Patch to remove the \newwrite allocations made by the TikZ external library

tikz_external_pgf210.patch

This patch is for PGF-2.10

diff --git a/tex/generic/pgf/basiclayer/pgfcoreexternal.code.tex b/tex/generic/pgf/basiclayer/pgfcoreexternal.code.tex
index d8eaca5..b860e51 100644
--- a/tex/generic/pgf/basiclayer/pgfcoreexternal.code.tex
+++ b/tex/generic/pgf/basiclayer/pgfcoreexternal.code.tex
@@ -391,16 +391,16 @@
 }%
 
 \def\pgf@externalend@storeshifts#1{%
-  \immediate\write#1{\the\dp\pgfpic}% store the depth simply as number for backw. compat.
+  \immediate\writew@pgf@writea{\the\dp\pgfpic}% store the depth simply as number for backw. compat.
   \ifx\pgf@trimleft@final\pgfutil@empty\else
-    \immediate\write#1{\noexpand\pgfexternal@restore{\noexpand\def\noexpand\pgfexternaltrimleft{\pgf@trimleft@final}}}%
+    \immediate\writew@pgf@writea{\noexpand\pgfexternal@restore{\noexpand\def\noexpand\pgfexternaltrimleft{\pgf@trimleft@final}}}%
   \fi
   \ifx\pgf@trimright@final\pgfutil@empty\else
-    \immediate\write#1{\noexpand\pgfexternal@restore{\noexpand\def\noexpand\pgfexternaltrimright{\pgf@trimright@final}}}%
+    \immediate\writew@pgf@writea{\noexpand\pgfexternal@restore{\noexpand\def\noexpand\pgfexternaltrimright{\pgf@trimright@final}}}%
   \fi
   \ifpgfexternal@info
-    \immediate\write#1{\noexpand\pgfexternal@restore{\noexpand\def\noexpand\pgfexternalwidth{\the\wd\pgfpic}}}%
-    \immediate\write#1{\noexpand\pgfexternal@restore{\noexpand\def\noexpand\pgfexternalheight{\the\dimen0}}}%
+    \immediate\writew@pgf@writea{\noexpand\pgfexternal@restore{\noexpand\def\noexpand\pgfexternalwidth{\the\wd\pgfpic}}}%
+    \immediate\writew@pgf@writea{\noexpand\pgfexternal@restore{\noexpand\def\noexpand\pgfexternalheight{\the\dimen0}}}%
   \fi
 }
 % REMARK:
@@ -451,9 +451,9 @@
         \pgf@externalend@storeshifts\@auxout
         \immediate\closeout\@auxout
       \else
-        \immediate\openout\pgf@plotwrite=\pgf@filename.dpth
-        \pgf@externalend@storeshifts\pgf@plotwrite
-        \immediate\closeout\pgf@plotwrite
+        \immediate\openw@pgf@writea{\pgf@filename.dpth}
+        \pgf@externalend@storeshifts{}
+        \immediate\closew@pgf@writea
       \fi
     \fi
     \pgfsys@papersize{\the\wd\pgfpic}{\the\dimen0}%


diff --git a/tex/generic/pgf/frontendlayer/tikz/libraries/tikzexternalshared.code.tex b/tex/generic/pgf/frontendlayer/tikz/libraries/tikzexternalshared.code.tex
index 8c22215..41f75d3 100644
--- a/tex/generic/pgf/frontendlayer/tikz/libraries/tikzexternalshared.code.tex
+++ b/tex/generic/pgf/frontendlayer/tikz/libraries/tikzexternalshared.code.tex
@@ -26,7 +26,52 @@
 \toksdef\t@tikzexternal@tmpa=0
 \toksdef\t@tikzexternal@tmpb=1
 
