diff --git a/.github/workflows/docker_linuxes.yml b/.github/workflows/docker_linuxes.yml
index 1fe51e40..afe834d1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docker_linuxes.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docker_linuxes.yml
@@ -84,6 +84,18 @@ jobs:
     - name: Run ctlrender within the Docker image
       run: docker run ctl:latest sh -c "ctlrender -ctl /usr/src/aces-dev/transforms/ctl/utilities/ACESutil.Unity.ctl /usr/src/aces-dev/images/ACES/SonyF35.StillLife.exr /tmp/testout.exr"
 
+  ubuntu-22-04-LTO:
+
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+
+    steps:
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+    - name: Build the Docker image
+      run: docker build --no-cache --rm -f ./docker/Dockerfile_ubuntu_22.04_LTO -t ctl:latest .
+
+    - name: Run unit tests (ctest) within the Docker image
+      run: docker run ctl:latest sh -c "cd ./build && ctest"
+
   ubuntu-23-10:
 
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
diff --git a/.github/workflows/mac_debug.yml b/.github/workflows/mac_debug.yml
index 76deafba..4bb40530 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/mac_debug.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/mac_debug.yml
@@ -22,11 +22,11 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
 
-    - name: uninstall openexr 
-      run:  brew uninstall --ignore-dependencies openexr 
+    # - name: uninstall openexr 
+    #   run:  brew uninstall --ignore-dependencies openexr 
 
-    - name: uninstall imath 
-      run:  brew uninstall --ignore-dependencies imath
+    # - name: uninstall imath 
+    #   run:  brew uninstall --ignore-dependencies imath
 
     - name: install dependencies - openexr v2.5
       run:  |
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - uses: actions/checkout@v3
 
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - name: install dependencies - openexr v3.1
       run:  |
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - uses: actions/checkout@v3
 
@@ -96,11 +96,11 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
 
-    - name: uninstall openexr 
-      run:  brew uninstall --ignore-dependencies openexr 
+    # - name: uninstall openexr 
+    #   run:  brew uninstall --ignore-dependencies openexr 
 
-    - name: uninstall imath 
-      run:  brew uninstall --ignore-dependencies imath
+    # - name: uninstall imath 
+    #   run:  brew uninstall --ignore-dependencies imath
 
     - name: install dependencies - openexr v2.5
       run:  |
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - uses: actions/checkout@v3
 
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - name: install dependencies - openexr v3.1
       run:  |
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - uses: actions/checkout@v3
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/mac_release.yml b/.github/workflows/mac_release.yml
index 865db163..8f5f7454 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/mac_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/mac_release.yml
@@ -48,11 +48,11 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
 
-    - name: uninstall openexr 
-      run:  brew uninstall --ignore-dependencies openexr 
+    # - name: uninstall openexr 
+    #   run:  brew uninstall --ignore-dependencies openexr 
 
-    - name: uninstall imath 
-      run:  brew uninstall --ignore-dependencies imath
+    # - name: uninstall imath 
+    #   run:  brew uninstall --ignore-dependencies imath
 
     - name: install dependencies - openexr v2.5
       run:  |
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - uses: actions/checkout@v3
 
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - name: install dependencies - openexr v3.1
       run:  |
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - uses: actions/checkout@v3
 
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=OFF .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - name: install dependencies - openexr v3.1
       run:  |
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=OFF .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - uses: actions/checkout@v3
 
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ jobs:
           cd build &&
           cmake -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=ON .. &&
           make &&
-          make install
+          sudo make install
   
       - name: install dependencies - openexr v3.1
         run:  |
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ jobs:
           cd build &&
           cmake -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=ON .. &&
           make &&
-          make install
+          sudo make install
   
       - uses: actions/checkout@v3
   
@@ -232,11 +232,11 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
 
-    - name: uninstall openexr 
-      run:  brew uninstall --ignore-dependencies openexr 
+    # - name: uninstall openexr 
+    #   run:  brew uninstall --ignore-dependencies openexr 
 
