diff --git a/src/actions.c b/src/actions.c
index 68e561bb..7450f097 100644
--- a/src/actions.c
+++ b/src/actions.c
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ const char *get_text_floater(int i)
       } else {
         char *res = NULL;
         /* cache floater translated text to avoid re-evaluating every time schematic is drawn */
-        my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &xctx->text[i].floater_ptr, translate(inst, xctx->text[i].txt_ptr, res));
+        my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &xctx->text[i].floater_ptr, translate(inst, xctx->text[i].txt_ptr, &res));
         my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
         txt_ptr = xctx->text[i].floater_ptr;
       }
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ const char *get_text_floater(int i)
       if(strstr(txt_ptr, "tcleval(") == txt_ptr || strchr(txt_ptr, '@')) {
         char *res = NULL;
         /* my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &xctx->text[i].floater_ptr, tcl_hook2(xctx->text[i].txt_ptr)); */
-        my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &xctx->text[i].floater_ptr, translate(-1, xctx->text[i].txt_ptr, res));
+        my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &xctx->text[i].floater_ptr, translate(-1, xctx->text[i].txt_ptr, &res));
         txt_ptr = xctx->text[i].floater_ptr;
         my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
       }
@@ -1639,7 +1639,7 @@ int place_symbol(int pos, const char *symbol_name, double x, double y, short rot
   xctx->instances++;/* translate expects the correct balue of xctx->instances */
   /* After having assigned prop_ptr to new instance translate symbol reference
    * to resolve @params  --> res.tcl(@value\) --> res.tcl(100) */
-  my_strncpy(name, translate(n, name, res), S(name));
+  my_strncpy(name, translate(n, name, &res), S(name));
   my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
   /* parameters like res.tcl(@value\) have been resolved, so reload symbol removing previous */
   if(strcmp(name, name1)) {
@@ -1906,11 +1906,11 @@ void launcher(void)
     }
     if(strchr(command, '@')) {
       char *res = NULL;
-      my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &command, translate3(command, 1, prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, res));
+      my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &command, translate3(command, 1, prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, &res));
       if(xctx->sel_array[0].type==ELEMENT) {
         xSymbol *sym = xctx->inst[n].ptr + xctx->sym;
         if(strchr(command, '@')) {
-          my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &command, translate3(command, 1, sym->prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, res));
+          my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &command, translate3(command, 1, sym->prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, &res));
         }
       }
       my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
@@ -1957,7 +1957,7 @@ const char *get_sym_name(int inst, int ndir, int ext, int abs_path)
   my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &sch, get_tok_value(xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr,"schematic", 6));
   schematic_token_found = xctx->tok_size;
   if(sch && sch[0]) {
-    my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &sch, translate3(sch, 1, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, res));
+    my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &sch, translate3(sch, 1, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, &res));
     my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
   }
   if(sch && sch[0])
@@ -2203,7 +2203,7 @@ void get_additional_symbols(int what)
       dbg(1, "get_additional_symbols(): schematic=%s\n", sch);
       schematic_token_found = xctx->tok_size;
 
-      my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &sch, translate3(sch, 1, xctx->inst[i].prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, res));
+      my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &sch, translate3(sch, 1, xctx->inst[i].prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, &res));
       my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
       dbg(1, "  get_additional_symbols(): sch=%s tok_size= %ld\n", sch, xctx->tok_size);
 
