From 2edee0b81142bb565d646145f79cb6e70a7f1d4a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Miodrag Milanovic <mmicko@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2015 12:25:00 +0200
Subject: [PATCH] updated astring constructors to have just one string param,
 to be more like std::string (nw)

---
 src/emu/audit.c                              | 13 ++++++++++---
 src/emu/clifront.c                           |  2 +-
 src/emu/cpu/drcbex64.c                       |  2 +-
 src/emu/cpu/drcbex86.c                       |  2 +-
 src/emu/cpu/drcuml.c                         |  2 +-
 src/emu/diimage.c                            |  6 +++---
 src/emu/emuopts.c                            |  2 +-
 src/emu/emupal.c                             |  2 +-
 src/emu/fileio.c                             | 12 ++++++------
 src/emu/imagedev/diablo.c                    |  2 +-
 src/emu/imagedev/harddriv.c                  |  2 +-
 src/emu/machine.c                            |  2 +-
 src/emu/render.c                             |  2 +-
 src/emu/romload.c                            |  4 ++--
 src/emu/save.h                               |  2 +-
 src/emu/softlist.c                           | 10 +++++-----
 src/emu/tilemap.c                            |  2 +-
 src/emu/ui/imgcntrl.c                        |  2 +-
 src/emu/video.c                              |  8 ++++----
 src/emu/webengine.c                          |  2 +-
 src/lib/util/astring.h                       |  4 ----
 src/lib/util/options.c                       |  2 +-
 src/osd/modules/debugger/win/disasmwininfo.c |  2 +-
 src/osd/modules/debugger/win/logwininfo.c    |  2 +-
 src/osd/modules/debugger/win/memorywininfo.c |  2 +-
 src/osd/modules/render/d3d/d3dhlsl.c         |  4 ++--
 26 files changed, 50 insertions(+), 47 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/emu/audit.c b/src/emu/audit.c
index de03cf93a52..72bb77684d2 100644
--- a/src/emu/audit.c
+++ b/src/emu/audit.c
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ const char *driverpath = m_enumerator.config().root_device().searchpath();
 		for (const rom_entry *region = rom_first_region(*device); region != NULL; region = rom_next_region(region))
 		{
 // temporary hack: add the driver path & region name
-astring combinedpath(device->searchpath(), ";", driverpath);
+astring combinedpath = astring(device->searchpath()).cat(";").cat(driverpath);
 if (device->shortname())
 	combinedpath.cat(";").cat(device->shortname());
 m_searchpath = combinedpath.c_str();
@@ -188,8 +188,15 @@ media_auditor::summary media_auditor::audit_software(const char *list_name, soft
 	// store validation for later
 	m_validation = validation;
 
-	astring combinedpath(swinfo->shortname(), ";", list_name, PATH_SEPARATOR, swinfo->shortname());
-	astring locationtag(list_name, "%", swinfo->shortname(), "%");
+	astring combinedpath(swinfo->shortname());
+	combinedpath.cat(";");
+	combinedpath.cat(list_name);
+	combinedpath.cat(PATH_SEPARATOR);
+	combinedpath.cat(swinfo->shortname());
+	astring locationtag(list_name);
+	locationtag.cat("%");
+	locationtag.cat(swinfo->shortname());
+	locationtag.cat("%");
 	if (swinfo->parentname() != NULL)
 	{
 		locationtag.cat(swinfo->parentname());
diff --git a/src/emu/clifront.c b/src/emu/clifront.c
index 8f7e979eec0..b52b54b7d25 100644
--- a/src/emu/clifront.c
+++ b/src/emu/clifront.c
@@ -1686,7 +1686,7 @@ void media_identifier::identify(const char *filename)
 		for (const osd_directory_entry *entry = osd_readdir(directory); entry != NULL; entry = osd_readdir(directory))
 			if (entry->type == ENTTYPE_FILE)
 			{
-				astring curfile(filename, PATH_SEPARATOR, entry->name);
+				astring curfile = astring(filename).cat(PATH_SEPARATOR).cat(entry->name);
 				identify(curfile.c_str());
 			}
 
