diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/Block.h b/Eigen/src/Core/Block.h
index 5c1827c43..d9f7ee531 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/Block.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/Block.h
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType,
 {
   public:
     typedef typename MatrixType::Scalar Scalar;
-    typedef typename MatrixType::Ref MatRef;
+    typedef typename MatrixType::AsArg MatRef;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, Block>;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, Block>::Traits;
     typedef MatrixBase<Scalar, Block> Base;
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType,
         : (BlockCols==Dynamic ? MatrixType::Traits::MaxColsAtCompileTime : BlockCols)
     };
 
-    const Block& _ref() const { return *this; }
+    const Block& _asArg() const { return *this; }
     int _rows() const { return m_blockRows.value(); }
     int _cols() const { return m_blockCols.value(); }
 
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 Block<Derived> MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>
   ::block(int startRow, int startCol, int blockRows, int blockCols)
 {
-  return Block<Derived>(ref(), startRow, startCol, blockRows, blockCols);
+  return Block<Derived>(asArg(), startRow, startCol, blockRows, blockCols);
 }
 
 /** This is the const version of block(int,int,int,int). */
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 const Block<Derived> MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>
   ::block(int startRow, int startCol, int blockRows, int blockCols) const
 {
-  return Block<Derived>(ref(), startRow, startCol, blockRows, blockCols);
+  return Block<Derived>(asArg(), startRow, startCol, blockRows, blockCols);
 }
 
 /** \returns a dynamic-size expression of a block in *this.
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ Block<Derived> MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>
   ::block(int start, int size)
 {
   assert(Traits::IsVectorAtCompileTime);
-  return Block<Derived>(ref(), Traits::RowsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 0 : start,
+  return Block<Derived>(asArg(), Traits::RowsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 0 : start,
                                Traits::ColsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 0 : start,
                                Traits::RowsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 1 : size,
                                Traits::ColsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 1 : size);
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ const Block<Derived> MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>
   ::block(int start, int size) const
 {
   assert(Traits::IsVectorAtCompileTime);
-  return Block<Derived>(ref(), Traits::RowsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 0 : start,
+  return Block<Derived>(asArg(), Traits::RowsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 0 : start,
                                Traits::ColsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 0 : start,
                                Traits::RowsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 1 : size,
                                Traits::ColsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 1 : size);
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ Block<Derived> MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>
   ::start(int size)
 {
   assert(Traits::IsVectorAtCompileTime);
-  return Block<Derived>(ref(), 0, 0,
+  return Block<Derived>(asArg(), 0, 0,
                         Traits::RowsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 1 : size,
                         Traits::ColsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 1 : size);
 }
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ const Block<Derived> MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>
   ::start(int size) const
 {
   assert(Traits::IsVectorAtCompileTime);
-  return Block<Derived>(ref(), 0, 0,
+  return Block<Derived>(asArg(), 0, 0,
                         Traits::RowsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 1 : size,
                         Traits::ColsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 1 : size);
 }
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ Block<Derived> MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>
   ::end(int size)
 {
   assert(Traits::IsVectorAtCompileTime);
-  return Block<Derived>(ref(),
+  return Block<Derived>(asArg(),
                         Traits::RowsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 0 : rows() - size,
                         Traits::ColsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 0 : cols() - size,
                         Traits::RowsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 1 : size,
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ const Block<Derived> MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>
   ::end(int size) const
 {
   assert(Traits::IsVectorAtCompileTime);
-  return Block<Derived>(ref(),
+  return Block<Derived>(asArg(),
                         Traits::RowsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 0 : rows() - size,
                         Traits::ColsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 0 : cols() - size,
                         Traits::RowsAtCompileTime == 1 ? 1 : size,
@@ -294,13 +294,13 @@ Block<Derived> MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>
   ::corner(CornerType type, int cRows, int cCols)
 {
   if(type == TopLeft)
-    return Block<Derived>(ref(), 0, 0, cRows, cCols);
+    return Block<Derived>(asArg(), 0, 0, cRows, cCols);
   else if(type == TopRight)
-    return Block<Derived>(ref(), 0, cols() - cCols, cRows, cCols);
+    return Block<Derived>(asArg(), 0, cols() - cCols, cRows, cCols);
   else if(type == BottomLeft)
-    return Block<Derived>(ref(), rows() - cRows, 0, cRows, cCols);
+    return Block<Derived>(asArg(), rows() - cRows, 0, cRows, cCols);
   else
-    return Block<Derived>(ref(), rows() - cRows, cols() - cCols, cRows, cCols);
+    return Block<Derived>(asArg(), rows() - cRows, cols() - cCols, cRows, cCols);
 }
 