@@ -2246,12 +2246,12 @@ void get_additional_symbols(int what)
             translate3(spice_sym_def, 1, xctx->inst[i].prop_ptr,
                                          symptr->templ,
                                          symname_attr, NULL,
-                                         res));
+                                         &res));
         my_strdup(_ALLOC_ID_, &spectre_sym_def,
             translate3(spectre_sym_def, 1, xctx->inst[i].prop_ptr,
                                          symptr->templ,
                                          symname_attr, NULL,
-                                         res));
+                                         &res));
         my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &symname_attr);
         my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
         /* if instance symbol has default_schematic set to ignore copy the symbol anyway, since
@@ -2355,7 +2355,7 @@ void get_sch_from_sym(char *filename, xSymbol *sym, int inst, int fallback)
     /* resolve schematic=generator.tcl( @n ) where n=11 is defined in instance attrs */
     my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &str_tmp, get_tok_value(xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr,"schematic", 6));
     if(str_tmp[0]) {
-      my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &str_tmp, translate3(str_tmp, 1, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, res));
+      my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &str_tmp, translate3(str_tmp, 1, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, &res));
       my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
     }
     /*
diff --git a/src/draw.c b/src/draw.c
index 09c6c077..c61bfa12 100644
--- a/src/draw.c
+++ b/src/draw.c
@@ -875,12 +875,12 @@ void draw_symbol(int what,int c, int n,int layer,short tmp_flip, short rot,
         }
         #endif
         dbg(1, "draw_symbol(): drawing string: before translate(): text.txt_ptr=%s\n", text.txt_ptr);
-        my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &txtptr, translate(n, text.txt_ptr, res));
+        my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &txtptr, translate(n, text.txt_ptr, &res));
         /* do another round of substitutions if some @var are found, but if not found leave @var as is */
         dbg(1, "draw_symbol(): drawing string: str=%s prop=%s\n",
                 txtptr, text.prop_ptr ?  text.prop_ptr : "<NULL>");
         my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &txtptr, translate3(txtptr, 0, xctx->inst[n].prop_ptr,
-           xctx->sym[xctx->inst[n].ptr].templ, NULL, NULL, res));
+           xctx->sym[xctx->inst[n].ptr].templ, NULL, NULL, &res));
         my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
         dbg(1, "draw_symbol(): after translate3: str=%s\n", txtptr);
         draw_string(textlayer, what, txtptr,
@@ -1049,10 +1049,10 @@ void draw_temp_symbol(int what, GC gc, int n,int layer,short tmp_flip, short rot
      #if HAS_CAIRO==1
      customfont = set_text_custom_font(&text);
      #endif
-     my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &txtptr, translate(n, text.txt_ptr, res));
+     my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &txtptr, translate(n, text.txt_ptr, &res));
      /* do another round of substitutions if some @var are found, but if not found leave @var as is */
      my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &txtptr, translate3(txtptr, 0, xctx->inst[n].prop_ptr,
-        xctx->sym[xctx->inst[n].ptr].templ, NULL, NULL, res));
+        xctx->sym[xctx->inst[n].ptr].templ, NULL, NULL, &res));
      my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
      dbg(1, "draw_temp_symbol(): after translate3: str=%s\n", txtptr);
      if(txtptr[0]) draw_temp_string(gc, what, txtptr,
diff --git a/src/editprop.c b/src/editprop.c
index f2ef3fcb..6d9b3f67 100644
--- a/src/editprop.c
+++ b/src/editprop.c
@@ -1555,7 +1555,7 @@ int drc_check(int i)
     my_strdup(_ALLOC_ID_, &drc, get_tok_value(xctx->sym[xctx->inst[j].ptr].prop_ptr, "drc", 2));
     if(drc) {
       my_strdup(_ALLOC_ID_, &res, translate3(drc, 1,
-                xctx->inst[j].prop_ptr, xctx->sym[xctx->inst[j].ptr].templ, NULL, NULL, res1));
+                xctx->inst[j].prop_ptr, xctx->sym[xctx->inst[j].ptr].templ, NULL, NULL, &res1));
       my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res1);
       dbg(1, "drc_check(): res = |%s|, drc=|%s|\n", res, drc);
       if(res) {
@@ -1647,7 +1647,7 @@ static int update_symbol(const char *result, int x, int selected_inst)
     /* 20171220 calculate bbox before changes to correctly redraw areas */
     /* must be recalculated as cairo text extents vary with zoom factor. */
     symbol_bbox(*ii, &xctx->inst[*ii].x1, &xctx->inst[*ii].y1, &xctx->inst[*ii].x2, &xctx->inst[*ii].y2);
-    my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &old_translated_sym, translate(*ii, xctx->inst[*ii].name, res));
+    my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &old_translated_sym, translate(*ii, xctx->inst[*ii].name, &res));
     my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
     /* update property string from tcl dialog */
     if(!no_change_props)
@@ -1681,7 +1681,7 @@ static int update_symbol(const char *result, int x, int selected_inst)
      * to use for inst name (from symbol template) */
     prefix = 0;
     sym_number = -1;
-    my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &translated_sym, translate(*ii, symbol, res));
+    my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &translated_sym, translate(*ii, symbol, &res));
     my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
     dbg(1, "update_symbol: %s -- %s\n", translated_sym, old_translated_sym);
     if(changed_symbol ||
diff --git a/src/psprint.c b/src/psprint.c
index 52e43ffd..495fb285 100644
--- a/src/psprint.c
+++ b/src/psprint.c
@@ -1185,7 +1185,7 @@ static void ps_draw_symbol(int c, int n,int layer, int what, short tmp_flip, sho
       /* if(xscale*FONTWIDTH* xctx->mooz<1) continue; */
       if(!xctx->show_hidden_texts && (text.flags & (HIDE_TEXT | HIDE_TEXT_INSTANTIATED))) continue;
       if( hide && text.txt_ptr && strcmp(text.txt_ptr, "@symname") && strcmp(text.txt_ptr, "@name") ) continue;
-      txtptr= translate(n, text.txt_ptr, res);
+      txtptr= translate(n, text.txt_ptr, &res);
       ROTATION(rot, flip, 0.0,0.0,text.x0,text.y0,x1,y1);
       textlayer = c_for_text;
       /* do not allow custom text color on hilighted instances */
diff --git a/src/save.c b/src/save.c
index e53301ea..9fb567a8 100644
--- a/src/save.c
+++ b/src/save.c
@@ -3531,7 +3531,7 @@ void link_symbols_to_instances(int from)
     dbg(2, "link_symbols_to_instances(): inst=%d\n", i);
     dbg(2, "link_symbols_to_instances(): matching inst %d name=%s \n",i, xctx->inst[i].name);
     dbg(2, "link_symbols_to_instances(): -------\n");
-    my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &name, tcl_hook2(translate(i, xctx->inst[i].name, res)));
+    my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &name, tcl_hook2(translate(i, xctx->inst[i].name, &res)));
     my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
     xctx->inst[i].ptr = match_symbol(name);
     my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &name);
@@ -4753,7 +4753,7 @@ int load_sym_def(const char *name, FILE *embed_fd)
         dbg(1, "l_s_d(): txt1: level=%d tt[i].txt_ptr=%s, i=%d\n", level, tt[i].txt_ptr, i);
         if (level>0) {
           char *res = NULL;
-          const char* tmp = translate2(lcc, level, tt[i].txt_ptr, res);
+          const char* tmp = translate2(lcc, level, tt[i].txt_ptr, &res);
           dbg(1, "l_s_d(): txt2: tt[i].txt_ptr=%s, i=%d\n",  tt[i].txt_ptr, i);
           rot = lcc[level].rot; flip = lcc[level].flip;
           my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &tt[i].txt_ptr, tmp);
@@ -5246,7 +5246,7 @@ int descend_symbol(void)
       if(ret == 0) clear_all_hilights();
       if(ret == -1) return 0; /* user cancel */
     }
-    my_snprintf(name, S(name), "%s", translate(n, xctx->inst[n].name, res));
+    my_snprintf(name, S(name), "%s", translate(n, xctx->inst[n].name, &res));
     my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
     /* dont allow descend in the default missing symbol */
     if((xctx->inst[n].ptr+ xctx->sym)->type &&
diff --git a/src/scheduler.c b/src/scheduler.c
index 3e716d09..0efe9b75 100644
--- a/src/scheduler.c
+++ b/src/scheduler.c
@@ -4920,7 +4920,7 @@ int xschem(ClientData clientdata, Tcl_Interp *interp, int argc, const char * arg
       hash_names(inst, XDELETE);
       set_inst_prop(inst);
 
-      my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &translated_sym, translate(inst, xctx->inst[inst].name, res));
+      my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &translated_sym, translate(inst, xctx->inst[inst].name, &res));
       my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
       sym_number=match_symbol(translated_sym);
 
@@ -5873,7 +5873,7 @@ int xschem(ClientData clientdata, Tcl_Interp *interp, int argc, const char * arg
           if(old_name) {
             update_attached_floaters(old_name, inst, 0);
           }
-          my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &translated_sym, translate(inst, xctx->inst[inst].name, res));
+          my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &translated_sym, translate(inst, xctx->inst[inst].name, &res));
           my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
           sym_number=match_symbol(translated_sym);
 
