I have this simple program: #include <sstream> int main(void) { int i; std::ostringstream buf; //buf.width(2); buf.fill('0'); return 0; } I compile/link it using: g++ a.cc and then execute: ./a.out But the program crashes - Bus Error (core dumped) Using: gcc -v Reading specs from /usr/local/lib/gcc-lib/sparc-sun-solaris2.9/3.3/specs Configured with: ../configure --disable-nls --with-as=/usr/ccs/bin/as --with-ld=/usr/ccs/bin/ld Thread model: posix gcc version 3.3 The problem occurs if any variable is declared before ostringstream, if ostringstream is defined first, the program runs fine. What could cause this problem? Thanks.. m.