 /** This is the const version of corner(CornerType, int, int).*/
@@ -309,13 +309,13 @@ const Block<Derived> MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>
   ::corner(CornerType type, int cRows, int cCols) const
 {
   if(type == TopLeft)
-    return Block<Derived>(ref(), 0, 0, cRows, cCols);
+    return Block<Derived>(asArg(), 0, 0, cRows, cCols);
   else if(type == TopRight)
-    return Block<Derived>(ref(), 0, cols() - cCols, cRows, cCols);
+    return Block<Derived>(asArg(), 0, cols() - cCols, cRows, cCols);
   else if(type == BottomLeft)
-    return Block<Derived>(ref(), rows() - cRows, 0, cRows, cCols);
+    return Block<Derived>(asArg(), rows() - cRows, 0, cRows, cCols);
   else
-    return Block<Derived>(ref(), rows() - cRows, cols() - cCols, cRows, cCols);
+    return Block<Derived>(asArg(), rows() - cRows, cols() - cCols, cRows, cCols);
 }
 
 /** \returns a fixed-size expression of a block in *this.
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ template<int BlockRows, int BlockCols>
 Block<Derived, BlockRows, BlockCols> MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>
   ::block(int startRow, int startCol)
 {
-  return Block<Derived, BlockRows, BlockCols>(ref(), startRow, startCol);
+  return Block<Derived, BlockRows, BlockCols>(asArg(), startRow, startCol);
 }
 
 /** This is the const version of block<>(int, int). */
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ template<int BlockRows, int BlockCols>
 const Block<Derived, BlockRows, BlockCols> MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>
   ::block(int startRow, int startCol) const
 {
-  return Block<Derived, BlockRows, BlockCols>(ref(), startRow, startCol);
+  return Block<Derived, BlockRows, BlockCols>(asArg(), startRow, startCol);
 }
 
 #endif // EIGEN_BLOCK_H
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/Cast.h b/Eigen/src/Core/Cast.h
index cc67ce5d8..29d24967f 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/Cast.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/Cast.h
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ template<typename NewScalar, typename MatrixType> class Cast : NoOperatorEquals,
 {
   public:
     typedef NewScalar Scalar;
-    typedef typename MatrixType::Ref MatRef;
+    typedef typename MatrixType::AsArg MatRef;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, Cast>;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, Cast>::Traits;
     typedef MatrixBase<Scalar, Cast> Base;
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ template<typename NewScalar, typename MatrixType> class Cast : NoOperatorEquals,
       MaxRowsAtCompileTime = MatrixType::Traits::MaxRowsAtCompileTime,
       MaxColsAtCompileTime = MatrixType::Traits::MaxColsAtCompileTime
     };
-    const Cast& _ref() const { return *this; }
+    const Cast& _asArg() const { return *this; }
     int _rows() const { return m_matrix.rows(); }
     int _cols() const { return m_matrix.cols(); }
 
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ template<typename NewScalar>
 const Cast<NewScalar, Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::cast() const
 {
-  return Cast<NewScalar, Derived>(ref());
+  return Cast<NewScalar, Derived>(asArg());
 }
 
 #endif // EIGEN_CAST_H
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/Column.h b/Eigen/src/Core/Column.h
index bece3caa7..d9aec6c42 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/Column.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/Column.h
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class Column
 {
   public:
     typedef typename MatrixType::Scalar Scalar;
-    typedef typename MatrixType::Ref MatRef;
+    typedef typename MatrixType::AsArg MatRef;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, Column>;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, Column>::Traits;
     typedef MatrixBase<Scalar, Column> Base;
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class Column
       MaxColsAtCompileTime = 1
     };
 
-    const Column& _ref() const { return *this; }
+    const Column& _asArg() const { return *this; }
     int _rows() const { return m_matrix.rows(); }
     int _cols() const { return 1; }
 
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 Column<Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::col(int i)
 {
-  return Column<Derived>(ref(), i);
+  return Column<Derived>(asArg(), i);
 }
 
 /** This is the const version of col(). */
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 const Column<Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::col(int i) const
 {
-  return Column<Derived>(ref(), i);
+  return Column<Derived>(asArg(), i);
 }
 
