Change pid_to_str to return std::string

Message ID 20190228173610.3777-1-tromey@adacore.com
State New, archived
Headers

Commit Message

Tom Tromey Feb. 28, 2019, 5:36 p.m. UTC
  Currently the target pid_to_str method returns a const char *, so many
implementations have a static buffer that they update.  This patch
changes these methods to return a std::string instead.  I think this
is cleaner and avoids possible gotchas when calling pid_to_str on
different ptids in a single statement.  (Though no such calls exist
currently.)

This also updates various helper functions, and the gdbarch pid_to_str
methods.

I also made a best effort to fix all the callers, but I can't build
some of the *-nat.c files.

Tested by the buildbot.

gdb/ChangeLog
2019-02-28  Tom Tromey  <tromey@adacore.com>

	* i386-gnu-nat.c (i386_gnu_nat_target::fetch_registers)
	(i386_gnu_nat_target::store_registers): Update.
	* target-debug.h (target_debug_print_std_string): New macro.
	* x86-linux-nat.c (x86_linux_nat_target::enable_btrace): Update.
	* windows-tdep.c (display_one_tib): Update.
	* tui/tui-stack.c (tui_make_status_line): Update.
	* top.c (print_inferior_quit_action): Update.
	* thread.c (thr_try_catch_cmd): Update.
	(add_thread_with_info): Update.
	(thread_target_id_str): Update.
	(thr_try_catch_cmd): Update.
	(thread_command): Update.
	(thread_find_command): Update.
	* record-btrace.c (record_btrace_target::info_record)
	(record_btrace_resume_thread, record_btrace_target::resume)
	(record_btrace_cancel_resume, record_btrace_step_thread)
	(record_btrace_target::wait, record_btrace_target::wait)
	(record_btrace_target::wait, record_btrace_target::stop): Update.
	* progspace.c (print_program_space): Update.
	* process-stratum-target.c
	(process_stratum_target::thread_address_space): Update.
	* linux-fork.c (linux_fork_mourn_inferior)
	(detach_checkpoint_command, info_checkpoints_command)
	(linux_fork_context): Update.
	(linux_fork_detach): Update.
	(class scoped_switch_fork_info): Update.
	(delete_checkpoint_command): Update.
	* infrun.c (follow_fork_inferior): Update.
	(follow_fork_inferior): Update.
	(proceed_after_vfork_done): Update.
	(handle_vfork_child_exec_or_exit): Update.
	(follow_exec): Update.
	(displaced_step_prepare_throw): Update.
	(displaced_step_restore): Update.
	(start_step_over): Update.
	(resume_1): Update.
	(clear_proceed_status_thread): Update.
	(proceed): Update.
	(print_target_wait_results): Update.
	(do_target_wait): Update.
	(context_switch): Update.
	(stop_all_threads): Update.
	(restart_threads): Update.
	(finish_step_over): Update.
	(handle_signal_stop): Update.
	(switch_back_to_stepped_thread): Update.
	(keep_going_pass_signal): Update.
	(print_exited_reason): Update.
	(normal_stop): Update.
	* inferior.c (inferior_pid_to_str): Change return type.
	(print_selected_inferior): Update.
	(add_inferior): Update.
	(detach_inferior): Update.
	* dummy-frame.c (fprint_dummy_frames): Update.
	* dcache.c (dcache_info_1): Update.
	* btrace.c (btrace_enable, btrace_disable, btrace_teardown)
	(btrace_fetch, btrace_clear): Update.
	* linux-tdep.c (linux_core_pid_to_str): Change return type.
	* i386-cygwin-tdep.c (i386_windows_core_pid_to_str): Change return
	type.
	* fbsd-tdep.c (fbsd_core_pid_to_str): Change return type.
	* sol2-tdep.h (sol2_core_pid_to_str): Change return type.
	* sol2-tdep.c (sol2_core_pid_to_str): Change return type.
	* gdbarch.c, gdbarch.h: Rebuild.
	* gdbarch.sh (core_pid_to_str): Change return type.
	* windows-nat.c (struct windows_nat_target) <pid_to_str>: Change
	return type.
	(windows_nat_target::pid_to_str): Change return type.
	(windows_delete_thread): Update.
	(windows_nat_target::attach): Update.
	(windows_nat_target::files_info): Update.
	* target-delegates.c: Rebuild.
	* sol-thread.c (class sol_thread_target) <pid_to_str>: Change
	return type.
	(sol_thread_target::pid_to_str): Change return type.
	* remote.c (class remote_target) <pid_to_str>: Change return
	type.
	(remote_target::pid_to_str): Change return type.
	(extended_remote_target::attach, remote_target::remote_stop_ns)
	(remote_target::remote_notif_remove_queued_reply)
	(remote_target::push_stop_reply, remote_target::disable_btrace):
	Update.
	(extended_remote_target::attach): Update.
	* remote-sim.c (struct gdbsim_target) <pid_to_str>: Change return
	type.
	(gdbsim_target::pid_to_str): Change return type.
	* ravenscar-thread.c (struct ravenscar_thread_target)
	<pid_to_str>: Change return type.
	(ravenscar_thread_target::pid_to_str): Change return type.
	* procfs.c (class procfs_target) <pid_to_str>: Change return
	type.
	(procfs_target::pid_to_str): Change return type.
	(procfs_target::attach): Update.
	(procfs_target::detach): Update.
	(procfs_target::fetch_registers): Update.
	(procfs_target::store_registers): Update.
	(procfs_target::wait): Update.
	(procfs_target::files_info): Update.
	* obsd-nat.c (obsd_nat_target::pid_to_str): Change return type.
	* nto-procfs.c (struct nto_procfs_target) <pid_to_str>: Change
	return type.
	(nto_procfs_target::pid_to_str): Change return type.
	(nto_procfs_target::files_info, nto_procfs_target::attach): Update.
	* linux-thread-db.c (class thread_db_target) <pid_to_str>: Change
	return type.
	* linux-nat.c (linux_nat_target::pid_to_str): Change return type.
	(exit_lwp): Update.
	(attach_proc_task_lwp_callback, get_detach_signal)
	(detach_one_lwp, resume_lwp, linux_nat_target::resume)
	(linux_nat_target::resume, wait_lwp, stop_callback)
	(maybe_clear_ignore_sigint, stop_wait_callback, status_callback)
	(save_stop_reason, select_event_lwp, linux_nat_filter_event)
	(linux_nat_wait_1, resume_stopped_resumed_lwps)
	(linux_nat_target::wait, linux_nat_stop_lwp): Update.
	* inf-ptrace.c (inf_ptrace_target::pid_to_str): Change return
	type.
	(inf_ptrace_target::attach): Update.
	(inf_ptrace_target::files_info): Update.
	* go32-nat.c (struct go32_nat_target) <pid_to_str>: Change return
	type.
	(go32_nat_target::pid_to_str): Change return type.
	* gnu-nat.c (gnu_nat_target::pid_to_str): Change return type.
	(gnu_nat_target::wait): Update.
	(gnu_nat_target::wait): Update.
	(gnu_nat_target::resume): Update.
	* fbsd-nat.c (fbsd_nat_target::pid_to_str): Change return type.
	(fbsd_nat_target::wait): Update.
	* darwin-nat.c (darwin_nat_target::pid_to_str): Change return
	type.
	(darwin_nat_target::attach): Update.
	* corelow.c (class core_target) <pid_to_str>: Change return type.
	(core_target::pid_to_str): Change return type.
	* target.c (normal_pid_to_str): Change return type.
	(default_pid_to_str): Likewise.
	(target_pid_to_str): Change return type.
	(target_translate_tls_address): Update.
	(target_announce_detach): Update.
	* bsd-uthread.c (struct bsd_uthread_target) <pid_to_str>: Change
	return type.
	(bsd_uthread_target::pid_to_str): Change return type.
	* bsd-kvm.c (class bsd_kvm_target) <pid_to_str>: Change return
	type.
	(bsd_kvm_target::pid_to_str): Change return type.
	* aix-thread.c (class aix_thread_target) <pid_to_str>: Change
	return type.
	(aix_thread_target::pid_to_str): Change return type.
	* target.h (struct target_ops) <pid_to_str>: Change return type.
	(target_pid_to_str, normal_pid_to_str): Likewise.
	* obsd-nat.h (class obsd_nat_target) <pid_to_str>: Change return
	type.
	* linux-nat.h (class linux_nat_target) <pid_to_str>: Change return
	type.
	* inf-ptrace.h (struct inf_ptrace_target) <pid_to_str>: Change
	return type.
	* gnu-nat.h (struct gnu_nat_target) <pid_to_str>: Change return
	type.
	* fbsd-nat.h (class fbsd_nat_target) <pid_to_str>: Change return
	type.
	* darwin-nat.h (class darwin_nat_target) <pid_to_str>: Change
	return type.
---
 gdb/ChangeLog                | 163 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 gdb/aix-thread.c             |  13 +--
 gdb/bsd-kvm.c                |   8 +-
 gdb/bsd-uthread.c            |  13 +--
 gdb/btrace.c                 |  10 +--
 gdb/corelow.c                |   8 +-
 gdb/darwin-nat.c             |  14 ++-
 gdb/darwin-nat.h             |   2 +-
 gdb/dcache.c                 |   2 +-
 gdb/dummy-frame.c            |   2 +-
 gdb/fbsd-nat.c               |  13 ++-
 gdb/fbsd-nat.h               |   2 +-
 gdb/fbsd-tdep.c              |   9 +-
 gdb/gdbarch.c                |   2 +-
 gdb/gdbarch.h                |   4 +-
 gdb/gdbarch.sh               |   2 +-
 gdb/gnu-nat.c                |  25 +++---
 gdb/gnu-nat.h                |   2 +-
 gdb/go32-nat.c               |   4 +-
 gdb/i386-cygwin-tdep.c       |   9 +-
 gdb/i386-gnu-nat.c           |   4 +-
 gdb/inf-ptrace.c             |   8 +-
 gdb/inf-ptrace.h             |   2 +-
 gdb/inferior.c               |   8 +-
 gdb/infrun.c                 | 123 +++++++++++++-------------
 gdb/linux-fork.c             |  25 +++---
 gdb/linux-nat.c              | 109 ++++++++++++-----------
 gdb/linux-nat.h              |   2 +-
 gdb/linux-tdep.c             |   9 +-
 gdb/linux-thread-db.c        |  11 +--
 gdb/nto-procfs.c             |  17 ++--
 gdb/obsd-nat.c               |   9 +-
 gdb/obsd-nat.h               |   2 +-
 gdb/process-stratum-target.c |   2 +-
 gdb/procfs.c                 |  31 +++----
 gdb/progspace.c              |   4 +-
 gdb/ravenscar-thread.c       |   9 +-
 gdb/record-btrace.c          |  20 +++--
 gdb/remote-sim.c             |   7 +-
 gdb/remote.c                 |  45 ++++------
 gdb/sol-thread.c             |  24 +++---
 gdb/sol2-tdep.c              |  11 +--
 gdb/sol2-tdep.h              |   2 +-
 gdb/target-debug.h           |   2 +
 gdb/target-delegates.c       |  14 +--
 gdb/target.c                 |  25 +++---
 gdb/target.h                 |   6 +-
 gdb/thread.c                 |  27 +++---
 gdb/top.c                    |   4 +-
 gdb/tui/tui-stack.c          |   6 +-
 gdb/windows-nat.c            |  23 ++---
 gdb/windows-tdep.c           |   8 +-
 gdb/x86-linux-nat.c          |   2 +-
 53 files changed, 500 insertions(+), 408 deletions(-)
  

Comments

John Baldwin Feb. 28, 2019, 7:51 p.m. UTC | #1
On 2/28/19 9:36 AM, Tom Tromey wrote:
> Currently the target pid_to_str method returns a const char *, so many
> implementations have a static buffer that they update.  This patch
> changes these methods to return a std::string instead.  I think this
> is cleaner and avoids possible gotchas when calling pid_to_str on
> different ptids in a single statement.  (Though no such calls exist
> currently.)
> 
> This also updates various helper functions, and the gdbarch pid_to_str
> methods.
> 
> I also made a best effort to fix all the callers, but I can't build
> some of the *-nat.c files.

I skimmed most of it and it looks good to me.  All the *bsd* files look
good to me.  If for some reason fbsd-nat.c fails to build I'll take care
of it post-commit though it looks correct to me.
  
Tom Tromey March 13, 2019, 7:48 p.m. UTC | #2
>>>>> "Tom" == Tom Tromey <tromey@adacore.com> writes:

Tom> Currently the target pid_to_str method returns a const char *, so many
Tom> implementations have a static buffer that they update.  This patch
Tom> changes these methods to return a std::string instead.  I think this
Tom> is cleaner and avoids possible gotchas when calling pid_to_str on
Tom> different ptids in a single statement.  (Though no such calls exist
Tom> currently.)

I'm checking this in now.

