Remove GetChars(), a wxWidgets 2.9 compatibility hack

common/dialogs/dialog_page_settings.cpp

@@ -517,8 +517,7 @@ bool DIALOG_PAGES_SETTINGS::SavePageSettings()
         if( !fullFileName.IsEmpty() && !wxFileExists( fullFileName ) )
         {
             wxString msg;
-            msg.Printf( _( "Page layout description file \"%s\" not found." ),
-                        GetChars( fullFileName ) );
+            msg.Printf( _( "Page layout description file \"%s\" not found." ), fullFileName );
             wxMessageBox( msg );
             return false;
         }
@@ -902,7 +901,7 @@ void DIALOG_PAGES_SETTINGS::OnWksFileSelection( wxCommandEvent& event )
                 "Do you want to use the relative path:\n"
                 "\"%s\"\n"
                 "instead of\n"
-                "\"%s\"?" ), GetChars( shortFileName ), GetChars( fileName ) );
+                "\"%s\"?" ), shortFileName, fileName );
 
         if( !IsOK( this, msg ) )
             shortFileName = fileName;

common/dsnlexer.cpp

@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ bool DSNLEXER::IsSymbol( int aTok )
 void DSNLEXER::Expecting( int aTok )
 {
     wxString errText = wxString::Format(
-        _( "Expecting %s" ), GetChars( GetTokenString( aTok ) ) );
+        _( "Expecting %s" ), GetTokenString( aTok ) );
     THROW_PARSE_ERROR( errText, CurSource(), CurLine(), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() );
 }
 
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ void DSNLEXER::Expecting( int aTok )
 void DSNLEXER::Expecting( const char* text )
 {
     wxString errText = wxString::Format(
-        _( "Expecting '%s'" ), GetChars( wxString::FromUTF8( text ) ) );
+        _( "Expecting '%s'" ), wxString::FromUTF8( text ) );
     THROW_PARSE_ERROR( errText, CurSource(), CurLine(), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() );
 }
 
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ void DSNLEXER::Expecting( const char* text )
 void DSNLEXER::Unexpected( int aTok )
 {
     wxString errText = wxString::Format(
-        _( "Unexpected %s" ), GetChars( GetTokenString( aTok ) ) );
+        _( "Unexpected %s" ), GetTokenString( aTok ) );
     THROW_PARSE_ERROR( errText, CurSource(), CurLine(), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() );
 }
 
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ void DSNLEXER::Duplicate( int aTok )
 void DSNLEXER::Unexpected( const char* text )
 {
     wxString errText = wxString::Format(
-        _( "Unexpected '%s'" ), GetChars( wxString::FromUTF8( text ) ) );
+        _( "Unexpected '%s'" ), wxString::FromUTF8( text ) );
     THROW_PARSE_ERROR( errText, CurSource(), CurLine(), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() );
 }
 

common/eda_base_frame.cpp

@@ -820,17 +820,17 @@ bool EDA_BASE_FRAME::IsWritable( const wxFileName& aFileName )
     if( fn.IsDir() && !fn.IsDirWritable() )
     {
         msg.Printf( _( "You do not have write permissions to folder \"%s\"." ),
-                    GetChars( fn.GetPath() ) );
+                    fn.GetPath() );
     }
     else if( !fn.FileExists() && !fn.IsDirWritable() )
     {
         msg.Printf( _( "You do not have write permissions to save file \"%s\" to folder \"%s\"." ),
-                    GetChars( fn.GetFullName() ), GetChars( fn.GetPath() ) );
+                    fn.GetFullName(), fn.GetPath() );
     }
     else if( fn.FileExists() && !fn.IsFileWritable() )
     {
         msg.Printf( _( "You do not have write permissions to save file \"%s\"." ),
-                    GetChars( fn.GetFullPath() ) );
+                    fn.GetFullPath() );
     }
 
     if( !msg.IsEmpty() )
@@ -863,7 +863,7 @@ void EDA_BASE_FRAME::CheckForAutoSaveFile( const wxFileName& aFileName )
             "It appears that the last time you were editing the file\n"
             "\"%s\"\n"
             "it was not saved properly.  Do you wish to restore the last saved edits you made?" ),
-            GetChars( aFileName.GetFullName() )
+            aFileName.GetFullName()
         );
 
     int response = wxMessageBox( msg, Pgm().App().GetAppName(), wxYES_NO | wxICON_QUESTION, this );

common/eda_doc.cpp

@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ bool GetAssociatedDocument( wxWindow* aParent, const wxString& aDocName, PROJECT
 
     if( !wxFileExists( fullfilename ) )
     {
-        msg.Printf( _( "Doc File \"%s\" not found" ), GetChars( docname ) );
+        msg.Printf( _( "Doc File \"%s\" not found" ), docname );
         DisplayError( aParent, msg );
         return false;
     }
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ bool GetAssociatedDocument( wxWindow* aParent, const wxString& aDocName, PROJECT
 
     if( !success )
     {
-        msg.Printf( _( "Unknown MIME type for doc file \"%s\"" ), GetChars( fullfilename ) );
+        msg.Printf( _( "Unknown MIME type for doc file \"%s\"" ), fullfilename );
         DisplayError( aParent, msg );
     }
 

common/eda_item.cpp

@@ -180,8 +180,7 @@ bool EDA_ITEM::Replace( wxFindReplaceData& aSearchData, wxString& aText )
         suffix = aText.Right( aText.length() - ( aSearchData.GetFindString().length() + result ) );
 
     wxLogTrace( traceFindReplace, wxT( "Replacing '%s', prefix '%s', replace '%s', suffix '%s'." ),
-                GetChars( aText ), GetChars( prefix ), GetChars( aSearchData.GetReplaceString() ),
-                GetChars( suffix ) );
+                aText, prefix, aSearchData.GetReplaceString(), suffix );
 
     aText = prefix + aSearchData.GetReplaceString() + suffix;
 