-\newwrite\tikzexternal@outfile
+\newcommand\opentikzexternal@outfile[1]{\directlua{
+  if not tikz_outfile == nil then
+    tikz_outfile:close()
+  end
+
+  tikz_outfile = io.open("#1", "w")
+}}
+\newcommand\closetikzexternal@outfile{\directlua{
+  if not tikz_outfile == nil then
+    tikz_outfile:close()
+  end
+}}
+\newcommand\writetikzexternal@outfile[1]{\directlua{tikz_outfile:write("#1\string\n")}}
+
+
+\newcommand\opentikzexternal@dep@file[1]{\directlua{
+  if not tikz_depfile == nil then
+    tikz_depfile:close()
+  end
+
+  tikz_depfile = io.open("#1", "w")
+}}
+\newcommand\closetikzexternal@dep@file{\directlua{
+  if not tikz_depfile == nil then
+    tikz_depfile:close()
+  end
+}}
+\newcommand\writetikzexternal@dep@file[1]{\directlua{tikz_depfile:write("#1\string\n")}}
+
+
+\newcommand\opentikzexternal@outmakefile[1]{\directlua{
+  if not tikz_outmakefile == nil then
+    tikz_outmakefile:close()
+  end
+
+  tikz_outmakefile = io.open("#1", "w")
+}}
+\newcommand\closetikzexternal@outmakefile{\directlua{
+  if not tikz_outmakefile == nil then
+    tikz_outmakefile:close()
+  end
+}}
+\newcommand\writetikzexternal@outmakefile[1]{\directlua{tikz_outmakefile:write("#1\string\n")}}
+
+
+%\newwrite\tikzexternal@outfile
 \newif\iftikzexternal@nestedflag
 \newif\iftikzexternal@verboseio
 \newif\iftikzexternal@genfigurelist
@@ -135,7 +180,7 @@
 		\pgfkeysalso{/tikz/external/figure list=true,/pgf/images/aux in dpth=true}%
 	},
 	mode=convert with system call,
-	system call/.initial={pdflatex \tikzexternalcheckshellescape -halt-on-error -interaction=batchmode -jobname "\image" "\texsource"},
+	system call/.initial={lualatex \tikzexternalcheckshellescape -halt-on-error -interaction=batchmode -jobname "\image" "\texsource"},
 %	system call/.initial={pdflatex -interaction=batchmode -jobname '\image' '\texsource'; pdftops -eps \image.pdf},
 	force remake/.is if=tikzexternal@force@remake,
 	force remake/.default=true,
@@ -413,9 +458,9 @@
 	\closein\r@pgf@reada
 }%
 \def\tikzexternalauxlock@setlock#1{%
-	\immediate\openout\w@pgf@writea=\tikzexternal@realjob.auxlock
-	\immediate\write\w@pgf@writea{\noexpand\def\noexpand\tikzexternallocked{#1}}%
-	\immediate\closeout\w@pgf@writea
+	\immediate\openw@pgf@writea{\tikzexternal@realjob.auxlock}
+	\immediate\writew@pgf@writea{\noexpand\def\noexpand\tikzexternallocked{#1}}%
+	\immediate\closew@pgf@writea
 }
 
 
@@ -792,7 +837,7 @@
 			\else
 				\pgfutil@ifundefined{tikzexternal@listmode@openedfile}{%
 					\message{Opening '\tikzexternal@realjob.figlist' for writing.}%
-					\immediate\openout\tikzexternal@outfile=\tikzexternal@realjob.figlist\relax
+					\immediate\opentikzexternal@outfile{\tikzexternal@realjob.figlist}\relax
 					\gdef\tikzexternal@listmode@openedfile{1}%
 					\if\tikzexternal@opmode5% mode='list and make'
 						\tikzexternal@list@and@make@prepare
@@ -801,7 +846,7 @@
 				\iftikzexternal@verboseio
 					\immediate\write16{Writing '#1' to '\tikzexternal@realjob.figlist'.}%
 				\fi
-				\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outfile{#1}%
+				\immediate\writetikzexternal@outfile{#1}%
 				\if\tikzexternal@opmode5% mode='list and make'
 					\tikzexternal@list@and@make@gentarget{#1}%
 				\fi
@@ -817,9 +862,9 @@
 	\fi
 	\global\tikzexternal@file@isuptodatetrue% only check for force remake:
 	\tikzexternal@checkforceremake%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{#1\tikzexternalimgextension: \iftikzexternal@file@isuptodate\else FORCEREMAKE\fi}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar\pgf@tempa}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{#1\tikzexternalimgextension: \iftikzexternal@file@isuptodate\else FORCEREMAKE\fi}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{\luaescapestring{\tikzexternal@TABchar\pgf@tempa}}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
 }
 