diff --git a/src/emu/cpu/drcbex64.c b/src/emu/cpu/drcbex64.c
index 316577f4abd..eb51d667b5e 100644
--- a/src/emu/cpu/drcbex64.c
+++ b/src/emu/cpu/drcbex64.c
@@ -654,7 +654,7 @@ drcbe_x64::drcbe_x64(drcuml_state &drcuml, device_t &device, drc_cache &cache, U
 	// create the log
 	if (device.machine().options().drc_log_native())
 	{
-		astring filename("drcbex64_", device.shortname(), ".asm");
+		astring filename = astring("drcbex64_").cat(device.shortname()).cat(".asm");
 		m_log = x86log_create_context(filename.c_str());
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/emu/cpu/drcbex86.c b/src/emu/cpu/drcbex86.c
index 311228db2ec..ca90329ac2d 100644
--- a/src/emu/cpu/drcbex86.c
+++ b/src/emu/cpu/drcbex86.c
@@ -568,7 +568,7 @@ drcbe_x86::drcbe_x86(drcuml_state &drcuml, device_t &device, drc_cache &cache, U
 	// create the log
 	if (device.machine().options().drc_log_native())
 	{
-		astring filename("drcbex86_", device.shortname(), ".asm");
+		astring filename = astring("drcbex86_").cat(device.shortname()).cat(".asm");
 		m_log = x86log_create_context(filename.c_str());
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/emu/cpu/drcuml.c b/src/emu/cpu/drcuml.c
index ca52ee34e3e..7537d220ae4 100644
--- a/src/emu/cpu/drcuml.c
+++ b/src/emu/cpu/drcuml.c
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ drcuml_state::drcuml_state(device_t &device, drc_cache &cache, UINT32 flags, int
 	// if we're to log, create the logfile
 	if (device.machine().options().drc_log_uml())
 	{
-		astring filename("drcuml_", m_device.shortname(), ".asm");
+		astring filename = astring("drcuml_").cat(m_device.shortname()).cat(".asm");
 		m_umllog = fopen(filename.c_str(), "w");
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/emu/diimage.c b/src/emu/diimage.c
index 58a46671c4e..bb483af9d91 100644
--- a/src/emu/diimage.c
+++ b/src/emu/diimage.c
@@ -499,13 +499,13 @@ UINT32 device_image_interface::crc()
 -------------------------------------------------*/
 void device_image_interface::battery_load(void *buffer, int length, int fill)
 {
-	astring fname(device().machine().system().name, PATH_SEPARATOR, m_basename_noext.c_str(), ".nv");
+	astring fname = astring(device().machine().system().name).cat(PATH_SEPARATOR).cat(m_basename_noext.c_str()).cat(".nv");
 	image_battery_load_by_name(device().machine().options(), fname.c_str(), buffer, length, fill);
 }
 
 void device_image_interface::battery_load(void *buffer, int length, void *def_buffer)
 {
-	astring fname(device().machine().system().name, PATH_SEPARATOR, m_basename_noext.c_str(), ".nv");
+	astring fname = astring(device().machine().system().name).cat(PATH_SEPARATOR).cat(m_basename_noext.c_str()).cat(".nv");
 	image_battery_load_by_name(device().machine().options(), fname.c_str(), buffer, length, def_buffer);
 }
 
@@ -517,7 +517,7 @@ void device_image_interface::battery_load(void *buffer, int length, void *def_bu
 -------------------------------------------------*/
 void device_image_interface::battery_save(const void *buffer, int length)
 {
-	astring fname(device().machine().system().name, PATH_SEPARATOR, m_basename_noext.c_str(), ".nv");
+	astring fname = astring(device().machine().system().name).cat(PATH_SEPARATOR).cat(m_basename_noext.c_str()).cat(".nv");
 
 	image_battery_save_by_name(device().machine().options(), fname.c_str(), buffer, length);
 }
diff --git a/src/emu/emuopts.c b/src/emu/emuopts.c
index f4609d53a2c..e1142588300 100644
--- a/src/emu/emuopts.c
+++ b/src/emu/emuopts.c
@@ -549,7 +549,7 @@ const char *emu_options::main_value(astring &buffer, const char *name) const
 
 const char *emu_options::sub_value(astring &buffer, const char *name, const char *subname) const
 {
-	astring tmp(",", subname, "=");
+	astring tmp = astring(",").cat(subname).cat("=");
 	buffer = value(name);
 	int pos = buffer.find(0, tmp.c_str());
 	if (pos != -1)
diff --git a/src/emu/emupal.c b/src/emu/emupal.c
index 617d594ff66..91cf944911e 100644
--- a/src/emu/emupal.c
+++ b/src/emu/emupal.c
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ void palette_device::device_start()
 	if (share != NULL)
 	{
 		// find the extended (split) memory, if present
-		astring tag_ext(tag(), "_ext");
+		astring tag_ext = astring(tag()).cat("_ext");
 		const memory_share *share_ext = memshare(tag_ext.c_str());
 
