The c_str() method of the std::string class returns a pointer to const char so that you can't modify the result. Unfortunately, there's no good solution, and you can thank the author of the library who didn't write const-correct code. Now, if you know that the function will not modify the string, you can use const_cast to allow the conversion:
If you're not sure whether the function will modify the string or not, you have no choice but to create a C-style string copy:
strcpy is declared in <cstring>.

>oh and by the way ive tried casting it using static_cast
static_cast doesn't remove qualifiers, which is a very good thing because you have to actively choose const_cast, and therefore can't do it by accident.

Thanks very much that seems do have done the trick! Won't know for sure though until i'm back in tomorrow!

Cheers though It's a great help cause that was the sticking point.