@@ -192,7 +191,7 @@ bool EDA_ITEM::Replace( wxFindReplaceData& aSearchData, wxString& aText )
 bool EDA_ITEM::operator<( const EDA_ITEM& aItem ) const
 {
     wxFAIL_MSG( wxString::Format( wxT( "Less than operator not defined for item type %s." ),
-                                  GetChars( GetClass() ) ) );
+                                 GetClass() ) );
 
     return false;
 }

common/gestfich.cpp

@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ int ExecuteFile( wxWindow* frame, const wxString& ExecFile, const wxString& para
 #endif
 
     wxString msg;
-    msg.Printf( _( "Command \"%s\" could not found" ), GetChars( fullFileName ) );
+    msg.Printf( _( "Command \"%s\" could not found" ), fullFileName );
     DisplayError( frame, msg, 20 );
     return -1;
 }

common/html_messagebox.cpp

@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ void HTML_MESSAGE_BOX::ListSet( const wxArrayString& aList )
 void HTML_MESSAGE_BOX::MessageSet( const wxString& message )
 {
     wxString message_value = wxString::Format(
-                wxT( "<b>%s</b><br>" ), GetChars( message ) );
+                wxT( "<b>%s</b><br>" ), message );
 
     m_htmlWindow->AppendToPage( message_value );
 }

common/libeval_compiler/libeval_compiler.cpp

@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ wxString UOP::Format() const
         else if( m_value->GetType() == VT_NUMERIC )
             str = wxString::Format( "PUSH NUM [%.10f]", m_value->AsDouble() );
         else
-            str = wxString::Format( "PUSH STR [%ls]", GetChars( m_value->AsString() ) );
+            str = wxString::Format( "PUSH STR [%ls]", m_value->AsString() );
     }
         break;
 

common/pgm_base.cpp

@@ -211,10 +211,8 @@ bool PGM_BASE::InitPgm()
 
     if( m_pgm_checker->IsAnotherRunning() )
     {
-        wxString quiz = wxString::Format(
-            _( "%s is already running. Continue?" ),
-            GetChars( pgm_name.GetName() )
-            );
+        wxString quiz =
+                wxString::Format( _( "%s is already running. Continue?" ), pgm_name.GetName() );
 
         if( !IsOK( NULL, quiz ) )
             return false;

common/single_top.cpp

@@ -172,12 +172,11 @@ struct APP_SINGLE_TOP : public wxApp
         catch( const std::exception& e )
         {
             wxLogError( wxT( "Unhandled exception class: %s  what: %s" ),
-                GetChars( FROM_UTF8( typeid(e).name() )),
-                GetChars( FROM_UTF8( e.what() ) ) );
+                    FROM_UTF8( typeid( e ).name() ), FROM_UTF8( e.what() ) );
         }
         catch( const IO_ERROR& ioe )
         {
-            wxLogError( GetChars( ioe.What() ) );
+            wxLogError( ioe.What() );
         }
         catch(...)
         {
@@ -209,12 +208,11 @@ struct APP_SINGLE_TOP : public wxApp
         catch( const std::exception& e )
         {
             wxLogError( wxT( "Unhandled exception class: %s  what: %s" ),
-                GetChars( FROM_UTF8( typeid(e).name() )),
-                GetChars( FROM_UTF8( e.what() ) ) );
+                    FROM_UTF8( typeid( e ).name() ), FROM_UTF8( e.what() ) );
         }
         catch( const IO_ERROR& ioe )
         {
-            wxLogError( GetChars( ioe.What() ) );
+            wxLogError( ioe.What() );
         }
         catch(...)
         {

cvpcb/auto_associate.cpp

@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ int CVPCB_MAINFRAME::buildEquivalenceList( FOOTPRINT_EQUIVALENCE_LIST& aList, wx
             {
                 error_msg.Printf( _( "Equivalence file \"%s\" could not be found in the "
                                      "default search paths." ),
-                            GetChars( fn.GetFullName() ) );
+                        fn.GetFullName() );
 
                 if( ! aErrorMessages->IsEmpty() )
                     *aErrorMessages << wxT("\n\n");
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ int CVPCB_MAINFRAME::buildEquivalenceList( FOOTPRINT_EQUIVALENCE_LIST& aList, wx
 
             if( aErrorMessages )
             {
-                error_msg.Printf( _( "Error opening equivalence file \"%s\"." ), GetChars( tmp ) );
+                error_msg.Printf( _( "Error opening equivalence file \"%s\"." ), tmp );
 
                 if( ! aErrorMessages->IsEmpty() )
                     *aErrorMessages << wxT("\n\n");
@@ -258,8 +258,7 @@ void CVPCB_MAINFRAME::AutomaticFootprintMatching()
             {
                 msg.Printf( _( "Component %s: footprint %s not found in any of the project "
                                "footprint libraries." ),
-                            GetChars( component->GetReference() ),
-                            GetChars( equivItem.m_FootprintFPID ) );
+                        component->GetReference(), equivItem.m_FootprintFPID );
 
                 if( ! error_msg.IsEmpty() )
                     error_msg << wxT("\n\n");

cvpcb/cvpcb_mainframe.cpp

@@ -721,7 +721,7 @@ void CVPCB_MAINFRAME::DisplayStatus()
     if( filters.IsEmpty() )
         msg = _( "No filtering" );
     else
-        msg.Printf( _( "Filtered by %s" ), GetChars( filters ) );
+        msg.Printf( _( "Filtered by %s" ), filters );
 
     msg << wxT( ": " ) << m_footprintListBox->GetCount();
 

cvpcb/dialogs/dialog_config_equfiles.cpp

@@ -45,9 +45,8 @@ DIALOG_CONFIG_EQUFILES::DIALOG_CONFIG_EQUFILES( CVPCB_MAINFRAME* aParent ) :
 {
     m_Parent = aParent;
 
