diff --git a/src/OSspecific/MSwindows/MSwindows.C b/src/OSspecific/MSwindows/MSwindows.C
index 099ee6e3f1..fb6f9111ab 100644
--- a/src/OSspecific/MSwindows/MSwindows.C
+++ b/src/OSspecific/MSwindows/MSwindows.C
@@ -940,13 +940,24 @@ bool Foam::ln(const fileName& src, const fileName& dst)
 
     if (MSwindows::debug)
     {
-        Info<< "MSwindows does not support ln - softlinking" << endl;
+        Info<< "MSwindows does not support softlinks" << endl;
     }
 
     return false;
 }
 
 
+Foam::fileName Foam::readLink(const fileName& link)
+{
+    if (MSwindows::debug)
+    {
+        Info<< "MSwindows does not support softlinks" << endl;
+    }
+
+    return fileName();
+}
+
+
 bool Foam::mv(const fileName& src, const fileName& dst, const bool followLink)
 {
     if (MSwindows::debug)
@@ -954,7 +965,7 @@ bool Foam::mv(const fileName& src, const fileName& dst, const bool followLink)
         Info<< "Move : " << src << " to " << dst << endl;
     }
 
-    // Ignore an empty names => always false
+    // Ignore empty names => always false
     if (src.empty() || dst.empty())
     {
         return false;
diff --git a/src/OSspecific/POSIX/POSIX.C b/src/OSspecific/POSIX/POSIX.C
index 84223aebc7..93c4709119 100644
--- a/src/OSspecific/POSIX/POSIX.C
+++ b/src/OSspecific/POSIX/POSIX.C
@@ -1169,7 +1169,7 @@ bool Foam::ln(const fileName& src, const fileName& dst)
     {
         //InfoInFunction
         Pout<< FUNCTION_NAME
-            << " : Create softlink from : " << src << " to " << dst << endl;
+            << " : Create symlink from : " << src << " to " << dst << endl;
         if ((POSIX::debug & 2) && !Pstream::master())
         {
             error::printStack(Pout);
@@ -1216,6 +1216,40 @@ bool Foam::ln(const fileName& src, const fileName& dst)
 }
 
 
+Foam::fileName Foam::readLink(const fileName& link)
+{
+    if (POSIX::debug)
+    {
+        //InfoInFunction
+        Pout<< FUNCTION_NAME
+            << " : Returning symlink destination for : " << link << endl;
+        if ((POSIX::debug & 2) && !Pstream::master())
+        {
+            error::printStack(Pout);
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (link.empty())
+    {
+        // Treat an empty path as a no-op.
+        return fileName();
+    }
+
+    fileName result;
+    result.resize(1024);  // Should be large enough (mostly relative anyhow)
+
+    ssize_t len = ::readlink(link.c_str(), &(result.front()), result.size());
+    if (len > 0)
+    {
+        result.resize(len);
+        return result;
+    }
+
+    // Failure: return empty result
+    return fileName();
+}
+
+
 bool Foam::mv(const fileName& src, const fileName& dst, const bool followLink)
 {
     if (POSIX::debug)
@@ -1228,7 +1262,7 @@ bool Foam::mv(const fileName& src, const fileName& dst, const bool followLink)
         }
     }
 
-    // Ignore an empty names => always false
+    // Ignore empty names => always false
     if (src.empty() || dst.empty())
     {
         return false;
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/Time.C b/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/Time.C
index defc0a8b4e..42143444dc 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/Time.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/Time.C
@@ -195,13 +195,14 @@ void Foam::Time::setControls()
 
     // Check if time directory exists
     // If not increase time precision to see if it is formatted differently.
-    // Note: do not use raw fileHandler().exists(...) since does not check
+    // Note: - do not use raw fileHandler().exists(...) since does not check
     //       alternative processorsDDD directories naming
-    if (fileHandler().filePath(timePath()).empty())
+    //       - do not look for compressed (is directory)
+
+    if (fileHandler().filePath(timePath(), false).empty())
     {
-        int oldPrecision = precision_;
+        const int oldPrecision = precision_;
         int requiredPrecision = -1;
-        bool found = false;
         word oldTime(timeName());
         for
         (
@@ -218,14 +219,10 @@ void Foam::Time::setControls()
             {
                 break;
             }
-            oldTime = newTime;
+            oldTime = std::move(newTime);
 