 		// make sure we have specified a format
diff --git a/src/emu/fileio.c b/src/emu/fileio.c
index 5d9514702e4..b88e191d376 100644
--- a/src/emu/fileio.c
+++ b/src/emu/fileio.c
@@ -281,21 +281,21 @@ file_error emu_file::open(const char *name)
 file_error emu_file::open(const char *name1, const char *name2)
 {
 	// concatenate the strings and do a standard open
-	astring name(name1, name2);
+	astring name = astring(name1).cat(name2);
 	return open(name.c_str());
 }
 
 file_error emu_file::open(const char *name1, const char *name2, const char *name3)
 {
 	// concatenate the strings and do a standard open
-	astring name(name1, name2, name3);
+	astring name = astring(name1).cat(name2).cat(name3);
 	return open(name.c_str());
 }
 
 file_error emu_file::open(const char *name1, const char *name2, const char *name3, const char *name4)
 {
 	// concatenate the strings and do a standard open
-	astring name(name1, name2, name3, name4);
+	astring name = astring(name1).cat(name2).cat(name3).cat(name4);
 	return open(name.c_str());
 }
 
@@ -314,21 +314,21 @@ file_error emu_file::open(const char *name, UINT32 crc)
 file_error emu_file::open(const char *name1, const char *name2, UINT32 crc)
 {
 	// concatenate the strings and do a standard open
-	astring name(name1, name2);
+	astring name = astring(name1).cat(name2);
 	return open(name.c_str(), crc);
 }
 
 file_error emu_file::open(const char *name1, const char *name2, const char *name3, UINT32 crc)
 {
 	// concatenate the strings and do a standard open
-	astring name(name1, name2, name3);
+	astring name = astring(name1).cat(name2).cat(name3);
 	return open(name.c_str(), crc);
 }
 
 file_error emu_file::open(const char *name1, const char *name2, const char *name3, const char *name4, UINT32 crc)
 {
 	// concatenate the strings and do a standard open
-	astring name(name1, name2, name3, name4);
+	astring name = astring(name1).cat(name2).cat(name3).cat(name4);
 	return open(name.c_str(), crc);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/emu/imagedev/diablo.c b/src/emu/imagedev/diablo.c
index 66731719920..1f4af5b3242 100644
--- a/src/emu/imagedev/diablo.c
+++ b/src/emu/imagedev/diablo.c
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ void diablo_image_device::call_unload()
 
 static chd_error open_disk_diff(emu_options &options, const char *name, chd_file &source, chd_file &diff_chd)
 {
-	astring fname(name, ".dif");
+	astring fname = astring(name).cat(".dif");
 
 	/* try to open the diff */
 	//printf("Opening differencing image file: %s\n", fname.c_str());
diff --git a/src/emu/imagedev/harddriv.c b/src/emu/imagedev/harddriv.c
index 780317e9193..a34658600e7 100644
--- a/src/emu/imagedev/harddriv.c
+++ b/src/emu/imagedev/harddriv.c
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ void harddisk_image_device::call_unload()
 
 static chd_error open_disk_diff(emu_options &options, const char *name, chd_file &source, chd_file &diff_chd)
 {
-	astring fname(name, ".dif");
+	astring fname = astring(name).cat(".dif");
 