-    PROJECT&    prj = Prj();
-    SetTitle( wxString::Format( _( "Project file: \"%s\"" ),
-                                GetChars( prj.GetProjectFullName() ) ) );
+    PROJECT& prj = Prj();
+    SetTitle( wxString::Format( _( "Project file: \"%s\"" ), prj.GetProjectFullName() ) );
 
     Init( );
 
@@ -270,9 +269,8 @@ void DIALOG_CONFIG_EQUFILES::OnAddFiles( wxCommandEvent& event )
                 if( fn.MakeRelativeTo( libpath ) )
                 {
                     equFilename.Printf( wxT( "${%s}%c%s" ),
-                                        GetChars( m_gridEnvVars->GetCellValue( wxGridCellCoords( row, 0 ) ) ),
-                                        fn.GetPathSeparator(),
-                                        GetChars( fn.GetFullPath() ) );
+                            m_gridEnvVars->GetCellValue( wxGridCellCoords( row, 0 ) ),
+                            fn.GetPathSeparator(), fn.GetFullPath() );
                     break;
                 }
             }

cvpcb/readwrite_dlgs.cpp

@@ -145,16 +145,16 @@ bool CVPCB_MAINFRAME::ReadNetListAndFpFiles( const std::string& aNetlist )
                         case 1:
                             msg += wxString::Format( _(
                                     "Component \"%s\" footprint \"%s\" was <b>not found</b> in any library.\n" ),
-                                    GetChars( component->GetReference() ),
-                                    GetChars( component->GetFPID().GetLibItemName() )
+                                    component->GetReference(),
+                                    component->GetFPID().GetLibItemName().wx_str()
                                     );
                             break;
 
                         case 2:
                             msg += wxString::Format( _(
                                     "Component \"%s\" footprint \"%s\" was found in <b>multiple</b> libraries.\n" ),
-                                    GetChars( component->GetReference() ),
-                                    GetChars( component->GetFPID().GetLibItemName() )
+                                    component->GetReference(),
+                                    component->GetFPID().GetLibItemName().wx_str()
                                     );
                             break;
                         }
@@ -263,9 +263,9 @@ bool CVPCB_MAINFRAME::ReadNetListAndFpFiles( const std::string& aNetlist )
         COMPONENT* component = m_netlist.GetComponent( i );
 
         msg.Printf( CMP_FORMAT, m_compListBox->GetCount() + 1,
-                    GetChars( component->GetReference() ),
-                    GetChars( component->GetValue() ),
-                    GetChars( FROM_UTF8( component->GetFPID().Format().c_str() ) ) );
+                    component->GetReference(),
+                    component->GetValue(),
+                    FROM_UTF8( component->GetFPID().Format().c_str() ) );
 
         m_compListBox->AppendLine( msg );
     }

eeschema/class_library.cpp

@@ -554,7 +554,7 @@ void PART_LIBS::LoadAllLibraries( PROJECT* aProject, bool aShowProgress )
             {
                 wxString msg;
                 msg.Printf( _( "Symbol library \"%s\" failed to load. Error:\n %s" ),
-                            GetChars( filename ), GetChars( ioe.What() ) );
+                            filename, ioe.What() );
 
                 wxLogError( msg );
             }
@@ -576,11 +576,9 @@ void PART_LIBS::LoadAllLibraries( PROJECT* aProject, bool aShowProgress )
         }
         catch( const IO_ERROR& ioe )
         {
-            wxString msg = wxString::Format( _(
-                    "Symbol library \"%s\" failed to load.\nError: %s" ),
-                    GetChars( cache_name ),
-                    GetChars( ioe.What() )
-                    );
+            wxString msg =
+                    wxString::Format( _( "Symbol library \"%s\" failed to load.\nError: %s" ),
+                            cache_name, ioe.What() );
 
             THROW_IO_ERROR( msg );
         }

eeschema/dialogs/dialog_plot_schematic.cpp

@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ void DIALOG_PLOT_SCHEMATIC::OnOutputDirectoryBrowseClicked( wxCommandEvent& even
     // Test if making the path relative is possible before asking the user if they want to do it
     if( relPathTest.MakeRelativeTo( defaultPath ) )
     {
-        msg.Printf( _( "Do you want to use a path relative to\n\"%s\"" ), GetChars( defaultPath ) );
+        msg.Printf( _( "Do you want to use a path relative to\n\"%s\"" ), defaultPath );
 
         wxMessageDialog dialog( this, msg, _( "Plot Output Directory" ),
                                 wxYES_NO | wxICON_QUESTION | wxYES_DEFAULT );

eeschema/libedit/lib_edit_frame.cpp

@@ -490,7 +490,7 @@ void LIB_EDIT_FRAME::RebuildSymbolUnitsList()
         for( int i = 0; i < m_my_part->GetUnitCount(); i++ )
         {
             wxString sub  = LIB_PART::SubReference( i+1, false );
-            wxString unit = wxString::Format( _( "Unit %s" ), GetChars( sub ) );
+            wxString unit = wxString::Format( _( "Unit %s" ), sub );
             m_unitSelectBox->Append( unit );
         }
     }

eeschema/libedit/libedit.cpp

@@ -677,7 +677,7 @@ void LIB_EDIT_FRAME::DuplicatePart( bool aFromClipboard )
         }
         catch( IO_ERROR& e )
         {
-            wxLogMessage( "Can not paste: %s", GetChars( e.Problem() ) );
+            wxLogMessage( "Can not paste: %s", e.Problem() );
             return;
         }
     }