-            // Check the existence of the time directory with the new format
-            //found = fileHandler().exists(timePath(), false);
-            const fileName dirName(fileHandler().filePath(timePath()));
-            found = !dirName.empty();
-
-            if (found)
+            // Does a time directory exist with the new format?
+            if (!fileHandler().filePath(timePath(), false).empty())
             {
                 requiredPrecision = precision_;
             }
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/Time.H b/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/Time.H
index da2d6c9731..ec329333e7 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/Time.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/Time.H
@@ -414,6 +414,15 @@ public:
                 return runTimeModifiable_;
             }
 
+            //- Set re-reading support on/off (use with caution).
+            //  \return the previous value
+            Switch runTimeModifiable(const Switch sw) noexcept
+            {
+                Switch old(runTimeModifiable_);
+                runTimeModifiable_ = sw;
+                return old;
+            }
+
             //- Read control dictionary, update controls and time
             virtual bool read();
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/TimeIO.C b/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/TimeIO.C
index cb7afcb785..a111245528 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/TimeIO.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/TimeIO.C
@@ -579,7 +579,8 @@ bool Foam::Time::writeObject
                     (
                         fileHandler().filePath
                         (
-                            objectRegistry::path(previousWriteTimes_.pop())
+                            objectRegistry::path(previousWriteTimes_.pop()),
+                            false  // No .gz check (is directory)
                         )
                     );
                 }
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/argList/argList.C b/src/OpenFOAM/global/argList/argList.C
index 19e739f569..9d7b3b648a 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/argList/argList.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/argList/argList.C
@@ -241,6 +241,51 @@ static void printHostsSubscription(const UList<string>& hostProcs)
     Info<< ')' << nl;
 }
 
+
+static bool printRootsSubscription
+(
+    const UList<string>& hostProcs,
+    const UList<fileName>& roots
+)
+{
+    if (hostProcs.size() == roots.size()+1)
+    {
+        // Sort roots according to hostProc
+        DynamicList<string> sortedProcs;
+        DynamicList<label> sortedRoots;
+
+        forAll(roots, i)
+        {
+            const fileName& root = roots[i];
+            const string& host = hostProcs[i+1];
+            const label index = sortedProcs.find(host);
+
+            if (index == -1)
+            {
+                sortedProcs.append(host);
+                sortedRoots.append(i);
+            }
+            else if (roots[sortedRoots[index]] != root)
+            {
+                // Not properly sorted...
+                return false;
+            }
+        }
+
+        Info<< "Roots  :\n(" << nl;
+        forAll(sortedProcs, i)
+        {
+            Info<< "    (" << sortedProcs[i].c_str() << ' '
+                << roots[sortedRoots[i]] << ')' << nl;
+        }
+        Info<< ')' << nl;
+
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    return false;
+}
+
 } // End namespace Foam
 
 
@@ -1184,6 +1229,7 @@ void Foam::argList::parse
     stringList hostMachine;
     stringList hostProcs;
     const int writeHostsSwitch = Foam::debug::infoSwitch("writeHosts", 1);
+    const int writeRootsSwitch = Foam::debug::infoSwitch("writeRoots", 1);
 
     // Collect machine/pid, and check that the build is identical
     if (runControl_.parRun())
@@ -1615,7 +1661,7 @@ void Foam::argList::parse
             // Clear here to ensures it doesn't show in the jobInfo
             hostProcs.clear();
         }
-        if (!debug::infoSwitch("writeRoots", 1))
+        if (!writeRootsSwitch)
         {
             roots.clear();
         }
@@ -1654,7 +1700,17 @@ void Foam::argList::parse
             }
             if (roots.size())
             {
-                Info<< "Roots  : " << roots << nl;
+                bool hasPrinted = false;
+                if (writeRootsSwitch == 1)
+                {
+                    // Compact output
+                    hasPrinted = printRootsSubscription(hostProcs, roots);
+                }
+                if (writeRootsSwitch && !hasPrinted)
+                {
+                    // Full output
+                    Info<< "Roots  : " << roots << nl;
+                }
             }
             Info<< "Pstream initialized with:" << nl
                 << "    floatTransfer      : " << Pstream::floatTransfer << nl
@@ -2000,7 +2056,7 @@ bool Foam::argList::checkRootCase() const
         return false;
     }
 