 \def\tikzexternal@list@and@make@prepare{%
@@ -830,23 +875,23 @@
 		% this makes \tikzexternal@outmakefile global:
 		\globaldefs=1
 		% this gets round '\outer\newwrite' in plain TeX:
-		\csname newwrite\endcsname\tikzexternal@outmakefile
+		% \csname newwrite\endcsname\tikzexternal@outmakefile
 	\endgroup
-	\immediate\openout\tikzexternal@outmakefile=\tikzexternal@realjob.makefile\relax
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{ALL_FIGURE_NAMES=\tikzexternal@DOLLARchar(shell cat \tikzexternal@realjob.figlist)}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{ALL_FIGURES=\tikzexternal@DOLLARchar(ALL_FIGURE_NAMES:\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar=\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar\tikzexternalimgextension)}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{allimages: \tikzexternal@DOLLARchar(ALL_FIGURES)}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar @echo All images exist now. Use make -B to re-generate them.}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{FORCEREMAKE:}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
+	\immediate\opentikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@realjob.makefile}\relax
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{ALL_FIGURE_NAMES=\tikzexternal@DOLLARchar(shell cat \tikzexternal@realjob.figlist)}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{ALL_FIGURES=\tikzexternal@DOLLARchar(ALL_FIGURE_NAMES:\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar=\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar\tikzexternalimgextension)}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{allimages: \tikzexternal@DOLLARchar(ALL_FIGURES)}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar @echo All images exist now. Use make -B to re-generate them.}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{FORCEREMAKE:}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
 	%
 	% support for .dep files and auto-dependencies:
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{include $(ALL_FIGURE_NAMES:\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar=\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar.\tikzexternaldepext)}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{include $(ALL_FIGURE_NAMES:\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar=\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar.\tikzexternaldepext)}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
 	\tikzexternalmakefiledefaultdeprule
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
 	\tikzexternal@outmakefile@pendingcommands
 	\pgfutil@ifundefined{AtEndDocument}{}{%
 		\AtEndDocument{\immediate\write16{===== mode=`list and make': Use 'make -f \tikzexternal@realjob.makefile' to generate all images. Then, re-run (pdf)latex \tikzexternal@realjob. =====}}%
@@ -855,8 +900,8 @@
 \def\tikzexternaldepext{dep}
 
 \def\tikzexternalmakefiledefaultdeprule{%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar.\tikzexternaldepext:}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar touch $@ \tikzexternal@HASHchar\space will be filled later.}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar.\tikzexternaldepext:}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar touch $@ \tikzexternal@HASHchar\space will be filled later.}%
 }%
 
 % Invokes '#1' if a makefile is to be written and '#2' if not.
@@ -868,13 +913,9 @@
 % Will write something to the make file. If the makefile is not yet
 % opened, #1 will be written as soon as it *is* opened.
 \def\tikzexternalwritetomakefile#1{%
-	\pgfutil@ifundefined{tikzexternal@outmakefile}{%
 		\expandafter\gdef\expandafter\tikzexternal@outmakefile@pendingcommands\expandafter{%
 			\tikzexternal@outmakefile@pendingcommands
 			\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{#1}%
-		}%
-	}{%
-		\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{#1}%
 	}%
 }%
 
@@ -900,24 +941,10 @@
 		\ifx\tikzexternal@dep@file@name\tikzpicturedependsonfile@name
 			% file is open and ready.
 		\else
-			% create new output file.
-			\pgfutil@ifundefined{tikzexternal@dep@file}{%
-				\begingroup
-					% this makes \tikzexternal@dep@file global:
-					\globaldefs=1
-					% this gets round '\outer\newwrite' in plain TeX:
-					\csname newwrite\endcsname\tikzexternal@dep@file
-				\endgroup
-			}{}%
-			\ifx\tikzexternal@dep@file@name\pgfutil@empty
-			\else
-				% it is already open. Close it.
-				\immediate\closeout\tikzexternal@dep@file
-			\fi
 			\global\let\tikzexternal@dep@file@name=\tikzpicturedependsonfile@name
-			\immediate\openout\tikzexternal@dep@file=\tikzexternal@dep@file@name\relax
+			\immediate\opentikzexternal@dep@file{\tikzexternal@dep@file@name}\relax
 		\fi
-		\immediate\write\tikzexternal@dep@file{#1\tikzexternalimgextension: #2}%
+		\immediate\writetikzexternal@dep@file{#1\tikzexternalimgextension: #2}%
 	\fi
 	\endgroup
 }%


diff --git a/tex/generic/pgf/libraries/pgflibraryprofiler.code.tex b/tex/generic/pgf/libraries/pgflibraryprofiler.code.tex
index 1043825..cd99879 100644
--- a/tex/generic/pgf/libraries/pgflibraryprofiler.code.tex
+++ b/tex/generic/pgf/libraries/pgflibraryprofiler.code.tex
@@ -349,12 +349,12 @@
 	\multiply\c@pgf@countd by60
 	\c@pgf@countc=\time
 	\advance\c@pgf@countc by-\c@pgf@countd
-	\immediate\openout\w@pgf@writea=\jobname.profiler.\the\year-\pgfprofiletotwodigitstr\month-\pgfprofiletotwodigitstr\day_\pgfprofiletotwodigitstr\c@pgf@countb h_\pgfprofiletotwodigitstr\c@pgf@countc m.dat
-	\immediate\write\w@pgf@writea{%
+	\immediate\openw@pgf@writea{\jobname.profiler.\the\year-\pgfprofiletotwodigitstr\month-\pgfprofiletotwodigitstr\day_\pgfprofiletotwodigitstr\c@pgf@countb h_\pgfprofiletotwodigitstr\c@pgf@countc m.dat}
+	\immediate\writew@pgf@writea{%
 		\pgfprofile@percent relative values are measured against the totaltime of `\pgfprofile@rel'.%
 	}%
 	\immediate\write16{pgflibraryprofiler: relative values are measured against the totaltime of `\pgfprofile@rel'.}%
-	\immediate\write\w@pgf@writea{%
+	\immediate\writew@pgf@writea{%
 		profilerentry\pgfprofile@TAB 
 		totaltime[s]\pgfprofile@TAB 
 		totaltime[percent]\pgfprofile@TAB
@@ -379,10 +379,10 @@
 		}{}%
 		\pgfprofilepostprocess@single{##1}%
 	}%
-	\immediate\write\w@pgf@writea{%
+	\immediate\writew@pgf@writea{%
 		\pgfprofile@percent\space vim: ts=40 nowrap nostartofline
 	}%
-	\immediate\closeout\w@pgf@writea
+	\immediate\closew@pgf@writea
 	\endgroup
 }%
 
