Int to String converstion breaking in function

[NexusX]

Hello,

I'm having a great deal of trouble stemming from a part in my code where I have to convert an integer into a string so that I can concatenate it - the problem being that a variable is refusing to clear or re-write itself, instead it just appends the new data when it ought to replace the old with the new completely. Here's some sample code, and where it's breaking:

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <sstream>

using namespace std;

stringstream toString;

string converter;

void clear_converter(string&);
string int_to_s(int, string&);
string cypher(string);

int main()
{
  int number = 123;
  string converter;

  cout << int_to_s(number, converter) << endl;;
  clear_converter(converter);
  cout << int_to_s(456, converter) << endl;

    return 0;
}

//Defined Functions
/*This bit of code comes from various sources on the web
 *that say this is easiest way to convert int to str */
string int_to_s(int num, string& converter){
    toString << num;
    converter = toString.str();
    return converter;
}
/*A function that's supposed to clear "converter', but can't or doesn't
 *I've tried a plethora of ways in and out of functions and
 *in int main() itself to clear converter, but for the life of me I can't
 *and I don't know why */
void clear_converter(string& converter){
    converter.clear();
    }

From this, you would expect the output to be

123        //Expected Output
456

But instead, the output is:

123       //Actual Output
123456

As I said above, converter just appends the new data when I want it replaced no matter what I do. It's important that it's replaced because I'm running the code in a for loop in my main program, so converter is used to convert int to string over and over.

I would greatly appreciate any help. I've spent literal hours trying to figure out the problem on my own.

[Ancient Dragon]

The main problem is use of globals. Delete the globals, delete unneded clear_foo() function, and your program works as you expect it to.

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <sstream>

using namespace std;


string int_to_s(int, string&);
string cypher(string);

int main()
{
    string foo;
    int number = 123;

    cout << int_to_s(number, foo) << endl;;
    cout << int_to_s(456,foo) << endl;

    return 0;
}

//Defined Functions
/*This bit of code comes from various sources on the web
 *that say this is easiest way to convert int to str */
string int_to_s(int num, string& foo){
    stringstream toString;
    toString << num;
    foo = toString.str();
    return foo;
}

[NexusX]

Thanks a lot! I knew the problem was going to be caused by something minorly stupid I did. Program works like a charm, thanks man :)