Hi, I am quite new to the iostreams and lexical cast and hence bear with me of any lack of knowledge. I am using the lexical cast in the following manner: unsigned int data_value = boost::lexical_cast<unsigned int>("0xFF"); The above comes out with a runtime bad_lexical_cast error. I understood, by default, the streams (stringstream used by lexical cast) should be able to automatically identify the radix of the input and convert it automatically. Is my above undestanding correct? Is lexical_cast meant to be used in this situation? Thanks for your help? Ram ======================================================================================= Mahadevan Ramanan Design Technology Centre DTG - Philips Semiconductors Milbrook Industrial Estate Tel: +44 (0) 23 8031 2540 Southampton, Hants SO15 0DJ Fax: +44 (0) 23 8031 2642 UK ====================================================================================== The information contained in this message is confidential and may be legally privileged. The message is intended solely for the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, or reproduction is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by return e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.