-    const fileName pathDir(fileHandler().filePath(path()));
+    const fileName pathDir(fileHandler().filePath(path(), false));
 
     if (checkProcessorDirectories_ && pathDir.empty() && Pstream::master())
     {
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/collatedFileOperation.C b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/collatedFileOperation.C
index 834bab9333..a8430c56a8 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/collatedFileOperation.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/collatedFileOperation.C
@@ -258,6 +258,17 @@ bool Foam::fileOperations::collatedFileOperation::appendObject
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+void Foam::fileOperations::collatedFileOperation::init(bool verbose)
+{
+    verbose = (verbose && Foam::infoDetailLevel > 0);
+
+    if (verbose)
+    {
+        this->printBanner(ioRanks_.size());
+    }
+}
+
+
 Foam::fileOperations::collatedFileOperation::collatedFileOperation
 (
     bool verbose
@@ -281,10 +292,7 @@ Foam::fileOperations::collatedFileOperation::collatedFileOperation
     nProcs_(Pstream::nProcs()),
     ioRanks_(ioRanks())
 {
-    if (verbose && Foam::infoDetailLevel > 0)
-    {
-        this->printBanner(ioRanks_.size());
-    }
+    init(verbose);
 }
 
 
@@ -302,10 +310,7 @@ Foam::fileOperations::collatedFileOperation::collatedFileOperation
     nProcs_(Pstream::nProcs()),
     ioRanks_(ioRanks)
 {
-    if (verbose && Foam::infoDetailLevel > 0)
-    {
-        this->printBanner(ioRanks_.size());
-    }
+    init(verbose);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/collatedFileOperation.H b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/collatedFileOperation.H
index 23d5335646..efdbbb1abc 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/collatedFileOperation.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/collatedFileOperation.H
@@ -67,6 +67,11 @@ class collatedFileOperation
 :
     public masterUncollatedFileOperation
 {
+    // Private Member Functions
+
+        //- Any initialisation steps after constructing
+        void init(bool verbose);
+
 protected:
 
     // Protected Data
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/hostCollatedFileOperation.C b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/hostCollatedFileOperation.C
index aab4e831bc..73fcd410fd 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/hostCollatedFileOperation.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/hostCollatedFileOperation.C
@@ -123,6 +123,17 @@ Foam::labelList Foam::fileOperations::hostCollatedFileOperation::subRanks
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+void Foam::fileOperations::hostCollatedFileOperation::init(bool verbose)
+{
+    verbose = (verbose && Foam::infoDetailLevel > 0);
+
+    if (verbose)
+    {
+        this->printBanner(ioRanks_.size());
+    }
+}
+
+
 Foam::fileOperations::hostCollatedFileOperation::hostCollatedFileOperation
 (
     bool verbose
@@ -140,10 +151,7 @@ Foam::fileOperations::hostCollatedFileOperation::hostCollatedFileOperation
         false // verbose
     )
 {
-    if (verbose && Foam::infoDetailLevel > 0)
-    {
-        this->printBanner(ioRanks_.size());
-    }
+    init(verbose);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/hostCollatedFileOperation.H b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/hostCollatedFileOperation.H
index 5927583cc3..0f8e0fafbf 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/hostCollatedFileOperation.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/hostCollatedFileOperation.H
@@ -77,12 +77,14 @@ class hostCollatedFileOperation
 :
     public collatedFileOperation
 {
-   // Private Member Functions
+    // Private Member Functions
+
+        //- Any initialisation steps after constructing
+        void init(bool verbose);
 
         //- Get the list of processors part of this set
         static labelList subRanks(const label n);
 
-
 public:
 
         //- Runtime type information
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.C b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.C
index 2c580b8ab9..b2fae3dc7d 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.C
@@ -59,6 +59,8 @@ namespace Foam
     );
 }
 
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
 const Foam::Enum<Foam::fileOperation::pathType>
 Foam::fileOperation::pathTypeNames_
 ({
@@ -792,7 +794,12 @@ bool Foam::fileOperation::writeObject
 }
 
 
-Foam::fileName Foam::fileOperation::filePath(const fileName& fName) const
+Foam::fileName Foam::fileOperation::filePath
+(
+    const fileName& fName,
+    const bool checkGzip,
+    const bool followLink
+) const
 {
     if (debug)
     {
@@ -820,7 +827,7 @@ Foam::fileName Foam::fileOperation::filePath(const fileName& fName) const
             const fileName& procDir = dirIdx.first();
 
             fileName collatedName(path/procDir/local);
-            if (exists(collatedName))
+            if (exists(collatedName, checkGzip, followLink))
             {
                 if (debug)
                 {
@@ -831,7 +838,7 @@ Foam::fileName Foam::fileOperation::filePath(const fileName& fName) const
         }
     }
 