 #endif // EIGEN_COLUMN_H
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/CwiseBinaryOp.h b/Eigen/src/Core/CwiseBinaryOp.h
index 571c0ebad..a0e9b3cd3 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/CwiseBinaryOp.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/CwiseBinaryOp.h
@@ -52,8 +52,8 @@ class CwiseBinaryOp : NoOperatorEquals,
 {
   public:
     typedef typename Lhs::Scalar Scalar;
-    typedef typename Lhs::Ref LhsRef;
-    typedef typename Rhs::Ref RhsRef;
+    typedef typename Lhs::AsArg LhsRef;
+    typedef typename Rhs::AsArg RhsRef;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, CwiseBinaryOp>;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, CwiseBinaryOp>::Traits;
     typedef MatrixBase<Scalar, CwiseBinaryOp> Base;
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ class CwiseBinaryOp : NoOperatorEquals,
       MaxColsAtCompileTime = Lhs::Traits::MaxColsAtCompileTime
     };
 
-    const CwiseBinaryOp& _ref() const { return *this; }
+    const CwiseBinaryOp& _asArg() const { return *this; }
     int _rows() const { return m_lhs.rows(); }
     int _cols() const { return m_lhs.cols(); }
 
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived1, typename Derived2>
 const CwiseBinaryOp<CwiseDifferenceOp, Derived1, Derived2>
 operator-(const MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived1> &mat1, const MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived2> &mat2)
 {
-  return CwiseBinaryOp<CwiseDifferenceOp, Derived1, Derived2>(mat1.ref(), mat2.ref());
+  return CwiseBinaryOp<CwiseDifferenceOp, Derived1, Derived2>(mat1.asArg(), mat2.asArg());
 }
 
 /** replaces \c *this by \c *this - \a other.
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived1, typename Derived2>
 const CwiseBinaryOp<CwiseSumOp, Derived1, Derived2>
 operator+(const MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived1> &mat1, const MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived2> &mat2)
 {
-  return CwiseBinaryOp<CwiseSumOp, Derived1, Derived2>(mat1.ref(), mat2.ref());
+  return CwiseBinaryOp<CwiseSumOp, Derived1, Derived2>(mat1.asArg(), mat2.asArg());
 }
 
 /** replaces \c *this by \c *this + \a other.
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ template<typename OtherDerived>
 const CwiseBinaryOp<ScalarProductOp, Derived, OtherDerived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::cwiseProduct(const MatrixBase<Scalar, OtherDerived> &other) const
 {
-  return CwiseBinaryOp<ScalarProductOp, Derived, OtherDerived>(ref(), other.ref());
+  return CwiseBinaryOp<ScalarProductOp, Derived, OtherDerived>(asArg(), other.asArg());
 }
 
 
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ template<typename OtherDerived>
 const CwiseBinaryOp<ScalarQuotientOp, Derived, OtherDerived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::cwiseQuotient(const MatrixBase<Scalar, OtherDerived> &other) const
 {
-  return CwiseBinaryOp<ScalarQuotientOp, Derived, OtherDerived>(ref(), other.ref());
+  return CwiseBinaryOp<ScalarQuotientOp, Derived, OtherDerived>(asArg(), other.asArg());
 }
 
 
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ template<typename CustomBinaryOp, typename Scalar, typename Derived1, typename D
 const CwiseBinaryOp<CustomBinaryOp, Derived1, Derived2>
 cwise(const MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived1> &mat1, const MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived2> &mat2)
 {
-  return CwiseBinaryOp<CustomBinaryOp, Derived1, Derived2>(mat1.ref(), mat2.ref());
+  return CwiseBinaryOp<CustomBinaryOp, Derived1, Derived2>(mat1.asArg(), mat2.asArg());
 }
 
 /** \returns an expression of a custom coefficient-wise operator of *this and \a other
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ template<typename CustomBinaryOp, typename OtherDerived>
 const CwiseBinaryOp<CustomBinaryOp, Derived, OtherDerived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::cwise(const MatrixBase<Scalar, OtherDerived> &other) const
 {
-  return CwiseBinaryOp<CustomBinaryOp, Derived, OtherDerived>(ref(), other.ref());
+  return CwiseBinaryOp<CustomBinaryOp, Derived, OtherDerived>(asArg(), other.asArg());
 }
 