 	/* try to open the diff */
 	//printf("Opening differencing image file: %s\n", fname.c_str());
diff --git a/src/emu/machine.c b/src/emu/machine.c
index 229a507f3ac..e85f39d03cd 100644
--- a/src/emu/machine.c
+++ b/src/emu/machine.c
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ TIMER_CALLBACK_MEMBER(running_machine::autoboot_callback)
 	else if (strlen(options().autoboot_command())!=0) {
 		astring cmd = astring(options().autoboot_command());
 		cmd.replace("'","\\'");
-		astring val = astring("emu.keypost('", cmd.c_str(), "')").c_str();
+		astring val = astring("emu.keypost('").cat(cmd.c_str()).cat("')").c_str();
 		manager().lua()->load_string(val.c_str());
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/emu/render.c b/src/emu/render.c
index b7da5fcbb38..a510a6fd7b8 100644
--- a/src/emu/render.c
+++ b/src/emu/render.c
@@ -1571,7 +1571,7 @@ bool render_target::load_layout_file(const char *dirname, const char *filename)
 	else
 	{
 		// build the path and optionally prepend the directory
-		astring fname(filename, ".lay");
+		astring fname = astring(filename).cat(".lay");
 		if (dirname != NULL)
 			fname.ins(0, PATH_SEPARATOR).ins(0, dirname);
 
diff --git a/src/emu/romload.c b/src/emu/romload.c
index 4ccc05da1fb..fa99559ca9a 100644
--- a/src/emu/romload.c
+++ b/src/emu/romload.c
@@ -1179,7 +1179,7 @@ int open_disk_image(emu_options &options, const game_driver *gamedrv, const rom_
 
 static chd_error open_disk_diff(emu_options &options, const rom_entry *romp, chd_file &source, chd_file &diff_chd)
 {
-	astring fname(ROM_GETNAME(romp), ".dif");
+	astring fname = astring(ROM_GETNAME(romp)).cat(".dif");
 
 	/* try to open the diff */
 	LOG(("Opening differencing image file: %s\n", fname.c_str()));
@@ -1236,7 +1236,7 @@ static void process_disk_entries(romload_private *romdata, const char *regiontag
 			chd_error err;
 
 			/* make the filename of the source */
-			astring filename(ROM_GETNAME(romp), ".chd");
+			astring filename = astring(ROM_GETNAME(romp)).cat(".chd");
 
 			/* first open the source drive */
 			LOG(("Opening disk image: %s\n", filename.c_str()));
diff --git a/src/emu/save.h b/src/emu/save.h
index a4d6e041e08..4b026ed9ad2 100644
--- a/src/emu/save.h
+++ b/src/emu/save.h
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ inline void save_manager::save_item(device_t *device, const char *module, const
 template<>
 inline void save_manager::save_item(device_t *device, const char *module, const char *tag, int index, attotime &value, const char *name)
 {
-	astring tempstr(name, ".attoseconds");
+	astring tempstr = astring(name).cat(".attoseconds");
 	save_memory(device, module, tag, index, tempstr.c_str(), &value.attoseconds, sizeof(value.attoseconds));
 	tempstr.cpy(name).cat(".seconds");
 	save_memory(device, module, tag, index, tempstr.c_str(), &value.seconds, sizeof(value.seconds));
diff --git a/src/emu/softlist.c b/src/emu/softlist.c
index fd70d3dd12d..d2ac76aceb9 100644
--- a/src/emu/softlist.c
+++ b/src/emu/softlist.c
@@ -149,8 +149,8 @@ bool software_part::is_compatible(const software_list_device &swlistdev) const
 		return true;
 
 	// copy the comma-delimited strings and ensure they end with a final comma
-	astring comp(compatibility, ",");
-	astring filt(filter, ",");
+	astring comp = astring(compatibility).cat(",");
+	astring filt = astring(filter).cat(",");
 
 	// iterate over filter items and see if they exist in the compatibility list; if so, return true
 	for (int start = 0, end = filt.chr(start, ','); end != -1; start = end + 1, end = filt.chr(start, ','))
@@ -175,10 +175,10 @@ bool software_part::matches_interface(const char *interface_list) const
 		return true;
 
 	// copy the comma-delimited interface list and ensure it ends with a final comma
-	astring interfaces(interface_list, ",");
+	astring interfaces = astring(interface_list).cat(",");
 
 	// then add a comma to the end of our interface and return true if we find it in the list string
-	astring our_interface(m_interface, ",");
+	astring our_interface = astring(m_interface).cat(",");
 	return (interfaces.find(0, our_interface.c_str()) != -1);
 }
 
@@ -500,7 +500,7 @@ void software_list_device::device_validity_check(validity_checker &valid) const
 {
 	// add to the global map whenever we check a list so we don't re-check
 	// it in the future
-	if (valid.already_checked(astring("softlist/", m_list_name.c_str()).c_str()))
+	if (valid.already_checked(astring("softlist/").cat(m_list_name.c_str()).c_str()))
 		return;
 