Tom
  

Patch

diff --git a/gdb/aix-thread.c b/gdb/aix-thread.c
index 655c085734c..ffa3352d039 100644
--- a/gdb/aix-thread.c
+++ b/gdb/aix-thread.c
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@  public:
 
   bool thread_alive (ptid_t ptid) override;
 
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
 
   const char *extra_thread_info (struct thread_info *) override;
 
@@ -1746,20 +1746,13 @@  aix_thread_target::thread_alive (ptid_t ptid)
 /* Return a printable representation of composite PID for use in
    "info threads" output.  */
 
-const char *
+std::string
 aix_thread_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
-  static char *ret = NULL;
-
   if (!PD_TID (ptid))
     return beneath ()->pid_to_str (ptid);
 
-  /* Free previous return value; a new one will be allocated by
-     xstrprintf().  */
-  xfree (ret);
-
-  ret = xstrprintf (_("Thread %ld"), ptid.tid ());
-  return ret;
+  return string_printf (_("Thread %ld"), ptid.tid ());
 }
 
 /* Return a printable representation of extra information about
diff --git a/gdb/bsd-kvm.c b/gdb/bsd-kvm.c
index 46f222558f3..21f978728da 100644
--- a/gdb/bsd-kvm.c
+++ b/gdb/bsd-kvm.c
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@  public:
 
   void files_info () override;
   bool thread_alive (ptid_t ptid) override;
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
 
   bool has_memory () override { return true; }
   bool has_stack () override { return true; }
@@ -368,12 +368,10 @@  bsd_kvm_target::thread_alive (ptid_t ptid)
   return true;
 }
 
-const char *
+std::string
 bsd_kvm_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
-  static char buf[64];
-  xsnprintf (buf, sizeof buf, "<kvm>");
-  return buf;
+  return "<kvm>";
 }
 
 /* Add the libkvm interface to the list of all possible targets and
diff --git a/gdb/bsd-uthread.c b/gdb/bsd-uthread.c
index 3b3a420f2a4..af048f7a18f 100644
--- a/gdb/bsd-uthread.c
+++ b/gdb/bsd-uthread.c
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@  struct bsd_uthread_target final : public target_ops
 
   const char *extra_thread_info (struct thread_info *) override;
 
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
 };
 
 static bsd_uthread_target bsd_uthread_ops;
@@ -530,17 +530,12 @@  bsd_uthread_target::extra_thread_info (thread_info *info)
   return NULL;
 }
 
-const char *
+std::string
 bsd_uthread_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
   if (ptid.tid () != 0)
-    {
-      static char buf[64];
-
-      xsnprintf (buf, sizeof buf, "process %d, thread 0x%lx",
-		 ptid.pid (), ptid.tid ());
-      return buf;
-    }
+    return string_printf ("process %d, thread 0x%lx",
+			  ptid.pid (), ptid.tid ());
 
   return normal_pid_to_str (ptid);
 }
diff --git a/gdb/btrace.c b/gdb/btrace.c
index 000db4260e2..12af46814a9 100644
--- a/gdb/btrace.c
+++ b/gdb/btrace.c
@@ -1608,7 +1608,7 @@  btrace_enable (struct thread_info *tp, const struct btrace_config *conf)
 #endif /* !defined (HAVE_LIBIPT) */
 
   DEBUG ("enable thread %s (%s)", print_thread_id (tp),
-	 target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+	 target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 
   tp->btrace.target = target_enable_btrace (tp->ptid, conf);
 
@@ -1663,7 +1663,7 @@  btrace_disable (struct thread_info *tp)
     return;
 
   DEBUG ("disable thread %s (%s)", print_thread_id (tp),
-	 target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+	 target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 
   target_disable_btrace (btp->target);
   btp->target = NULL;
@@ -1682,7 +1682,7 @@  btrace_teardown (struct thread_info *tp)
     return;
 
   DEBUG ("teardown thread %s (%s)", print_thread_id (tp),
-	 target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+	 target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 
   target_teardown_btrace (btp->target);
   btp->target = NULL;
@@ -1905,7 +1905,7 @@  btrace_fetch (struct thread_info *tp, const struct btrace_cpu *cpu)
   int errcode;
 
   DEBUG ("fetch thread %s (%s)", print_thread_id (tp),
-	 target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+	 target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 
   btinfo = &tp->btrace;
   tinfo = btinfo->target;
@@ -1981,7 +1981,7 @@  btrace_clear (struct thread_info *tp)
   struct btrace_thread_info *btinfo;
 
   DEBUG ("clear thread %s (%s)", print_thread_id (tp),
-	 target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+	 target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 
   /* Make sure btrace frames that may hold a pointer into the branch
      trace data are destroyed.  */
diff --git a/gdb/corelow.c b/gdb/corelow.c
index 6a29d6a2328..7fb42970de4 100644
--- a/gdb/corelow.c
+++ b/gdb/corelow.c
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@  public:
   bool thread_alive (ptid_t ptid) override;
   const struct target_desc *read_description () override;
 
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
 
   const char *thread_name (struct thread_info *) override;
 
@@ -985,10 +985,9 @@  core_target::read_description ()
   return this->beneath ()->read_description ();
 }
 
-const char *
+std::string
 core_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
-  static char buf[64];
   struct inferior *inf;
   int pid;
 
@@ -1013,8 +1012,7 @@  core_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
     return normal_pid_to_str (ptid);
 
   /* No luck.  We simply don't have a valid PID to print.  */
-  xsnprintf (buf, sizeof buf, "<main task>");
-  return buf;
+  return "<main task>";
 }
 
 const char *
diff --git a/gdb/darwin-nat.c b/gdb/darwin-nat.c
index 8c34aa8a3f2..97bbbe9298f 100644
--- a/gdb/darwin-nat.c
+++ b/gdb/darwin-nat.c
@@ -2052,10 +2052,10 @@  darwin_nat_target::attach (const char *args, int from_tty)
 
       if (exec_file)
 	printf_unfiltered (_("Attaching to program: %s, %s\n"), exec_file,
-			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)));
+			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str ());
       else
 	printf_unfiltered (_("Attaching to %s\n"),
-			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)));
+			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str ());
 
       gdb_flush (gdb_stdout);
     }
@@ -2128,18 +2128,14 @@  darwin_nat_target::detach (inferior *inf, int from_tty)
   mourn_inferior ();
 }
 
-const char *
+std::string
 darwin_nat_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
-  static char buf[80];
   long tid = ptid.tid ();
 
   if (tid != 0)
-    {
-      snprintf (buf, sizeof (buf), _("Thread 0x%lx of process %u"),
-		tid, ptid.pid ());
-      return buf;
-    }
+    return string_printf (_("Thread 0x%lx of process %u"),
+			  tid, ptid.pid ());
 
   return normal_pid_to_str (ptid);
 }
diff --git a/gdb/darwin-nat.h b/gdb/darwin-nat.h
index f33e25316f5..9091efd88f1 100644
--- a/gdb/darwin-nat.h
+++ b/gdb/darwin-nat.h
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@  class darwin_nat_target : public inf_child_target
 
   bool thread_alive (ptid_t ptid) override;
 
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
 
   char *pid_to_exec_file (int pid) override;
 
diff --git a/gdb/dcache.c b/gdb/dcache.c
index 82cb34b08ad..5a2e8f8000b 100644
--- a/gdb/dcache.c
+++ b/gdb/dcache.c
@@ -615,7 +615,7 @@  dcache_info_1 (DCACHE *dcache, const char *exp)
     }
 
   printf_filtered (_("Contains data for %s\n"),
-		   target_pid_to_str (dcache->ptid));
+		   target_pid_to_str (dcache->ptid).c_str ());
 
   refcount = 0;
 
diff --git a/gdb/dummy-frame.c b/gdb/dummy-frame.c
index a36cdff459e..aebdd233d74 100644
--- a/gdb/dummy-frame.c
+++ b/gdb/dummy-frame.c
@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@  fprint_dummy_frames (struct ui_file *file)
       fprintf_unfiltered (file, " id=");
       fprint_frame_id (file, s->id.id);
       fprintf_unfiltered (file, ", ptid=%s",
-			  target_pid_to_str (s->id.thread->ptid));
+			  target_pid_to_str (s->id.thread->ptid).c_str ());
       fprintf_unfiltered (file, "\n");
     }
 }
diff --git a/gdb/fbsd-nat.c b/gdb/fbsd-nat.c
index 184d63939f4..d4f4c8cf359 100644
--- a/gdb/fbsd-nat.c
+++ b/gdb/fbsd-nat.c
@@ -897,10 +897,9 @@  fbsd_nat_target::thread_alive (ptid_t ptid)
   return true;
 }
 
-/* Convert PTID to a string.  Returns the string in a static
-   buffer.  */
+/* Convert PTID to a string.  */
 
-const char *
+std::string
 fbsd_nat_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
   lwpid_t lwp;
@@ -908,11 +907,9 @@  fbsd_nat_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
   lwp = ptid.lwp ();
   if (lwp != 0)
     {
-      static char buf[64];
       int pid = ptid.pid ();
 
-      xsnprintf (buf, sizeof buf, "LWP %d of process %d", lwp, pid);
-      return buf;
+      return string_printf ("LWP %d of process %d", lwp, pid);
     }
 
   return normal_pid_to_str (ptid);
@@ -1350,8 +1347,8 @@  fbsd_nat_target::wait (ptid_t ptid, struct target_waitstatus *ourstatus,
 					"FLWP: deleting thread for LWP %u\n",
 					pl.pl_lwpid);
 		  if (print_thread_events)
-		    printf_unfiltered (_("[%s exited]\n"), target_pid_to_str
-				       (wptid));
+		    printf_unfiltered (_("[%s exited]\n"),
+				       target_pid_to_str (wptid).c_str ());
 		  delete_thread (thr);
 		}
 	      if (ptrace (PT_CONTINUE, pid, (caddr_t) 1, 0) == -1)
diff --git a/gdb/fbsd-nat.h b/gdb/fbsd-nat.h
index 45861d0257a..b0c9eb16c77 100644
--- a/gdb/fbsd-nat.h
+++ b/gdb/fbsd-nat.h
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@  public:
 
 #ifdef PT_LWPINFO
   bool thread_alive (ptid_t ptid) override;
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
 
 #ifdef HAVE_STRUCT_PTRACE_LWPINFO_PL_TDNAME
   const char *thread_name (struct thread_info *) override;
diff --git a/gdb/fbsd-tdep.c b/gdb/fbsd-tdep.c
index d971d3a6533..9279189ae2c 100644
--- a/gdb/fbsd-tdep.c
+++ b/gdb/fbsd-tdep.c
@@ -446,16 +446,11 @@  get_fbsd_gdbarch_data (struct gdbarch *gdbarch)
 
 /* This is how we want PTIDs from core files to be printed.  */
 
-static const char *
+static std::string
 fbsd_core_pid_to_str (struct gdbarch *gdbarch, ptid_t ptid)
 {
-  static char buf[80];
-
   if (ptid.lwp () != 0)
-    {
-      xsnprintf (buf, sizeof buf, "LWP %ld", ptid.lwp ());
-      return buf;
-    }
+    return string_printf ("LWP %ld", ptid.lwp ());
 
   return normal_pid_to_str (ptid);
 }
diff --git a/gdb/gdbarch.c b/gdb/gdbarch.c
index 434ee3bfcf0..fd00efdb84c 100644
--- a/gdb/gdbarch.c
+++ b/gdb/gdbarch.c
@@ -3734,7 +3734,7 @@  gdbarch_core_pid_to_str_p (struct gdbarch *gdbarch)
   return gdbarch->core_pid_to_str != NULL;
 }
 
-const char *
+std::string
 gdbarch_core_pid_to_str (struct gdbarch *gdbarch, ptid_t ptid)
 {
   gdb_assert (gdbarch != NULL);
diff --git a/gdb/gdbarch.h b/gdb/gdbarch.h
index 75618376abb..b56832cb01e 100644
--- a/gdb/gdbarch.h
+++ b/gdb/gdbarch.h
@@ -947,8 +947,8 @@  extern void set_gdbarch_core_xfer_shared_libraries_aix (struct gdbarch *gdbarch,
 
 extern int gdbarch_core_pid_to_str_p (struct gdbarch *gdbarch);
 
-typedef const char * (gdbarch_core_pid_to_str_ftype) (struct gdbarch *gdbarch, ptid_t ptid);
-extern const char * gdbarch_core_pid_to_str (struct gdbarch *gdbarch, ptid_t ptid);
+typedef std::string (gdbarch_core_pid_to_str_ftype) (struct gdbarch *gdbarch, ptid_t ptid);
+extern std::string gdbarch_core_pid_to_str (struct gdbarch *gdbarch, ptid_t ptid);
 extern void set_gdbarch_core_pid_to_str (struct gdbarch *gdbarch, gdbarch_core_pid_to_str_ftype *core_pid_to_str);
 
 /* How the core target extracts the name of a thread from a core file. */
diff --git a/gdb/gdbarch.sh b/gdb/gdbarch.sh
index 48fcebd19a0..fb9d0215d84 100755
--- a/gdb/gdbarch.sh
+++ b/gdb/gdbarch.sh
@@ -759,7 +759,7 @@  M;ULONGEST;core_xfer_shared_libraries;gdb_byte *readbuf, ULONGEST offset, ULONGE
 M;ULONGEST;core_xfer_shared_libraries_aix;gdb_byte *readbuf, ULONGEST offset, ULONGEST len;readbuf, offset, len
 
 # How the core target converts a PTID from a core file to a string.
-M;const char *;core_pid_to_str;ptid_t ptid;ptid
+M;std::string;core_pid_to_str;ptid_t ptid;ptid
 
 # How the core target extracts the name of a thread from a core file.
 M;const char *;core_thread_name;struct thread_info *thr;thr
diff --git a/gdb/gnu-nat.c b/gdb/gnu-nat.c
index 53f23068a40..11beb5f16a5 100644
--- a/gdb/gnu-nat.c
+++ b/gdb/gnu-nat.c
@@ -1493,7 +1493,7 @@  gnu_nat_target::wait (ptid_t ptid, struct target_waitstatus *status,
 
   waiting_inf = inf;
 
-  inf_debug (inf, "waiting for: %s", target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+  inf_debug (inf, "waiting for: %s", target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 
 rewait:
   if (proc_wait_pid != inf->pid && !inf->no_wait)
@@ -1648,7 +1648,7 @@  rewait:
     }
 
   inf_debug (inf, "returning ptid = %s, status = %s (%d)",
-	     target_pid_to_str (ptid),
+	     target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str (),
 	     status->kind == TARGET_WAITKIND_EXITED ? "EXITED"
 	     : status->kind == TARGET_WAITKIND_STOPPED ? "STOPPED"
 	     : status->kind == TARGET_WAITKIND_SIGNALLED ? "SIGNALLED"
@@ -2012,7 +2012,7 @@  gnu_nat_target::resume (ptid_t ptid, int step, enum gdb_signal sig)
   struct inf *inf = gnu_current_inf;
 
   inf_debug (inf, "ptid = %s, step = %d, sig = %d",
-	     target_pid_to_str (ptid), step, sig);
+	     target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str (), step, sig);
 
   inf_validate_procinfo (inf);
 
@@ -2058,8 +2058,9 @@  gnu_nat_target::resume (ptid_t ptid, int step, enum gdb_signal sig)
 
       if (!thread)
 	error (_("Can't run single thread id %s: no such thread!"),
-	       target_pid_to_str (ptid));
-      inf_debug (inf, "running one thread: %s", target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+	       target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
+      inf_debug (inf, "running one thread: %s",
+		 target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
       inf_set_threads_resume_sc (inf, thread, 0);
     }
 