-    if (exists(fName))
+    if (exists(fName, checkGzip, followLink))
     {
         if (debug)
         {
@@ -844,7 +851,8 @@ Foam::fileName Foam::fileOperation::filePath(const fileName& fName) const
     {
         Pout<< "fileOperation::filePath : Not found" << endl;
     }
-    return fileName::null;
+
+    return fileName();
 }
 
 
@@ -992,7 +1000,8 @@ Foam::instantList Foam::fileOperation::findTimes
 
     if (debug)
     {
-        Pout<< "fileOperation::findTimes : Found times:" << times << endl;
+        Pout<< "fileOperation::findTimes : Found times:" << flatOutput(times)
+            << endl;
     }
     return times;
 }
@@ -1177,7 +1186,7 @@ Foam::fileNameList Foam::fileOperation::readObjects
 
     fileName path(db.path(instance, db.dbDir()/local));
 
-    newInstance = word::null;
+    newInstance.clear();
     fileNameList objectNames;
 
     if (Foam::isDir(path))
@@ -1311,7 +1320,7 @@ Foam::fileName Foam::fileOperation::processorsPath
         return dir.path()/procsDir;
     }
 
-    return fileName::null;
+    return fileName();
 }
 
 
@@ -1502,7 +1511,7 @@ const Foam::fileOperation& Foam::fileHandler()
 {
     if (!fileOperation::fileHandlerPtr_)
     {
-        word handler(getEnv("FOAM_FILEHANDLER"));
+        word handler(Foam::getEnv("FOAM_FILEHANDLER"));
 
         if (handler.empty())
         {
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.H b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.H
index 9cfebf5ee3..956a68a48a 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2020-2021 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2020-2022 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@ class fileOperation
 {
 public:
 
+    // Public Data Types
+
         //- Enumeration for the location of an IOobject
         enum pathType : int
         {
@@ -274,7 +276,7 @@ public:
             virtual bool exists
             (
                 const fileName&,
-                const bool checkGzip=true,
+                const bool checkGzip = true,
                 const bool followLink = true
             ) const = 0;
 
@@ -290,7 +292,7 @@ public:
             virtual bool isFile
             (
                 const fileName&,
-                const bool checkGzip=true,
+                const bool checkGzip = true,
                 const bool followLink = true
             ) const = 0;
 
@@ -367,14 +369,6 @@ public:
                 const bool emptyOnly = false
             ) const = 0;
 
-//            //- Open a shared library. Return handle to library. Print error
-//            //  message if library cannot be loaded (check = true)
-//            virtual void* dlOpen
-//            (
-//                const fileName& lib,
-//                const bool check = true
-//            ) const = 0;
-
 
         // (reg)IOobject functionality
 
@@ -456,9 +450,14 @@ public:
 
         // Filename (not IOobject) operations
 
-            //- Search for a file or directory. Use IOobject version in
-            //  preference
-            virtual fileName filePath(const fileName&) const;
+            //- Search for a file or directory.
+            //- Use IOobject version in preference
+            virtual fileName filePath
+            (
+                const fileName&,
+                const bool checkGzip = true,
+                const bool followLink = true
+            ) const;
 
             //- Generate an ISstream that reads a file
             virtual autoPtr<ISstream> NewIFstream(const fileName&) const = 0;
@@ -607,6 +606,24 @@ public:
 };
 