-    - name: uninstall imath 
-      run:  brew uninstall --ignore-dependencies imath
+    # - name: uninstall imath 
+    #   run:  brew uninstall --ignore-dependencies imath
 
     - name: install dependencies - openexr v2.5
       run:  |
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - uses: actions/checkout@v3
 
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - name: install dependencies - openexr v3.1
       run:  |
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - uses: actions/checkout@v3
 
@@ -326,7 +326,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=OFF .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - name: install dependencies - openexr v3.1
       run:  |
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=OFF .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - uses: actions/checkout@v3
 
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=ON .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - name: install dependencies - openexr v3.1
       run:  |
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ jobs:
         cd build &&
         cmake -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=ON .. &&
         make &&
-        make install
+        sudo make install
 
     - uses: actions/checkout@v3
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ubuntu_debug.yml b/.github/workflows/ubuntu_debug.yml
index f769d006..e705b9f0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ubuntu_debug.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ubuntu_debug.yml
@@ -170,6 +170,8 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
+    - name: run apt-get update
+      run: sudo apt-get -y update
 
     - name: install test tool - valgrind
       run: sudo apt-get -y install valgrind
@@ -237,7 +239,9 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
-
+    - name: run apt-get update
+      run: sudo apt-get -y update
+      
     - name: install test tool - valgrind
       run: sudo apt-get -y install valgrind
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ubuntu_release.yml b/.github/workflows/ubuntu_release.yml
index 99b24c52..db05da58 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ubuntu_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ubuntu_release.yml
@@ -256,6 +256,8 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
+    - name: run apt-get update
+      run: sudo apt-get -y update
 
     - name: install test tool - valgrind
       run: sudo apt-get -y install valgrind
@@ -306,7 +308,9 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
-
+    - name: run apt-get update
+      run: sudo apt-get -y update
+      
     - name: install test tool - valgrind
       run: sudo apt-get -y install valgrind
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/windows_vcpkg_release.yml b/.github/workflows/windows_vcpkg_release.yml
index 1231023c..c10c6d42 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/windows_vcpkg_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/windows_vcpkg_release.yml
@@ -52,43 +52,6 @@ jobs:
       run: cmake --build ${{github.workspace}}/build --target install --config ${{env.BUILD_TYPE}} 
       working-directory: ${{github.workspace}}
 
-  test:
-    # The CMake configure and build commands are platform agnostic and should work equally well on Windows or Mac.
-    # You can convert this to a matrix build if you need cross-platform coverage.
-    # See: https://docs.github.com/en/free-pro-team@latest/actions/learn-github-actions/managing-complex-workflows#using-a-build-matrix
-    runs-on: windows-latest
-
-    steps:
-    
-    - name: install dependencies - imath
-      run:  vcpkg install imath:x64-windows
-
-    - name: install dependencies - openexr
-      run:  vcpkg install openexr:x64-windows
-
-    - name: install dependencies - tiff
-      run:  vcpkg install tiff:x64-windows
-
-    - name: check vcpkg install status
-      run: vcpkg list
-
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v3
-
-    - name: Configure CMake
-    #  # Configure CMake in a 'build' subdirectory. `CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE` is only required if you are using a single-configuration generator such as make.
-    #  # See https://cmake.org/cmake/help/latest/variable/CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE.html?highlight=cmake_build_type
-      run: cmake -B ${{github.workspace}}/build -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${{env.BUILD_TYPE}} -D "CMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=C:/vcpkg/scripts/buildsystems/vcpkg.cmake" 
-
-    - name: Build
-      # Build your program with the given configuration
-      run: cmake --build ${{github.workspace}}/build --config ${{env.BUILD_TYPE}}
-
-    - name: Install
-      # Build your program with the given configuration
-      run: cmake --build ${{github.workspace}}/build --target install --config ${{env.BUILD_TYPE}} 
-      working-directory: ${{github.workspace}}
-
-    - name: Test
-      working-directory: ${{github.workspace}}/build
-      run: ctest -V --output-on-failure -C ${{env.BUILD_TYPE}}
-
+    # - name: Test
+    #   working-directory: ${{github.workspace}}/build
+    #   run: ctest -V --output-on-failure -C ${{env.BUILD_TYPE}}
diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index bc01d26b..bd9f720b 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ RUN apt-get -y install libtiff-dev
 WORKDIR /usr/src/CTL
 COPY . .
 WORKDIR /usr/src/CTL/build
+RUN rm -R * || true
 RUN cmake ..
 RUN make
 RUN make install
diff --git a/Dockerfile_openexr3 b/Dockerfile_openexr3
index 2fd496ac..73b9df7d 100644
--- a/Dockerfile_openexr3
+++ b/Dockerfile_openexr3
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ RUN apt-get -y install libtiff-dev
 WORKDIR /usr/src/CTL
 COPY . .
 WORKDIR /usr/src/CTL/build
+RUN rm -R * || true
 RUN cmake ..
 RUN make
 RUN make install
diff --git a/ctlrender/tiff_file.cc b/ctlrender/tiff_file.cc
index 49418564..506b0871 100644
--- a/ctlrender/tiff_file.cc
+++ b/ctlrender/tiff_file.cc
@@ -486,7 +486,7 @@ void tiff_read_failsafe(TIFF *t, float scale, ctl::dpx::fb<float> *pixels) {
 	pixels->init(w, h, 4);
 