 	// do device validation only in case of validate command
diff --git a/src/emu/tilemap.c b/src/emu/tilemap.c
index eaae73d871f..4492dd23d95 100644
--- a/src/emu/tilemap.c
+++ b/src/emu/tilemap.c
@@ -1785,7 +1785,7 @@ void tilemap_device::device_start()
 		m_basemem.set(*share, m_bytes_per_entry);
 
 		// look for an extension entry
-		astring tag_ext(tag(), "_ext");
+		astring tag_ext = astring(tag()).cat("_ext");
 		share = memshare(tag_ext.c_str());
 		if (share != NULL)
 			m_extmem.set(*share, m_bytes_per_entry);
diff --git a/src/emu/ui/imgcntrl.c b/src/emu/ui/imgcntrl.c
index fa3ebff3136..bb1d54f0220 100644
--- a/src/emu/ui/imgcntrl.c
+++ b/src/emu/ui/imgcntrl.c
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ void ui_menu_control_device_image::test_create(bool &can_create, bool &need_conf
 
 void ui_menu_control_device_image::load_software_part()
 {
-	astring temp_name(sld->list_name(), ":", swi->shortname(), ":", swp->name());
+	astring temp_name = astring(sld->list_name()).cat(":").cat(swi->shortname()).cat(":").cat(swp->name());
 
 	driver_enumerator drivlist(machine().options(), machine().options().system_name());
 	media_auditor auditor(drivlist);
diff --git a/src/emu/video.c b/src/emu/video.c
index c922fe79b9d..caa0138455f 100644
--- a/src/emu/video.c
+++ b/src/emu/video.c
@@ -308,8 +308,8 @@ void video_manager::save_snapshot(screen_device *screen, emu_file &file)
 	create_snapshot_bitmap(screen);
 
 	// add two text entries describing the image
-	astring text1(emulator_info::get_appname(), " ", build_version);
-	astring text2(machine().system().manufacturer, " ", machine().system().description);
+	astring text1 = astring(emulator_info::get_appname()).cat(" ").cat(build_version);
+	astring text2 = astring(machine().system().manufacturer).cat(" ").cat(machine().system().description);
 	png_info pnginfo = { 0 };
 	png_add_text(&pnginfo, "Software", text1.c_str());
 	png_add_text(&pnginfo, "System", text2.c_str());
@@ -1278,8 +1278,8 @@ void video_manager::record_frame()
 			png_info pnginfo = { 0 };
 			if (m_mng_frame == 0)
 			{
-				astring text1(emulator_info::get_appname(), " ", build_version);
-				astring text2(machine().system().manufacturer, " ", machine().system().description);
+				astring text1 = astring(emulator_info::get_appname()).cat(" ").cat(build_version);
+				astring text2 = astring(machine().system().manufacturer).cat(" ").cat(machine().system().description);
 				png_add_text(&pnginfo, "Software", text1.c_str());
 				png_add_text(&pnginfo, "System", text2.c_str());
 			}
diff --git a/src/emu/webengine.c b/src/emu/webengine.c
index 78be772a731..70c6e50f43b 100644
--- a/src/emu/webengine.c
+++ b/src/emu/webengine.c
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ static int filename_endswith(const char *str, const char *suffix)
 // This function will be called by mongoose on every new request.
 int web_engine::begin_request_handler(struct mg_connection *conn)
 {
-	astring file_path(mg_get_option(m_server, "document_root"), PATH_SEPARATOR, conn->uri);
+	astring file_path = astring(mg_get_option(m_server, "document_root")).cat(PATH_SEPARATOR).cat(conn->uri);
 	if (filename_endswith(file_path.c_str(), ".lp"))
 	{
 		FILE *fp = NULL;
diff --git a/src/lib/util/astring.h b/src/lib/util/astring.h
index 0858896184a..089ee585dae 100644
--- a/src/lib/util/astring.h
+++ b/src/lib/util/astring.h
@@ -34,10 +34,6 @@ public:
 	// construction with copy
 	astring(const char *string) { init(); if(string) cpy(string); }
 	astring(const char *string, int length) { init().cpy(string, length); }
-	astring(const char *str1, const char *str2) { init().cpy(str1).cat(str2); }
-	astring(const char *str1, const char *str2, const char *str3) { init().cpy(str1).cat(str2).cat(str3); }
-	astring(const char *str1, const char *str2, const char *str3, const char *str4) { init().cpy(str1).cat(str2).cat(str3).cat(str4); }
-	astring(const char *str1, const char *str2, const char *str3, const char *str4, const char *str5) { init().cpy(str1).cat(str2).cat(str3).cat(str4).cat(str5); }
 	astring(const astring &string) { init().cpy(string); }
 	astring(const astring &string, int start, int count = -1) { init().cpysubstr(string, start, count); }
 