 
+//- Read pathType as an integer value
+inline Istream& operator>>(Istream& is, fileOperation::pathType& b)
+{
+    int val(0);
+    is >> val;
+
+    b = static_cast<fileOperation::pathType>(val);
+    return is;
+}
+
+//- Write pathType as an integer value
+inline Ostream& operator<<(Ostream& os, const fileOperation::pathType b)
+{
+    os << static_cast<int>(b);
+    return os;
+}
+
+
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Global Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 // Note: defined in fileOperation.C
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperationInitialise/fileOperationInitialise.C b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperationInitialise/fileOperationInitialise.C
index 562fc7c266..02b194628e 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperationInitialise/fileOperationInitialise.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperationInitialise/fileOperationInitialise.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2017-2018 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2019-2021 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2019-2022 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -50,17 +50,37 @@ Foam::fileOperations::fileOperationInitialise::fileOperationInitialise
     char**& argv
 )
 {
-    // Filter out commonly known arguments
-    const string s("-ioRanks");
-
+    // Check for -ioRanks, which requires an argument
     int index = -1;
-    for (int i=1; i<argc-1; i++)
+    for (int argi = 1; argi < argc; ++argi)
     {
-        if (argv[i] == s)
+        if (argv[argi][0] == '-')
         {
-            index = i;
-            Foam::setEnv("FOAM_IORANKS", argv[i+1], true);
-            break;
+            const char *optName = &argv[argi][1];
+
+            if (strcmp(optName, "ioRanks") == 0)
+            {
+                if (argi < argc-1)
+                {
+                    index = argi;
+                    Foam::setEnv("FOAM_IORANKS", argv[argi+1], true);
+                    break;
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    // No argument to -ioRanks.
+                    // Give error message as in argList.
+                    // Slight problem: Pstream not yet initialised so
+                    // - no master-only output
+                    // - no early exit
+
+                    Info<< nl
+                        << "Error: option '-ioRanks' requires a list of"
+                           " IO ranks as argument" << nl << nl;
+
+                    //Pstream::exit(1);  // works for serial and parallel
+                }
+            }
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/masterUncollatedFileOperation/masterUncollatedFileOperation.C b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/masterUncollatedFileOperation/masterUncollatedFileOperation.C
index 7be6376da4..72d0849c39 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/masterUncollatedFileOperation/masterUncollatedFileOperation.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/masterUncollatedFileOperation/masterUncollatedFileOperation.C
@@ -715,21 +715,7 @@ Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::read
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::
-masterUncollatedFileOperation
-(
-    bool verbose
-)
-:
-    fileOperation
-    (
-        UPstream::allocateCommunicator
-        (
-            UPstream::worldComm,
-            subRanks(Pstream::nProcs())
-        )
-    ),
-    myComm_(comm_)
+void Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::init(bool verbose)
 {
     verbose = (verbose && Foam::infoDetailLevel > 0);
 
@@ -763,6 +749,26 @@ masterUncollatedFileOperation
 }
 
 
+Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::
+masterUncollatedFileOperation
+(
+    bool verbose
+)
+:
+    fileOperation
+    (
+        UPstream::allocateCommunicator
+        (
+            UPstream::worldComm,
+            subRanks(Pstream::nProcs())
+        )
+    ),
+    myComm_(comm_)
+{
+    init(verbose);
+}
+
+
 Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::
 masterUncollatedFileOperation
 (
@@ -773,35 +779,7 @@ masterUncollatedFileOperation
     fileOperation(comm),
     myComm_(-1)
 {
-    verbose = (verbose && Foam::infoDetailLevel > 0);
-
-    if (verbose)
-    {
-        DetailInfo
-            << "I/O    : " << typeName
-            << " (maxMasterFileBufferSize " << maxMasterFileBufferSize << ')'
-            << endl;
-    }
-
-    if (IOobject::fileModificationChecking == IOobject::timeStampMaster)
-    {
-        if (verbose)
-        {
-            WarningInFunction
-                << "Resetting fileModificationChecking to timeStamp" << endl;
-        }
-        IOobject::fileModificationChecking = IOobject::timeStamp;
-    }
-    else if (IOobject::fileModificationChecking == IOobject::inotifyMaster)
-    {
-        if (verbose)
-        {
-            WarningInFunction
-                << "Resetting fileModificationChecking to inotify"
-                << endl;
-        }
-        IOobject::fileModificationChecking = IOobject::inotify;
-    }
+    init(verbose);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/masterUncollatedFileOperation/masterUncollatedFileOperation.H b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/masterUncollatedFileOperation/masterUncollatedFileOperation.H
index fc1ca689fd..415e572afd 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/masterUncollatedFileOperation/masterUncollatedFileOperation.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/masterUncollatedFileOperation/masterUncollatedFileOperation.H
@@ -88,6 +88,11 @@ class masterUncollatedFileOperation
 :
     public fileOperation
 {
+    // Private Member Functions
+
+        //- Any initialisation steps after constructing
+        void init(bool verbose);
+
 protected:
 