eeschema/netlist_exporters/netlist_exporter_cadstar.cpp

@@ -45,8 +45,7 @@ bool NETLIST_EXPORTER_CADSTAR::WriteNetlist( const wxString& aOutFileName, unsig
     if( ( f = wxFopen( aOutFileName, wxT( "wt" ) ) ) == NULL )
     {
         wxString msg;
-        msg.Printf( _( "Failed to create file \"%s\"" ),
-                    GetChars( aOutFileName ) );
+        msg.Printf( _( "Failed to create file \"%s\"" ), aOutFileName );
         DisplayError( NULL, msg );
         return false;
     }
@@ -181,12 +180,9 @@ bool NETLIST_EXPORTER_CADSTAR::writeListOfNets( FILE* f )
             switch( print_ter )
             {
             case 0:
-                {
-                    InitNetDescLine.Printf( wxT( "\n%s   %s   %.4s     %s" ),
-                                            GetChars( InitNetDesc ),
-                                            GetChars( refText ),
-                                            GetChars( pinText ),
-                                            GetChars( netName ) );
+            {
+                InitNetDescLine.Printf(
+                        wxT( "\n%s   %s   %.4s     %s" ), InitNetDesc, refText, pinText, netName );
                 }
                 print_ter++;
                 break;

eeschema/netlist_exporters/netlist_exporter_orcadpcb2.cpp

@@ -50,8 +50,7 @@ bool NETLIST_EXPORTER_ORCADPCB2::WriteNetlist( const wxString& aOutFileName,
     if( ( f = wxFopen( aOutFileName, wxT( "wt" ) ) ) == NULL )
     {
         wxString msg;
-        msg.Printf( _( "Failed to create file \"%s\"" ),
-                    GetChars( aOutFileName ) );
+        msg.Printf( _( "Failed to create file \"%s\"" ), aOutFileName );
         DisplayError( NULL, msg );
         return false;
     }

eeschema/sch_bitmap.cpp

@@ -93,8 +93,8 @@ EDA_ITEM* SCH_BITMAP::Clone() const
 void SCH_BITMAP::SwapData( SCH_ITEM* aItem )
 {
     wxCHECK_RET( aItem->Type() == SCH_BITMAP_T,
-                 wxString::Format( wxT( "SCH_BITMAP object cannot swap data with %s object." ),
-                                   GetChars( aItem->GetClass() ) ) );
+            wxString::Format( wxT( "SCH_BITMAP object cannot swap data with %s object." ),
+                    aItem->GetClass() ) );
 
     SCH_BITMAP* item = (SCH_BITMAP*) aItem;
     std::swap( m_pos, item->m_pos );

eeschema/sch_plugins/kicad/sch_sexpr_parser.cpp

@@ -1488,7 +1488,7 @@ void SCH_SEXPR_PARSER::parsePAGE_INFO( PAGE_INFO& aPageInfo )
     if( !aPageInfo.SetType( pageType ) )
     {
         wxString err;
-        err.Printf( _( "Page type \"%s\" is not valid " ), GetChars( FromUTF8() ) );
+        err.Printf( _( "Page type \"%s\" is not valid " ), FromUTF8() );
         THROW_PARSE_ERROR( err, CurSource(), CurLine(), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() );
     }
 
@@ -2101,7 +2101,7 @@ SCH_COMPONENT* SCH_SEXPR_PARSER::parseSchematicSymbol()
             {
                 error.Printf( _( "Invalid symbol library ID in\nfile: \"%s\"\nline: %d\n"
                                  "offset: %d" ),
-                              GetChars( CurSource() ), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() );
+                        CurSource(), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() );
                 THROW_IO_ERROR( error );
             }
 

eeschema/sch_plugins/legacy/sch_legacy_plugin.cpp

@@ -806,8 +806,8 @@ void SCH_LEGACY_PLUGIN::loadHeader( LINE_READER& aReader, SCH_SCREEN* aScreen )
 
     if( !line || !strCompare( "Eeschema Schematic File Version", line, &line ) )
     {
-        m_error.Printf( _( "\"%s\" does not appear to be an Eeschema file" ),
-                        GetChars( aScreen->GetFileName() ) );
+        m_error.Printf(
+                _( "\"%s\" does not appear to be an Eeschema file" ), aScreen->GetFileName() );
         THROW_IO_ERROR( m_error );
     }
 

eeschema/sch_sheet.cpp

@@ -250,8 +250,8 @@ bool SCH_SHEET::UsesDefaultStroke() const
 void SCH_SHEET::SwapData( SCH_ITEM* aItem )
 {
     wxCHECK_RET( aItem->Type() == SCH_SHEET_T,
-                 wxString::Format( wxT( "SCH_SHEET object cannot swap data with %s object." ),
-                                   GetChars( aItem->GetClass() ) ) );
+            wxString::Format( wxT( "SCH_SHEET object cannot swap data with %s object." ),
+                    aItem->GetClass() ) );
 
     SCH_SHEET* sheet = ( SCH_SHEET* ) aItem;
 

eeschema/sch_sheet_pin.cpp

@@ -74,8 +74,8 @@ void SCH_SHEET_PIN::Print( RENDER_SETTINGS* aSettings, const wxPoint&  aOffset )
 void SCH_SHEET_PIN::SwapData( SCH_ITEM* aItem )
 {
     wxCHECK_RET( aItem->Type() == SCH_SHEET_PIN_T,
-                 wxString::Format( wxT( "SCH_SHEET_PIN object cannot swap data with %s object." ),
-                                   GetChars( aItem->GetClass() ) ) );
+            wxString::Format( wxT( "SCH_SHEET_PIN object cannot swap data with %s object." ),
+                    aItem->GetClass() ) );
 
     SCH_SHEET_PIN* pin = ( SCH_SHEET_PIN* ) aItem;
     SCH_TEXT::SwapData( (SCH_TEXT*) pin );

eeschema/sch_text.cpp

@@ -547,7 +547,7 @@ wxString SCH_TEXT::GetShownText( int aDepth ) const
 
 wxString SCH_TEXT::GetSelectMenuText( EDA_UNITS aUnits ) const
 {
-    return wxString::Format( _( "Graphic Text '%s'" ), GetChars( ShortenedShownText() ) );
+    return wxString::Format( _( "Graphic Text '%s'" ), ShortenedShownText() );
 }
 