 
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/CwiseUnaryOp.h b/Eigen/src/Core/CwiseUnaryOp.h
index e3eb9090f..7dc912416 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/CwiseUnaryOp.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/CwiseUnaryOp.h
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ class CwiseUnaryOp : NoOperatorEquals,
 {
   public:
     typedef typename MatrixType::Scalar Scalar;
-    typedef typename MatrixType::Ref MatRef;
+    typedef typename MatrixType::AsArg MatRef;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, CwiseUnaryOp>;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, CwiseUnaryOp>::Traits;
     typedef MatrixBase<Scalar, CwiseUnaryOp> Base;
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ class CwiseUnaryOp : NoOperatorEquals,
       MaxColsAtCompileTime = MatrixType::Traits::MaxColsAtCompileTime
     };
 
-    const CwiseUnaryOp& _ref() const { return *this; }
+    const CwiseUnaryOp& _asArg() const { return *this; }
     int _rows() const { return m_matrix.rows(); }
     int _cols() const { return m_matrix.cols(); }
 
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 const CwiseUnaryOp<ScalarOppositeOp,Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::operator-() const
 {
-  return CwiseUnaryOp<ScalarOppositeOp,Derived>(ref());
+  return CwiseUnaryOp<ScalarOppositeOp,Derived>(asArg());
 }
 
 /** \returns an expression of the opposite of \c *this
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 const CwiseUnaryOp<ScalarAbsOp,Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::cwiseAbs() const
 {
-  return CwiseUnaryOp<ScalarAbsOp,Derived>(ref());
+  return CwiseUnaryOp<ScalarAbsOp,Derived>(asArg());
 }
 
 
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ template<typename CustomUnaryOp, typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 const CwiseUnaryOp<CustomUnaryOp, Derived>
 cwise(const MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived> &mat)
 {
-  return CwiseUnaryOp<CustomUnaryOp, Derived>(mat.ref());
+  return CwiseUnaryOp<CustomUnaryOp, Derived>(mat.asArg());
 }
 
 /** \returns an expression of a custom coefficient-wise unary operator of *this
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ template<typename CustomUnaryOp>
 const CwiseUnaryOp<CustomUnaryOp, Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::cwise() const
 {
-  return CwiseUnaryOp<CustomUnaryOp, Derived>(ref());
+  return CwiseUnaryOp<CustomUnaryOp, Derived>(asArg());
 }
 
 
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 const CwiseUnaryOp<ScalarConjugateOp, Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::conjugate() const
 {
-  return CwiseUnaryOp<ScalarConjugateOp, Derived>(ref());
+  return CwiseUnaryOp<ScalarConjugateOp, Derived>(asArg());
 }
 
 
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/DiagonalCoeffs.h b/Eigen/src/Core/DiagonalCoeffs.h
index 291bfe472..58c6e3ed8 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/DiagonalCoeffs.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/DiagonalCoeffs.h
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class DiagonalCoeffs
 {
   public:
     typedef typename MatrixType::Scalar Scalar;
-    typedef typename MatrixType::Ref MatRef;
+    typedef typename MatrixType::AsArg MatRef;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, DiagonalCoeffs>;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, DiagonalCoeffs>::Traits;
     typedef MatrixBase<Scalar, DiagonalCoeffs> Base;
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class DiagonalCoeffs
       MaxColsAtCompileTime = 1
     };
 
-    const DiagonalCoeffs& _ref() const { return *this; }
+    const DiagonalCoeffs& _asArg() const { return *this; }
     int _rows() const { return std::min(m_matrix.rows(), m_matrix.cols()); }
     int _cols() const { return 1; }
 
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 DiagonalCoeffs<Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::diagonal()
 {
-  return DiagonalCoeffs<Derived>(ref());
+  return DiagonalCoeffs<Derived>(asArg());
 }
 
 /** This is the const version of diagonal(). */
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 const DiagonalCoeffs<Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::diagonal() const
 {
-  return DiagonalCoeffs<Derived>(ref());
+  return DiagonalCoeffs<Derived>(asArg());
 }
 
 #endif // EIGEN_DIAGONALCOEFFS_H
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/DiagonalMatrix.h b/Eigen/src/Core/DiagonalMatrix.h
index 6cfd910c6..90683e6bc 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/DiagonalMatrix.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/DiagonalMatrix.h
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ class DiagonalMatrix : NoOperatorEquals,
 {
   public:
     typedef typename CoeffsVectorType::Scalar Scalar;
-    typedef typename CoeffsVectorType::Ref CoeffsVecRef;
+    typedef typename CoeffsVectorType::AsArg CoeffsVecRef;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, DiagonalMatrix>;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, DiagonalMatrix>::Traits;
     typedef MatrixBase<Scalar, DiagonalMatrix> Base;
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class DiagonalMatrix : NoOperatorEquals,
       MaxColsAtCompileTime = CoeffsVectorType::Traits::MaxSizeAtCompileTime
     };
 