@@ -2068,9 +2069,10 @@  gnu_nat_target::resume (ptid_t ptid, int step, enum gdb_signal sig)
       step_thread = inf_tid_to_thread (inf, ptid.lwp ());
       if (!step_thread)
 	warning (_("Can't step thread id %s: no such thread."),
-		 target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+		 target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
       else
-	inf_debug (inf, "stepping thread: %s", target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+	inf_debug (inf, "stepping thread: %s",
+		   target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
     }
   if (step_thread != inf->step_thread)
     inf_set_step_thread (inf, step_thread);
@@ -2717,7 +2719,7 @@  proc_string (struct proc *proc)
   return tid_str;
 }
 
-const char *
+std::string
 gnu_nat_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
   struct inf *inf = gnu_current_inf;
@@ -2727,12 +2729,7 @@  gnu_nat_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
   if (thread)
     return proc_string (thread);
   else
-    {
-      static char tid_str[80];
-
-      xsnprintf (tid_str, sizeof (tid_str), "bogus thread id %d", tid);
-      return tid_str;
-    }
+    return string_printf ("bogus thread id %d", tid);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/gdb/gnu-nat.h b/gdb/gnu-nat.h
index 4bd4176ead8..a22df89fe2d 100644
--- a/gdb/gnu-nat.h
+++ b/gdb/gnu-nat.h
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@  struct gnu_nat_target : public inf_child_target
 			char **, int) override;
   void mourn_inferior () override;
   bool thread_alive (ptid_t ptid) override;
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
   void stop (ptid_t) override;
 };
 
diff --git a/gdb/go32-nat.c b/gdb/go32-nat.c
index 27e236918f0..ea0872363d3 100644
--- a/gdb/go32-nat.c
+++ b/gdb/go32-nat.c
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@  struct go32_nat_target final : public x86_nat_target<inf_child_target>
 
   bool thread_alive (ptid_t ptid) override;
 
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
 };
 
 static go32_nat_target the_go32_nat_target;
@@ -992,7 +992,7 @@  go32_nat_target::thread_alive (ptid_t ptid)
   return ptid != null_ptid;
 }
 
-const char *
+std::string
 go32_nat_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
   return normal_pid_to_str (ptid);
diff --git a/gdb/i386-cygwin-tdep.c b/gdb/i386-cygwin-tdep.c
index e6a9f828929..1acd37975ee 100644
--- a/gdb/i386-cygwin-tdep.c
+++ b/gdb/i386-cygwin-tdep.c
@@ -178,16 +178,11 @@  windows_core_xfer_shared_libraries (struct gdbarch *gdbarch,
 
 /* This is how we want PTIDs from core files to be printed.  */
 
-static const char *
+static std::string
 i386_windows_core_pid_to_str (struct gdbarch *gdbarch, ptid_t ptid)
 {
-  static char buf[80];
-
   if (ptid.lwp () != 0)
-    {
-      snprintf (buf, sizeof (buf), "Thread 0x%lx", ptid.lwp ());
-      return buf;
-    }
+    return string_printf ("Thread 0x%lx", ptid.lwp ());
 
   return normal_pid_to_str (ptid);
 }
diff --git a/gdb/i386-gnu-nat.c b/gdb/i386-gnu-nat.c
index 75ae641f8e0..087445bc626 100644
--- a/gdb/i386-gnu-nat.c
+++ b/gdb/i386-gnu-nat.c
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@  i386_gnu_nat_target::fetch_registers (struct regcache *regcache, int regno)
   thread = inf_tid_to_thread (gnu_current_inf, ptid.lwp ());
   if (!thread)
     error (_("Can't fetch registers from thread %s: No such thread"),
-	   target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+	   target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 
   if (regno < I386_NUM_GREGS || regno == -1)
     {
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@  i386_gnu_nat_target::store_registers (struct regcache *regcache, int regno)
   thread = inf_tid_to_thread (gnu_current_inf, ptid.lwp ());
   if (!thread)
     error (_("Couldn't store registers into thread %s: No such thread"),
-	   target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+	   target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 
   if (regno < I386_NUM_GREGS || regno == -1)
     {
diff --git a/gdb/inf-ptrace.c b/gdb/inf-ptrace.c
index 0956094c6a4..0378926eb53 100644
--- a/gdb/inf-ptrace.c
+++ b/gdb/inf-ptrace.c
@@ -213,10 +213,10 @@  inf_ptrace_target::attach (const char *args, int from_tty)
 
       if (exec_file)
 	printf_unfiltered (_("Attaching to program: %s, %s\n"), exec_file,
-			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)));
+			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str ());
       else
 	printf_unfiltered (_("Attaching to %s\n"),
-			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)));
+			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str ());
 
       gdb_flush (gdb_stdout);
     }
@@ -626,10 +626,10 @@  inf_ptrace_target::files_info ()
 
   printf_filtered (_("\tUsing the running image of %s %s.\n"),
 		   inf->attach_flag ? "attached" : "child",
-		   target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid));
+		   target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid).c_str ());
 }
 
-const char *
+std::string
 inf_ptrace_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
   return normal_pid_to_str (ptid);
diff --git a/gdb/inf-ptrace.h b/gdb/inf-ptrace.h
index 2165578083d..98b5d2e09e6 100644
--- a/gdb/inf-ptrace.h
+++ b/gdb/inf-ptrace.h
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@  struct inf_ptrace_target : public inf_child_target
 
   bool thread_alive (ptid_t ptid) override;
 
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
 
   enum target_xfer_status xfer_partial (enum target_object object,
 					const char *annex,
diff --git a/gdb/inferior.c b/gdb/inferior.c
index b13d8f3bff5..f367e74e661 100644
--- a/gdb/inferior.c
+++ b/gdb/inferior.c
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@  add_inferior (int pid)
       if (pid != 0)
 	printf_unfiltered (_("[New inferior %d (%s)]\n"),
 			   inf->num,
-			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)));
+			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str ());
       else
 	printf_unfiltered (_("[New inferior %d]\n"), inf->num);
     }
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@  detach_inferior (inferior *inf)
   if (print_inferior_events)
     printf_unfiltered (_("[Inferior %d (%s) detached]\n"),
 		       inf->num,
-		       target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)));
+		       target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str ());
 }
 
 void
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@  number_of_inferiors (void)
 /* Converts an inferior process id to a string.  Like
    target_pid_to_str, but special cases the null process.  */
 
-static const char *
+static std::string
 inferior_pid_to_str (int pid)
 {
   if (pid != 0)
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@  print_selected_inferior (struct ui_out *uiout)
     filename = _("<noexec>");
 
   uiout->message (_("[Switching to inferior %d [%s] (%s)]\n"),
-		  inf->num, inferior_pid_to_str (inf->pid), filename);
+		  inf->num, inferior_pid_to_str (inf->pid).c_str (), filename);
 }
 
 /* Prints the list of inferiors and their details on UIOUT.  This is a
diff --git a/gdb/infrun.c b/gdb/infrun.c
index b32635fc422..a05a9343235 100644
--- a/gdb/infrun.c
+++ b/gdb/infrun.c
@@ -470,7 +470,7 @@  holding the child stopped.  Try \"set detach-on-fork\" or \
 	      fprintf_filtered (gdb_stdlog,
 				_("[Detaching after %s from child %s]\n"),
 				has_vforked ? "vfork" : "fork",
-				target_pid_to_str (process_ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (process_ptid).c_str ());
 	    }
 	}
       else
@@ -606,7 +606,7 @@  holding the child stopped.  Try \"set detach-on-fork\" or \
 	      fprintf_filtered (gdb_stdlog,
 				_("[Detaching after fork from "
 				  "parent %s]\n"),
-				target_pid_to_str (process_ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (process_ptid).c_str ());
 	    }
 
 	  target_detach (parent_inf, 0);
@@ -875,7 +875,7 @@  proceed_after_vfork_done (struct thread_info *thread,
       if (debug_infrun)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "infrun: resuming vfork parent thread %s\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (thread->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (thread->ptid).c_str ());
 
       switch_to_thread (thread);
       clear_proceed_status (0);
@@ -962,7 +962,7 @@  handle_vfork_child_exec_or_exit (int exec)
 
 	  if (print_inferior_events)
 	    {
-	      const char *pidstr
+	      std::string pidstr
 		= target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (inf->vfork_parent->pid));
 
 	      target_terminal::ours_for_output ();
@@ -971,13 +971,13 @@  handle_vfork_child_exec_or_exit (int exec)
 		{
 		  fprintf_filtered (gdb_stdlog,
 				    _("[Detaching vfork parent %s "
-				      "after child exec]\n"), pidstr);
+				      "after child exec]\n"), pidstr.c_str ());
 		}
 	      else
 		{
 		  fprintf_filtered (gdb_stdlog,
 				    _("[Detaching vfork parent %s "
-				      "after child exit]\n"), pidstr);
+				      "after child exit]\n"), pidstr.c_str ());
 		}
 	    }
 
@@ -1153,7 +1153,7 @@  follow_exec (ptid_t ptid, char *exec_file_target)
   /* What is this a.out's name?  */
   process_ptid = ptid_t (pid);
   printf_unfiltered (_("%s is executing new program: %s\n"),
-		     target_pid_to_str (process_ptid),
+		     target_pid_to_str (process_ptid).c_str (),
 		     exec_file_target);
 
   /* We've followed the inferior through an exec.  Therefore, the
@@ -1674,7 +1674,7 @@  displaced_step_prepare_throw (thread_info *tp)
       if (debug_displaced)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "displaced: deferring step of %s\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 
       thread_step_over_chain_enqueue (tp);
       return 0;
@@ -1684,7 +1684,7 @@  displaced_step_prepare_throw (thread_info *tp)
       if (debug_displaced)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "displaced: stepping %s now\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
     }
 
   displaced_step_clear (displaced);
@@ -1836,7 +1836,7 @@  displaced_step_restore (struct displaced_step_inferior_state *displaced,
 		     displaced->step_saved_copy.data (), len);
   if (debug_displaced)
     fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog, "displaced: restored %s %s\n",
-			target_pid_to_str (ptid),
+			target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str (),
 			paddress (displaced->step_gdbarch,
 				  displaced->step_copy));
 }
@@ -1995,7 +1995,7 @@  start_step_over (void)
 	  internal_error (__FILE__, __LINE__,
 			  "[%s] has inconsistent state: "
 			  "trap_expected=%d, resumed=%d, executing=%d\n",
-			  target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid),
+			  target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str (),
 			  tp->control.trap_expected,
 			  tp->resumed,
 			  tp->executing);
@@ -2004,7 +2004,7 @@  start_step_over (void)
       if (debug_infrun)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "infrun: resuming [%s] for step-over\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 
       /* keep_going_pass_signal skips the step-over if the breakpoint
 	 is no longer inserted.  In all-stop, we want to keep looking
@@ -2263,7 +2263,8 @@  resume_1 (enum gdb_signal sig)
 	  fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			      "infrun: resume: thread %s has pending wait "
 			      "status %s (currently_stepping=%d).\n",
-			      target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid), statstr.c_str (),
+			      target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str (),
+			      statstr.c_str (),
 			      currently_stepping (tp));
 	}
 
@@ -2275,7 +2276,8 @@  resume_1 (enum gdb_signal sig)
       if (sig != GDB_SIGNAL_0)
 	{
 	  warning (_("Couldn't deliver signal %s to %s."),
-		   gdb_signal_to_name (sig), target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+		   gdb_signal_to_name (sig),
+		   target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 	}
 
       tp->suspend.stop_signal = GDB_SIGNAL_0;
@@ -2319,7 +2321,7 @@  resume_1 (enum gdb_signal sig)
 			"trap_expected=%d, current thread [%s] at %s\n",
 			step, gdb_signal_to_symbol_string (sig),
 			tp->control.trap_expected,
-			target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid),
+			target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid).c_str (),
 			paddress (gdbarch, pc));
 
   /* Normally, by the time we reach `resume', the breakpoints are either
@@ -2568,7 +2570,7 @@  resume_1 (enum gdb_signal sig)
       if (debug_infrun)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "infrun: resume: [%s] stepped breakpoint\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 
       tp->stepped_breakpoint = 1;
 
@@ -2673,7 +2675,7 @@  clear_proceed_status_thread (struct thread_info *tp)
   if (debug_infrun)
     fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			"infrun: clear_proceed_status_thread (%s)\n",
-			target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+			target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 
   /* If we're starting a new sequence, then the previous finished
      single-step is no longer relevant.  */
@@ -2686,7 +2688,7 @@  clear_proceed_status_thread (struct thread_info *tp)
 				"infrun: clear_proceed_status: pending "
 				"event of %s was a finished step. "
 				"Discarding.\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 
 	  tp->suspend.waitstatus_pending_p = 0;
 	  tp->suspend.stop_reason = TARGET_STOPPED_BY_NO_REASON;
@@ -2700,7 +2702,8 @@  clear_proceed_status_thread (struct thread_info *tp)
 			      "infrun: clear_proceed_status_thread: thread %s "
 			      "has pending wait status %s "
 			      "(currently_stepping=%d).\n",
-			      target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid), statstr.c_str (),
+			      target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str (),
+			      statstr.c_str (),
 			      currently_stepping (tp));
 	}
     }
@@ -2970,7 +2973,7 @@  proceed (CORE_ADDR addr, enum gdb_signal siggnal)
 	  if (debug_infrun)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"infrun: need to step-over [%s] first\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 
 	  thread_step_over_chain_enqueue (tp);
 	}
@@ -3015,7 +3018,7 @@  proceed (CORE_ADDR addr, enum gdb_signal siggnal)
 	      if (debug_infrun)
 		fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				    "infrun: proceed: [%s] resumed\n",
-				    target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+				    target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 	      gdb_assert (tp->executing || tp->suspend.waitstatus_pending_p);
 	      continue;
 	    }
@@ -3025,14 +3028,14 @@  proceed (CORE_ADDR addr, enum gdb_signal siggnal)
 	      if (debug_infrun)
 		fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				    "infrun: proceed: [%s] needs step-over\n",
-				    target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+				    target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 	      continue;
 	    }
 
 	  if (debug_infrun)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"infrun: proceed: resuming %s\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 
 	  reset_ecs (ecs, tp);
 	  switch_to_thread (tp);
@@ -3266,13 +3269,13 @@  print_target_wait_results (ptid_t waiton_ptid, ptid_t result_ptid,
 	      waiton_ptid.lwp (),
 	      waiton_ptid.tid ());
   if (waiton_ptid.pid () != -1)
-    stb.printf (" [%s]", target_pid_to_str (waiton_ptid));
+    stb.printf (" [%s]", target_pid_to_str (waiton_ptid).c_str ());
   stb.printf (", status) =\n");
   stb.printf ("infrun:   %d.%ld.%ld [%s],\n",
 	      result_ptid.pid (),
 	      result_ptid.lwp (),
 	      result_ptid.tid (),
-	      target_pid_to_str (result_ptid));
+	      target_pid_to_str (result_ptid).c_str ());
   stb.printf ("infrun:   %s\n", status_string.c_str ());
 