@@ -419,7 +419,7 @@
 			invocations=\csname c@pgfprofile@numinvocations@#1\endcsname;
 		\pgfprofile@rbrace
 	}%
-	\immediate\write\w@pgf@writea{%
+	\immediate\writew@pgf@writea{%
 		#1\pgfprofile@TAB 
 		\pgfprofilecur@total\pgfprofile@TAB 
 		\pgfprofilecur@total@rel\pgfprofile@TAB


diff --git a/tex/generic/pgf/modules/pgfmoduleplot.code.tex b/tex/generic/pgf/modules/pgfmoduleplot.code.tex
index ea55ca8..09c99c2 100644
--- a/tex/generic/pgf/modules/pgfmoduleplot.code.tex
+++ b/tex/generic/pgf/modules/pgfmoduleplot.code.tex
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@
   \xdef\pgf@gnuplot@head{set table \noexpand\pgf@plottablefile@quoted; set format "%.5f"}
 }
 
-\let\pgf@plotwrite=\w@pgf@writea
+% \let\pgf@plotwrite=\w@pgf@writea
 \newif\ifpgf@resample@plot
 
 \def\pgfplotgnuplot{\pgfutil@ifnextchar[{\pgf@plotgnuplot}{\pgf@plotgnuplot[\jobname]}}%}
diff --git a/tex/generic/pgf/systemlayer/pgfsys.code.tex b/tex/generic/pgf/systemlayer/pgfsys.code.tex
index 3cd39c4..ee8a73e 100644
--- a/tex/generic/pgf/systemlayer/pgfsys.code.tex
+++ b/tex/generic/pgf/systemlayer/pgfsys.code.tex
@@ -56,7 +56,24 @@
 \newdimen\pgf@xc
 \newdimen\pgf@yc
 
-\newwrite\w@pgf@writea
+
+\newcommand\openw@pgf@writea[1]{\directlua{
+  if not w_pgf_writea == nil then
+    w_pgf_writea:close()
+  end
+
+  w_pgf_writea = io.open("\luaescapestring{#1}", "w")
+}}
+
+\newcommand\closew@pgf@writea{\directlua{
+  if not w_pgf_writea == nil then
+    w_pgf_writea:close()
+  end
+}}
+
+\newcommand\writew@pgf@writea[1]{\directlua{w_pgf_writea:write("\luaescapestring{#1}\string\n")}}
+%\newwrite\w@pgf@writea
+
 \newread\r@pgf@reada
 \let\pgfutil@inputcheck=\r@pgf@reada
 

tikz_external_pgfTLC.patch

This patch is for the version of PGF in TLcontrib. It may or may  not work.

diff --git a/tex/generic/pgf/basiclayer/pgfcoreexternal.code.tex b/tex/generic/pgf/basiclayer/pgfcoreexternal.code.tex
index d8eaca5..b860e51 100644
--- a/tex/generic/pgf/basiclayer/pgfcoreexternal.code.tex
+++ b/tex/generic/pgf/basiclayer/pgfcoreexternal.code.tex
@@ -391,16 +391,16 @@
 }%
 
