Here is a very simple, but extremely useful, class I would like to submit for inclusion for boost: parm_string. parm_string is a special string class that is designed to be used as a parameter for a function that is expecting a string. It will allow either a "const char *" or "string" class to be passed in. It will automatically convert to a "const char *". The string can also be accesses via the "str" method. Usage example: void foo(parm_string s1, parm_string s2) { const char * str0 = s1; size_t sz = s2.size() if (s1 == s2 || s2 == "bar") { ... } } .. string s1 = "..."; foo(s1); const char * s2 = "..."; foo(s2); By using parm_string instead on "const char *" one avoids the need to have to use the c_str() member every time a string is passed into a function. It is also more effect than just using "const char *" as the length information is passed in if it is known. It is also more efferent than just using "const string &" as that will involve creating an unnecessary temporary when a non string object is used. In my experience most functions that require a string as a parameter really only need the value of the string and possibly its length. They don't need the functionally of the full "string" class. Attached is parm_string.hpp and a simpile program parm_string.cpp I use a variant of this class heavily in my programs I find it extremely useful. -- http://kevin.atkinson.dhs.org