   /* This uses %s in part to handle %'s in the text, but also to avoid
@@ -3342,7 +3345,7 @@  do_target_wait (ptid_t ptid, struct target_waitstatus *status, int options)
       if (debug_infrun)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "infrun: Waiting for specific thread %s.\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 
       /* We have a specific thread to check.  */
       tp = find_thread_ptid (ptid);
@@ -3367,7 +3370,7 @@  do_target_wait (ptid_t ptid, struct target_waitstatus *status, int options)
 	  if (debug_infrun)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"infrun: PC of %s changed.  was=%s, now=%s\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid),
+				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str (),
 				paddress (gdbarch, tp->suspend.stop_pc),
 				paddress (gdbarch, pc));
 	  discard = 1;
@@ -3377,7 +3380,7 @@  do_target_wait (ptid_t ptid, struct target_waitstatus *status, int options)
 	  if (debug_infrun)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"infrun: previous breakpoint of %s, at %s gone\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid),
+				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str (),
 				paddress (gdbarch, pc));
 
 	  discard = 1;
@@ -3388,7 +3391,7 @@  do_target_wait (ptid_t ptid, struct target_waitstatus *status, int options)
 	  if (debug_infrun)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"infrun: pending event of %s cancelled.\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 
 	  tp->suspend.waitstatus.kind = TARGET_WAITKIND_SPURIOUS;
 	  tp->suspend.stop_reason = TARGET_STOPPED_BY_NO_REASON;
@@ -3405,7 +3408,7 @@  do_target_wait (ptid_t ptid, struct target_waitstatus *status, int options)
 	  fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			      "infrun: Using pending wait status %s for %s.\n",
 			      statstr.c_str (),
-			      target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+			      target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 	}
 
       /* Now that we've selected our final event LWP, un-adjust its PC
@@ -3880,9 +3883,9 @@  context_switch (execution_control_state *ecs)
       && ecs->event_thread != inferior_thread ())
     {
       fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog, "infrun: Switching context from %s ",
-			  target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid));
+			  target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid).c_str ());
       fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog, "to %s\n",
-			  target_pid_to_str (ecs->ptid));
+			  target_pid_to_str (ecs->ptid).c_str ());
     }
 
   switch_to_thread (ecs->event_thread);
@@ -4322,7 +4325,7 @@  stop_all_threads (void)
 			fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 					    "infrun:   %s executing, "
 					    "need stop\n",
-					    target_pid_to_str (t->ptid));
+					    target_pid_to_str (t->ptid).c_str ());
 		      target_stop (t->ptid);
 		      t->stop_requested = 1;
 		    }
@@ -4332,7 +4335,7 @@  stop_all_threads (void)
 			fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 					    "infrun:   %s executing, "
 					    "already stopping\n",
-					    target_pid_to_str (t->ptid));
+					    target_pid_to_str (t->ptid).c_str ());
 		    }
 
 		  if (t->stop_requested)
@@ -4343,7 +4346,7 @@  stop_all_threads (void)
 		  if (debug_infrun)
 		    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 					"infrun:   %s not executing\n",
-					target_pid_to_str (t->ptid));
+					target_pid_to_str (t->ptid).c_str ());
 
 		  /* The thread may be not executing, but still be
 		     resumed with a pending status to process.  */
@@ -4377,7 +4380,7 @@  stop_all_threads (void)
 		  fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				      "infrun: %s exited while "
 				      "stopping threads\n",
-				      target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+				      target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 		}
 	    }
 	  else
@@ -4417,7 +4420,7 @@  stop_all_threads (void)
 					      "infrun: displaced-step of %s "
 					      "canceled: adding back to the "
 					      "step-over queue\n",
-					      target_pid_to_str (t->ptid));
+					      target_pid_to_str (t->ptid).c_str ());
 			}
 		      t->control.trap_expected = 0;
 		      thread_step_over_chain_enqueue (t);
@@ -4464,7 +4467,7 @@  stop_all_threads (void)
 					  "(currently_stepping=%d)\n",
 					  paddress (target_gdbarch (),
 						    t->suspend.stop_pc),
-					  target_pid_to_str (t->ptid),
+					  target_pid_to_str (t->ptid).c_str (),
 					  currently_stepping (t));
 		    }
 		}
@@ -5230,7 +5233,7 @@  restart_threads (struct thread_info *event_thread)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"infrun: restart threads: "
 				"[%s] is event thread\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 	  continue;
 	}
 
@@ -5240,7 +5243,7 @@  restart_threads (struct thread_info *event_thread)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"infrun: restart threads: "
 				"[%s] not meant to be running\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 	  continue;
 	}
 
@@ -5249,7 +5252,7 @@  restart_threads (struct thread_info *event_thread)
 	  if (debug_infrun)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"infrun: restart threads: [%s] resumed\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 	  gdb_assert (tp->executing || tp->suspend.waitstatus_pending_p);
 	  continue;
 	}
@@ -5260,7 +5263,7 @@  restart_threads (struct thread_info *event_thread)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"infrun: restart threads: "
 				"[%s] needs step-over\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 	  gdb_assert (!tp->resumed);
 	  continue;
 	}
@@ -5272,7 +5275,7 @@  restart_threads (struct thread_info *event_thread)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"infrun: restart threads: "
 				"[%s] has pending status\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 	  tp->resumed = 1;
 	  continue;
 	}
@@ -5287,7 +5290,7 @@  restart_threads (struct thread_info *event_thread)
 	  internal_error (__FILE__, __LINE__,
 			  "thread [%s] needs a step-over, but not in "
 			  "step-over queue\n",
-			  target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+			  target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 	}
 
       if (currently_stepping (tp))
@@ -5295,7 +5298,7 @@  restart_threads (struct thread_info *event_thread)
 	  if (debug_infrun)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"infrun: restart threads: [%s] was stepping\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 	  keep_going_stepped_thread (tp);
 	}
       else
@@ -5306,7 +5309,7 @@  restart_threads (struct thread_info *event_thread)
 	  if (debug_infrun)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"infrun: restart threads: [%s] continuing\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 	  reset_ecs (ecs, tp);
 	  switch_to_thread (tp);
 	  keep_going_pass_signal (ecs);
@@ -5427,7 +5430,7 @@  finish_step_over (struct execution_control_state *ecs)
 				  "(currently_stepping=%d)\n",
 				  paddress (target_gdbarch (),
 					    tp->suspend.stop_pc),
-				  target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid),
+				  target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str (),
 				  currently_stepping (tp));
 	    }
 
@@ -5590,7 +5593,7 @@  handle_signal_stop (struct execution_control_state *ecs)
 		  fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				      "infrun: [%s] hit another thread's "
 				      "single-step breakpoint\n",
-				      target_pid_to_str (ecs->ptid));
+				      target_pid_to_str (ecs->ptid).c_str ());
 		}
 	      ecs->hit_singlestep_breakpoint = 1;
 	    }
@@ -5602,7 +5605,7 @@  handle_signal_stop (struct execution_control_state *ecs)
 	      fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				  "infrun: [%s] hit its "
 				  "single-step breakpoint\n",
-				  target_pid_to_str (ecs->ptid));
+				  target_pid_to_str (ecs->ptid).c_str ());
 	    }
 	}
     }
@@ -6852,7 +6855,7 @@  switch_back_to_stepped_thread (struct execution_control_state *ecs)
 	    {
 	      fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				  "infrun: need to finish step-over of [%s]\n",
-				  target_pid_to_str (ecs->event_thread->ptid));
+				  target_pid_to_str (ecs->event_thread->ptid).c_str ());
 	    }
 	  keep_going (ecs);
 	  return 1;
@@ -6867,7 +6870,7 @@  switch_back_to_stepped_thread (struct execution_control_state *ecs)
 	     fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				 "infrun: need to step [%s] over single-step "
 				 "breakpoint\n",
-				 target_pid_to_str (ecs->ptid));
+				 target_pid_to_str (ecs->ptid).c_str ());
 	   }
 	 keep_going (ecs);
 	 return 1;
@@ -6882,7 +6885,7 @@  switch_back_to_stepped_thread (struct execution_control_state *ecs)
 	    {
 	      fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				  "infrun: thread [%s] still needs step-over\n",
-				  target_pid_to_str (ecs->event_thread->ptid));
+				  target_pid_to_str (ecs->event_thread->ptid).c_str ());
 	    }
 	  keep_going (ecs);
 	  return 1;
@@ -6933,7 +6936,7 @@  switch_back_to_stepped_thread (struct execution_control_state *ecs)
 	      internal_error (__FILE__, __LINE__,
 			      "[%s] has inconsistent state: "
 			      "trap_expected=%d\n",
-			      target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid),
+			      target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str (),
 			      tp->control.trap_expected);
 	    }
 
@@ -7503,7 +7506,7 @@  keep_going_pass_signal (struct execution_control_state *ecs)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "infrun: %s has trap_expected set, "
 			    "resuming to collect trap\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 
       /* We haven't yet gotten our trap, and either: intercepted a
 	 non-signal event (e.g., a fork); or took a signal which we
@@ -7525,7 +7528,7 @@  keep_going_pass_signal (struct execution_control_state *ecs)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"infrun: step-over already in progress: "
 				"step-over for %s deferred\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 	  thread_step_over_chain_enqueue (tp);
 	}
       else
@@ -7534,7 +7537,7 @@  keep_going_pass_signal (struct execution_control_state *ecs)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"infrun: step-over in progress: "
 				"resume of %s deferred\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 	}
     }
   else
@@ -7702,7 +7705,7 @@  void
 print_exited_reason (struct ui_out *uiout, int exitstatus)
 {
   struct inferior *inf = current_inferior ();
-  const char *pidstr = target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (inf->pid));
+  std::string pidstr = target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (inf->pid));
 
   annotate_exited (exitstatus);
   if (exitstatus)
@@ -7712,7 +7715,7 @@  print_exited_reason (struct ui_out *uiout, int exitstatus)
       uiout->text ("[Inferior ");
       uiout->text (plongest (inf->num));
       uiout->text (" (");
-      uiout->text (pidstr);
+      uiout->text (pidstr.c_str ());
       uiout->text (") exited with code ");
       uiout->field_fmt ("exit-code", "0%o", (unsigned int) exitstatus);
       uiout->text ("]\n");
@@ -7725,7 +7728,7 @@  print_exited_reason (struct ui_out *uiout, int exitstatus)
       uiout->text ("[Inferior ");
       uiout->text (plongest (inf->num));
       uiout->text (" (");
-      uiout->text (pidstr);
+      uiout->text (pidstr.c_str ());
       uiout->text (") exited normally]\n");
     }
 }
@@ -8056,7 +8059,7 @@  normal_stop (void)
 	{
 	  target_terminal::ours_for_output ();
 	  printf_filtered (_("[Switching to %s]\n"),
-			   target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid));
+			   target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid).c_str ());
 	  annotate_thread_changed ();
 	}
       previous_inferior_ptid = inferior_ptid;
diff --git a/gdb/linux-fork.c b/gdb/linux-fork.c
index b1b390c5c6e..f80fb986209 100644
--- a/gdb/linux-fork.c
+++ b/gdb/linux-fork.c
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@  linux_fork_mourn_inferior (void)
   last = find_last_fork ();
   fork_load_infrun_state (last);
   printf_filtered (_("[Switching to %s]\n"),
-		   target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid));
+		   target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid).c_str ());
 
   /* If there's only one fork, switch back to non-fork mode.  */
   if (fork_list->next == NULL)
@@ -417,7 +417,8 @@  linux_fork_detach (int from_tty)
      fork.  */
 
   if (ptrace (PTRACE_DETACH, inferior_ptid.pid (), 0, 0))
-    error (_("Unable to detach %s"), target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid));
+    error (_("Unable to detach %s"),
+	   target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid).c_str ());
 
   delete_fork (inferior_ptid);
 
@@ -430,7 +431,7 @@  linux_fork_detach (int from_tty)
 
   if (from_tty)
     printf_filtered (_("[Switching to %s]\n"),
-		     target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid));
+		     target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid).c_str ());
 
   /* If there's only one fork, switch back to non-fork mode.  */
   if (fork_list->next == NULL)
@@ -481,7 +482,7 @@  public:
 	CATCH (ex, RETURN_MASK_ALL)
 	  {
 	    warning (_("Couldn't restore checkpoint state in %s: %s"),
-		     target_pid_to_str (m_oldfp->ptid), ex.message);
+		     target_pid_to_str (m_oldfp->ptid).c_str (), ex.message);
 	  }
 	END_CATCH
       }
@@ -550,14 +551,14 @@  delete_checkpoint_command (const char *args, int from_tty)
 Please switch to another checkpoint before deleting the current one"));
 
   if (ptrace (PTRACE_KILL, ptid.pid (), 0, 0))
-    error (_("Unable to kill pid %s"), target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+    error (_("Unable to kill pid %s"), target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 
   fi = find_fork_ptid (ptid);
   gdb_assert (fi);
   pptid = fi->parent_ptid;
 
   if (from_tty)
-    printf_filtered (_("Killed %s\n"), target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+    printf_filtered (_("Killed %s\n"), target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 
   delete_fork (ptid);
 
@@ -570,7 +571,8 @@  Please switch to another checkpoint before deleting the current one"));
       || (parent != NULL && parent->state == THREAD_STOPPED))
     {
       if (inferior_call_waitpid (pptid, ptid.pid ()))
-        warning (_("Unable to wait pid %s"), target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+        warning (_("Unable to wait pid %s"),
+		 target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
     }
 }
 