 \def\pgf@externalend@storeshifts#1{%
-  \immediate\write#1{\the\dp\pgfpic}% store the depth simply as number for backw. compat.
+  \immediate\writew@pgf@writea{\the\dp\pgfpic}% store the depth simply as number for backw. compat.
   \ifx\pgf@trimleft@final\pgfutil@empty\else
-    \immediate\write#1{\noexpand\pgfexternal@restore{\noexpand\def\noexpand\pgfexternaltrimleft{\pgf@trimleft@final}}}%
+    \immediate\writew@pgf@writea{\noexpand\pgfexternal@restore{\noexpand\def\noexpand\pgfexternaltrimleft{\pgf@trimleft@final}}}%
   \fi
   \ifx\pgf@trimright@final\pgfutil@empty\else
-    \immediate\write#1{\noexpand\pgfexternal@restore{\noexpand\def\noexpand\pgfexternaltrimright{\pgf@trimright@final}}}%
+    \immediate\writew@pgf@writea{\noexpand\pgfexternal@restore{\noexpand\def\noexpand\pgfexternaltrimright{\pgf@trimright@final}}}%
   \fi
   \ifpgfexternal@info
-    \immediate\write#1{\noexpand\pgfexternal@restore{\noexpand\def\noexpand\pgfexternalwidth{\the\wd\pgfpic}}}%
-    \immediate\write#1{\noexpand\pgfexternal@restore{\noexpand\def\noexpand\pgfexternalheight{\the\dimen0}}}%
+    \immediate\writew@pgf@writea{\noexpand\pgfexternal@restore{\noexpand\def\noexpand\pgfexternalwidth{\the\wd\pgfpic}}}%
+    \immediate\writew@pgf@writea{\noexpand\pgfexternal@restore{\noexpand\def\noexpand\pgfexternalheight{\the\dimen0}}}%
   \fi
 }
 % REMARK:
@@ -451,9 +451,9 @@
         \pgf@externalend@storeshifts\@auxout
         \immediate\closeout\@auxout
       \else
-        \immediate\openout\pgf@plotwrite=\pgf@filename.dpth
-        \pgf@externalend@storeshifts\pgf@plotwrite
-        \immediate\closeout\pgf@plotwrite
+        \immediate\openw@pgf@writea{\pgf@filename.dpth}
+        \pgf@externalend@storeshifts{}
+        \immediate\closew@pgf@writea
       \fi
     \fi
     \pgfsys@papersize{\the\wd\pgfpic}{\the\dimen0}%
diff --git a/tex/generic/pgf/frontendlayer/tikz/libraries/tikzexternalshared.code.tex b/tex/generic/pgf/frontendlayer/tikz/libraries/tikzexternalshared.code.tex
index 791382b..722b7cf 100644
--- a/tex/generic/pgf/frontendlayer/tikz/libraries/tikzexternalshared.code.tex
+++ b/tex/generic/pgf/frontendlayer/tikz/libraries/tikzexternalshared.code.tex
@@ -26,7 +26,52 @@
 \toksdef\t@tikzexternal@tmpa=0
 \toksdef\t@tikzexternal@tmpb=1
 
-\newwrite\tikzexternal@outfile
+\newcommand\opentikzexternal@outfile[1]{\directlua{
+  if not tikz_outfile == nil then
+    tikz_outfile:close()
+  end
+
+  tikz_outfile = io.open("#1", "w")
+}}
+\newcommand\closetikzexternal@outfile{\directlua{
+  if not tikz_outfile == nil then
+    tikz_outfile:close()
+  end
+}}
+\newcommand\writetikzexternal@outfile[1]{\directlua{tikz_outfile:write("#1\string\n")}}
+
+
+\newcommand\opentikzexternal@dep@file[1]{\directlua{
+  if not tikz_depfile == nil then
+    tikz_depfile:close()
+  end
+
+  tikz_depfile = io.open("#1", "w")
+}}
+\newcommand\closetikzexternal@dep@file{\directlua{
+  if not tikz_depfile == nil then
+    tikz_depfile:close()
+  end
+}}
+\newcommand\writetikzexternal@dep@file[1]{\directlua{tikz_depfile:write("#1\string\n")}}
+
+
+\newcommand\opentikzexternal@outmakefile[1]{\directlua{
+  if not tikz_outmakefile == nil then
+    tikz_outmakefile:close()
+  end
+
+  tikz_outmakefile = io.open("#1", "w")
+}}
+\newcommand\closetikzexternal@outmakefile{\directlua{
+  if not tikz_outmakefile == nil then
+    tikz_outmakefile:close()
+  end
+}}
+\newcommand\writetikzexternal@outmakefile[1]{\directlua{tikz_outmakefile:write("#1\string\n")}}
+
+
+%\newwrite\tikzexternal@outfile
 \newif\iftikzexternal@nestedflag
 \newif\iftikzexternal@verboseio
 \newif\iftikzexternal@genfigurelist
@@ -135,7 +180,7 @@
 		\pgfkeysalso{/tikz/external/figure list=true,/pgf/images/aux in dpth=true}%
 	},
 	mode=convert with system call,
-	system call/.initial={pdflatex \tikzexternalcheckshellescape -halt-on-error -interaction=batchmode -jobname "\image" "\texsource"},
+	system call/.initial={lualatex \tikzexternalcheckshellescape -halt-on-error -interaction=batchmode -jobname "\image" "\texsource"},
 %	system call/.initial={pdflatex -interaction=batchmode -jobname '\image' '\texsource'; pdftops -eps \image.pdf},
 	force remake/.is if=tikzexternal@force@remake,
 	force remake/.default=true,
@@ -421,9 +466,9 @@
 	\closein\r@pgf@reada
 }%
 \def\tikzexternalauxlock@setlock#1{%
-	\immediate\openout\w@pgf@writea=\tikzexternal@realjob.auxlock
-	\immediate\write\w@pgf@writea{\noexpand\def\noexpand\tikzexternallocked{#1}}%
-	\immediate\closeout\w@pgf@writea
+	\immediate\openw@pgf@writea{\tikzexternal@realjob.auxlock}
+	\immediate\writew@pgf@writea{\noexpand\def\noexpand\tikzexternallocked{#1}}%
+	\immediate\closew@pgf@writea
 }
 