     // Protected Data
@@ -351,7 +356,7 @@ protected:
                 (
                     (isFile_ ? Foam::isFile(f) : Foam::isDir(f))
                   ? f
-                  : fileName::null
+                  : fileName::null  // const reference, not temporary
                 );
             }
         };
@@ -426,7 +431,7 @@ protected:
         (
             const bool checkGlobal,
             const bool isFile,
-            const IOobject&,
+            const IOobject& io,
             const bool search,
             pathType& searchType,
             word& processorsDir,
@@ -615,14 +620,6 @@ public:
                 const bool emptyOnly = false
             ) const;
 
-//            //- Open a shared library. Return handle to library. Print error
-//            //  message if library cannot be loaded (check = true)
-//            virtual void* dlOpen
-//            (
-//                const fileName& lib,
-//                const bool check = true
-//            ) const;
-
 
         // (reg)IOobject functinality
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/uncollatedFileOperation/uncollatedFileOperation.C b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/uncollatedFileOperation/uncollatedFileOperation.C
index 41777a6188..340a75c413 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/uncollatedFileOperation/uncollatedFileOperation.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/uncollatedFileOperation/uncollatedFileOperation.C
@@ -176,6 +176,18 @@ Foam::fileOperations::uncollatedFileOperation::lookupProcessorsPath
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+void Foam::fileOperations::uncollatedFileOperation::init(bool verbose)
+{
+    verbose = (verbose && Foam::infoDetailLevel > 0);
+
+    if (verbose)
+    {
+        DetailInfo
+            << "I/O    : " << typeName << endl;
+    }
+}
+
+
 Foam::fileOperations::uncollatedFileOperation::uncollatedFileOperation
 (
     bool verbose
@@ -183,11 +195,7 @@ Foam::fileOperations::uncollatedFileOperation::uncollatedFileOperation
 :
     fileOperation(Pstream::worldComm)
 {
-    if (verbose)
-    {
-        DetailInfo
-            << "I/O    : " << typeName << endl;
-    }
+    init(verbose);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/uncollatedFileOperation/uncollatedFileOperation.H b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/uncollatedFileOperation/uncollatedFileOperation.H
index 442a446367..31e75ddb0d 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/uncollatedFileOperation/uncollatedFileOperation.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/uncollatedFileOperation/uncollatedFileOperation.H
@@ -53,6 +53,11 @@ class uncollatedFileOperation
 :
     public fileOperation
 {
+    // Private Member Functions
+
+        //- Any initialisation steps after constructing
+        void init(bool verbose);
+
 protected:
 
     // Protected Member Functions
@@ -215,14 +220,6 @@ public:
                 const bool emptyOnly = false
             ) const;
 
-//            //- Open a shared library. Return handle to library. Print error
-//            //  message if library cannot be loaded (check = true)
-//            virtual void* dlOpen
-//            (
-//                const fileName& lib,
-//                const bool check = true
-//            ) const;
-
 
         // (reg)IOobject functionality
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/include/OSspecific.H b/src/OpenFOAM/include/OSspecific.H
index 7675dc91d3..8d494326f2 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/include/OSspecific.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/include/OSspecific.H
@@ -144,8 +144,8 @@ fileName::Type type(const fileName& name, const bool followLink=true);
 bool exists
 (
     const fileName& name,
-    const bool checkGzip=true,
-    const bool followLink=true
+    const bool checkGzip = true,
+    const bool followLink = true
 );
 
 //- Does the name exist as a DIRECTORY in the file system?
@@ -158,8 +158,8 @@ bool isDir(const fileName& name, const bool followLink=true);
 bool isFile
 (
     const fileName& name,
-    const bool checkGzip=true,
-    const bool followLink=true
+    const bool checkGzip = true,
+    const bool followLink = true
 );
 
 //- Return size of file or -1 on failure (normally follows symbolic links).
@@ -197,6 +197,13 @@ bool cp(const fileName& src, const fileName& dst, const bool followLink=true);
 //  but also produces a warning.
 bool ln(const fileName& src, const fileName& dst);
 
+//- Return the contents (target) of a symlink.
+//  For example, returns \c target for <code>ln -s target linkName</code>
+//
+//  An empty link name is a no-op that always returns an empty string.
+//  Following a non-link is an error that returns an empty string.
+fileName readLink(const fileName& link);
+
 //- Rename src to dst.
 //  An empty source or destination name is a no-op that always returns false.
 bool mv