 

eeschema/symbol_lib_table.cpp

@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ void SYMBOL_LIB_TABLE::Parse( LIB_TABLE_LEXER* in )
 
             wxString msg = wxString::Format(
                                 _( "Duplicate library nickname \"%s\" found in symbol library "
-                                   "table file line %d" ), GetChars( nickname ), lineNum );
+                                   "table file line %d" ), nickname, lineNum );
 
             if( !errMsg.IsEmpty() )
                 errMsg << '\n';
@@ -492,8 +492,8 @@ bool SYMBOL_LIB_TABLE::LoadGlobalTable( SYMBOL_LIB_TABLE& aTable )
 
         if( !fn.DirExists() && !fn.Mkdir( 0x777, wxPATH_MKDIR_FULL ) )
         {
-            THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format( _( "Cannot create global library table path \"%s\"." ),
-                                              GetChars( fn.GetPath() ) ) );
+            THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format(
+                    _( "Cannot create global library table path \"%s\"." ), fn.GetPath() ) );
         }
 
         // Attempt to copy the default global file table from the KiCad

gerbview/files.cpp

@@ -525,7 +525,7 @@ bool GERBVIEW_FRAME::unarchiveFiles( const wxString& aFullFileName, REPORTER* aR
                 reported_no_more_layer = true;
 
                 // Report the name of not loaded files:
-                msg.Printf( MSG_NOT_LOADED, GetChars( entry->GetName() ) );
+                msg.Printf( MSG_NOT_LOADED, entry->GetName() );
                 aReporter->Report( msg, RPT_SEVERITY_ERROR );
             }
 

gerbview/gerber_file_image_list.cpp

@@ -151,25 +151,25 @@ const wxString GERBER_FILE_IMAGE_LIST::GetDisplayName( int aIdx, bool aNameOnly
             {
                 name.Printf( "%s (%s, %s, %s)",
                              filename.GetData(),
-                             GetChars( gerber->m_FileFunction->GetFileType() ),
-                             GetChars( gerber->m_FileFunction->GetBrdLayerId() ),
-                             GetChars( gerber->m_FileFunction->GetBrdLayerSide() ) );
+                             gerber->m_FileFunction->GetFileType(),
+                             gerber->m_FileFunction->GetBrdLayerId(),
+                             gerber->m_FileFunction->GetBrdLayerSide() );
             }
             if( gerber->m_FileFunction->IsDrillFile() )
             {
                 name.Printf( "%s (%s,%s,%s,%s)",
                              filename.GetData(),
-                             GetChars( gerber->m_FileFunction->GetFileType() ),
-                             GetChars( gerber->m_FileFunction->GetDrillLayerPair() ),
-                             GetChars( gerber->m_FileFunction->GetLPType() ),
-                             GetChars( gerber->m_FileFunction->GetRouteType() ) );
+                             gerber->m_FileFunction->GetFileType(),
+                             gerber->m_FileFunction->GetDrillLayerPair(),
+                             gerber->m_FileFunction->GetLPType(),
+                             gerber->m_FileFunction->GetRouteType() );
             }
             else
             {
                 name.Printf( "%s (%s, %s)",
                              filename.GetData(),
-                             GetChars( gerber->m_FileFunction->GetFileType() ),
-                             GetChars( gerber->m_FileFunction->GetBrdLayerId() ) );
+                             gerber->m_FileFunction->GetFileType(),
+                             gerber->m_FileFunction->GetBrdLayerId() );
             }
         }
         else

gerbview/rs274x.cpp

@@ -1014,7 +1014,7 @@ bool GERBER_FILE_IMAGE::ReadApertureMacro( char *aBuff, unsigned int aBuffSize,
         else if( !isdigit(*aText)  )     // Ill. symbol
         {
             msg.Printf( wxT( "RS274X: Aperture Macro \"%s\": ill. symbol, line: \"%s\"" ),
-                        GetChars( am.name ), GetChars( FROM_UTF8( aBuff ) ) );
+                        am.name, FROM_UTF8( aBuff ) );
             AddMessageToList( msg );
             primitive_type = AMP_COMMENT;
         }
@@ -1072,7 +1072,7 @@ bool GERBER_FILE_IMAGE::ReadApertureMacro( char *aBuff, unsigned int aBuffSize,
 
         default:
             msg.Printf( wxT( "RS274X: Aperture Macro \"%s\": Invalid primitive id code %d, line %d: \"%s\"" ),
-                        GetChars( am.name ), primitive_type, m_LineNum, GetChars( FROM_UTF8( aBuff ) ) );
+                        am.name, primitive_type, m_LineNum, FROM_UTF8( aBuff ) );
             AddMessageToList( msg );
             return false;
         }

gerbview/tools/gerbview_inspection_tool.cpp

@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ int GERBVIEW_INSPECTION_TOOL::ShowDCodes( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent )
                          pt_D_code->m_Size.y / scale, units,
                          pt_D_code->m_Size.x / scale, units,
                          D_CODE::ShowApertureType( pt_D_code->m_Shape ),
-                         pt_D_code->m_AperFunction.IsEmpty()? wxT( "none" ) : GetChars( pt_D_code->m_AperFunction )
+                         pt_D_code->m_AperFunction.IsEmpty()? wxT( "none" ) : pt_D_code->m_AperFunction
                          );
 
             if( !pt_D_code->m_Defined )
@@ -169,8 +169,7 @@ int GERBVIEW_INSPECTION_TOOL::ShowSource( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent )
             if( !fn.FileExists() )
             {
                 wxString msg;
-                msg.Printf( _( "Source file \"%s\" is not available" ),
-                            GetChars( fn.GetFullPath() ) );
+                msg.Printf( _( "Source file \"%s\" is not available" ), fn.GetFullPath() );
                 wxMessageBox( msg );
             }
             else

gerbview/tools/gerbview_selection_tool.cpp

@@ -71,8 +71,8 @@ private:
                 ( net_attr.m_NetAttribType & GBR_NETLIST_METADATA::GBR_NETINFO_CMP ) )
             {
                 auto menuEntry = Add( GERBVIEW_ACTIONS::highlightComponent );
-                menuEntry->SetItemLabel( wxString::Format( _( "Highlight Items of Component \"%s\"" ),
-                                         GetChars( net_attr.m_Cmpref ) ) );
+                menuEntry->SetItemLabel( wxString::Format(
+                        _( "Highlight Items of Component \"%s\"" ), net_attr.m_Cmpref ) );
                 addSeparator = true;
             }
 
