Attrib attrib(String name) {
        for (int i = 0; i < attributes.length; i++) {
            if (name.equals(attributes[i].name))
                return attributes[i];
        }
        // throw an exception if not found...
        if (strict)
            throw new IllegalArgumentException("no active attribute by name '" + name + "' "
        + "(disable strict compiling to suppress warnings)");
        return null;
    }