@@ -6536,7 +6536,7 @@ int xschem(ClientData clientdata, Tcl_Interp *interp, int argc, const char * arg
           Tcl_SetResult(interp, "xschem translate: instance not found", TCL_STATIC);
           return TCL_ERROR;
         }
-        my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &s, translate(i, argv[3], res));
+        my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &s, translate(i, argv[3], &res));
         my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
         Tcl_ResetResult(interp);
         Tcl_SetResult(interp, s, TCL_VOLATILE);
@@ -6558,11 +6558,11 @@ int xschem(ClientData clientdata, Tcl_Interp *interp, int argc, const char * arg
       if(!xctx) {Tcl_SetResult(interp, not_avail, TCL_STATIC); return TCL_ERROR;}
       if(argc > 3) eat_escapes = atoi(argv[3]);
       if(argc > 6) 
-        my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &s, translate3(argv[2], eat_escapes, argv[4], argv[5], argv[6], NULL, res));
+        my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &s, translate3(argv[2], eat_escapes, argv[4], argv[5], argv[6], NULL, &res));
       else if(argc > 5)
-        my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &s, translate3(argv[2], eat_escapes, argv[4], argv[5], NULL, NULL, res));
+        my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &s, translate3(argv[2], eat_escapes, argv[4], argv[5], NULL, NULL, &res));
       else if(argc > 4)
-        my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &s, translate3(argv[2], eat_escapes, argv[4], NULL, NULL, NULL, res));
+        my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &s, translate3(argv[2], eat_escapes, argv[4], NULL, NULL, NULL, &res));
       else {
         Tcl_SetResult(interp, "xschem translate3: missing arguments", TCL_STATIC);
         return TCL_ERROR;
diff --git a/src/select.c b/src/select.c
index 7b6790cb..ad3632d7 100644
--- a/src/select.c
+++ b/src/select.c
@@ -362,7 +362,7 @@ void symbol_bbox(int i, double *x1,double *y1, double *x2, double *y2)
      sym_flip = flip;
      sym_rot = rot;
      dbg(1, "symbol_bbox(): instance %d text n: %d text str=%s\n", i,j, text.txt_ptr? text.txt_ptr:"<NULL>");
-     tmp_txt = translate(i, text.txt_ptr, res);
+     tmp_txt = translate(i, text.txt_ptr, &res);
      dbg(1, "symbol_bbox(): translated text: %s\n", tmp_txt);
      if(tmp_txt && !strncmp(tmp_txt, "@spice", 6)) continue; /* annotator texts not used in bbox */
      ROTATION(rot, flip, 0.0,0.0,text.x0, text.y0,text_x0,text_y0);
diff --git a/src/spectre_netlist.c b/src/spectre_netlist.c
index 14263f16..d88e7932 100644
--- a/src/spectre_netlist.c
+++ b/src/spectre_netlist.c
@@ -114,14 +114,14 @@ static int spectre_netlist(FILE *fd, int spectre_stop )
          /* hash device_model attribute if any */
          my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &val, get_tok_value(xctx->inst[i].prop_ptr, "spectre_device_model", 2));
          m = val;
-         if(strchr(val, '@')) m = translate(i, val, res);
+         if(strchr(val, '@')) m = translate(i, val, &res);
          else m = tcl_hook2(m);
          if(m[0]) str_hash_lookup(&spectre_model_table, spectre_model_name(m), m, XINSERT);
          else {
            my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &val,
                get_tok_value(xctx->sym[xctx->inst[i].ptr].prop_ptr, "spectre_device_model", 2));
            m = val;
-           if(strchr(val, '@')) m = translate(i, val, res);
+           if(strchr(val, '@')) m = translate(i, val, &res);
            else m = tcl_hook2(m);
            if(m[0]) str_hash_lookup(&spectre_model_table, spectre_model_name(m), m, XINSERT);
          }
@@ -556,7 +556,7 @@ int spectre_block_netlist(FILE *fd, int i, int alert)
     const char *translated_sym_def;
     char *res = NULL;
     my_mstrcat(_ALLOC_ID_, &symname_attr, "symname=", get_cell(name, 0), NULL);
-    translated_sym_def = translate3(sym_def, 1, xctx->sym[i].templ, symname_attr, NULL, NULL, res);
+    translated_sym_def = translate3(sym_def, 1, xctx->sym[i].templ, symname_attr, NULL, NULL, &res);
     my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &symname_attr);
     fprintf(fd, "%s\n", translated_sym_def);
     my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &sym_def);
diff --git a/src/spice_netlist.c b/src/spice_netlist.c
index 73ac38c9..faaf3239 100644
--- a/src/spice_netlist.c
+++ b/src/spice_netlist.c
@@ -228,14 +228,14 @@ static int spice_netlist(FILE *fd, int spice_stop )
          /* hash device_model attribute if any */
          my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &val, get_tok_value(xctx->inst[i].prop_ptr, "device_model", 2));
          m = val;
-         if(strchr(val, '@')) m = translate(i, val, res);
+         if(strchr(val, '@')) m = translate(i, val, &res);
          else m = tcl_hook2(m);
          if(m[0]) str_hash_lookup(&model_table, model_name(m), m, XINSERT);
          else {
            my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &val,
                get_tok_value(xctx->sym[xctx->inst[i].ptr].prop_ptr, "device_model", 2));
            m = val;
-           if(strchr(val, '@')) m = translate(i, val, res);
+           if(strchr(val, '@')) m = translate(i, val, &res);
            else m = tcl_hook2(m);
            if(m[0]) str_hash_lookup(&model_table, model_name(m), m, XINSERT);
          }
@@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ int spice_block_netlist(FILE *fd, int i, int alert)
     const char *translated_sym_def;
     char *res = NULL;
     my_mstrcat(_ALLOC_ID_, &symname_attr, "symname=", get_cell(name, 0), NULL);
-    translated_sym_def = translate3(sym_def, 1, xctx->sym[i].templ, symname_attr, NULL, NULL, res);
+    translated_sym_def = translate3(sym_def, 1, xctx->sym[i].templ, symname_attr, NULL, NULL, &res);
     my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &symname_attr);
     fprintf(fd, "%s\n", translated_sym_def);
     my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &sym_def);
diff --git a/src/svgdraw.c b/src/svgdraw.c
index a203f322..021a5c9d 100644
--- a/src/svgdraw.c
+++ b/src/svgdraw.c
@@ -881,7 +881,7 @@ static void svg_draw_symbol(int c, int n,int layer,short tmp_flip, short rot,
       /* if(xscale*FONTWIDTH* xctx->mooz<1) continue; */
       if(!xctx->show_hidden_texts && (symptr->text[j].flags & (HIDE_TEXT | HIDE_TEXT_INSTANTIATED))) continue;
       if( hide && text.txt_ptr && strcmp(text.txt_ptr, "@symname") && strcmp(text.txt_ptr, "@name") ) continue;
-      txtptr= translate(n, text.txt_ptr, res);
+      txtptr= translate(n, text.txt_ptr, &res);
       ROTATION(rot, flip, 0.0,0.0,text.x0,text.y0,x1,y1);
       textlayer = c_for_text;
       /* do not allow custom text color on hilighted instances */
diff --git a/src/token.c b/src/token.c
index 9d54c742..7f0bb312 100644
--- a/src/token.c
+++ b/src/token.c
@@ -1043,14 +1043,14 @@ static void print_vhdl_primitive(FILE *fd, int inst) /* netlist  primitives, 200
                                         /* in hash table */
    {
      char *res = NULL;
-     const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 0, 0), res));
+     const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 0, 0), &res));
      my_mstrcat(_ALLOC_ID_, &result, s, NULL);
      my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
    }
    else if (strcmp(token,"@symname_ext")==0)
    {
      char *res = NULL;
-     const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 1, 0), res));
+     const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 1, 0), &res));
      my_mstrcat(_ALLOC_ID_, &result, s, NULL);
      my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
    }
@@ -1209,13 +1209,13 @@ static void print_vhdl_primitive(FILE *fd, int inst) /* netlist  primitives, 200
         if(strcmp(xctx->sym[xctx->inst[inst].ptr].type, "netlist_commands")) {
           char *res = NULL;
           my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &result,
-            translate3(result, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, parent_prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, res));
+            translate3(result, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, parent_prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, &res));
           /* can not put template in above translate3: -----------------------^^^^
            * if instance has VHI=VHI, format string has VHI=@VHI, and symbol template has VHI=3
            * we do not want token @VHI to resolve to 3, but stop at VHI as specified in instance */
           if(strchr(result, '@')) {
              my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &result,
-                translate3(result, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, parent_prop_ptr, template, NULL, res));
+                translate3(result, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, parent_prop_ptr, template, NULL, &res));
           }
           my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
         }
@@ -1542,11 +1542,11 @@ void print_vhdl_element(FILE *fd, int inst)
   dbg(2, "print_vhdl_element(): printing inst name & subcircuit name\n");
   if( (lab = expandlabel(name, &tmp)) != NULL) {
     char *res = NULL;
-    fprintf(fd, "%d %s : %s\n", tmp, lab, sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 0, 0), res)) );
+    fprintf(fd, "%d %s : %s\n", tmp, lab, sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 0, 0), &res)) );
     my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
   } else { /*  name in some strange format, probably an error */
     char *res = NULL;
-    fprintf(fd, "1 %s : %s\n", name, sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 0, 0), res)) );
+    fprintf(fd, "1 %s : %s\n", name, sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 0, 0), &res)) );
     my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
   }
   dbg(2, "print_vhdl_element(): printing generics passed as properties\n");
@@ -1931,7 +1931,7 @@ static int has_included_subcircuit(int inst, int symbol, char **result)
     my_mstrcat(_ALLOC_ID_, &symname_attr, " symref=", get_sym_name(inst, 9999, 1, 1), NULL);
     translated_sym_def = translate3(spice_sym_def, 1, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr,
                                                       xctx->sym[symbol].templ,
-                                                      symname_attr, NULL, res);
+                                                      symname_attr, NULL, &res);
     dbg(1, "has_included_subcircuit(): translated_sym_def=%s\n", translated_sym_def);
     dbg(1, "has_included_subcircuit(): symname=%s\n", symname);
 