@@ -89,8 +89,8 @@ private:
             if( apertDescr && !apertDescr->m_AperFunction.IsEmpty() )
             {
                 auto menuEntry = Add( GERBVIEW_ACTIONS::highlightAttribute );
-                menuEntry->SetItemLabel( wxString::Format( _( "Highlight Aperture Type \"%s\"" ),
-                                         GetChars( apertDescr->m_AperFunction ) ) );
+                menuEntry->SetItemLabel( wxString::Format(
+                        _( "Highlight Aperture Type \"%s\"" ), apertDescr->m_AperFunction ) );
                 addSeparator = true;
             }
         }

include/macros.h

@@ -122,30 +122,6 @@ static inline wxString FROM_UTF8( const char* cstring )
     return line;
 }
 
-/**
- * Function GetChars
- * returns a wxChar* to the actual wxChar* data within a wxString, and is
- * helpful for passing strings to wxString::Printf() and wxString::Format().
- * It can also be passed a UTF8 parameter which will be converted to wxString
- * by the compiler.
- * <p>
- * Example:  wxString::Format( wxT( "%s" ), GetChars( UTF( "some text" ) ) );
- * <p>
- * When wxWidgets is properly built for KiCad, a const wxChar* points to either:
- * <ul>
- * <li> 32 bit unicode characters on linux/OSX or </li>
- * <li> 16 bit UTF16 characters on windows. </li>
- * </ul>
- * Note that you cannot pass 8 bit strings to wxString::Format() or Printf() so this
- * is a useful conversion function to wxChar*, which is needed by wxString::Format().
- *
- * @return const wxChar* - a pointer to the UNICODE or UTF16 (on windows) text.
- */
-static inline const wxChar* GetChars( const wxString& s )
-{
-    return (const wxChar*) s.c_str();
-}
-
 /// # of elements in an array.  This implements type-safe compile time checking
 template <typename T, std::size_t N>
 constexpr std::size_t arrayDim(T const (&)[N]) noexcept

kicad/kicad.cpp

@@ -292,12 +292,11 @@ struct APP_KICAD : public wxApp
         catch( const std::exception& e )
         {
             wxLogError( wxT( "Unhandled exception class: %s  what: %s" ),
-                GetChars( FROM_UTF8( typeid(e).name() )),
-                GetChars( FROM_UTF8( e.what() ) ) );
+                    FROM_UTF8( typeid( e ).name() ), FROM_UTF8( e.what() ) );
         }
         catch( const IO_ERROR& ioe )
         {
-            wxLogError( GetChars( ioe.What() ) );
+            wxLogError( ioe.What() );
         }
         catch(...)
         {

kicad/kicad_manager_frame.cpp

@@ -651,8 +651,7 @@ void KICAD_MANAGER_FRAME::InstallPreferences( PAGED_DIALOG* aParent,
 
 void KICAD_MANAGER_FRAME::PrintPrjInfo()
 {
-    wxString msg = wxString::Format( _( "Project name:\n%s\n" ),
-                        GetChars( GetProjectFileName() ) );
+    wxString msg = wxString::Format( _( "Project name:\n%s\n" ), GetProjectFileName() );
     PrintMsg( msg );
 }
 

kicad/tree_project_frame.cpp

@@ -248,8 +248,7 @@ void TREE_PROJECT_FRAME::OnCreateNewDirectory( wxCommandEvent& event )
                 curr_dir += wxFileName::GetPathSeparator();
         }
 
-        wxString msg =
-                wxString::Format( _( "Current project directory:\n%s" ), GetChars( prj_dir ) );
+        wxString msg    = wxString::Format( _( "Current project directory:\n%s" ), prj_dir );
         wxString subdir = wxGetTextFromUser( msg, _( "Create New Directory" ), curr_dir );
 
         if( subdir.IsEmpty() )

pagelayout_editor/files.cpp

@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ void PL_EDITOR_FRAME::OnFileHistory( wxCommandEvent& event )
         if( LoadPageLayoutDescrFile( filename ) )
         {
             wxString msg;
-            msg.Printf( _( "File \"%s\" loaded"), GetChars( filename ) );
+            msg.Printf( _( "File \"%s\" loaded"), filename );
             SetStatusText( msg );
         }
 
@@ -125,14 +125,14 @@ void PL_EDITOR_FRAME::Files_io( wxCommandEvent& event )
 
         if( ! InsertPageLayoutDescrFile( filename ) )
         {
-            msg.Printf( _( "Unable to load %s file" ), GetChars( filename ) );
+            msg.Printf( _( "Unable to load %s file" ), filename );
             wxMessageBox( msg );
         }
         else
         {
             GetScreen()->SetModify();
             HardRedraw();
-            msg.Printf( _( "File \"%s\" inserted" ), GetChars( filename ) );
+            msg.Printf( _( "File \"%s\" inserted" ), filename );
             SetStatusText( msg );
         }
     }
@@ -150,13 +150,13 @@ void PL_EDITOR_FRAME::Files_io( wxCommandEvent& event )
 
