader_options_a.configure (load_options);
+
+    tl::InputStream stream (infile_a);
+    db::Reader reader (stream);
+    reader.read (layout_a, load_options);
   }
 
-  std::string infile_a (argv[1]);
-  std::string infile_b (argv[2]);
+  {
+    db::LoadLayoutOptions load_options;
+    generic_reader_options_b.configure (load_options);
 
-  try {
+    tl::InputStream stream (infile_a);
+    db::Reader reader (stream);
+    reader.read (layout_b, load_options);
+  }
 
-    db::Manager m;
-    db::Layout layout_a (false, &m);
-    db::Layout layout_b (false, &m);
-
-    {
-      tl::InputStream stream (infile_a);
-      db::Reader reader (stream);
-      reader.read (layout_a);
-    }
-
-    {
-      tl::InputStream stream (infile_b);
-      db::Reader reader (stream);
-      reader.read (layout_b);
-    }
-
-    if (! db::compare_layouts (layout_a, layout_b, db::layout_diff::f_boxes_as_polygons | db::layout_diff::f_no_text_orientation | db::layout_diff::f_verbose, 0 /*exact match*/)) {
-      throw tl::Exception ("layouts differ");
-    }
-
-  } catch (std::exception &ex) {
-    tl::error << ex.what ();
-    return 1;
-  } catch (tl::Exception &ex) {
-    tl::error << ex.msg ();
-    return 1;
-  } catch (...) {
-    tl::error << "unspecific error";
-    return 1;
+  // @@@
+  if (! db::compare_layouts (layout_a, layout_b, db::layout_diff::f_boxes_as_polygons | db::layout_diff::f_no_text_orientation | db::layout_diff::f_verbose, 0 /*exact match*/)) {
+    throw tl::Exception ("layouts differ");
   }
 
   return 0;
 }
 
-
+BD_MAIN
diff --git a/src/db/dbLayoutDiff.cc b/src/db/dbLayoutDiff.cc
index e18ac947e..6c75eea44 100644
--- a/src/db/dbLayoutDiff.cc
+++ b/src/db/dbLayoutDiff.cc
@@ -1580,5 +1580,14 @@ compare_layouts (const db::Layout &a, const db::Layout &b, unsigned int flags, d
   return compare_layouts (a, b, flags, tolerance, r);
 }
 
+bool
+compare_layouts (const db::Layout &a, db::cell_index_type top_a, const db::Layout &b, db::cell_index_type top_b, unsigned int flags, db::Coord tolerance, size_t max_count, bool print_properties)
+{
+  PrintingDifferenceReceiver r;
+  r.set_max_count (max_count);
+  r.set_print_properties (print_properties);
+  return compare_layouts (a, top_a, b, top_b, flags, tolerance, r);
+}
+
 }
 
diff --git a/src/db/dbLayoutDiff.h b/src/db/dbLayoutDiff.h
index 6d62ada1b..3d45a77c9 100644
--- a/src/db/dbLayoutDiff.h
+++ b/src/db/dbLayoutDiff.h
@@ -130,9 +130,9 @@ public:
  *  @brief Compare two layout objects
  *
  *  Compare layer definitions, cells, instances and shapes and properties. 
- *  Cells are identified by name. 
  *  Only layers with valid layer and datatype are compared.
  *  Several flags can be specified as a bitwise or combination of the layout_diff::f_xxx constants.
+ *  The results are printed to the info channel.
  *
  *  @param a The first input layout
  *  @param b The second input layout
@@ -148,6 +148,25 @@ public:
  */
 bool DB_PUBLIC compare_layouts (const db::Layout &a, const db::Layout &b, unsigned int flags, db::Coord tolerance, size_t max_count = 0, bool print_properties = false);
 
+/**
+ *  @brief Compare two layout objects
+ *
+ *  This is an extended version that allows specification of two top cells to compare.
+ *  It will print the results to the info channel.
+ *
+ *  @param a The first input layout
+ *  @param top_a The first top cell's index
+ *  @param b The second input layout
+ *  @param top_b The second top cell's index
+ *  @param flags Flags to use for the comparison
+ *  @param tolerance A coordinate tolerance to apply (0: exact match, 1: one DBU tolerance is allowed ...)
+ *  @param max_count The maximum number of lines printed to the logger - the compare result will reflect all differences however
+ *  @param print_properties If true, property differences are printed as well
+ *
+ *  @return True, if the layouts are identical
+ */
+bool DB_PUBLIC compare_layouts (const db::Layout &a, db::cell_index_type top_a, const db::Layout &b, db::cell_index_type top_b, unsigned int flags, db::Coord tolerance, size_t max_count = 0, bool print_properties = false);
+
 /**
  *  @brief Compare two layout objects with a custom receiver for the differences
  *