@@ -2449,14 +2449,14 @@ int print_spice_element(FILE *fd, int inst)
       else if (strcmp(token,"@symname")==0) /* of course symname must not be present in attributes */
       {
         char *res = NULL;
-        const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 0, 0), res));
+        const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 0, 0), &res));
         my_mstrcat(_ALLOC_ID_, &result, s, NULL);
         my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
       }
       else if (strcmp(token,"@symname_ext")==0) /* of course symname_ext must not be present in attributes */
       {
         char *res = NULL;
-        const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 1, 0), res));
+        const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 1, 0), &res));
         my_mstrcat(_ALLOC_ID_, &result, s, NULL);
         my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
       }
@@ -2634,26 +2634,26 @@ int print_spice_element(FILE *fd, int inst)
          */
 
         my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &val,
-             translate3(token, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, res));
+             translate3(token, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, &res));
         /* can not put template in above translate3: ---------------------------^^^^
          * if instance has VHI=VHI, format string has VHI=@VHI, and symbol template has VHI=3
          * we do not want token @VHI to resolve to 3, but stop at VHI as specified in instance */
         if(strchr(val, '@')) {
            my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &val,
-              translate3(val, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, parent_prop_ptr, template, NULL, res));
+              translate3(val, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, parent_prop_ptr, template, NULL, &res));
         }
         /* nmos instance format string: @model --> @modeln */
         dbg(1, "print_spice_element(): 1st round: val: |%s|\n", val);
         if(strchr(val, '@')) {
             my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &val,
-                   translate3(val, 1, schname_attr, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, res));
+                   translate3(val, 1, schname_attr, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, &res));
             /*                        ............ --> replace @symname with symbol name */
             dbg(1, "print_spice_element(): 2nd round: val: |%s|\n", val);
             /* normal passgate.sym placement, nmos instance format string:
                  ad="expr('int((@nf + 1)/2) * @W / @nf * 0.29')" --> ad="expr('int((1 + 1)/2) * W_N/ 1 * 0.29')" */
             if(strchr(val, '@')) {
               my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &val,
-                     translate3(val, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, parent_templ, NULL, NULL, res));
+                     translate3(val, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, parent_templ, NULL, NULL, &res));
               dbg(1, "print_spice_element(): 3nd round: val: |%s|\n", val);
               /* normal passgate.sym placement, nmos instance format string:
                *   @modeln --> nfet_01v8 */
@@ -2834,14 +2834,14 @@ int print_spectre_element(FILE *fd, int inst)
       else if (strcmp(token,"@symname")==0) /* of course symname must not be present in attributes */
       {
         char *res = NULL;
-        const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 0, 0), res));
+        const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 0, 0), &res));
         my_mstrcat(_ALLOC_ID_, &result, s, NULL);
         my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
       }
       else if (strcmp(token,"@symname_ext")==0) /* of course symname_ext must not be present in attributes */
       {
         char *res = NULL;
-        const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 1, 0), res));
+        const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 1, 0), &res));
         my_mstrcat(_ALLOC_ID_, &result, s, NULL);
         my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
       }
@@ -3018,25 +3018,25 @@ int print_spectre_element(FILE *fd, int inst)
 