 	temp_buffer=(uint8_t *)alloca(w*h*4);
-	TIFFReadRGBAImage(t, w, h, (uint32 *)temp_buffer, 0);
+	TIFFReadRGBAImage(t, w, h, (uint32_t *)temp_buffer, 0);
 
 	for(i=0; i<h; i++) {
 		flip=temp_buffer+sizeof(uint32_t)*w*(h-i-1);
diff --git a/ctlrender/transform.cc b/ctlrender/transform.cc
index a78da758..dd14b007 100644
--- a/ctlrender/transform.cc
+++ b/ctlrender/transform.cc
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ void run_ctl_transform(const ctl_operation_t &ctl_operation, CTLResults *ctl_res
             }
         } catch (...) {
 			char message_text[512] = {'\0'};
-			sprintf( message_text, "CTL file must contain either a main or <module_name> (%s) function", module);
+			snprintf( message_text, 512, "CTL file must contain either a main or <module_name> (%s) function", module);
             THROW(Iex::ArgExc, message_text);
         }		
 
diff --git a/docker/Dockerfile_ubuntu_22.04_LTO b/docker/Dockerfile_ubuntu_22.04_LTO
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9272d984
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docker/Dockerfile_ubuntu_22.04_LTO
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+FROM ubuntu:22.04
+
+RUN apt-get update
+
+# disable interactive install 
+ENV DEBIAN_FRONTEND noninteractive
+
+# install developement tools
+RUN apt-get -y install cmake
+RUN apt-get -y install g++
+
+# install CTL dependencies
+RUN apt-get -y install libopenexr-dev
+RUN apt-get -y install libtiff-dev
+
+# build CTL
+WORKDIR /usr/src/CTL
+COPY . .
+WORKDIR /usr/src/CTL/build
+RUN rm -R * || true
+RUN cmake .. -DCMAKE_INTERPROCEDURAL_OPTIMIZATION=TRUE -DCMAKE_VERBOSE_MAKEFILE=on -DCMAKE_CXX_FLAGS="-Werror=odr -Werror=lto-type-mismatch -Werror=strict-aliasing"
+RUN make 
+RUN make install
+
+# finalize docker environment
+WORKDIR /usr/src/CTL
+
diff --git a/lib/IlmCtl/CtlType.cpp b/lib/IlmCtl/CtlType.cpp
index 3a66557d..ff8d37f1 100644
--- a/lib/IlmCtl/CtlType.cpp
+++ b/lib/IlmCtl/CtlType.cpp
@@ -204,7 +204,12 @@ VoidType::VoidType (): DataType ()
 bool
 VoidType::isSameTypeAs (const TypePtr &t) const
 {
-    return t && typeid (*this) == typeid (*t);
+	auto& t1 = *this;
+	const type_info& ti1 = typeid(t1);
+	auto& t2 = *t;
+	const type_info& ti2 = typeid(t2);
+	return t && ti1 == ti2;
+    //return t && typeid (*this) == typeid (*t);
 }
 
