The max_size member function returns a wrong value: (npos / sizeof(_CharT)) - 2 the correct value is: (npos / sizeof(_CharT)) - 2 - sizeof(_Rep). Ryszard Kabatek Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Department of Physical Chemistry Geusaer Str. 88, 06217 Merseburg, Germany Tel. +49 3461 46 2487 (2466) Fax. +49 3461 46 2129