 
@@ -800,7 +845,7 @@
 			\else
 				\pgfutil@ifundefined{tikzexternal@listmode@openedfile}{%
 					\message{Opening '\tikzexternal@realjob.figlist' for writing.}%
-					\immediate\openout\tikzexternal@outfile=\tikzexternal@realjob.figlist\relax
+					\immediate\opentikzexternal@outfile{\tikzexternal@realjob.figlist}\relax
 					\gdef\tikzexternal@listmode@openedfile{1}%
 					\if\tikzexternal@opmode5% mode='list and make'
 						\tikzexternal@list@and@make@prepare
@@ -809,7 +854,7 @@
 				\iftikzexternal@verboseio
 					\immediate\write16{Writing '#1' to '\tikzexternal@realjob.figlist'.}%
 				\fi
-				\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outfile{#1}%
+				\immediate\writetikzexternal@outfile{#1}%
 				\if\tikzexternal@opmode5% mode='list and make'
 					\tikzexternal@list@and@make@gentarget{#1}%
 				\fi
@@ -828,9 +873,9 @@
 	\fi
 	\global\tikzexternal@file@isuptodatetrue% only check for force remake:
 	\tikzexternal@checkforceremake%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{#1\tikzexternalimgextension: \iftikzexternal@file@isuptodate\else FORCEREMAKE\fi}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar\pgf@tempa}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{#1\tikzexternalimgextension: \iftikzexternal@file@isuptodate\else FORCEREMAKE\fi}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{\luaescapestring{\tikzexternal@TABchar\pgf@tempa}}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
 }
 
 \def\tikzexternal@list@and@make@prepare{%
@@ -841,23 +886,23 @@
 		% this makes \tikzexternal@outmakefile global:
 		\globaldefs=1
 		% this gets round '\outer\newwrite' in plain TeX:
-		\csname newwrite\endcsname\tikzexternal@outmakefile
+		% \csname newwrite\endcsname\tikzexternal@outmakefile
 	\endgroup
-	\immediate\openout\tikzexternal@outmakefile=\tikzexternal@realjob.makefile\relax
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{ALL_FIGURE_NAMES=\tikzexternal@DOLLARchar(shell cat \tikzexternal@realjob.figlist)}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{ALL_FIGURES=\tikzexternal@DOLLARchar(ALL_FIGURE_NAMES:\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar=\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar\tikzexternalimgextension)}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{allimages: \tikzexternal@DOLLARchar(ALL_FIGURES)}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar @echo All images exist now. Use make -B to re-generate them.}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{FORCEREMAKE:}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
+	\immediate\opentikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@realjob.makefile}\relax
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{ALL_FIGURE_NAMES=\tikzexternal@DOLLARchar(shell cat \tikzexternal@realjob.figlist)}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{ALL_FIGURES=\tikzexternal@DOLLARchar(ALL_FIGURE_NAMES:\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar=\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar\tikzexternalimgextension)}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{allimages: \tikzexternal@DOLLARchar(ALL_FIGURES)}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar @echo All images exist now. Use make -B to re-generate them.}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{FORCEREMAKE:}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
 	%
 	% support for .dep files and auto-dependencies:
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{include $(ALL_FIGURE_NAMES:\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar=\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar.\tikzexternaldepext)}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{include $(ALL_FIGURE_NAMES:\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar=\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar.\tikzexternaldepext)}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
 	\tikzexternalmakefiledefaultdeprule
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{}%
 	\tikzexternal@outmakefile@pendingcommands
 	\pgfutil@ifundefined{AtEndDocument}{}{%
 		\AtEndDocument{\immediate\write16{===== mode=`list and make': Use 'make -f \tikzexternal@realjob.makefile' to generate all images. Then, re-run (pdf)latex \tikzexternal@realjob. =====}}%
@@ -866,9 +911,9 @@
 \def\tikzexternaldepext{dep}
 