 
@@ -282,7 +287,12 @@ BoolType::BoolType () : DataType ()
 bool
 BoolType::isSameTypeAs (const TypePtr &t) const
 {
-    return t && typeid (*this) == typeid (*t);
+    auto& t1 = *this;
+	const type_info& ti1 = typeid(t1);
+	auto& t2 = *t;
+	const type_info& ti2 = typeid(t2);
+	return t && ti1 == ti2;
+	//return t && typeid (*this) == typeid (*t);
 }
 
 
@@ -463,7 +473,12 @@ IntType::IntType () : DataType ()
 bool
 IntType::isSameTypeAs (const TypePtr &t) const
 {
-    return t && typeid (*this) == typeid (*t);
+    auto& t1 = *this;
+	const type_info& ti1 = typeid(t1);
+	auto& t2 = *t;
+	const type_info& ti2 = typeid(t2);
+	return t && ti1 == ti2;
+	//return t && typeid (*this) == typeid (*t);
 }
 
 
@@ -678,7 +693,12 @@ UIntType::UIntType () : DataType ()
 bool
 UIntType::isSameTypeAs (const TypePtr &t) const
 {
-    return t && typeid (*this) == typeid (*t);
+    auto& t1 = *this;
+	const type_info& ti1 = typeid(t1);
+	auto& t2 = *t;
+	const type_info& ti2 = typeid(t2);
+	return t && ti1 == ti2;
+	//return t && typeid (*this) == typeid (*t);
 }
 
 
@@ -892,7 +912,12 @@ HalfType::HalfType (): DataType ()
 bool
 HalfType::isSameTypeAs (const TypePtr &t) const
 {
-    return t && typeid (*this) == typeid (*t);
+    auto& t1 = *this;
+	const type_info& ti1 = typeid(t1);
+	auto& t2 = *t;
+	const type_info& ti2 = typeid(t2);
+	return t && ti1 == ti2;
+	//return t && typeid (*this) == typeid (*t);
 }
 
 
@@ -1076,7 +1101,12 @@ FloatType::FloatType (): DataType ()
 bool
 FloatType::isSameTypeAs (const TypePtr &t) const
 {
-    return t && typeid (*this) == typeid (*t);
+    auto& t1 = *this;
+	const type_info& ti1 = typeid(t1);
+	auto& t2 = *t;
+	const type_info& ti2 = typeid(t2);
+	return t && ti1 == ti2;
+	//return t && typeid (*this) == typeid (*t);
 }
 
 
@@ -1261,7 +1291,12 @@ StringType::StringType (): DataType ()
 bool
 StringType::isSameTypeAs (const TypePtr &t) const
 {
-    return t && typeid (*this) == typeid (*t);
+    auto& t1 = *this;
+	const type_info& ti1 = typeid(t1);
+	auto& t2 = *t;
+	const type_info& ti2 = typeid(t2);
+	return t && ti1 == ti2;
+	//return t && typeid (*this) == typeid (*t);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/lib/IlmCtlSimd/CtlSimdInterpreter.cpp b/lib/IlmCtlSimd/CtlSimdInterpreter.cpp
index cdcf6a84..43a02dac 100644
--- a/lib/IlmCtlSimd/CtlSimdInterpreter.cpp
+++ b/lib/IlmCtlSimd/CtlSimdInterpreter.cpp
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ SimdInterpreter::SimdInterpreter():
     Interpreter(),
     _data (new Data)
 {
-    _data->maxInstCount = 10000000;
+    _data->maxInstCount = 100000000;
     _data->abortCount = 0;
 