 
         my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &val,
-             translate3(token, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, res));
+             translate3(token, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, &res));
         /* can not put template in above translate3: ---------------------------^^^^
          * if instance has VHI=VHI, format string has VHI=@VHI, and symbol template has VHI=3
          * we do not want token @VHI to resolve to 3, but stop at VHI as specified in instance */
         if(strchr(val, '@')) {
            my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &val,
-              translate3(val, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, parent_prop_ptr, template, NULL, res));
+              translate3(val, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, parent_prop_ptr, template, NULL, &res));
         }
         /* nmos instance format string: @model --> @modeln */
         dbg(1, "print_spectre_element(): 1st round: val: |%s|\n", val);
         if(strchr(val, '@')) {
           my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &val,
-                 translate3(val, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, res));
+                 translate3(val, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, &res));
           dbg(1, "print_spectre_element(): 2nd round: val: |%s|\n", val);
           /* normal passgate.sym placement, nmos instance format string:
                ad="expr('int((@nf + 1)/2) * @W / @nf * 0.29')" --> ad="expr('int((1 + 1)/2) * W_N/ 1 * 0.29')" */
           if(strchr(val, '@')) {
             my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &val,
-                   translate3(val, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, parent_templ, NULL, NULL, res));
+                   translate3(val, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, parent_templ, NULL, NULL, &res));
             dbg(1, "print_spectre_element(): 3nd round: val: |%s|\n", val);
             /* normal passgate.sym placement, nmos instance format string:
              *   @modeln --> nfet_01v8 */
@@ -3180,7 +3180,7 @@ void print_tedax_element(FILE *fd, int inst)
    Int_hashtable table={NULL, 0};
    subcircuit = 1;
    fprintf(fd, "__subcircuit__ %s %s\n",
-       sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 0, 0), res)), xctx->inst[inst].instname);
+       sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 0, 0), &res)), xctx->inst[inst].instname);
    my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
    int_hash_init(&table, 37);
    for(i=0;i<no_of_pins; ++i) {
@@ -3320,14 +3320,14 @@ void print_tedax_element(FILE *fd, int inst)
                                         /* in hash table */
     {
       char *res = NULL;
-      const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 0, 0), res));
+      const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 0, 0), &res));
       fputs(s, fd);
       my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
     }
     else if (strcmp(token,"@symname_ext")==0)
     {
       char *res = NULL;
-      const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 1, 0), res));
+      const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 1, 0), &res));
       fputs(s, fd);
       my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
     }
@@ -3586,14 +3586,14 @@ static void print_verilog_primitive(FILE *fd, int inst) /* netlist switch level
                                          /* in hash table */
     {
       char *res = NULL;
-      const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 0, 0), res));
+      const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 0, 0), &res));
       my_mstrcat(_ALLOC_ID_, &result, s, NULL);
       my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
     }
     else if (strcmp(token,"@symname_ext")==0)
     {
       char *res = NULL;
-      const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 1, 0), res));
+      const char *s = sanitize(translate(inst, get_sym_name(inst, 0, 1, 0), &res));
       my_mstrcat(_ALLOC_ID_, &result, s, NULL);
       my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
     }
@@ -3748,13 +3748,13 @@ static void print_verilog_primitive(FILE *fd, int inst) /* netlist switch level
         /* netlist_commands often have @ characters due to ngspice syntax. Do not translate */
         if(strcmp(xctx->sym[xctx->inst[inst].ptr].type, "netlist_commands")) {
           my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &result,
-            translate3(result, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, parent_prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, res));
+            translate3(result, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, parent_prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, &res));
           /* can not put template in above translate3: -----------------------^^^^
            * if instance has VHI=VHI, format string has VHI=@VHI, and symbol template has VHI=3
            * we do not want token @VHI to resolve to 3, but stop at VHI as specified in instance */
           if(strchr(result, '@')) {
              my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &result,
-                translate3(result, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, parent_prop_ptr, template, NULL, res));
+                translate3(result, 0, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, parent_prop_ptr, template, NULL, &res));
           }
         }
         if(res) my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
@@ -4487,7 +4487,7 @@ char *get_fqdevice(const char *param, int modelparam, const char *instname)
 /* substitute given tokens in a string with their corresponding values */
 /* ex.: name=@name w=@w l=@l ---> name=m112 w=3e-6 l=0.8e-6 */
 /* if s==NULL return emty string */
-const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
+const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char **result)
 {
   #ifdef __unix__
   static regex_t *get_sp_cur = NULL;
@@ -4553,8 +4553,8 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
   /* sim_is_xyce = tcleval("sim_is_xyce")[0] == '1' ? 1 : 0; */
   level = xctx->currsch;
   lcc = xctx->hier_attr;
-  STR_ALLOC(&result, result_pos, &size);
-  result[0]='\0';
+  STR_ALLOC(result, result_pos, &size);
+  (*result)[0]='\0';
 
   dbg(1, "translate(): substituting props in <%s>, instance <%s>\n", s ? s : "<NULL>" , instname);
 
@@ -4582,28 +4582,28 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
       token[token_pos]='\0';
       if(!strcmp(token, "@name")) {
         tmp = strlen(instname);
-        STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-        memcpy(result+result_pos, instname, tmp+1);
+        STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+        memcpy(*result+result_pos, instname, tmp+1);
         result_pos+=tmp;
       } else if(inst >= 0 && strcmp(token,"@symref")==0) {
        tmp_sym_name = get_sym_name(inst, 9999, 1, 0);
        tmp_sym_name=tmp_sym_name ? tmp_sym_name : "";
        tmp=strlen(tmp_sym_name);
-       STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-       memcpy(result+result_pos,tmp_sym_name, tmp+1);
+       STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+       memcpy(*result+result_pos,tmp_sym_name, tmp+1);
        result_pos+=tmp;
       } else if(inst >= 0 && strcmp(token,"@lvs_ignore")==0) {
        char *lvs = tclgetboolvar("lvs_ignore") ? "1" : "0";
        tmp = strlen(lvs);
-       STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-       memcpy(result+result_pos, lvs, tmp+1);
+       STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+       memcpy(*result+result_pos, lvs, tmp+1);
        result_pos+=tmp;
       } else if(inst >= 0 && strcmp(token,"@symname")==0) {
        tmp_sym_name = get_sym_name(inst, 0, 0, 0);
        tmp_sym_name=tmp_sym_name ? tmp_sym_name : "";
        tmp=strlen(tmp_sym_name);
-       STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-       memcpy(result+result_pos,tmp_sym_name, tmp+1);
+       STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+       memcpy(*result+result_pos,tmp_sym_name, tmp+1);
        result_pos+=tmp;
       } else if(strcmp(token,"@path")==0) {
        const char *path = xctx->sch_path[xctx->currsch] + 1;
@@ -4617,15 +4617,15 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
        }
 
