The basis for this version is a conversion of the data_defs to a more machine friendly format. This conversion also fills in all defaults and includes a one-time validation.
Because off this, as during parsing only the data needs to be validated, and because of it following more the machine logic, it is much faster. Where with version 1.3.3, I see a speed increase of 30%, I now see another 50+%, coming to a total speed increase of some 65%! (68 min -> 48 min -> 23.5 min. )
Through the complete code review several inconsistencies were identified and corrected.
It should be compatible with older implementations of this module, but without some adaption in most cases the maximum speed increase will not be achieved.