@@ -591,10 +593,10 @@  detach_checkpoint_command (const char *args, int from_tty)
 Please switch to another checkpoint before detaching the current one"));
 
   if (ptrace (PTRACE_DETACH, ptid.pid (), 0, 0))
-    error (_("Unable to detach %s"), target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+    error (_("Unable to detach %s"), target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 
   if (from_tty)
-    printf_filtered (_("Detached %s\n"), target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+    printf_filtered (_("Detached %s\n"), target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 
   delete_fork (ptid);
 }
@@ -626,7 +628,8 @@  info_checkpoints_command (const char *arg, int from_tty)
 	printf_filtered ("  ");
 
       pc = fp->pc;
-      printf_filtered ("%d %s", fp->num, target_pid_to_str (fp->ptid));
+      printf_filtered ("%d %s", fp->num,
+		       target_pid_to_str (fp->ptid).c_str ());
       if (fp->num == 0)
 	printf_filtered (_(" (main process)"));
       printf_filtered (_(" at "));
@@ -781,7 +784,7 @@  linux_fork_context (struct fork_info *newfp, int from_tty)
   insert_breakpoints ();
 
   printf_filtered (_("Switching to %s\n"),
-		   target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid));
+		   target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid).c_str ());
 
   print_stack_frame (get_selected_frame (NULL), 1, SRC_AND_LOC, 1);
 }
diff --git a/gdb/linux-nat.c b/gdb/linux-nat.c
index 063afe26666..171d67674ab 100644
--- a/gdb/linux-nat.c
+++ b/gdb/linux-nat.c
@@ -1015,7 +1015,8 @@  exit_lwp (struct lwp_info *lp)
   if (th)
     {
       if (print_thread_events)
-	printf_unfiltered (_("[%s exited]\n"), target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+	printf_unfiltered (_("[%s exited]\n"),
+			   target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 
       delete_thread (th);
     }
@@ -1151,7 +1152,7 @@  attach_proc_task_lwp_callback (ptid_t ptid)
 	  if (debug_linux_nat)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"PTRACE_ATTACH %s, 0, 0 (OK)\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 
 	  lp = add_lwp (ptid);
 
@@ -1337,7 +1338,7 @@  get_detach_signal (struct lwp_info *lp)
       if (debug_linux_nat)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "GPT: lwp %s has no pending signal\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
     }
   else if (!signal_pass_state (signo))
     {
@@ -1345,7 +1346,7 @@  get_detach_signal (struct lwp_info *lp)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "GPT: lwp %s had signal %s, "
 			    "but it is in no pass state\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid),
+			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str (),
 			    gdb_signal_to_string (signo));
     }
   else
@@ -1353,7 +1354,7 @@  get_detach_signal (struct lwp_info *lp)
       if (debug_linux_nat)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "GPT: lwp %s has pending signal %s\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid),
+			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str (),
 			    gdb_signal_to_string (signo));
 
       return gdb_signal_to_host (signo);
@@ -1377,7 +1378,7 @@  detach_one_lwp (struct lwp_info *lp, int *signo_p)
   if (debug_linux_nat && lp->status)
     fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog, "DC:  Pending %s for %s on detach.\n",
 			strsignal (WSTOPSIG (lp->status)),
-			target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+			target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 
   /* If there is a pending SIGSTOP, get rid of it.  */
   if (lp->signalled)
@@ -1385,7 +1386,7 @@  detach_one_lwp (struct lwp_info *lp, int *signo_p)
       if (debug_linux_nat)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "DC: Sending SIGCONT to %s\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 
       kill_lwp (lwpid, SIGCONT);
       lp->signalled = 0;
@@ -1440,7 +1441,8 @@  detach_one_lwp (struct lwp_info *lp, int *signo_p)
 	}
       else
 	{
-	  error (_("Can't detach %s: %s"), target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid),
+	  error (_("Can't detach %s: %s"),
+		 target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str (),
 		 safe_strerror (save_errno));
 	}
     }
@@ -1448,7 +1450,7 @@  detach_one_lwp (struct lwp_info *lp, int *signo_p)
     {
       fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			  "PTRACE_DETACH (%s, %s, 0) (OK)\n",
-			  target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid),
+			  target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str (),
 			  strsignal (signo));
     }
 
@@ -1610,14 +1612,14 @@  resume_lwp (struct lwp_info *lp, int step, enum gdb_signal signo)
 	  if (debug_linux_nat)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"RC: Not resuming %s (vfork parent)\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 	}
       else if (!lwp_status_pending_p (lp))
 	{
 	  if (debug_linux_nat)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"RC: Resuming sibling %s, %s, %s\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid),
+				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str (),
 				(signo != GDB_SIGNAL_0
 				 ? strsignal (gdb_signal_to_host (signo))
 				 : "0"),
@@ -1630,7 +1632,7 @@  resume_lwp (struct lwp_info *lp, int step, enum gdb_signal signo)
 	  if (debug_linux_nat)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"RC: Not resuming sibling %s (has pending)\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 	}
     }
   else
@@ -1638,7 +1640,7 @@  resume_lwp (struct lwp_info *lp, int step, enum gdb_signal signo)
       if (debug_linux_nat)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "RC: Not resuming sibling %s (not stopped)\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
     }
 }
 
@@ -1695,10 +1697,10 @@  linux_nat_target::resume (ptid_t ptid, int step, enum gdb_signal signo)
     fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			"LLR: Preparing to %s %s, %s, inferior_ptid %s\n",
 			step ? "step" : "resume",
-			target_pid_to_str (ptid),
+			target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str (),
 			(signo != GDB_SIGNAL_0
 			 ? strsignal (gdb_signal_to_host (signo)) : "0"),
-			target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid));
+			target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid).c_str ());
 
   /* A specific PTID means `step only this process id'.  */
   resume_many = (minus_one_ptid == ptid
@@ -1772,7 +1774,7 @@  linux_nat_target::resume (ptid_t ptid, int step, enum gdb_signal signo)
     fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			"LLR: %s %s, %s (resume event thread)\n",
 			step ? "PTRACE_SINGLESTEP" : "PTRACE_CONT",
-			target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid),
+			target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str (),
 			(signo != GDB_SIGNAL_0
 			 ? strsignal (gdb_signal_to_host (signo)) : "0"));
 
@@ -2173,7 +2175,7 @@  wait_lwp (struct lwp_info *lp)
 	  thread_dead = 1;
 	  if (debug_linux_nat)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog, "WL: %s vanished.\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 	}
       if (pid != 0)
 	break;
@@ -2199,7 +2201,7 @@  wait_lwp (struct lwp_info *lp)
 	  if (debug_linux_nat)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"WL: Thread group leader %s vanished.\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 	  break;
 	}
 
@@ -2222,7 +2224,7 @@  wait_lwp (struct lwp_info *lp)
 	{
 	  fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			      "WL: waitpid %s received %s\n",
-			      target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid),
+			      target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str (),
 			      status_to_str (status));
 	}
 
@@ -2247,7 +2249,7 @@  wait_lwp (struct lwp_info *lp)
 	  thread_dead = 1;
 	  if (debug_linux_nat)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog, "WL: %s exited.\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 	}
     }
 
@@ -2315,7 +2317,7 @@  stop_callback (struct lwp_info *lp, void *data)
 	{
 	  fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			      "SC:  kill %s **<SIGSTOP>**\n",
-			      target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+			      target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 	}
       errno = 0;
       ret = kill_lwp (lp->ptid.lwp (), SIGSTOP);
@@ -2413,7 +2415,7 @@  maybe_clear_ignore_sigint (struct lwp_info *lp)
       if (debug_linux_nat)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "MCIS: Clearing bogus flag for %s\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
       lp->ignore_sigint = 0;
     }
 }
@@ -2513,7 +2515,7 @@  stop_wait_callback (struct lwp_info *lp, void *data)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"PTRACE_CONT %s, 0, 0 (%s) "
 				"(discarding SIGINT)\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid),
+				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str (),
 				errno ? safe_strerror (errno) : "OK");
 
 	  return stop_wait_callback (lp, NULL);
@@ -2529,7 +2531,7 @@  stop_wait_callback (struct lwp_info *lp, void *data)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"SWC: Pending event %s in %s\n",
 				status_to_str ((int) status),
-				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 
 	  /* Save the sigtrap event.  */
 	  lp->status = status;
@@ -2543,7 +2545,7 @@  stop_wait_callback (struct lwp_info *lp, void *data)
 	  if (debug_linux_nat)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"SWC: Expected SIGSTOP caught for %s.\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 
 	  lp->signalled = 0;
 
@@ -2590,7 +2592,7 @@  status_callback (struct lwp_info *lp, void *data)
 	  if (debug_linux_nat)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"SC: PC of %s changed.  was=%s, now=%s\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid),
+				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str (),
 				paddress (target_gdbarch (), lp->stop_pc),
 				paddress (target_gdbarch (), pc));
 	  discard = 1;
@@ -2602,7 +2604,7 @@  status_callback (struct lwp_info *lp, void *data)
 	  if (debug_linux_nat)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"SC: previous breakpoint of %s, at %s gone\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid),
+				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str (),
 				paddress (target_gdbarch (), lp->stop_pc));
 
 	  discard = 1;
@@ -2614,7 +2616,7 @@  status_callback (struct lwp_info *lp, void *data)
 	  if (debug_linux_nat)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"SC: pending event of %s cancelled.\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 
 	  lp->status = 0;
 	  linux_resume_one_lwp (lp, lp->step, GDB_SIGNAL_0);
@@ -2744,7 +2746,7 @@  save_stop_reason (struct lwp_info *lp)
 	      if (debug_linux_nat)
 		fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				    "CSBB: %s stopped by trace\n",
-				    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+				    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 
 	      /* We may have single stepped an instruction that
 		 triggered a watchpoint.  In that case, on some
@@ -2777,7 +2779,7 @@  save_stop_reason (struct lwp_info *lp)
       if (debug_linux_nat)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "CSBB: %s stopped by software breakpoint\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 
       /* Back up the PC if necessary.  */
       if (pc != sw_bp_pc)
@@ -2791,14 +2793,14 @@  save_stop_reason (struct lwp_info *lp)
       if (debug_linux_nat)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "CSBB: %s stopped by hardware breakpoint\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
     }
   else if (lp->stop_reason == TARGET_STOPPED_BY_WATCHPOINT)
     {
       if (debug_linux_nat)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "CSBB: %s stopped by hardware watchpoint\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
     }
 
   lp->stop_pc = pc;
@@ -2876,7 +2878,7 @@  select_event_lwp (ptid_t filter, struct lwp_info **orig_lp, int *status)
 	  if (debug_linux_nat)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"SEL: Select single-step %s\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (event_lp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (event_lp->ptid).c_str ());
 	}
     }
 
@@ -3030,7 +3032,7 @@  linux_nat_filter_event (int lwpid, int status)
 	  if (debug_linux_nat)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"LLW: %s exited.\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 
 	  /* If there is at least one more LWP, then the exit signal
 	     was not the end of the debugged application and should be
@@ -3069,7 +3071,7 @@  linux_nat_filter_event (int lwpid, int status)
 	  if (debug_linux_nat)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"LLW: resume_stop SIGSTOP caught for %s.\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 	}
       else
 	{
@@ -3080,7 +3082,7 @@  linux_nat_filter_event (int lwpid, int status)
 				"LLW: %s %s, 0, 0 (discard delayed SIGSTOP)\n",
 				lp->step ?
 				"PTRACE_SINGLESTEP" : "PTRACE_CONT",
-				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 
 	  linux_resume_one_lwp (lp, lp->step, GDB_SIGNAL_0);
 	  gdb_assert (lp->resumed);
@@ -3096,7 +3098,7 @@  linux_nat_filter_event (int lwpid, int status)
       if (debug_linux_nat)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "LLW: Delayed SIGINT caught for %s.\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
 
       /* This is a delayed SIGINT.  */
       lp->ignore_sigint = 0;
@@ -3107,7 +3109,7 @@  linux_nat_filter_event (int lwpid, int status)
 			    "LLW: %s %s, 0, 0 (discard SIGINT)\n",
 			    lp->step ?
 			    "PTRACE_SINGLESTEP" : "PTRACE_CONT",
-			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
       gdb_assert (lp->resumed);
 
       /* Discard the event.  */
@@ -3157,7 +3159,7 @@  linux_nat_filter_event (int lwpid, int status)
 				"LLW: %s %s, %s (preempt 'handle')\n",
 				lp->step ?
 				"PTRACE_SINGLESTEP" : "PTRACE_CONT",
-				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid),
+				target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str (),
 				(signo != GDB_SIGNAL_0
 				 ? strsignal (gdb_signal_to_host (signo))
 				 : "0"));
@@ -3286,7 +3288,7 @@  linux_nat_wait_1 (ptid_t ptid, struct target_waitstatus *ourstatus,
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "LLW: Using pending wait status %s for %s.\n",
 			    status_to_str (lp->status),
-			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
     }
 
   /* But if we don't find a pending event, we'll have to wait.  Always
@@ -3443,7 +3445,7 @@  linux_nat_wait_1 (ptid_t ptid, struct target_waitstatus *ourstatus,
       if (debug_linux_nat)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "LLW: trap ptid is %s.\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
     }
 
   if (lp->waitstatus.kind != TARGET_WAITKIND_IGNORE)
@@ -3494,21 +3496,21 @@  resume_stopped_resumed_lwps (struct lwp_info *lp, void *data)
       if (debug_linux_nat)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "RSRL: NOT resuming LWP %s, not stopped\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
     }
   else if (!lp->resumed)
     {
       if (debug_linux_nat)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "RSRL: NOT resuming LWP %s, not resumed\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
     }
   else if (lwp_status_pending_p (lp))
     {
       if (debug_linux_nat)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "RSRL: NOT resuming LWP %s, has pending status\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str ());
     }
   else
     {
@@ -3534,7 +3536,7 @@  resume_stopped_resumed_lwps (struct lwp_info *lp, void *data)
 		fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				    "RSRL: resuming stopped-resumed LWP %s at "
 				    "%s: step=%d\n",
-				    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid),
+				    target_pid_to_str (lp->ptid).c_str (),
 				    paddress (gdbarch, pc),
 				    lp->step);
 
@@ -3563,7 +3565,7 @@  linux_nat_target::wait (ptid_t ptid, struct target_waitstatus *ourstatus,
       std::string options_string = target_options_to_string (target_options);
       fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			  "linux_nat_wait: [%s], [%s]\n",
-			  target_pid_to_str (ptid),
+			  target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str (),
 			  options_string.c_str ());
     }
 
