http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=54392
Bug #: 54392 Summary: [4.6/4.7/4.8 Regression] std::string::append() fails to update length Classification: Unclassified Product: gcc Version: 4.6.3 Status: UNCONFIRMED Severity: normal Priority: P3 Component: libstdc++ AssignedTo: unassig...@gcc.gnu.org ReportedBy: r...@gcc.gnu.org #include <string> #include <cassert> int main() { std::string s1, s2; s1.assign(s2.c_str(), 1); assert( s1.size() == 1 ); } This test passes with G++ 4.4, but in 4.5 and later string::assign(const char*, size_type) doesn't mutate the string but tries to work in-place on the empty rep, then tries (and fails) to set the length of the empty rep to 1.