# File lib/cgikit.rb, line 444
  def instance( element, app, parent, name, body )
			body          = '' unless body
			component     = "#{app.component_path}/#{element}/#{element}"
			ext_element   = "cgikit/elements/#{element}"
			ext_component = "cgikit/components/#{element}/#{element}"
			paths         = [ ext_element, ext_component ]

			# starndard elements
			if Object.const_defined? element
				return Object.const_get(element).new(app,parent,name,body)
			# components
			elsif FileTest.exist? "#{component}.rb"
				require component
				obj = Object.const_get(element).new(app,parent,name,body)
				return obj
			end

			# check paths for extension components
			$LOAD_PATH.each { | load_path |
				paths.each { | path |
					ext_path = "#{load_path}/#{path}"
					if FileTest.exist?( "#{ext_path}.rb" )
						require path
						obj = Object.const_get(element).new(app,parent,name,body)
						obj.path = ext_path
						return obj
					else
						next
					end
				}
			}

			raise UnknownElementError, "No such '#{element}' element or component."
		end