@@ -3931,18 +3933,13 @@  linux_nat_target::update_thread_list ()
     }
 }
 
-const char *
+std::string
 linux_nat_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
-  static char buf[64];
-
   if (ptid.lwp_p ()
       && (ptid.pid () != ptid.lwp ()
 	  || num_lwps (ptid.pid ()) > 1))
-    {
-      snprintf (buf, sizeof (buf), "LWP %ld", ptid.lwp ());
-      return buf;
-    }
+    return string_printf ("LWP %ld", ptid.lwp ());
 
   return normal_pid_to_str (ptid);
 }
@@ -4422,7 +4419,7 @@  linux_nat_stop_lwp (struct lwp_info *lwp, void *data)
       if (debug_linux_nat)
 	fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			    "LNSL: running -> suspending %s\n",
-			    target_pid_to_str (lwp->ptid));
+			    target_pid_to_str (lwp->ptid).c_str ());
 
 
       if (lwp->last_resume_kind == resume_stop)
@@ -4447,12 +4444,12 @@  linux_nat_stop_lwp (struct lwp_info *lwp, void *data)
 	  if (find_thread_ptid (lwp->ptid)->stop_requested)
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"LNSL: already stopped/stop_requested %s\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (lwp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (lwp->ptid).c_str ());
 	  else
 	    fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 				"LNSL: already stopped/no "
 				"stop_requested yet %s\n",
-				target_pid_to_str (lwp->ptid));
+				target_pid_to_str (lwp->ptid).c_str ());
 	}
     }
   return 0;
diff --git a/gdb/linux-nat.h b/gdb/linux-nat.h
index 40e0f2cb29b..0c1695ad102 100644
--- a/gdb/linux-nat.h
+++ b/gdb/linux-nat.h
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@  public:
 
   void update_thread_list () override;
 
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
 
   const char *thread_name (struct thread_info *) override;
 
diff --git a/gdb/linux-tdep.c b/gdb/linux-tdep.c
index 8d594138e55..77bc7142865 100644
--- a/gdb/linux-tdep.c
+++ b/gdb/linux-tdep.c
@@ -414,16 +414,11 @@  linux_has_shared_address_space (struct gdbarch *gdbarch)
 
 /* This is how we want PTIDs from core files to be printed.  */
 
-static const char *
+static std::string
 linux_core_pid_to_str (struct gdbarch *gdbarch, ptid_t ptid)
 {
-  static char buf[80];
-
   if (ptid.lwp () != 0)
-    {
-      snprintf (buf, sizeof (buf), "LWP %ld", ptid.lwp ());
-      return buf;
-    }
+    return string_printf ("LWP %ld", ptid.lwp ());
 
   return normal_pid_to_str (ptid);
 }
diff --git a/gdb/linux-thread-db.c b/gdb/linux-thread-db.c
index fd67dcb17b2..186525a1e58 100644
--- a/gdb/linux-thread-db.c
+++ b/gdb/linux-thread-db.c
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@  public:
   void resume (ptid_t, int, enum gdb_signal) override;
   void mourn_inferior () override;
   void update_thread_list () override;
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
   CORE_ADDR get_thread_local_address (ptid_t ptid,
 				      CORE_ADDR load_module_addr,
 				      CORE_ADDR offset) override;
@@ -1631,20 +1631,17 @@  thread_db_target::update_thread_list ()
   this->beneath ()->update_thread_list ();
 }
 
-const char *
+std::string
 thread_db_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
   struct thread_info *thread_info = find_thread_ptid (ptid);
 
   if (thread_info != NULL && thread_info->priv != NULL)
     {
-      static char buf[64];
       thread_db_thread_info *priv = get_thread_db_thread_info (thread_info);
 
-      snprintf (buf, sizeof (buf), "Thread 0x%lx (LWP %ld)",
-		(unsigned long) priv->tid, ptid.lwp ());
-
-      return buf;
+      return string_printf ("Thread 0x%lx (LWP %ld)",
+			    (unsigned long) priv->tid, ptid.lwp ());
     }
 
   return beneath ()->pid_to_str (ptid);
diff --git a/gdb/nto-procfs.c b/gdb/nto-procfs.c
index 40959d7715d..79f44ab4838 100644
--- a/gdb/nto-procfs.c
+++ b/gdb/nto-procfs.c
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@  struct nto_procfs_target : public inf_child_target
 
   void update_thread_list () override;
 
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
 
   void interrupt () override;
 
@@ -658,7 +658,7 @@  nto_procfs_target::files_info ()
 
   printf_unfiltered ("\tUsing the running image of %s %s via %s.\n",
 		     inf->attach_flag ? "attached" : "child",
-		     target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid),
+		     target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid).c_str (),
 		     (nodestr != NULL) ? nodestr : "local node");
 }
 
@@ -708,10 +708,10 @@  nto_procfs_target::attach (const char *args, int from_tty)
 
       if (exec_file)
 	printf_unfiltered ("Attaching to program `%s', %s\n", exec_file,
-			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)));
+			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str ());
       else
 	printf_unfiltered ("Attaching to %s\n",
-			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)));
+			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str ());
 
       gdb_flush (gdb_stdout);
     }
@@ -1457,25 +1457,22 @@  nto_procfs_target::pass_signals
     }
 }
 
-char *
+std::string
 nto_procfs_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
-  static char buf[1024];
-  int pid, tid, n;
+  int pid, tid;
   struct tidinfo *tip;
 
   pid = ptid.pid ();
   tid = ptid.tid ();
 
-  n = snprintf (buf, 1023, "process %d", pid);
-
 #if 0				/* NYI */
   tip = procfs_thread_info (pid, tid);
   if (tip != NULL)
     snprintf (&buf[n], 1023, " (state = 0x%02x)", tip->state);
 #endif
 
-  return buf;
+  return string_printf ("process %d", pid);
 }
 
 /* to_can_run implementation for "target procfs".  Note this really
diff --git a/gdb/obsd-nat.c b/gdb/obsd-nat.c
index 2c8b2d47817..0a99bd021df 100644
--- a/gdb/obsd-nat.c
+++ b/gdb/obsd-nat.c
@@ -35,16 +35,11 @@ 
 
 #ifdef PT_GET_THREAD_FIRST
 
-const char *
+std::sring
 obsd_nat_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
   if (ptid.lwp () != 0)
-    {
-      static char buf[64];
-
-      xsnprintf (buf, sizeof buf, "thread %ld", ptid.lwp ());
-      return buf;
-    }
+    return string_printf ("thread %ld", ptid.lwp ());
 
   return normal_pid_to_str (ptid);
 }
diff --git a/gdb/obsd-nat.h b/gdb/obsd-nat.h
index 7c35307c075..c8016ed9121 100644
--- a/gdb/obsd-nat.h
+++ b/gdb/obsd-nat.h
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ 
 class obsd_nat_target : public inf_ptrace_target
 {
   /* Override some methods to support threads.  */
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
   void update_thread_list () override;
   ptid_t wait (ptid_t, struct target_waitstatus *, int) override;
 };
diff --git a/gdb/process-stratum-target.c b/gdb/process-stratum-target.c
index e2e8d6c4ff7..2c4b812f863 100644
--- a/gdb/process-stratum-target.c
+++ b/gdb/process-stratum-target.c
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@  process_stratum_target::thread_address_space (ptid_t ptid)
     internal_error (__FILE__, __LINE__,
 		    _("Can't determine the current "
 		      "address space of thread %s\n"),
-		    target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+		    target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 
   return inf->aspace;
 }
diff --git a/gdb/procfs.c b/gdb/procfs.c
index b790f112b26..28df985c6cd 100644
--- a/gdb/procfs.c
+++ b/gdb/procfs.c
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@  public:
 
   bool thread_alive (ptid_t ptid) override;
 
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
 
   char *pid_to_exec_file (int pid) override;
 
@@ -1879,10 +1879,10 @@  procfs_target::attach (const char *args, int from_tty)
 
       if (exec_file)
 	printf_filtered (_("Attaching to program `%s', %s\n"),
-			 exec_file, target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)));
+			 exec_file, target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str ());
       else
 	printf_filtered (_("Attaching to %s\n"),
-			 target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)));
+			 target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str ());
 
       fflush (stdout);
     }
@@ -1905,7 +1905,7 @@  procfs_target::detach (inferior *inf, int from_tty)
 	exec_file = "";
 
       printf_filtered (_("Detaching from program: %s, %s\n"), exec_file,
-		       target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)));
+		       target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str ());
       gdb_flush (gdb_stdout);
     }
 
@@ -2059,7 +2059,7 @@  procfs_target::fetch_registers (struct regcache *regcache, int regnum)
 
   if (pi == NULL)
     error (_("procfs: fetch_registers failed to find procinfo for %s"),
-	   target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+	   target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 
   gregs = proc_get_gregs (pi);
   if (gregs == NULL)
@@ -2108,7 +2108,7 @@  procfs_target::store_registers (struct regcache *regcache, int regnum)
 
   if (pi == NULL)
     error (_("procfs: store_registers: failed to find procinfo for %s"),
-	   target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+	   target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 
   gregs = proc_get_gregs (pi);
   if (gregs == NULL)
@@ -2281,7 +2281,7 @@  wait_again:
 		  {
 		    if (print_thread_events)
 		      printf_unfiltered (_("[%s exited]\n"),
-					 target_pid_to_str (retval));
+					 target_pid_to_str (retval).c_str ());
 		    delete_thread (find_thread_ptid (retval));
 		    status->kind = TARGET_WAITKIND_SPURIOUS;
 		    return retval;
@@ -2402,7 +2402,7 @@  wait_again:
 		  {
 		    if (print_thread_events)
 		      printf_unfiltered (_("[%s exited]\n"),
-					 target_pid_to_str (retval));
+					 target_pid_to_str (retval).c_str ());
 		    delete_thread (find_thread_ptid (retval));
 		    status->kind = TARGET_WAITKIND_SPURIOUS;
 		    return retval;
@@ -2800,7 +2800,7 @@  procfs_target::files_info ()
 
   printf_filtered (_("\tUsing the running image of %s %s via /proc.\n"),
 		   inf->attach_flag? "attached": "child",
-		   target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid));
+		   target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid).c_str ());
 }
 
 /* Make it die.  Wait for it to die.  Clean up after it.  Note: this
@@ -3185,20 +3185,15 @@  procfs_target::thread_alive (ptid_t ptid)
   return true;
 }
 
-/* Convert PTID to a string.  Returns the string in a static
-   buffer.  */
+/* Convert PTID to a string.  */
 
-const char *
+std::string
 procfs_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
-  static char buf[80];
-
   if (ptid.lwp () == 0)
-    xsnprintf (buf, sizeof (buf), "process %d", ptid.pid ());
+    return string_printf ("process %d", ptid.pid ());
   else
-    xsnprintf (buf, sizeof (buf), "LWP %ld", ptid.lwp ());
-
-  return buf;
+    return string_printf ("LWP %ld", ptid.lwp ());
 }
 
 /* Accepts an integer PID; Returns a string representing a file that
diff --git a/gdb/progspace.c b/gdb/progspace.c
index 9027087d734..1c749621ad6 100644
--- a/gdb/progspace.c
+++ b/gdb/progspace.c
@@ -293,12 +293,12 @@  print_program_space (struct ui_out *uiout, int requested)
 		printed_header = 1;
 		printf_filtered ("\n\tBound inferiors: ID %d (%s)",
 				 inf->num,
-				 target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (inf->pid)));
+				 target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (inf->pid)).c_str ());
 	      }
 	    else
 	      printf_filtered (", ID %d (%s)",
 			       inf->num,
-			       target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (inf->pid)));
+			       target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (inf->pid)).c_str ());
 	  }
 
       uiout->text ("\n");
diff --git a/gdb/ravenscar-thread.c b/gdb/ravenscar-thread.c
index cb4f26a3472..6636a89554b 100644
--- a/gdb/ravenscar-thread.c
+++ b/gdb/ravenscar-thread.c
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@  struct ravenscar_thread_target final : public target_ops
 
   const char *extra_thread_info (struct thread_info *) override;
 
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
 
   ptid_t get_ada_task_ptid (long lwp, long thread) override;
 
@@ -406,13 +406,10 @@  ravenscar_thread_target::thread_alive (ptid_t ptid)
   return true;
 }
 
-const char *
+std::string
 ravenscar_thread_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
-  static char buf[30];
-
-  snprintf (buf, sizeof (buf), "Thread %#x", (int) ptid.tid ());
-  return buf;
+  return string_printf ("Thread %#x", (int) ptid.tid ());
 }
 
 void
diff --git a/gdb/record-btrace.c b/gdb/record-btrace.c
index dc26938f0b9..4c896944d7a 100644
--- a/gdb/record-btrace.c
+++ b/gdb/record-btrace.c
@@ -596,7 +596,8 @@  record_btrace_target::info_record ()
 
   printf_unfiltered (_("Recorded %u instructions in %u functions (%u gaps) "
 		       "for thread %s (%s).\n"), insns, calls, gaps,
-		     print_thread_id (tp), target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid));
+		     print_thread_id (tp),
+		     target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str ());
 
   if (btrace_is_replaying (tp))
     printf_unfiltered (_("Replay in progress.  At instruction %u.\n"),
@@ -1949,7 +1950,8 @@  record_btrace_resume_thread (struct thread_info *tp,
   struct btrace_thread_info *btinfo;
 
   DEBUG ("resuming thread %s (%s): %x (%s)", print_thread_id (tp),
-	 target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid), flag, btrace_thread_flag_to_str (flag));
+	 target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str (), flag,
+	 btrace_thread_flag_to_str (flag));
 
   btinfo = &tp->btrace;
 
@@ -2127,7 +2129,7 @@  record_btrace_target::resume (ptid_t ptid, int step, enum gdb_signal signal)
 {
   enum btrace_thread_flag flag, cflag;
 
-  DEBUG ("resume %s: %s%s", target_pid_to_str (ptid),
+  DEBUG ("resume %s: %s%s", target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str (),
 	 ::execution_direction == EXEC_REVERSE ? "reverse-" : "",
 	 step ? "step" : "cont");
 
@@ -2214,7 +2216,7 @@  record_btrace_cancel_resume (struct thread_info *tp)
 