 \def\tikzexternalmakefiledefaultdeprule{%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar.\tikzexternaldepext:}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar mkdir -p $(dir $@)}%
-	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar touch $@ \tikzexternal@HASHchar\space will be filled later.}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar.\tikzexternaldepext:}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar mkdir -p $(dir $@)}%
+	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar touch $@ \tikzexternal@HASHchar\space will be filled later.}%
 }%
 
 % Invokes '#1' if a makefile is to be written and '#2' if not.
@@ -880,13 +925,9 @@
 % Will write something to the make file. If the makefile is not yet
 % opened, #1 will be written as soon as it *is* opened.
 \def\tikzexternalwritetomakefile#1{%
-	\pgfutil@ifundefined{tikzexternal@outmakefile}{%
 		\expandafter\gdef\expandafter\tikzexternal@outmakefile@pendingcommands\expandafter{%
 			\tikzexternal@outmakefile@pendingcommands
 			\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{#1}%
-		}%
-	}{%
-		\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{#1}%
 	}%
 }%
 
@@ -912,24 +953,10 @@
 		\ifx\tikzexternal@dep@file@name\tikzpicturedependsonfile@name
 			% file is open and ready.
 		\else
-			% create new output file.
-			\pgfutil@ifundefined{tikzexternal@dep@file}{%
-				\begingroup
-					% this makes \tikzexternal@dep@file global:
-					\globaldefs=1
-					% this gets round '\outer\newwrite' in plain TeX:
-					\csname newwrite\endcsname\tikzexternal@dep@file
-				\endgroup
-			}{}%
-			\ifx\tikzexternal@dep@file@name\pgfutil@empty
-			\else
-				% it is already open. Close it.
-				\immediate\closeout\tikzexternal@dep@file
-			\fi
 			\global\let\tikzexternal@dep@file@name=\tikzpicturedependsonfile@name
-			\immediate\openout\tikzexternal@dep@file=\tikzexternal@dep@file@name\relax
+			\immediate\opentikzexternal@dep@file{\tikzexternal@dep@file@name}\relax
 		\fi
-		\immediate\write\tikzexternal@dep@file{#1\tikzexternalimgextension: #2}%
+		\immediate\writetikzexternal@dep@file{#1\tikzexternalimgextension: #2}%
 	\fi
 	\endgroup
 }%
diff --git a/tex/generic/pgf/frontendlayer/tikz/libraries/tikzexternalshared.code.tex.orig b/tex/generic/pgf/frontendlayer/tikz/libraries/tikzexternalshared.code.tex.orig
index 7899f03..791382b 100644
--- a/tex/generic/pgf/frontendlayer/tikz/libraries/tikzexternalshared.code.tex.orig
+++ b/tex/generic/pgf/frontendlayer/tikz/libraries/tikzexternalshared.code.tex.orig
@@ -866,9 +866,9 @@
 \def\tikzexternaldepext{dep}
 
 \def\tikzexternalmakefiledefaultdeprule{%
-	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar.\tikzexternaldepext:}%
-	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar mkdir -p $(dir $@)}%
-	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar touch $@ \tikzexternal@HASHchar\space will be filled later.}%
+	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar.\tikzexternaldepext:}%
+	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar mkdir -p $(dir $@)}%
+	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar touch $@ \tikzexternal@HASHchar\space will be filled later.}%
 }%
 
 % Invokes '#1' if a makefile is to be written and '#2' if not.
diff --git a/tex/generic/pgf/frontendlayer/tikz/libraries/tikzexternalshared.code.tex.rej b/tex/generic/pgf/frontendlayer/tikz/libraries/tikzexternalshared.code.tex.rej
index 1e72374..b685df2 100644
--- a/tex/generic/pgf/frontendlayer/tikz/libraries/tikzexternalshared.code.tex.rej
+++ b/tex/generic/pgf/frontendlayer/tikz/libraries/tikzexternalshared.code.tex.rej
@@ -1,20 +1,18 @@
 ***************
-*** 866,874 ****
+*** 866,873 ****
   \def\tikzexternaldepext{dep}
   
   \def\tikzexternalmakefiledefaultdeprule{%
 - 	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar.\tikzexternaldepext:}%
-- 	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar mkdir -p $(dir $@)}%
 - 	\immediate\write\tikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar touch $@ \tikzexternal@HASHchar\space will be filled later.}%
   }%
   
   % Invokes '#1' if a makefile is to be written and '#2' if not.
---- 911,919 ----
+--- 911,918 ----
   \def\tikzexternaldepext{dep}
   