-    const DiagonalMatrix& _ref() const { return *this; }
+    const DiagonalMatrix& _asArg() const { return *this; }
     int _rows() const { return m_coeffs.size(); }
     int _cols() const { return m_coeffs.size(); }
 
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 const DiagonalMatrix<Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::asDiagonal() const
 {
-  return DiagonalMatrix<Derived>(ref());
+  return DiagonalMatrix<Derived>(asArg());
 }
 
 /** \returns true if *this is approximately equal to a diagonal matrix,
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/Identity.h b/Eigen/src/Core/Identity.h
index a057e915b..5fd854850 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/Identity.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/Identity.h
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class Identity : NoOperatorEquals,
       MaxColsAtCompileTime = MatrixType::Traits::MaxColsAtCompileTime
     };
 
-    const Identity& _ref() const { return *this; }
+    const Identity& _asArg() const { return *this; }
     int _rows() const { return m_rows.value(); }
     int _cols() const { return m_cols.value(); }
 
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/Map.h b/Eigen/src/Core/Map.h
index b3160396a..ce46dd81c 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/Map.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/Map.h
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class Map
       MaxColsAtCompileTime = MatrixType::Traits::MaxColsAtCompileTime
     };
 
-    const Map& _ref() const { return *this; }
+    const Map& _asArg() const { return *this; }
     int _rows() const { return m_rows; }
     int _cols() const { return m_cols; }
 
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/Matrix.h b/Eigen/src/Core/Matrix.h
index bfb6d5f65..474b55eab 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/Matrix.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/Matrix.h
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ class Matrix : public MatrixBase<_Scalar, Matrix<_Scalar, _Rows, _Cols,
 
     typedef      MatrixBase<_Scalar, Matrix>            Base;
     typedef      _Scalar                                Scalar;
-    typedef      MatrixRef<Matrix>                      Ref;
+    typedef      MatrixRef<Matrix>                      AsArg;
     friend class MatrixRef<Matrix>;
 
   private:
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ class Matrix : public MatrixBase<_Scalar, Matrix<_Scalar, _Rows, _Cols,
 
     MatrixStorage<Scalar, MaxSizeAtCompileTime, RowsAtCompileTime, ColsAtCompileTime> m_storage;
 
-    Ref _ref() const { return Ref(*this); }
+    AsArg _asArg() const { return AsArg(*this); }
     int _rows() const { return m_storage.rows(); }
     int _cols() const { return m_storage.cols(); }
 
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/MatrixBase.h b/Eigen/src/Core/MatrixBase.h
index 7d401e96c..09af4bd8d 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/MatrixBase.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/MatrixBase.h
@@ -125,13 +125,13 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived> class MatrixBase
     };
 
     /** This is the "reference type" used to pass objects of type MatrixBase as arguments
-      * to functions. If this MatrixBase type represents an expression, then \a Ref
+      * to functions. If this MatrixBase type represents an expression, then \a AsArg
       * is just this MatrixBase type itself, i.e. expressions are just passed by value
       * and the compiler is usually clever enough to optimize that. If, on the
-      * other hand, this MatrixBase type is an actual matrix or vector type, then \a Ref is
+      * other hand, this MatrixBase type is an actual matrix or vector type, then \a AsArg is
       * a typedef to MatrixRef, which works as a reference, so that matrices and vectors
-      * are passed by reference, not by value. \sa ref()*/
-    typedef typename Reference<Derived>::Type Ref;
+      * are passed by reference, not by value. \sa asArg()*/
+    typedef typename Reference<Derived>::Type AsArg;
 
     /** This is the "real scalar" type; if the \a Scalar type is already real numbers
       * (e.g. int, float or double) then \a RealScalar is just the same as \a Scalar. If
@@ -160,9 +160,9 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived> class MatrixBase
     bool isVector() const { return rows()==1 || cols()==1; }
     //@}
 
-    /** \returns a Ref to *this. \sa Ref */
-    Ref ref() const
-    { return static_cast<const Derived *>(this)->_ref(); }
+    /** \returns a AsArg to *this. \sa AsArg */
+    AsArg asArg() const
+    { return static_cast<const Derived *>(this)->_asArg(); }
 
     //@{
     /** Copies \a other into *this. \returns a reference to *this. */
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/MatrixRef.h b/Eigen/src/Core/MatrixRef.h
index 7cc1fd138..0c5c9f632 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/MatrixRef.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/MatrixRef.h
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class MatrixRef
       MaxColsAtCompileTime = MatrixType::Traits::MaxColsAtCompileTime
     };
 