   DEBUG ("cancel resume thread %s (%s): %x (%s)",
 	 print_thread_id (tp),
-	 target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid), flags,
+	 target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str (), flags,
 	 btrace_thread_flag_to_str (flags));
 
   tp->btrace.flags &= ~(BTHR_MOVE | BTHR_STOP);
@@ -2442,7 +2444,7 @@  record_btrace_step_thread (struct thread_info *tp)
   btinfo->flags &= ~(BTHR_MOVE | BTHR_STOP);
 
   DEBUG ("stepping thread %s (%s): %x (%s)", print_thread_id (tp),
-	 target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid), flags,
+	 target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid).c_str (), flags,
 	 btrace_thread_flag_to_str (flags));
 
   /* We can't step without an execution history.  */
@@ -2527,7 +2529,7 @@  record_btrace_target::wait (ptid_t ptid, struct target_waitstatus *status,
   std::vector<thread_info *> moving;
   std::vector<thread_info *> no_history;
 
-  DEBUG ("wait %s (0x%x)", target_pid_to_str (ptid), options);
+  DEBUG ("wait %s (0x%x)", target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str (), options);
 
   /* As long as we're not replaying, just forward the request.  */
   if ((::execution_direction != EXEC_REVERSE)
@@ -2545,7 +2547,7 @@  record_btrace_target::wait (ptid_t ptid, struct target_waitstatus *status,
     {
       *status = btrace_step_no_resumed ();
 
-      DEBUG ("wait ended by %s: %s", target_pid_to_str (null_ptid),
+      DEBUG ("wait ended by %s: %s", target_pid_to_str (null_ptid).c_str (),
 	     target_waitstatus_to_string (status).c_str ());
 
       return null_ptid;
@@ -2636,7 +2638,7 @@  record_btrace_target::wait (ptid_t ptid, struct target_waitstatus *status,
 
   DEBUG ("wait ended by thread %s (%s): %s",
 	 print_thread_id (eventing),
-	 target_pid_to_str (eventing->ptid),
+	 target_pid_to_str (eventing->ptid).c_str (),
 	 target_waitstatus_to_string (status).c_str ());
 
   return eventing->ptid;
@@ -2647,7 +2649,7 @@  record_btrace_target::wait (ptid_t ptid, struct target_waitstatus *status,
 void
 record_btrace_target::stop (ptid_t ptid)
 {
-  DEBUG ("stop %s", target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+  DEBUG ("stop %s", target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 
   /* As long as we're not replaying, just forward the request.  */
   if ((::execution_direction != EXEC_REVERSE)
diff --git a/gdb/remote-sim.c b/gdb/remote-sim.c
index 2acfc715d31..ca8866e59ca 100644
--- a/gdb/remote-sim.c
+++ b/gdb/remote-sim.c
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@  struct gdbsim_target final
 
   bool thread_alive (ptid_t ptid) override;
 
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
 
   bool has_all_memory ()  override;
   bool has_memory ()  override;
@@ -1281,10 +1281,9 @@  gdbsim_target::thread_alive (ptid_t ptid)
   return false;
 }
 
-/* Convert a thread ID to a string.  Returns the string in a static
-   buffer.  */
+/* Convert a thread ID to a string.  */
 
-const char *
+std::string
 gdbsim_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
   return normal_pid_to_str (ptid);
diff --git a/gdb/remote.c b/gdb/remote.c
index 36136e3e3ee..e1cba44389f 100644
--- a/gdb/remote.c
+++ b/gdb/remote.c
@@ -485,7 +485,7 @@  public:
 
   void update_thread_list () override;
 
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
 
   const char *extra_thread_info (struct thread_info *) override;
 
@@ -5822,10 +5822,10 @@  extended_remote_target::attach (const char *args, int from_tty)
 
       if (exec_file)
 	printf_unfiltered (_("Attaching to program: %s, %s\n"), exec_file,
-			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)));
+			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str ());
       else
 	printf_unfiltered (_("Attaching to %s\n"),
-			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)));
+			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str ());
 
       gdb_flush (gdb_stdout);
     }
@@ -5846,14 +5846,14 @@  extended_remote_target::attach (const char *args, int from_tty)
 	}
       else if (strcmp (rs->buf.data (), "OK") != 0)
 	error (_("Attaching to %s failed with: %s"),
-	       target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)),
+	       target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str (),
 	       rs->buf.data ());
       break;
     case PACKET_UNKNOWN:
       error (_("This target does not support attaching to a process"));
     default:
       error (_("Attaching to %s failed"),
-	     target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)));
+	     target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str ());
     }
 
   set_current_inferior (remote_add_inferior (0, pid, 1, 0));
@@ -6648,7 +6648,7 @@  remote_target::remote_stop_ns (ptid_t ptid)
   putpkt (rs->buf);
   getpkt (&rs->buf, 0);
   if (strcmp (rs->buf.data (), "OK") != 0)
-    error (_("Stopping %s failed: %s"), target_pid_to_str (ptid),
+    error (_("Stopping %s failed: %s"), target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str (),
 	   rs->buf.data ());
 }
 
@@ -7128,7 +7128,7 @@  remote_target::remote_notif_remove_queued_reply (ptid_t ptid)
   if (notif_debug)
     fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			"notif: discard queued event: 'Stop' in %s\n",
-			target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+			target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 
   return result;
 }
@@ -7166,7 +7166,7 @@  remote_target::push_stop_reply (struct stop_reply *new_event)
   if (notif_debug)
     fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog,
 			"notif: push 'Stop' %s to queue %d\n",
-			target_pid_to_str (new_event->ptid),
+			target_pid_to_str (new_event->ptid).c_str (),
 			int (rs->stop_reply_queue.size ()));
 
   mark_async_event_handler (rs->remote_async_inferior_event_token);
@@ -11434,13 +11434,11 @@  init_remote_threadtests (void)
 
 #endif /* 0 */
 
-/* Convert a thread ID to a string.  Returns the string in a static
-   buffer.  */
+/* Convert a thread ID to a string.  */
 
-const char *
+std::string
 remote_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
-  static char buf[64];
   struct remote_state *rs = get_remote_state ();
 
   if (ptid == null_ptid)
@@ -11459,27 +11457,22 @@  remote_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 	 attached to a process, and reporting yes to qAttached, hence
 	 no smart special casing here.  */
       if (!remote_multi_process_p (rs))
-	{
-	  xsnprintf (buf, sizeof buf, "Remote target");
-	  return buf;
-	}
+	return "Remote target";
 
       return normal_pid_to_str (ptid);
     }
   else
     {
       if (magic_null_ptid == ptid)
-	xsnprintf (buf, sizeof buf, "Thread <main>");
+	return "Thread <main>";
       else if (remote_multi_process_p (rs))
 	if (ptid.lwp () == 0)
 	  return normal_pid_to_str (ptid);
 	else
-	  xsnprintf (buf, sizeof buf, "Thread %d.%ld",
-		     ptid.pid (), ptid.lwp ());
+	  return string_printf ("Thread %d.%ld",
+				ptid.pid (), ptid.lwp ());
       else
-	xsnprintf (buf, sizeof buf, "Thread %ld",
-		   ptid.lwp ());
-      return buf;
+	return string_printf ("Thread %ld", ptid.lwp ());
     }
 }
 
@@ -13823,10 +13816,10 @@  remote_target::enable_btrace (ptid_t ptid, const struct btrace_config *conf)
     {
       if (rs->buf[0] == 'E' && rs->buf[1] == '.')
 	error (_("Could not enable branch tracing for %s: %s"),
-	       target_pid_to_str (ptid), &rs->buf[2]);
+	       target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str (), &rs->buf[2]);
       else
 	error (_("Could not enable branch tracing for %s."),
-	       target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+	       target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
     }
 
   tinfo = XCNEW (struct btrace_target_info);
@@ -13871,10 +13864,10 @@  remote_target::disable_btrace (struct btrace_target_info *tinfo)
     {
       if (rs->buf[0] == 'E' && rs->buf[1] == '.')
 	error (_("Could not disable branch tracing for %s: %s"),
-	       target_pid_to_str (tinfo->ptid), &rs->buf[2]);
+	       target_pid_to_str (tinfo->ptid).c_str (), &rs->buf[2]);
       else
 	error (_("Could not disable branch tracing for %s."),
-	       target_pid_to_str (tinfo->ptid));
+	       target_pid_to_str (tinfo->ptid).c_str ());
     }
 
   xfree (tinfo);
diff --git a/gdb/sol-thread.c b/gdb/sol-thread.c
index f8e8df53214..68fa85130a1 100644
--- a/gdb/sol-thread.c
+++ b/gdb/sol-thread.c
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@  public:
   ptid_t wait (ptid_t, struct target_waitstatus *, int) override;
   void resume (ptid_t, int, enum gdb_signal) override;
   void mourn_inferior () override;
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
   ptid_t get_ada_task_ptid (long lwp, long thread) override;
 
   void fetch_registers (struct regcache *, int) override;
@@ -997,11 +997,9 @@  ps_lgetLDT (struct ps_prochandle *ph, lwpid_t lwpid, struct ssd *pldt)	/* ARI: e
 
 /* Convert PTID to printable form.  */
 
-const char *
+std::string
 sol_thread_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
-  static char buf[100];
-
   if (ptid.tid_p ())
     {
       ptid_t lwp;
@@ -1009,21 +1007,19 @@  sol_thread_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
       lwp = thread_to_lwp (ptid, -2);
 
       if (lwp.pid () == -1)
-	xsnprintf (buf, sizeof (buf), "Thread %ld (defunct)",
-		   ptid.tid ());
+	return string_printf ("Thread %ld (defunct)",
+			      ptid.tid ());
       else if (lwp.pid () != -2)
-	xsnprintf (buf, sizeof (buf), "Thread %ld (LWP %ld)",
-		 ptid.tid (), lwp.lwp ());
+	return string_printf ("Thread %ld (LWP %ld)",
+			      ptid.tid (), lwp.lwp ());
       else
-	xsnprintf (buf, sizeof (buf), "Thread %ld        ",
-		   ptid.tid ());
+	return string_printf ("Thread %ld        ",
+			      ptid.tid ());
     }
   else if (ptid.lwp () != 0)
-    xsnprintf (buf, sizeof (buf), "LWP    %ld        ", ptid.lwp ());
+    return string_printf ("LWP    %ld        ", ptid.lwp ());
   else
-    xsnprintf (buf, sizeof (buf), "process %d    ", ptid.pid ());
-
-  return buf;
+    return string_printf ("process %d    ", ptid.pid ());
 }
 
 
diff --git a/gdb/sol2-tdep.c b/gdb/sol2-tdep.c
index 8bab8e268e2..014b7d79a73 100644
--- a/gdb/sol2-tdep.c
+++ b/gdb/sol2-tdep.c
@@ -40,10 +40,9 @@  sol2_skip_solib_resolver (struct gdbarch *gdbarch, CORE_ADDR pc)
 /* This is how we want PTIDs from Solaris core files to be
    printed.  */
 
-const char *
+std::string
 sol2_core_pid_to_str (struct gdbarch *gdbarch, ptid_t ptid)
 {
-  static char buf[80];
   struct inferior *inf;
   int pid;
 
@@ -53,8 +52,7 @@  sol2_core_pid_to_str (struct gdbarch *gdbarch, ptid_t ptid)
   if (pid != 0)
     {
       /* A thread.  */
-      xsnprintf (buf, sizeof buf, "LWP %ld", ptid.lwp ());
-      return buf;
+      return string_printf ("LWP %ld", ptid.lwp ());
     }
 
   /* GDB didn't use to put a NT_PSTATUS note in Solaris cores.  If
@@ -62,10 +60,7 @@  sol2_core_pid_to_str (struct gdbarch *gdbarch, ptid_t ptid)
      up.  */
   inf = find_inferior_ptid (ptid);
   if (inf == NULL || inf->fake_pid_p)
-    {
-      xsnprintf (buf, sizeof buf, "<core>");
-      return buf;
-    }
+    return "<core>";
 
   /* Not fake; print as usual.  */
   return normal_pid_to_str (ptid);
diff --git a/gdb/sol2-tdep.h b/gdb/sol2-tdep.h
index 381e62fb3cc..cdc4bbfbe88 100644
--- a/gdb/sol2-tdep.h
+++ b/gdb/sol2-tdep.h
@@ -24,6 +24,6 @@  struct gdbarch;
 
 CORE_ADDR sol2_skip_solib_resolver (struct gdbarch *, CORE_ADDR);
 
-const char *sol2_core_pid_to_str (struct gdbarch *gdbarch, ptid_t ptid);
+std::string sol2_core_pid_to_str (struct gdbarch *gdbarch, ptid_t ptid);
 
 #endif /* sol2-tdep.h */
diff --git a/gdb/target-debug.h b/gdb/target-debug.h
index d9f7d46dd92..bef8a7f330d 100644
--- a/gdb/target-debug.h
+++ b/gdb/target-debug.h
@@ -184,6 +184,8 @@ 
   target_debug_do_print (host_address_to_string (X))
 #define target_debug_print_thread_info_pp(X)		\
   target_debug_do_print (host_address_to_string (X))
+#define target_debug_print_std_string(X) \
+  target_debug_do_print ((X).c_str ())
 
 static void
 target_debug_print_struct_target_waitstatus_p (struct target_waitstatus *status)
diff --git a/gdb/target-delegates.c b/gdb/target-delegates.c
index a25851e9cf7..3654f02e63b 100644
--- a/gdb/target-delegates.c
+++ b/gdb/target-delegates.c
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@  struct dummy_target : public target_ops
   void program_signals (gdb::array_view<const unsigned char> arg0) override;
   bool thread_alive (ptid_t arg0) override;
   void update_thread_list () override;
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t arg0) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t arg0) override;
   const char *extra_thread_info (thread_info *arg0) override;
   const char *thread_name (thread_info *arg0) override;
   thread_info *thread_handle_to_thread_info (const gdb_byte *arg0, int arg1, inferior *arg2) override;
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@  struct debug_target : public target_ops
   void program_signals (gdb::array_view<const unsigned char> arg0) override;
   bool thread_alive (ptid_t arg0) override;
   void update_thread_list () override;
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t arg0) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t arg0) override;
   const char *extra_thread_info (thread_info *arg0) override;
   const char *thread_name (thread_info *arg0) override;
   thread_info *thread_handle_to_thread_info (const gdb_byte *arg0, int arg1, inferior *arg2) override;
@@ -1746,28 +1746,28 @@  debug_target::update_thread_list ()
   fputs_unfiltered (")\n", gdb_stdlog);
 }
 
