+/* text object list helpers */
+int append_object(struct text_object *root, struct text_object *obj);
+
+/* ifblock helpers
+ *
+ * Opaque is a pointer to the address of the ifblock stack's top object.
+ * Calling clients should pass the address of a defined void pointer which
+ * was initialised to NULL (empty stack).
+ * */
+int obj_be_ifblock_if(void **opaque, struct text_object *);
+int obj_be_ifblock_else(void **opaque, struct text_object *);
+int obj_be_ifblock_endif(void **opaque, struct text_object *);
+int ifblock_stack_empty(void **opaque);
+