     //
diff --git a/lib/IlmCtlSimd/CtlSimdXContext.cpp b/lib/IlmCtlSimd/CtlSimdXContext.cpp
index 6797cc9a..1b9fa181 100644
--- a/lib/IlmCtlSimd/CtlSimdXContext.cpp
+++ b/lib/IlmCtlSimd/CtlSimdXContext.cpp
@@ -240,7 +240,11 @@ SimdXContext::countInstruction ()
     if ((++_instCount & 0x01fff) == 0)
     {
 	if (_maxInstCount && _instCount > _maxInstCount)
-	    throw Ctl::MaxInstExc ("Maximum CTL instruction count exceeded.");
+      THROW(Ctl::MaxInstExc, "\nException Ctl::MaxInstExc thrown\n" <<
+        "Maximum CTL instruction count _maxInstCount=" << _maxInstCount <<
+        " exceeded, _instCount=" << _instCount << "\n" <<
+        "Try increasing SimdInterpreter::Data->maxInstCount\n");
+//	    throw Ctl::MaxInstExc ("Maximum CTL instruction count exceeded.");
 
 	if (_abortCount != _interpreter.abortCount())
 	    throw Ctl::AbortExc ("CTL program aborted.");
diff --git a/lib/IlmCtlSimd/halfExpLog.h b/lib/IlmCtlSimd/halfExpLog.h
index 09dcfa2c..827ead9c 100644
--- a/lib/IlmCtlSimd/halfExpLog.h
+++ b/lib/IlmCtlSimd/halfExpLog.h
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 // Do not edit.
 //
 
+#include <string.h>
 
 extern const unsigned int log10Table[];
 extern const unsigned int logTable[];
@@ -12,14 +13,22 @@ extern const unsigned short expTable[];
 inline float
 log10_h (half x)
 {
-    return *(float *)(&log10Table[x.bits()]);
+    int i = log10Table[x.bits()];
+    float f;
+    memcpy(&f, &i, sizeof(i));
+    return f;
+    //return *(float *)(&log10Table[x.bits()]);
 }
 
 
 inline float
 log_h (half x)
 {
-    return *(float *)(&logTable[x.bits()]);
+    int i = logTable[x.bits()];
+    float f;
+    memcpy(&f, &i, sizeof(i));
+    return f;
+    //return *(float *)(&logTable[x.bits()]);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/lib/IlmImfCtl/CMakeLists.txt b/lib/IlmImfCtl/CMakeLists.txt
index 80f7a1a0..5f75bb19 100644
--- a/lib/IlmImfCtl/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/lib/IlmImfCtl/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -35,6 +35,12 @@ target_link_libraries (IlmImfCtl
           $<$<TARGET_EXISTS:IlmBase::Iex>:IlmBase::Iex>
     )
 
+set_target_properties(IlmImfCtl
+       PROPERTIES
+               VERSION ${CTL_VERSION}
+               SOVERSION ${CTL_VERSION}
+)
+
 install(FILES
 	ImfCtlApplyTransforms.h
 DESTINATION
diff --git a/lib/dpx/CMakeLists.txt b/lib/dpx/CMakeLists.txt
index 1c0b85e2..e9aa5bb5 100644
--- a/lib/dpx/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/lib/dpx/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -33,4 +33,10 @@ target_link_libraries(ctldpx
 #          $<$<TARGET_EXISTS:IlmBase::Half>:IlmBase::Half>
 #          $<$<TARGET_EXISTS:IlmBase::IlmThread>:IlmBase::IlmThread>
 #          $<$<TARGET_EXISTS:IlmBase::Iex>:IlmBase::Iex>
-#    )
\ No newline at end of file
+#    )
+
+set_target_properties(ctldpx
+	PROPERTIES
+		VERSION ${CTL_VERSION}
+		SOVERSION ${CTL_VERSION}
+)
diff --git a/lib/dpx/dpx.cc b/lib/dpx/dpx.cc
index 67cbc430..bcf557ea 100644
--- a/lib/dpx/dpx.cc
+++ b/lib/dpx/dpx.cc
@@ -387,10 +387,11 @@ void dpx::write(std::ostream *os)
 		cpu_is_little_endian=TRUE;
 	}
 