-    MatrixRef _ref() const { return *this; }
+    MatrixRef _asArg() const { return *this; }
     int _rows() const { return m_matrix.rows(); }
     int _cols() const { return m_matrix.cols(); }
 
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/Minor.h b/Eigen/src/Core/Minor.h
index b98f09707..8da9e9051 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/Minor.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/Minor.h
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class Minor
 {
   public:
     typedef typename MatrixType::Scalar Scalar;
-    typedef typename MatrixType::Ref MatRef;
+    typedef typename MatrixType::AsArg MatRef;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, Minor>;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, Minor>::Traits;
     typedef MatrixBase<Scalar, Minor> Base;
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class Minor
                                  MatrixType::Traits::MaxColsAtCompileTime - 1 : Dynamic
     };
 
-    const Minor& _ref() const { return *this; }
+    const Minor& _asArg() const { return *this; }
     int _rows() const { return m_matrix.rows() - 1; }
     int _cols() const { return m_matrix.cols() - 1; }
 
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 Minor<Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::minor(int row, int col)
 {
-  return Minor<Derived>(ref(), row, col);
+  return Minor<Derived>(asArg(), row, col);
 }
 
 /** This is the const version of minor(). */
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 const Minor<Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::minor(int row, int col) const
 {
-  return Minor<Derived>(ref(), row, col);
+  return Minor<Derived>(asArg(), row, col);
 }
 
 #endif // EIGEN_MINOR_H
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/Ones.h b/Eigen/src/Core/Ones.h
index e9131cd51..91b77cd9f 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/Ones.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/Ones.h
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class Ones : NoOperatorEquals,
       MaxColsAtCompileTime = MatrixType::Traits::MaxColsAtCompileTime
     };
 
-    const Ones& _ref() const { return *this; }
+    const Ones& _asArg() const { return *this; }
     int _rows() const { return m_rows.value(); }
     int _cols() const { return m_cols.value(); }
 
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/Product.h b/Eigen/src/Core/Product.h
index f41d887a5..7ca68d76e 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/Product.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/Product.h
@@ -77,8 +77,8 @@ template<typename Lhs, typename Rhs> class Product : NoOperatorEquals,
 {
   public:
     typedef typename Lhs::Scalar Scalar;
-    typedef typename Lhs::Ref LhsRef;
-    typedef typename Rhs::Ref RhsRef;
+    typedef typename Lhs::AsArg LhsRef;
+    typedef typename Rhs::AsArg RhsRef;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, Product>;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, Product>::Traits;
     typedef MatrixBase<Scalar, Product> Base;
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ template<typename Lhs, typename Rhs> class Product : NoOperatorEquals,
       MaxColsAtCompileTime = Rhs::Traits::MaxColsAtCompileTime
     };
 
-    const Product& _ref() const { return *this; }
+    const Product& _asArg() const { return *this; }
     int _rows() const { return m_lhs.rows(); }
     int _cols() const { return m_rhs.cols(); }
 
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ template<typename OtherDerived>
 const Product<Derived, OtherDerived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::lazyProduct(const MatrixBase<Scalar, OtherDerived> &other) const
 {
-  return Product<Derived, OtherDerived>(ref(), other.ref());
+  return Product<Derived, OtherDerived>(asArg(), other.asArg());
 }
 
 /** \relates MatrixBase
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/Random.h b/Eigen/src/Core/Random.h
index 468216d56..394e6c3b0 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/Random.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/Random.h
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class Random : NoOperatorEquals,
       MaxColsAtCompileTime = MatrixType::Traits::MaxColsAtCompileTime
     };
 
-    const Random& _ref() const { return *this; }
+    const Random& _asArg() const { return *this; }
     int _rows() const { return m_rows.value(); }
     int _cols() const { return m_cols.value(); }
 
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/Row.h b/Eigen/src/Core/Row.h
index 4657e32db..b9d245ea7 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/Row.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/Row.h
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class Row
 {
   public:
     typedef typename MatrixType::Scalar Scalar;
-    typedef typename MatrixType::Ref MatRef;
+    typedef typename MatrixType::AsArg MatRef;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, Row>;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, Row>::Traits;
     typedef MatrixBase<Scalar, Row> Base;
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class Row
       MaxColsAtCompileTime = MatrixType::Traits::MaxColsAtCompileTime
     };
 