        tmp=strlen(path);
-       STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-       memcpy(result+result_pos, path, tmp+1);
+       STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+       memcpy(*result+result_pos, path, tmp+1);
        result_pos+=tmp;
       } else if(inst >= 0 && strcmp(token,"@symname_ext")==0) {
        tmp_sym_name = get_sym_name(inst, 0, 1, 0);
        tmp_sym_name=tmp_sym_name ? tmp_sym_name : "";
        tmp=strlen(tmp_sym_name);
-       STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-       memcpy(result+result_pos,tmp_sym_name, tmp+1);
+       STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+       memcpy(*result+result_pos,tmp_sym_name, tmp+1);
        result_pos+=tmp;
       /* recognize single pins 15112003 */
       } else if(inst >= 0 && token[0]=='@' && token[1]=='@' && xctx->inst[inst].ptr >= 0) {
@@ -4638,8 +4638,8 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
             if(strboolcmp(get_tok_value(prop,"spice_ignore",0), "true")) {
               const char *str_ptr =  net_name(inst,i, &multip, 0, 0);
               tmp = strlen(str_ptr);
-              STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-              memcpy(result+result_pos,str_ptr, tmp+1);
+              STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+              memcpy(*result+result_pos,str_ptr, tmp+1);
               result_pos+=tmp;
             }
             break;
@@ -4649,8 +4649,8 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
         value = get_pin_attr(token, inst, engineering);
         if(value) {
           tmp=strlen(value);
-          STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-          memcpy(result+result_pos, value, tmp+1);
+          STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+          memcpy(*result+result_pos, value, tmp+1);
           result_pos+=tmp;
           my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &value);
         }
@@ -4660,8 +4660,8 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
        if(!stat(file_name , &time_buf)) {
          tm=localtime(&(time_buf.st_mtime) );
          tmp=strftime(date, sizeof(date), "%Y-%m-%d  %H:%M:%S", tm);
-         STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-         memcpy(result+result_pos, date, tmp+1);
+         STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+         memcpy(*result+result_pos, date, tmp+1);
          result_pos+=tmp;
        }
       } else if(inst >= 0 && strcmp(token,"@sym_last_modified")==0) {
@@ -4669,8 +4669,8 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
        if(!stat(file_name , &time_buf)) {
          tm=localtime(&(time_buf.st_mtime) );
          tmp=strftime(date, sizeof(date), "%Y-%m-%d  %H:%M:%S", tm);
-         STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-         memcpy(result+result_pos, date, tmp+1);
+         STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+         memcpy(*result+result_pos, date, tmp+1);
          result_pos+=tmp;
        }
       } else if(strcmp(token,"@time_last_modified")==0) {
@@ -4678,34 +4678,34 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
        if(!stat(file_name , &time_buf)) {
          tm=localtime(&(time_buf.st_mtime) );
          tmp=strftime(date, sizeof(date), "%Y-%m-%d  %H:%M:%S", tm);
-         STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-         memcpy(result+result_pos, date, tmp+1);
+         STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+         memcpy(*result+result_pos, date, tmp+1);
          result_pos+=tmp;
        }
       } else if(strcmp(token,"@schname_ext")==0) {
         /* tmp=strlen(xctx->sch[xctx->currsch]);*/
         tmp = strlen(xctx->current_name);
-        STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+        STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
         /* memcpy(result+result_pos,xctx->sch[xctx->currsch], tmp+1); */
-        memcpy(result+result_pos, xctx->current_name, tmp+1);
+        memcpy(*result+result_pos, xctx->current_name, tmp+1);
         result_pos+=tmp;
       } else if(strcmp(token,"@schname")==0) {
         const char *schname = get_cell(xctx->current_name, 0);
         tmp = strlen(schname);
-        STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-        memcpy(result+result_pos, schname, tmp+1);
+        STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+        memcpy(*result+result_pos, schname, tmp+1);
         result_pos+=tmp;
       } else if(strcmp(token,"@topschname")==0)  {
          const char *topsch;
          topsch = get_trailing_path(xctx->sch[0], 0, 1);
          tmp = strlen(topsch);
-         STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-         memcpy(result+result_pos, topsch, tmp+1);
+         STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+         memcpy(*result+result_pos, topsch, tmp+1);
          result_pos+=tmp;
       } else if(inst >= 0 && strcmp(token,"@prop_ptr")==0 && xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr) {
         tmp=strlen(xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr);
-        STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-        memcpy(result+result_pos,xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, tmp+1);
+        STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+        memcpy(*result+result_pos,xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, tmp+1);
         result_pos+=tmp;
       }
       else if(inst >= 0 && strcmp(token,"@spice_get_voltage")==0 && xctx->inst[inst].ptr >= 0)
@@ -4759,8 +4759,8 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
                   }
                   if(len) {
                     len = strlen(valstr);
-                    STR_ALLOC(&result, len + result_pos, &size);
-                    memcpy(result+result_pos, valstr, len+1);
+                    STR_ALLOC(result, len + result_pos, &size);
+                    memcpy(*result+result_pos, valstr, len+1);
                     result_pos += len;
                   }
                   dbg(1, "inst %d, net=%s, fqnet=%s idx=%d valstr=%s\n", inst,  net, fqnet, idx, valstr);
@@ -4793,8 +4793,8 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
        */
       else if(strcmp(token,"@spice_get_node")==0 )
       {
-        STR_ALLOC(&result, 15 + result_pos, &size);
-        memcpy(result+result_pos, token, 16);
+        STR_ALLOC(result, 15 + result_pos, &size);
+        memcpy(*result+result_pos, token, 16);
         result_pos += 15;
       }
       else if(strncmp(token,"@spice_get_voltage(", 19)==0 )
@@ -4861,8 +4861,8 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
               }
               if(len) {
                 len = strlen(valstr);
-                STR_ALLOC(&result, len + result_pos, &size);
-                memcpy(result+result_pos, valstr, len+1);
+                STR_ALLOC(result, len + result_pos, &size);
+                memcpy(*result+result_pos, valstr, len+1);
                 result_pos += len;
               }
               dbg(1, "instname %s, net=%s, fqnet=%s idx=%d valstr=%s\n", instname,  net, fqnet, idx, valstr);
@@ -4963,8 +4963,8 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
               }
               if(len) {
                 len = strlen(valstr);
-                STR_ALLOC(&result, len + result_pos, &size);
-                memcpy(result+result_pos, valstr, len+1);
+                STR_ALLOC(result, len + result_pos, &size);
+                memcpy(*result+result_pos, valstr, len+1);
                 result_pos += len;
               }
               dbg(1, "instname %s, dev=%s, fqdev=%s idx=%d valstr=%s\n", instname,  dev, fqdev, idx, valstr);
@@ -5030,8 +5030,8 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
               }
               if(len) {
                 len = strlen(valstr);
-                STR_ALLOC(&result, len + result_pos, &size);
-                memcpy(result+result_pos, valstr, len+1);
+                STR_ALLOC(result, len + result_pos, &size);
+                memcpy(*result+result_pos, valstr, len+1);
                 result_pos += len;
               }
               dbg(1, "inst %d, fqnet1=%s fqnet2=%s idx1=%d idx2=%d, val1=%g val2=%g valstr=%s\n",
@@ -5164,8 +5164,8 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
               }
               if(len) {
                 len = strlen(valstr);
-                STR_ALLOC(&result, len + result_pos, &size);
-                memcpy(result+result_pos, valstr, len+1);
+                STR_ALLOC(result, len + result_pos, &size);
+                memcpy(*result+result_pos, valstr, len+1);
                 result_pos += len;
               }
               dbg(1, "instname %s, dev=%s, fqdev=%s idx=%d valstr=%s\n", instname,  dev, fqdev, idx, valstr);
@@ -5178,24 +5178,24 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
       else if(strcmp(token,"@schvhdlprop")==0 && xctx->schvhdlprop)
       {
         tmp=strlen(xctx->schvhdlprop);
-        STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-        memcpy(result+result_pos,xctx->schvhdlprop, tmp+1);
+        STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+        memcpy(*result+result_pos,xctx->schvhdlprop, tmp+1);
         result_pos+=tmp;
       }
 
       else if(strcmp(token,"@schspectreprop")==0 && xctx->schspectreprop)
       {
         tmp=strlen(xctx->schspectreprop);
-        STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-        memcpy(result+result_pos,xctx->schspectreprop, tmp+1);
+        STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+        memcpy(*result+result_pos,xctx->schspectreprop, tmp+1);
         result_pos+=tmp;
       }
 
       else if(strcmp(token,"@schprop")==0 && xctx->schprop)
       {
         tmp=strlen(xctx->schprop);
-        STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-        memcpy(result+result_pos,xctx->schprop, tmp+1);
+        STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+        memcpy(*result+result_pos,xctx->schprop, tmp+1);
         result_pos+=tmp;
       }
       /* /20100217 */
@@ -5203,16 +5203,16 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
       else if(strcmp(token,"@schsymbolprop")==0 && xctx->schsymbolprop)
       {
         tmp=strlen(xctx->schsymbolprop);
-        STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-        memcpy(result+result_pos,xctx->schsymbolprop, tmp+1);
+        STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+        memcpy(*result+result_pos,xctx->schsymbolprop, tmp+1);
         result_pos+=tmp;
       }
 
