public Object[] getArgs() {
   // parse arguments
   if (args == null) {
     String parm = request.getParameter("args");
     if (parm != null && parm.length() > 0) {
       if (!parm.startsWith("[")) throw new RuntimeException("args must be enclosed with []");
       args = JsonUtil.toObjectArray(parm);
     }
   }
   return args;
 }