-    const Row& _ref() const { return *this; }
+    const Row& _asArg() const { return *this; }
 
     int _rows() const { return 1; }
     int _cols() const { return m_matrix.cols(); }
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 Row<Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::row(int i)
 {
-  return Row<Derived>(ref(), i);
+  return Row<Derived>(asArg(), i);
 }
 
 /** This is the const version of row(). */
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 const Row<Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::row(int i) const
 {
-  return Row<Derived>(ref(), i);
+  return Row<Derived>(asArg(), i);
 }
 
 #endif // EIGEN_ROW_H
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/ScalarMultiple.h b/Eigen/src/Core/ScalarMultiple.h
index 29858cea9..e37865790 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/ScalarMultiple.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/ScalarMultiple.h
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class ScalarMultiple : NoOperatorEquals,
 {
   public:
     typedef typename MatrixType::Scalar Scalar;
-    typedef typename MatrixType::Ref MatRef;
+    typedef typename MatrixType::AsArg MatRef;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, ScalarMultiple>;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, ScalarMultiple>::Traits;
     typedef MatrixBase<Scalar, ScalarMultiple> Base;
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class ScalarMultiple : NoOperatorEquals,
       MaxColsAtCompileTime = MatrixType::Traits::MaxColsAtCompileTime
     };
 
-    const ScalarMultiple& _ref() const { return *this; }
+    const ScalarMultiple& _asArg() const { return *this; }
     int _rows() const { return m_matrix.rows(); }
     int _cols() const { return m_matrix.cols(); }
 
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 const ScalarMultiple<Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::operator*(const Scalar& scalar) const
 {
-  return ScalarMultiple<Derived>(ref(), scalar);
+  return ScalarMultiple<Derived>(asArg(), scalar);
 }
 
 /** \relates MatrixBase \sa class ScalarMultiple */
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ const ScalarMultiple<Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::operator/(const Scalar& scalar) const
 {
   assert(NumTraits<Scalar>::HasFloatingPoint);
-  return ScalarMultiple<Derived>(ref(), static_cast<Scalar>(1) / scalar);
+  return ScalarMultiple<Derived>(asArg(), static_cast<Scalar>(1) / scalar);
 }
 
 /** \sa ScalarMultiple */
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/Transpose.h b/Eigen/src/Core/Transpose.h
index 3fbf87b0c..8948f7dac 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/Transpose.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/Transpose.h
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class Transpose
 {
   public:
     typedef typename MatrixType::Scalar Scalar;
-    typedef typename MatrixType::Ref MatRef;
+    typedef typename MatrixType::AsArg MatRef;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, Transpose>;
     friend class MatrixBase<Scalar, Transpose>::Traits;
     typedef MatrixBase<Scalar, Transpose> Base;
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class Transpose
       MaxColsAtCompileTime = MatrixType::Traits::MaxRowsAtCompileTime
     };
 
-    const Transpose& _ref() const { return *this; }
+    const Transpose& _asArg() const { return *this; }
     int _rows() const { return m_matrix.cols(); }
     int _cols() const { return m_matrix.rows(); }
 
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 Transpose<Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::transpose()
 {
-  return Transpose<Derived>(ref());
+  return Transpose<Derived>(asArg());
 }
 
 /** This is the const version of transpose(). \sa adjoint() */
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 const Transpose<Derived>
 MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>::transpose() const
 {
-  return Transpose<Derived>(ref());
+  return Transpose<Derived>(asArg());
 }
 
 /** \returns an expression of the adjoint (i.e. conjugate transpose) of *this.
diff --git a/Eigen/src/Core/Zero.h b/Eigen/src/Core/Zero.h
index e152a6fc1..abfb65db7 100644
--- a/Eigen/src/Core/Zero.h
+++ b/Eigen/src/Core/Zero.h
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ template<typename MatrixType> class Zero : NoOperatorEquals,
       MaxColsAtCompileTime = MatrixType::Traits::MaxColsAtCompileTime
     };
 