         if( ! LoadPageLayoutDescrFile( filename ) )
         {
-            msg.Printf( _( "Unable to load %s file" ), GetChars( filename ) );
+            msg.Printf( _( "Unable to load %s file" ), filename );
             wxMessageBox( msg );
         }
         else
         {
             OnNewPageLayout();
-            msg.Printf( _( "File \"%s\" loaded" ), GetChars( filename ) );
+            msg.Printf( _( "File \"%s\" loaded" ), filename );
             SetStatusText( msg );
         }
     }
@@ -165,12 +165,12 @@ void PL_EDITOR_FRAME::Files_io( wxCommandEvent& event )
     case wxID_SAVE:
         if( !SavePageLayoutDescrFile( filename ) )
         {
-            msg.Printf( _( "Unable to write \"%s\"" ), GetChars( filename ) );
+            msg.Printf( _( "Unable to write \"%s\"" ), filename );
             wxMessageBox( msg );
         }
         else
         {
-            msg.Printf( _("File \"%s\" written"), GetChars( filename ) );
+            msg.Printf( _("File \"%s\" written"), filename );
             SetStatusText( msg );
         }
         break;
@@ -195,13 +195,13 @@ void PL_EDITOR_FRAME::Files_io( wxCommandEvent& event )
 
         if( !SavePageLayoutDescrFile( filename ) )
         {
-            msg.Printf( _("Unable to create \"%s\""), GetChars( filename ) );
+            msg.Printf( _("Unable to create \"%s\""), filename );
             wxMessageBox( msg );
         }
 
         else
         {
-            msg.Printf( _("File \"%s\" written"), GetChars( filename ) );
+            msg.Printf( _("File \"%s\" written"), filename );
             SetStatusText( msg );
 
             if( GetCurrentFileName().IsEmpty() )

pcbnew/build_BOM_from_board.cpp

@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::RecreateBOMFileFromBoard( wxCommandEvent& aEvent )
 
     if( fp_bom == NULL )
     {
-        msg.Printf( _( "Unable to create file \"%s\"" ), GetChars( fn.GetFullPath() ) );
+        msg.Printf( _( "Unable to create file \"%s\"" ), fn.GetFullPath() );
         DisplayError( this, msg );
         return;
     }

pcbnew/class_module.cpp

@@ -776,8 +776,7 @@ void MODULE::GetMsgPanelInfo( EDA_DRAW_FRAME* aFrame, std::vector<MSG_PANEL_ITEM
     msg.Printf( "%.2f", GetOrientationDegrees() );
     aList.emplace_back( _( "Rotation" ), msg, BROWN );
 
-    msg.Printf( _( "Footprint: %s" ),
-                GetChars( m_fpid.Format().c_str() ) );
+    msg.Printf( _( "Footprint: %s" ), m_fpid.Format().c_str() );
     msg2.Printf( _( "3D-Shape: %s" ),
                  m_3D_Drawings.empty() ? _( "none" ) : m_3D_Drawings.front().m_Filename );
     aList.emplace_back( msg, msg2, BLUE );
@@ -1721,9 +1720,8 @@ bool MODULE::BuildPolyCourtyard()
 
     if( !error_msg.IsEmpty() )
     {
-        wxLogMessage( wxString::Format( _( "Processing courtyard of \"%s\": %s" ),
-                                        GetChars( GetFPID().Format() ),
-                                        error_msg) );
+        wxLogMessage( wxString::Format(
+                _( "Processing courtyard of \"%s\": %s" ), GetFPID().Format().wx_str(), error_msg ) );
     }
 
     return success;

pcbnew/dialogs/dialog_gendrill.cpp

@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ void DIALOG_GENDRILL::OnOutputDirectoryBrowseClicked( wxCommandEvent& event )
     wxFileName fn( Prj().AbsolutePath( m_board->GetFileName() ) );
     wxString   defaultPath = fn.GetPathWithSep();
     wxString   msg;
-    msg.Printf( _( "Do you want to use a path relative to\n\"%s\"" ), GetChars( defaultPath ) );
+    msg.Printf( _( "Do you want to use a path relative to\n\"%s\"" ), defaultPath );
 
     wxMessageDialog dialog( this, msg, _( "Plot Output Directory" ),
                             wxYES_NO | wxICON_QUESTION | wxYES_DEFAULT );
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ void DIALOG_GENDRILL::GenDrillAndMapFiles( bool aGenDrill, bool aGenMap )
     {
         wxString msg;
         msg.Printf( _( "Could not write drill and/or map files to folder \"%s\"." ),
-                    GetChars( outputDir.GetPath() ) );
+                outputDir.GetPath() );
         DisplayError( this, msg );
         return;
     }
@@ -445,12 +445,12 @@ void DIALOG_GENDRILL::OnGenReportFile( wxCommandEvent& event )
 
     if( ! success )
     {
-        msg.Printf(  _( "** Unable to create %s **\n" ), GetChars( dlg.GetPath() ) );
+        msg.Printf(  _( "** Unable to create %s **\n" ), dlg.GetPath() );
         m_messagesBox->AppendText( msg );
     }
     else
     {
-        msg.Printf( _( "Report file %s created\n" ), GetChars( dlg.GetPath() ) );
+        msg.Printf( _( "Report file %s created\n" ), dlg.GetPath() );
         m_messagesBox->AppendText( msg );
     }
 }

pcbnew/dialogs/dialog_netlist.cpp

@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ void DIALOG_NETLIST::loadNetlist( bool aDryRun )
     wxBusyCursor busy;
 
     wxString msg;
-    msg.Printf( _( "Reading netlist file \"%s\".\n" ), GetChars( netlistFileName ) );
+    msg.Printf( _( "Reading netlist file \"%s\".\n" ), netlistFileName  );
     reporter.ReportHead( msg, RPT_SEVERITY_INFO );
 
     if( m_matchByTimestamp->GetSelection() == 1 )

pcbnew/dialogs/dialog_plot.cpp

@@ -387,8 +387,7 @@ void DIALOG_PLOT::OnOutputDirectoryBrowseClicked( wxCommandEvent& event )
     // Test if making the path relative is possible before asking the user if they want to do it
     if( relPathTest.MakeRelativeTo( defaultPath ) )
     {
-        msg.Printf( _( "Do you want to use a path relative to\n\"%s\"" ),
-                       GetChars( defaultPath ) );
+        msg.Printf( _( "Do you want to use a path relative to\n\"%s\"" ), defaultPath );
 