diff --git a/src/lib/util/options.c b/src/lib/util/options.c
index d1d69db2e82..f5beddf1d71 100644
--- a/src/lib/util/options.c
+++ b/src/lib/util/options.c
@@ -687,7 +687,7 @@ void core_options::append_entry(core_options::entry &newentry)
 
 			// for boolean options add a "no" variant as well
 			if (newentry.type() == OPTION_BOOLEAN)
-				m_entrymap.add(astring("no", newentry.name(name)).c_str(), &newentry);
+				m_entrymap.add(astring("no").cat(newentry.name(name)).c_str(), &newentry);
 		}
 }
 
diff --git a/src/osd/modules/debugger/win/disasmwininfo.c b/src/osd/modules/debugger/win/disasmwininfo.c
index 59e97d6e0c1..7b9097a1e67 100644
--- a/src/osd/modules/debugger/win/disasmwininfo.c
+++ b/src/osd/modules/debugger/win/disasmwininfo.c
@@ -145,5 +145,5 @@ void disasmwin_info::process_string(char const *string)
 
 void disasmwin_info::update_caption()
 {
-	win_set_window_text_utf8(window(), astring("Disassembly: ", m_views[0]->source_name()).c_str());
+	win_set_window_text_utf8(window(), astring("Disassembly: ").cat(m_views[0]->source_name()).c_str());
 }
diff --git a/src/osd/modules/debugger/win/logwininfo.c b/src/osd/modules/debugger/win/logwininfo.c
index 5f8b28b9217..6621048ac48 100644
--- a/src/osd/modules/debugger/win/logwininfo.c
+++ b/src/osd/modules/debugger/win/logwininfo.c
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 
 
 logwin_info::logwin_info(debugger_windows_interface &debugger) :
-	debugwin_info(debugger, false, astring("Errorlog: ", debugger.machine().system().description, " [", debugger.machine().system().name, "]").c_str(), NULL)
+	debugwin_info(debugger, false, astring("Errorlog: ").cat(debugger.machine().system().description).cat(" [").cat(debugger.machine().system().name).cat("]").c_str(), NULL)
 {
 	if (!window())
 		return;
diff --git a/src/osd/modules/debugger/win/memorywininfo.c b/src/osd/modules/debugger/win/memorywininfo.c
index 3e91168cb11..1610e2b6002 100644
--- a/src/osd/modules/debugger/win/memorywininfo.c
+++ b/src/osd/modules/debugger/win/memorywininfo.c
@@ -275,5 +275,5 @@ void memorywin_info::process_string(char const *string)
 
 void memorywin_info::update_caption()
 {
-	win_set_window_text_utf8(window(), astring("Memory: ", m_views[0]->source_name()).c_str());
+	win_set_window_text_utf8(window(), astring("Memory: ").cat(m_views[0]->source_name()).c_str());
 }
diff --git a/src/osd/modules/render/d3d/d3dhlsl.c b/src/osd/modules/render/d3d/d3dhlsl.c
index cc2267636a9..b76c3365528 100644
--- a/src/osd/modules/render/d3d/d3dhlsl.c
+++ b/src/osd/modules/render/d3d/d3dhlsl.c
@@ -370,8 +370,8 @@ void shaders::render_snapshot(surface *surface)
 				return;
 
 			// add two text entries describing the image
-			astring text1(emulator_info::get_appname(), " ", build_version);
-			astring text2(machine->system().manufacturer, " ", machine->system().description);
+			astring text1 = astring(emulator_info::get_appname()).cat(" ").cat(build_version);
+			astring text2 = astring(machine->system().manufacturer).cat(" ").cat(machine->system().description);
 			png_info pnginfo = { 0 };
 			png_add_text(&pnginfo, "Software", text1.c_str());
 			png_add_text(&pnginfo, "System", text2.c_str());