-const char *
+std::string
 target_ops::pid_to_str (ptid_t arg0)
 {
   return this->beneath ()->pid_to_str (arg0);
 }
 
-const char *
+std::string
 dummy_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t arg0)
 {
   return default_pid_to_str (this, arg0);
 }
 
-const char *
+std::string
 debug_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t arg0)
 {
-  const char * result;
+  std::string result;
   fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog, "-> %s->pid_to_str (...)\n", this->beneath ()->shortname ());
   result = this->beneath ()->pid_to_str (arg0);
   fprintf_unfiltered (gdb_stdlog, "<- %s->pid_to_str (", this->beneath ()->shortname ());
   target_debug_print_ptid_t (arg0);
   fputs_unfiltered (") = ", gdb_stdlog);
-  target_debug_print_const_char_p (result);
+  target_debug_print_std_string (result);
   fputs_unfiltered ("\n", gdb_stdlog);
   return result;
 }
diff --git a/gdb/target.c b/gdb/target.c
index d5ff932c748..c5141e1925c 100644
--- a/gdb/target.c
+++ b/gdb/target.c
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@  static int dummy_find_memory_regions (struct target_ops *self,
 static char *dummy_make_corefile_notes (struct target_ops *self,
 					bfd *ignore1, int *ignore2);
 
-static const char *default_pid_to_str (struct target_ops *ops, ptid_t ptid);
+static std::string default_pid_to_str (struct target_ops *ops, ptid_t ptid);
 
 static enum exec_direction_kind default_execution_direction
     (struct target_ops *self);
@@ -741,24 +741,26 @@  target_translate_tls_address (struct objfile *objfile, CORE_ADDR offset)
 		         " thread-local variables in\n"
 		         "the shared library `%s'\n"
 		         "for %s"),
-		       objfile_name (objfile), target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+		       objfile_name (objfile),
+		       target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 	      else
 		error (_("The inferior has not yet allocated storage for"
 		         " thread-local variables in\n"
 		         "the executable `%s'\n"
 		         "for %s"),
-		       objfile_name (objfile), target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+		       objfile_name (objfile),
+		       target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 	      break;
 	    case TLS_GENERIC_ERROR:
 	      if (objfile_is_library)
 		error (_("Cannot find thread-local storage for %s, "
 		         "shared library %s:\n%s"),
-		       target_pid_to_str (ptid),
+		       target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str (),
 		       objfile_name (objfile), ex.message);
 	      else
 		error (_("Cannot find thread-local storage for %s, "
 		         "executable file %s:\n%s"),
-		       target_pid_to_str (ptid),
+		       target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str (),
 		       objfile_name (objfile), ex.message);
 	      break;
 	    default:
@@ -2072,7 +2074,7 @@  default_target_wait (struct target_ops *ops,
   return minus_one_ptid;
 }
 
-const char *
+std::string
 target_pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
   return current_top_target ()->pid_to_str (ptid);
@@ -3167,7 +3169,7 @@  target_announce_detach (int from_tty)
 
   pid = inferior_ptid.pid ();
   printf_unfiltered (_("Detaching from program: %s, %s\n"), exec_file,
-		     target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)));
+		     target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str ());
   gdb_flush (gdb_stdout);
 }
 
@@ -3205,16 +3207,13 @@  generic_mourn_inferior (void)
 /* Convert a normal process ID to a string.  Returns the string in a
    static buffer.  */
 
-const char *
+std::string
 normal_pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
-  static char buf[32];
-
-  xsnprintf (buf, sizeof buf, "process %d", ptid.pid ());
-  return buf;
+  return string_printf ("process %d", ptid.pid ());
 }
 
-static const char *
+static std::string
 default_pid_to_str (struct target_ops *ops, ptid_t ptid)
 {
   return normal_pid_to_str (ptid);
diff --git a/gdb/target.h b/gdb/target.h
index c95151a4044..3d8e7c8a7ee 100644
--- a/gdb/target.h
+++ b/gdb/target.h
@@ -649,7 +649,7 @@  struct target_ops
       TARGET_DEFAULT_RETURN (false);
     virtual void update_thread_list ()
       TARGET_DEFAULT_IGNORE ();
-    virtual const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t)
+    virtual std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t)
       TARGET_DEFAULT_FUNC (default_pid_to_str);
     virtual const char *extra_thread_info (thread_info *)
       TARGET_DEFAULT_RETURN (NULL);
@@ -1829,9 +1829,9 @@  extern int target_is_non_stop_p (void);
    `process xyz', but on some systems it may contain
    `process xyz thread abc'.  */
 
-extern const char *target_pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid);
+extern std::string target_pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid);
 
-extern const char *normal_pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid);
+extern std::string normal_pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid);
 
 /* Return a short string describing extra information about PID,
    e.g. "sleeping", "runnable", "running on LWP 3".  Null return value
diff --git a/gdb/thread.c b/gdb/thread.c
index 6c232529646..91741c76f0d 100644
--- a/gdb/thread.c
+++ b/gdb/thread.c
@@ -319,7 +319,7 @@  add_thread_with_info (ptid_t ptid, private_thread_info *priv)
   result->priv.reset (priv);
 
   if (print_thread_events)
-    printf_unfiltered (_("[New %s]\n"), target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+    printf_unfiltered (_("[New %s]\n"), target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
 
   annotate_new_thread ();
   return result;
@@ -992,16 +992,17 @@  should_print_thread (const char *requested_threads, int default_inf_num,
 static std::string
 thread_target_id_str (thread_info *tp)
 {
-  const char *target_id = target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid);
+  std::string target_id = target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid);
   const char *extra_info = target_extra_thread_info (tp);
   const char *name = tp->name != nullptr ? tp->name : target_thread_name (tp);
 
   if (extra_info != nullptr && name != nullptr)
-    return string_printf ("%s \"%s\" (%s)", target_id, name, extra_info);
+    return string_printf ("%s \"%s\" (%s)", target_id.c_str (), name,
+			  extra_info);
   else if (extra_info != nullptr)
-    return string_printf ("%s (%s)", target_id, extra_info);
+    return string_printf ("%s (%s)", target_id.c_str (), extra_info);
   else if (name != nullptr)
-    return string_printf ("%s \"%s\"", target_id, name);
+    return string_printf ("%s \"%s\"", target_id.c_str (), name);
   else
     return target_id;
 }
@@ -1466,7 +1467,7 @@  thr_try_catch_cmd (thread_info *thr, const char *cmd, int from_tty,
 	  if (!flags.quiet)
 	    printf_filtered (_("\nThread %s (%s):\n"),
 			     print_thread_id (thr),
-			     target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid));
+			     target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid).c_str ());
 	  printf_filtered ("%s", cmd_result.c_str ());
 	}
     }
@@ -1477,7 +1478,7 @@  thr_try_catch_cmd (thread_info *thr, const char *cmd, int from_tty,
 	  if (!flags.quiet)
 	    printf_filtered (_("\nThread %s (%s):\n"),
 			     print_thread_id (thr),
-			     target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid));
+			     target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid).c_str ());
 	  if (flags.cont)
 	    printf_filtered ("%s\n", ex.message);
 	  else
@@ -1675,11 +1676,11 @@  thread_command (const char *tidstr, int from_tty)
 	  if (tp->state == THREAD_EXITED)
 	    printf_filtered (_("[Current thread is %s (%s) (exited)]\n"),
 			     print_thread_id (tp),
-			     target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid));
+			     target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid).c_str ());
 	  else
 	    printf_filtered (_("[Current thread is %s (%s)]\n"),
 			     print_thread_id (tp),
-			     target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid));
+			     target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid).c_str ());
 	}
       else
 	error (_("No stack."));
@@ -1756,11 +1757,11 @@  thread_find_command (const char *arg, int from_tty)
 	  match++;
 	}
 
-      tmp = target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid);
-      if (tmp != NULL && re_exec (tmp))
+      std::string name = target_pid_to_str (tp->ptid);
+      if (!name.empty () && re_exec (name.c_str ()))
 	{
 	  printf_filtered (_("Thread %s has target id '%s'\n"),
-			   print_thread_id (tp), tmp);
+			   print_thread_id (tp), name.c_str ());
 	  match++;
 	}
 
@@ -1824,7 +1825,7 @@  print_selected_thread_frame (struct ui_out *uiout,
 	  uiout->text ("[Switching to thread ");
 	  uiout->field_string ("new-thread-id", print_thread_id (tp));
 	  uiout->text (" (");
-	  uiout->text (target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid));
+	  uiout->text (target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid).c_str ());
 	  uiout->text (")]");
 	}
     }
diff --git a/gdb/top.c b/gdb/top.c
index 22e6f7e29ab..8eb40b94045 100644
--- a/gdb/top.c
+++ b/gdb/top.c
@@ -1548,11 +1548,11 @@  print_inferior_quit_action (struct inferior *inf, void *arg)
   if (inf->attach_flag)
     fprintf_filtered (stb,
 		      _("\tInferior %d [%s] will be detached.\n"), inf->num,
-		      target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (inf->pid)));
+		      target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (inf->pid)).c_str ());
   else
     fprintf_filtered (stb,
 		      _("\tInferior %d [%s] will be killed.\n"), inf->num,
-		      target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (inf->pid)));
+		      target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (inf->pid)).c_str ());
 
   return 0;
 }
diff --git a/gdb/tui/tui-stack.c b/gdb/tui/tui-stack.c
index bd58fde1de3..b85b7a5d437 100644
--- a/gdb/tui/tui-stack.c
+++ b/gdb/tui/tui-stack.c
@@ -72,10 +72,14 @@  tui_make_status_line (struct tui_locator_element *loc)
   int pid_width;
   int line_width;
 
+  std::string pid_name_holder;
   if (inferior_ptid == null_ptid)
     pid_name = "No process";
   else
-    pid_name = target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid);
+    {
+      pid_name_holder = target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid);
+      pid_name = pid_name_holder.c_str ();
+    }
 
   target_width = strlen (target_shortname);
   if (target_width > MAX_TARGET_WIDTH)
diff --git a/gdb/windows-nat.c b/gdb/windows-nat.c
index e47fcb1b40a..2dfd93eeb9e 100644
--- a/gdb/windows-nat.c
+++ b/gdb/windows-nat.c
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@  struct windows_nat_target final : public x86_nat_target<inf_child_target>
 
   bool thread_alive (ptid_t ptid) override;
 
-  const char *pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
+  std::string pid_to_str (ptid_t) override;
 
   void interrupt () override;
 
@@ -525,10 +525,11 @@  windows_delete_thread (ptid_t ptid, DWORD exit_code, bool main_thread_p)
      here as well.  */
 
   if (info_verbose)
-    printf_unfiltered ("[Deleting %s]\n", target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+    printf_unfiltered ("[Deleting %s]\n", target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
   else if (print_thread_events && !main_thread_p)
     printf_unfiltered (_("[%s exited with code %u]\n"),
-		       target_pid_to_str (ptid), (unsigned) exit_code);
+		       target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str (),
+		       (unsigned) exit_code);
 
   delete_thread (find_thread_ptid (ptid));
 
@@ -2011,10 +2012,10 @@  windows_nat_target::attach (const char *args, int from_tty)
 
       if (exec_file)
 	printf_unfiltered ("Attaching to program `%s', %s\n", exec_file,
-			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)));
+			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str ());
       else
 	printf_unfiltered ("Attaching to %s\n",
-			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)));
+			   target_pid_to_str (ptid_t (pid)).c_str ());
 
       gdb_flush (gdb_stdout);
     }
@@ -2145,7 +2146,7 @@  windows_nat_target::files_info ()
 
   printf_unfiltered ("\tUsing the running image of %s %s.\n",
 		     inf->attach_flag ? "attached" : "child",
-		     target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid));
+		     target_pid_to_str (inferior_ptid).c_str ());
 }
 
 /* Modify CreateProcess parameters for use of a new separate console.
@@ -2937,17 +2938,11 @@  windows_nat_target::close ()
 }
 
 /* Convert pid to printable format.  */
-const char *
+std::string
 windows_nat_target::pid_to_str (ptid_t ptid)
 {
-  static char buf[80];
-
   if (ptid.tid () != 0)
-    {
-      snprintf (buf, sizeof (buf), "Thread %d.0x%lx",
-		ptid.pid (), ptid.tid ());
-      return buf;
-    }
+    return string_printf ("Thread %d.0x%lx", ptid.pid (), ptid.tid ());
 
   return normal_pid_to_str (ptid);
 }
diff --git a/gdb/windows-tdep.c b/gdb/windows-tdep.c
index 2f223b3dfe9..42083e789a5 100644
--- a/gdb/windows-tdep.c
+++ b/gdb/windows-tdep.c
@@ -327,7 +327,7 @@  display_one_tib (ptid_t ptid)
   if (target_get_tib_address (ptid, &thread_local_base) == 0)
     {
       printf_filtered (_("Unable to get thread local base for %s\n"),
-	target_pid_to_str (ptid));
+		       target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str ());
       return -1;
     }
 
@@ -336,13 +336,13 @@  display_one_tib (ptid_t ptid)
     {
       printf_filtered (_("Unable to read thread information "
 			 "block for %s at address %s\n"),
-	target_pid_to_str (ptid), 
-	paddress (target_gdbarch (), thread_local_base));
+		       target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str (), 
+		       paddress (target_gdbarch (), thread_local_base));
       return -1;
     }
 
   printf_filtered (_("Thread Information Block %s at %s\n"),
-		   target_pid_to_str (ptid),
+		   target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str (),
 		   paddress (target_gdbarch (), thread_local_base));
 
   index = (gdb_byte *) tib;
diff --git a/gdb/x86-linux-nat.c b/gdb/x86-linux-nat.c
index fd15dc9b872..9a451e0e1aa 100644
--- a/gdb/x86-linux-nat.c
+++ b/gdb/x86-linux-nat.c
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@  x86_linux_nat_target::enable_btrace (ptid_t ptid,
   CATCH (exception, RETURN_MASK_ERROR)
     {
       error (_("Could not enable branch tracing for %s: %s"),
-	     target_pid_to_str (ptid), exception.message);
+	     target_pid_to_str (ptid).c_str (), exception.message);
     }
   END_CATCH