       else if(strcmp(token,"@schtedaxprop")==0 && xctx->schtedaxprop)
       {
         tmp=strlen(xctx->schtedaxprop);
-        STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-        memcpy(result+result_pos,xctx->schtedaxprop, tmp+1);
+        STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+        memcpy(*result+result_pos,xctx->schtedaxprop, tmp+1);
         result_pos+=tmp;
       }
       /* /20100217 */
@@ -5220,8 +5220,8 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
       else if(strcmp(token,"@schverilogprop")==0 && xctx->schverilogprop)
       {
         tmp=strlen(xctx->schverilogprop);
-        STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-        memcpy(result+result_pos,xctx->schverilogprop, tmp+1);
+        STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+        memcpy(*result+result_pos,xctx->schverilogprop, tmp+1);
         result_pos+=tmp;
       /* if spiceprefix==0 and token == @spiceprefix then set empty value */
       } else if(!sp_prefix && !strcmp(token, "@spiceprefix")) {
@@ -5240,9 +5240,9 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
           if(token[0] =='%') {
             /* no definition found -> subst with token without leading % */
             tmp=token_pos -1 ; /* we need token_pos -1 chars, ( strlen(token+1) ) , excluding leading '%' */
-            STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+            STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
             /* dbg(2, "translate(): token=%s, token_pos = %d\n", token, token_pos); */
-            memcpy(result+result_pos, token + 1, tmp+1);
+            memcpy(*result+result_pos, token + 1, tmp+1);
             result_pos+=tmp;
           }
         } else {
@@ -5271,13 +5271,13 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
             i--;
           }
           if(strchr(value1, '@')) {
-            my_strdup(_ALLOC_ID_, &value1, translate3(value1, 1, schname_attr, NULL, NULL, NULL, res));
+            my_strdup(_ALLOC_ID_, &value1, translate3(value1, 1, schname_attr, NULL, NULL, NULL, &res));
           }
           /* substitute remaing @params */
           i = level;
           while(i > 0) {
             if(strchr(value1, '@')) {
-              my_strdup(_ALLOC_ID_, &value1, translate3(value1, 1, lcc[i-1].prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, res));
+              my_strdup(_ALLOC_ID_, &value1, translate3(value1, 1, lcc[i-1].prop_ptr, NULL, NULL, NULL, &res));
               dbg(1, "2 translate(): lcc[%d].prop_ptr=%s, value1=%s\n", i-1, lcc[i-1].prop_ptr, value1);
             } else break;
             i--;
@@ -5287,15 +5287,15 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
           i = level;
           while(i > 0) {
             if(strchr(value1, '@')) {
-              my_strdup(_ALLOC_ID_, &value1, translate3(value1, 1, lcc[i-1].templ, NULL,  NULL, NULL, res));
+              my_strdup(_ALLOC_ID_, &value1, translate3(value1, 1, lcc[i-1].templ, NULL,  NULL, NULL, &res));
               dbg(1, "2 translate(): lcc[%d].prop_ptr=%s, value1=%s\n", i-1, lcc[i-1].prop_ptr, value1);
             } else break;
             i--;
           }
 
           tmp=strlen(value1);
-          STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-          memcpy(result+result_pos, value1, tmp+1);
+          STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+          memcpy(*result+result_pos, value1, tmp+1);
           result_pos+=tmp;
           my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &value1);
           if(res) my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
@@ -5304,43 +5304,43 @@ const char *translate(int inst, const char *s, char *result)
       token_pos = 0;
       if(c == '@' || c == '%') s--;
       else {
-        STR_ALLOC(&result, 1 + result_pos, &size);
-        result[result_pos++]=(char)c;
+        STR_ALLOC(result, 1 + result_pos, &size);
+        (*result)[result_pos++]=(char)c;
       }
       state=TOK_BEGIN;
     } /* else if(state==TOK_SEP) */
     else if(state==TOK_BEGIN) {
-      STR_ALLOC(&result, 1 + result_pos, &size);
-      result[result_pos++]=(char)c;
+      STR_ALLOC(result, 1 + result_pos, &size);
+      (*result)[result_pos++]=(char)c;
     }
     if(c=='\0')
     {
-      STR_ALLOC(&result, 1 + result_pos, &size);
-      result[result_pos]='\0';
+      STR_ALLOC(result, 1 + result_pos, &size);
+      (*result)[result_pos]='\0';
       break;
     }
   } /* while(1) */
-  dbg(2, "translate(): returning %s\n", result);
+  dbg(2, "translate(): returning %s\n", *result);
   my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &token);
   /* resolve spice_get_node patterns.
    * if result is like: 'tcleval(some_string)' pass it thru tcl evaluation so expressions
    * can be calculated */
 
-  my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &result, tcl_hook2(result));
-  my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &result, spice_get_node(result));
+  my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, result, tcl_hook2(*result));
+  my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, result, spice_get_node(*result));
 
-  if(is_expr(result) && inst >= 0) {
+  if(is_expr(*result) && inst >= 0) {
     char *res = NULL;
-    dbg(1, "translate(): expr():%s\n", result);
-    my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &result, eval_expr(
-       translate3(result, 1, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, xctx->sym[xctx->inst[inst].ptr].templ,
-                              NULL, NULL, res)));
+    dbg(1, "translate(): expr():%s\n", *result);
+    my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, result, eval_expr(
+       translate3(*result, 1, xctx->inst[inst].prop_ptr, xctx->sym[xctx->inst[inst].ptr].templ,
+                              NULL, NULL, &res)));
     my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
   }
-  return result;
+  return *result;
 }
 