   \def\tikzexternalmakefiledefaultdeprule{%
 + 	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@PERCENTchar.\tikzexternaldepext:}%
-+ 	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar mkdir -p $(dir $@)}%
 + 	\immediate\writetikzexternal@outmakefile{\tikzexternal@TABchar touch $@ \tikzexternal@HASHchar\space will be filled later.}%
   }%
   
diff --git a/tex/generic/pgf/libraries/pgflibraryprofiler.code.tex b/tex/generic/pgf/libraries/pgflibraryprofiler.code.tex
index 1043825..cd99879 100644
--- a/tex/generic/pgf/libraries/pgflibraryprofiler.code.tex
+++ b/tex/generic/pgf/libraries/pgflibraryprofiler.code.tex
@@ -349,12 +349,12 @@
 	\multiply\c@pgf@countd by60
 	\c@pgf@countc=\time
 	\advance\c@pgf@countc by-\c@pgf@countd
-	\immediate\openout\w@pgf@writea=\jobname.profiler.\the\year-\pgfprofiletotwodigitstr\month-\pgfprofiletotwodigitstr\day_\pgfprofiletotwodigitstr\c@pgf@countb h_\pgfprofiletotwodigitstr\c@pgf@countc m.dat
-	\immediate\write\w@pgf@writea{%
+	\immediate\openw@pgf@writea{\jobname.profiler.\the\year-\pgfprofiletotwodigitstr\month-\pgfprofiletotwodigitstr\day_\pgfprofiletotwodigitstr\c@pgf@countb h_\pgfprofiletotwodigitstr\c@pgf@countc m.dat}
+	\immediate\writew@pgf@writea{%
 		\pgfprofile@percent relative values are measured against the totaltime of `\pgfprofile@rel'.%
 	}%
 	\immediate\write16{pgflibraryprofiler: relative values are measured against the totaltime of `\pgfprofile@rel'.}%
-	\immediate\write\w@pgf@writea{%
+	\immediate\writew@pgf@writea{%
 		profilerentry\pgfprofile@TAB 
 		totaltime[s]\pgfprofile@TAB 
 		totaltime[percent]\pgfprofile@TAB
@@ -379,10 +379,10 @@
 		}{}%
 		\pgfprofilepostprocess@single{##1}%
 	}%
-	\immediate\write\w@pgf@writea{%
+	\immediate\writew@pgf@writea{%
 		\pgfprofile@percent\space vim: ts=40 nowrap nostartofline
 	}%
-	\immediate\closeout\w@pgf@writea
+	\immediate\closew@pgf@writea
 	\endgroup
 }%
 
@@ -419,7 +419,7 @@
 			invocations=\csname c@pgfprofile@numinvocations@#1\endcsname;
 		\pgfprofile@rbrace
 	}%
-	\immediate\write\w@pgf@writea{%
+	\immediate\writew@pgf@writea{%
 		#1\pgfprofile@TAB 
 		\pgfprofilecur@total\pgfprofile@TAB 
 		\pgfprofilecur@total@rel\pgfprofile@TAB
diff --git a/tex/generic/pgf/modules/pgfmoduleplot.code.tex b/tex/generic/pgf/modules/pgfmoduleplot.code.tex
index ea55ca8..09c99c2 100644
--- a/tex/generic/pgf/modules/pgfmoduleplot.code.tex
+++ b/tex/generic/pgf/modules/pgfmoduleplot.code.tex
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@
   \xdef\pgf@gnuplot@head{set table \noexpand\pgf@plottablefile@quoted; set format "%.5f"}
 }
 
-\let\pgf@plotwrite=\w@pgf@writea
+% \let\pgf@plotwrite=\w@pgf@writea
 \newif\ifpgf@resample@plot
 
 \def\pgfplotgnuplot{\pgfutil@ifnextchar[{\pgf@plotgnuplot}{\pgf@plotgnuplot[\jobname]}}%}
diff --git a/tex/generic/pgf/systemlayer/pgfsys.code.tex b/tex/generic/pgf/systemlayer/pgfsys.code.tex
index 3cd39c4..ee8a73e 100644
--- a/tex/generic/pgf/systemlayer/pgfsys.code.tex
+++ b/tex/generic/pgf/systemlayer/pgfsys.code.tex
@@ -56,7 +56,24 @@
 \newdimen\pgf@xc
 \newdimen\pgf@yc
 
-\newwrite\w@pgf@writea
+
+\newcommand\openw@pgf@writea[1]{\directlua{
+  if not w_pgf_writea == nil then
+    w_pgf_writea:close()
+  end
+
+  w_pgf_writea = io.open("\luaescapestring{#1}", "w")
+}}
+
+\newcommand\closew@pgf@writea{\directlua{
+  if not w_pgf_writea == nil then
+    w_pgf_writea:close()
+  end
+}}
+
+\newcommand\writew@pgf@writea[1]{\directlua{w_pgf_writea:write("\luaescapestring{#1}\string\n")}}
+%\newwrite\w@pgf@writea
+
 \newread\r@pgf@reada
 \let\pgfutil@inputcheck=\r@pgf@reada