-    const Zero& _ref() const { return *this; }
+    const Zero& _asArg() const { return *this; }
     int _rows() const { return m_rows.value(); }
     int _cols() const { return m_cols.value(); }
 
diff --git a/doc/examples/class_Block.cpp b/doc/examples/class_Block.cpp
index 6d48d235d..26f9666cb 100644
--- a/doc/examples/class_Block.cpp
+++ b/doc/examples/class_Block.cpp
@@ -6,14 +6,14 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 Eigen::Block<Derived>
 topLeftCorner(MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>& m, int rows, int cols)
 {
-  return Eigen::Block<Derived>(m.ref(), 0, 0, rows, cols);
+  return Eigen::Block<Derived>(m.asArg(), 0, 0, rows, cols);
 }
 
 template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 const Eigen::Block<Derived>
 topLeftCorner(const MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>& m, int rows, int cols)
 {
-  return Eigen::Block<Derived>(m.ref(), 0, 0, rows, cols);
+  return Eigen::Block<Derived>(m.asArg(), 0, 0, rows, cols);
 }
 
 int main(int, char**)
diff --git a/doc/examples/class_Cast.cpp b/doc/examples/class_Cast.cpp
index f50fd2f4f..9751b05c1 100644
--- a/doc/examples/class_Cast.cpp
+++ b/doc/examples/class_Cast.cpp
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ castToFloatingPoint(const MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>& m)
   return Eigen::Cast<
     typename Eigen::NumTraits<Scalar>::FloatingPoint,
     Derived
-  >(m.ref());
+  >(m.asArg());
 }
 
 int main(int, char**)
diff --git a/doc/examples/class_Column.cpp b/doc/examples/class_Column.cpp
index bab6eaedc..3b37d835f 100644
--- a/doc/examples/class_Column.cpp
+++ b/doc/examples/class_Column.cpp
@@ -6,14 +6,14 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 Eigen::Column<Derived>
 firstColumn(MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>& m)
 {
-  return Eigen::Column<Derived>(m.ref(), 0);
+  return Eigen::Column<Derived>(m.asArg(), 0);
 }
 
 template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 const Eigen::Column<Derived>
 firstColumn(const MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>& m)
 {
-  return Eigen::Column<Derived>(m.ref(), 0);
+  return Eigen::Column<Derived>(m.asArg(), 0);
 }
 
 int main(int, char**)
diff --git a/doc/examples/class_CwiseBinaryOp.cpp b/doc/examples/class_CwiseBinaryOp.cpp
index 2a0f11a75..9bb10cdcb 100644
--- a/doc/examples/class_CwiseBinaryOp.cpp
+++ b/doc/examples/class_CwiseBinaryOp.cpp
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived1, typename Derived2>
 const Eigen::CwiseBinaryOp<CwiseMinOp, Derived1, Derived2>
 cwiseMin(const MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived1> &mat1, const MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived2> &mat2)
 {
-  return Eigen::CwiseBinaryOp<CwiseMinOp, Derived1, Derived2>(mat1.ref(), mat2.ref());
+  return Eigen::CwiseBinaryOp<CwiseMinOp, Derived1, Derived2>(mat1.asArg(), mat2.asArg());
   // Note that the above is equivalent to:
   // return mat1.template cwise<CwiseMinOp>(mat2);
 }
diff --git a/doc/examples/class_FixedBlock.cpp b/doc/examples/class_FixedBlock.cpp
index a6025231e..18dda46e7 100644
--- a/doc/examples/class_FixedBlock.cpp
+++ b/doc/examples/class_FixedBlock.cpp
@@ -6,14 +6,14 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 Eigen::Block<Derived, 2, 2>
 topLeft2x2Corner(MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>& m)
 {
-  return Eigen::Block<Derived, 2, 2>(m.ref(), 0, 0);
+  return Eigen::Block<Derived, 2, 2>(m.asArg(), 0, 0);
 }
 
 template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 const Eigen::Block<Derived, 2, 2>
 topLeft2x2Corner(const MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>& m)
 {
-  return Eigen::Block<Derived, 2, 2>(m.ref(), 0, 0);
+  return Eigen::Block<Derived, 2, 2>(m.asArg(), 0, 0);
 }
 
 int main(int, char**)
diff --git a/doc/examples/class_Row.cpp b/doc/examples/class_Row.cpp
index 12c144c85..23358d869 100644
--- a/doc/examples/class_Row.cpp
+++ b/doc/examples/class_Row.cpp
@@ -6,14 +6,14 @@ template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 Eigen::Row<Derived>
 firstRow(MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>& m)
 {
-  return Eigen::Row<Derived>(m.ref(), 0);
+  return Eigen::Row<Derived>(m.asArg(), 0);
 }
 
 template<typename Scalar, typename Derived>
 const Eigen::Row<Derived>
 firstRow(const MatrixBase<Scalar, Derived>& m)
 {
-  return Eigen::Row<Derived>(m.ref(), 0);
+  return Eigen::Row<Derived>(m.asArg(), 0);
 }
 
 int main(int, char**)