-	_need_byteswap=FALSE;
-	if(cpu_is_little_endian!=little_endian) {
-		_need_byteswap=TRUE;
-	}
+	//_need_byteswap=FALSE;
+	//if(cpu_is_little_endian!=little_endian) {
+	//	_need_byteswap=TRUE;
+	//}
+	_need_byteswap=TRUE;
 
 	// struct tm source_creation_time_tm;
 	// time_t source_creation_time_time;
diff --git a/lib/dpx/dpx_raw.cc b/lib/dpx/dpx_raw.cc
index 4f55a61a..353e674e 100644
--- a/lib/dpx/dpx_raw.cc
+++ b/lib/dpx/dpx_raw.cc
@@ -206,7 +206,10 @@ bool dpx::isnull(uint8_t v) {
 }
 
 bool dpx::isnull(float32_t v) {
-	return *((uint32_t *)&v)==(uint32_t)-1;
+	uint32_t  u;
+    memcpy(&u, &v, sizeof(v));
+	return (u == (uint32_t)-1) ? true : false;
+	//return *((uint32_t *)&v)==(uint32_t)-1;
 }
 
 }
diff --git a/lib/dpx/dpx_rw.cc b/lib/dpx/dpx_rw.cc
index 2c197806..7d9e9b5a 100644
--- a/lib/dpx/dpx_rw.cc
+++ b/lib/dpx/dpx_rw.cc
@@ -261,7 +261,8 @@ void rwinfo::write_init(std::ostream *o, dpx *h) {
 	if(h->current_compliance!=h->compliance) {
 		// XXX changed validation level... This will probably end in tears...
 	}
-	if(h->current_endian_mode!=h->current_endian_mode) {
+	//if(h->current_endian_mode!=h->current_endian_mode) {
+	if(h->current_endian_mode!=h->endian_mode) {
 		// XXX byteswap changed. this will probably end in tears...
 	}
 }
diff --git a/resources/test/ctl/throw_maxInstCount_exception.ctl b/resources/test/ctl/throw_maxInstCount_exception.ctl
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ca05a4fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/resources/test/ctl/throw_maxInstCount_exception.ctl
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+const unsigned int loop_limit = UINT_MAX;
+
+void main
+    (input varying float rIn,
+     input varying float gIn,
+     input varying float bIn,
+     output varying float rOut,
+     output varying float gOut,
+     output varying float bOut
+     )
+{
+    unsigned int x = 0;
+    for( unsigned int i = 0; i < loop_limit; i = i + 1)
+    {
+        x = i;
+    }
+    
+    rOut = x;
+	gOut = x;
+	bOut = x;
+}
diff --git a/resources/test/exr/colorbars_nuke_rgb_exr16.exr b/resources/test/exr/colorbars_nuke_rgb_exr16.exr
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b83b99f5
Binary files /dev/null and b/resources/test/exr/colorbars_nuke_rgb_exr16.exr differ
diff --git a/unittest/ctlrender/CMakeLists.txt b/unittest/ctlrender/CMakeLists.txt
index 1c05f708..67f24b25 100644
--- a/unittest/ctlrender/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/unittest/ctlrender/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -126,3 +126,8 @@ if(OpenEXR_FOUND)
     add_test(NAME "ctlrender-invalid-output-filename-exr" COMMAND ctlrender -force -format exr -ctl "${TEST_FILES}/unity.ctl" "${TEST_FILES}/colorbars_nuke_rgb_exr16.exr" "${CTLRENDER_OUTPUT_FOLDER}/missing_folder/invalid_filename_out.exr")
     set_tests_properties("ctlrender-invalid-output-filename-exr" PROPERTIES WILL_FAIL TRUE)
 endif()
+
+# test for maxInstCount exception
+add_test(NAME "ctlrender-maxInstCount-exception" COMMAND ctlrender -force -ctl "${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/resources/test/ctl/throw_maxInstCount_exception.ctl" "${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/resources/test/exr/colorbars_nuke_rgb_exr16.exr" "${CTLRENDER_OUTPUT_FOLDER}/maxInstCount_exception.exr")
+set_tests_properties("ctlrender-maxInstCount-exception" PROPERTIES WILL_FAIL TRUE)
+