-const char *translate2(Lcc *lcc, int level, char* s, char *result)
+const char *translate2(Lcc *lcc, int level, char* s, char **result)
 {
   static const char *empty="";
   int i, escape = 0;
@@ -5353,8 +5353,8 @@ const char *translate2(Lcc *lcc, int level, char* s, char *result)
     return empty;
   }
   size = CADCHUNKALLOC;
-  my_realloc(_ALLOC_ID_, &result, size);
-  result[0] = '\0';
+  my_realloc(_ALLOC_ID_, result, size);
+  (*result)[0] = '\0';
   dbg(1, "translate2(): s=%s, level=%d\n", s, level);
   while (1) {
     c = *s++;
@@ -5369,7 +5369,7 @@ const char *translate2(Lcc *lcc, int level, char* s, char *result)
     if( state==TOK_BEGIN && (c=='@' || c=='%' ) ) state=TOK_TOKEN;
     else if(state==TOK_TOKEN && token_pos > 1 &&
        ( ( (space || c == '%' || c == '@') ) || escape) ) state = TOK_SEP;
-    STR_ALLOC(&result, result_pos, &size);
+    STR_ALLOC(result, result_pos, &size);
     STR_ALLOC(&token, token_pos, &sizetok);
     if (state == TOK_TOKEN) token[token_pos++] = (char)c;
     else if (state == TOK_SEP) {
@@ -5407,19 +5407,19 @@ const char *translate2(Lcc *lcc, int level, char* s, char *result)
           i--;
         }
         tmp = strlen(value);
-        STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + 1 + result_pos, &size); /* +1 to add leading '%' */
+        STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + 1 + result_pos, &size); /* +1 to add leading '%' */
         /* prefix substituted token with a '%' so it will be recognized by translate()
          * for last level translation with instance placement prop_ptr attributes at
          * drawing/netlisting time. */
-        memcpy(result + result_pos , "%", 1);
-        memcpy(result + result_pos + 1 , value, tmp + 1);
+        memcpy(*result + result_pos , "%", 1);
+        memcpy(*result + result_pos + 1 , value, tmp + 1);
         result_pos += tmp + 1;
       }
       else if (strncmp(token, "@spice_get_voltage", 18) == 0 ||
                strncmp(token, "@spice_get_current", 18) == 0) { /* return unchanged */
         tmp = strlen(token);
-        STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-        memcpy(result + result_pos, token, tmp + 1);
+        STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+        memcpy(*result + result_pos, token, tmp + 1);
         result_pos += tmp;
       }
       else if(strcmp(token,"@path")==0) {
@@ -5436,40 +5436,40 @@ const char *translate2(Lcc *lcc, int level, char* s, char *result)
         }
         dbg(1, "path=%s\n", path);
         tmp=strlen(path);
-        STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-        memcpy(result+result_pos, path, tmp+1);
+        STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+        memcpy(*result+result_pos, path, tmp+1);
         my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &path);
         result_pos+=tmp;
       }
       else if (strcmp(token, "@symname") == 0) {
         tmp_sym_name = lcc[level].symname ? get_cell(lcc[level].symname, 0) : "";
         tmp = strlen(tmp_sym_name);
-        STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-        memcpy(result + result_pos, tmp_sym_name, tmp + 1);
+        STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+        memcpy(*result + result_pos, tmp_sym_name, tmp + 1);
         result_pos += tmp;
       }
       else if (strcmp(token, "@symname_ext") == 0) {
         tmp_sym_name = lcc[level].symname ? get_cell_w_ext(lcc[level].symname, 0) : "";
         tmp = strlen(tmp_sym_name);
-        STR_ALLOC(&result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
-        memcpy(result + result_pos, tmp_sym_name, tmp + 1);
+        STR_ALLOC(result, tmp + result_pos, &size);
+        memcpy(*result + result_pos, tmp_sym_name, tmp + 1);
         result_pos += tmp;
       }
       if (c == '%' || c == '@') s--; /* push back to input for next token */
-      else result[result_pos++] = (char)c;
+      else (*result)[result_pos++] = (char)c;
       state = TOK_BEGIN;
     }
-    else if (state == TOK_BEGIN) result[result_pos++] = (char)c;
+    else if (state == TOK_BEGIN) (*result)[result_pos++] = (char)c;
     if (c == '\0') {
-      result[result_pos] = '\0';
+      (*result)[result_pos] = '\0';
       break;
     }
   } /* while(1) */
   my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &token);
   my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &value);
-  dbg(1, "translate2(): result=%s\n", result);
+  dbg(1, "translate2(): result=%s\n", *result);
   /* return tcl_hook2(result); */
-  return result;
+  return *result;
 }
 
 
@@ -5486,7 +5486,7 @@ const char *translate2(Lcc *lcc, int level, char* s, char *result)
  *        == 1 --> return empty token if no definition found in s* strings
  */
 const char *translate3(const char *s, int eat_escapes, const char *s1,
-                       const char *s2, const char *s3, const char *s4, char *translated_tok)
+                       const char *s2, const char *s3, const char *s4, char **translated_tok)
 {
  static const char *empty="";
  char *result=NULL; /* safe to keep even with multiple schematics */
@@ -5584,9 +5584,10 @@ const char *translate3(const char *s, int eat_escapes, const char *s1,
  /* if result is like: 'tcleval(some_string)' pass it thru tcl evaluation so expressions
   * can be calculated */
  dbg(1, "translate3(): result=|%s|\n", result);
- my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, &translated_tok, tcl_hook2(result));
+ my_strdup2(_ALLOC_ID_, translated_tok, tcl_hook2(result));
+ dbg(0, "translate3: %p\n", translated_tok);
  xctx->tok_size = found_value;
  if(result) my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &result);
- return translated_tok;
+ return *translated_tok;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/verilog_netlist.c b/src/verilog_netlist.c
index 8504b38f..8887158d 100644
--- a/src/verilog_netlist.c
+++ b/src/verilog_netlist.c
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ int global_verilog_netlist(int global, int alert)  /* netlister driver */
       str_tmp = get_tok_value(xctx->sym[xctx->inst[i].ptr].prop_ptr, "verilog_format", 2);
 
    my_strdup(_ALLOC_ID_, &tmp_string, str_tmp);
-   fprintf(fd, "%s\n", str_tmp ? translate(i, tmp_string, res) : "<NULL>");
+   fprintf(fd, "%s\n", str_tmp ? translate(i, tmp_string, &res) : "<NULL>");
    my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
   }
  }
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ int verilog_block_netlist(FILE *fd, int i, int alert)
       if(!xctx->tok_size && strcmp(fmt_attr, "verilog_format"))
          str_tmp = get_tok_value(xctx->sym[xctx->inst[j].ptr].prop_ptr, "verilog_format", 2);
       my_strdup(_ALLOC_ID_, &tmp_string, str_tmp);
-      fprintf(fd, "%s\n", str_tmp ? translate(j, tmp_string, res) : "<NULL>");
+      fprintf(fd, "%s\n", str_tmp ? translate(j, tmp_string, &res) : "<NULL>");
       my_free(_ALLOC_ID_, &res);
      }
     }
diff --git a/src/xschem.h b/src/xschem.h
index c26f5a71..44752b24 100644
--- a/src/xschem.h
+++ b/src/xschem.h
@@ -1657,10 +1657,10 @@ extern char *find_nth(const char *str, const char *sep, const char *quote, int k
 extern int isonlydigit(const char *s);
 extern char *spice_get_node(const char *token);
 extern char *get_fqdevice(const char *param, int modelparam, const char *instname);
-extern const char *translate(int inst, const char* s, char *result);
-extern const char* translate2(Lcc *lcc, int level, char* s, char *result);
+extern const char *translate(int inst, const char* s, char **result);
+extern const char* translate2(Lcc *lcc, int level, char* s, char **result);
 extern const char *translate3(const char* s, int eat_escapes, const char *s1,
-                              const char *s2, const char *s3, const char *s4, char *translated_tok);
+                              const char *s2, const char *s3, const char *s4, char **translated_tok);
 extern void print_tedax_element(FILE *fd, int inst);
 extern int print_spice_element(FILE *fd, int inst);
 extern void print_spice_subckt_nodes(FILE *fd, int symbol);