         wxMessageDialog dialog( this, msg, _( "Plot Output Directory" ),
                                 wxYES_NO | wxICON_QUESTION | wxYES_DEFAULT );
@@ -804,8 +803,7 @@ void DIALOG_PLOT::Plot( wxCommandEvent& event )
     if( !EnsureFileDirectoryExists( &outputDir, boardFilename, &reporter ) )
     {
         wxString msg;
-        msg.Printf( _( "Could not write plot files to folder \"%s\"." ),
-                    GetChars( outputDir.GetPath() ) );
+        msg.Printf( _( "Could not write plot files to folder \"%s\"." ), outputDir.GetPath() );
         DisplayError( this, msg );
         return;
     }

pcbnew/exporters/gen_footprints_placefile.cpp

@@ -345,8 +345,7 @@ bool DIALOG_GEN_FOOTPRINT_POSITION::CreateAsciiFiles()
 
     if( !EnsureFileDirectoryExists( &outputDir, boardFilename, m_reporter ) )
     {
-        msg.Printf( _( "Could not write plot files to folder \"%s\"." ),
-                    GetChars( outputDir.GetPath() ) );
+        msg.Printf( _( "Could not write plot files to folder \"%s\"." ), outputDir.GetPath() );
         DisplayError( this, msg );
         return false;
     }

pcbnew/exporters/gendrill_Excellon_writer.cpp

@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ void EXCELLON_WRITER::CreateDrillandMapFilesSet( const wxString& aPlotDirectory,
                 {
                     if( aReporter )
                     {
-                        msg.Printf( _( "** Unable to create %s **\n" ), GetChars( fullFilename ) );
+                        msg.Printf( _( "** Unable to create %s **\n" ), fullFilename );
                         aReporter->Report( msg );
                     }
                     break;
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ void EXCELLON_WRITER::CreateDrillandMapFilesSet( const wxString& aPlotDirectory,
                 {
                     if( aReporter )
                     {
-                        msg.Printf( _( "Create file %s\n" ), GetChars( fullFilename ) );
+                        msg.Printf( _( "Create file %s\n" ), fullFilename );
                         aReporter->Report( msg );
                     }
                 }

pcbnew/exporters/gendrill_file_writer_base.cpp

@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ void GENDRILL_WRITER_BASE::CreateMapFilesSet( const wxString& aPlotDirectory,
             {
                 if( aReporter )
                 {
-                    msg.Printf( _( "** Unable to create %s **\n" ), GetChars( fullfilename ) );
+                    msg.Printf( _( "** Unable to create %s **\n" ), fullfilename );
                     aReporter->Report( msg );
                 }
 
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ void GENDRILL_WRITER_BASE::CreateMapFilesSet( const wxString& aPlotDirectory,
             {
                 if( aReporter )
                 {
-                    msg.Printf( _( "Create file %s\n" ), GetChars( fullfilename ) );
+                    msg.Printf( _( "Create file %s\n" ), fullfilename );
                     aReporter->Report( msg );
                 }
             }

pcbnew/footprint_libraries_utils.cpp

@@ -973,7 +973,7 @@ bool FOOTPRINT_EDIT_FRAME::RevertFootprint()
     if( GetScreen()->IsModify() && m_revertModule )
     {
         wxString msg = wxString::Format( _( "Revert \"%s\" to last version saved?" ),
-                                         GetChars( GetLoadedFPID().GetLibItemName() ) );
+                GetLoadedFPID().GetLibItemName().wx_str() );
 
         if( ConfirmRevertDialog( this, msg ) )
         {

pcbnew/footprint_wizard_frame.cpp

@@ -572,7 +572,7 @@ void FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME::OnActivate( wxActivateEvent& event )
 void FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME::Update3DView( bool aForceReload, const wxString* aTitle )
 {
     wxString frm3Dtitle;
-    frm3Dtitle.Printf( _( "ModView: 3D Viewer [%s]" ), GetChars( m_wizardName ) );
+    frm3Dtitle.Printf( _( "ModView: 3D Viewer [%s]" ), m_wizardName );
     PCB_BASE_FRAME::Update3DView( aForceReload, &frm3Dtitle );
 }
 

pcbnew/github/github_getliblist.cpp

@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ bool GITHUB_GETLIBLIST::GetFootprintLibraryList( wxArrayString& aList )
 
     if( !repoURL2listURL( m_repoURL, &fullURLCommand, itemCountMax, page ) )
     {
-        wxString msg = wxString::Format( _( "malformed URL:\n\"%s\"" ), GetChars( m_repoURL ) );
+        wxString msg = wxString::Format( _( "malformed URL:\n\"%s\"" ), m_repoURL );
         wxMessageBox( msg );
         return false;
     }

pcbnew/github/github_plugin.cpp

@@ -295,8 +295,8 @@ void GITHUB_PLUGIN::FootprintDelete( const wxString& aLibraryPath, const wxStrin
         {
             wxString msg = wxString::Format(
                     _( "Footprint\n\"%s\"\nis not in the writable portion of this Github library\n\"%s\"" ),
-                    GetChars( aFootprintName ),
-                    GetChars( aLibraryPath )
+                    aFootprintName,
+                    aLibraryPath
                     );
 
             THROW_IO_ERROR( msg );
@@ -400,8 +400,8 @@ void GITHUB_PLUGIN::cacheLib( const wxString& aLibraryPath, const PROPERTIES* aP
                 {
                     wxString msg = wxString::Format(
                             _( "option \"%s\" for Github library \"%s\" must point to a writable directory ending with '.pretty'." ),
-                            GetChars( FROM_UTF8( PRETTY_DIR ) ),
-                            GetChars( aLibraryPath )
+                            FROM_UTF8( PRETTY_DIR ),
+                            aLibraryPath
                             );
 
                     THROW_IO_ERROR( msg );
@@ -553,7 +553,7 @@ void GITHUB_PLUGIN::remoteGetZip( const wxString& aRepoURL )
 
     if( !repoURL_zipURL( aRepoURL, &zip_url ) )
     {
-        wxString msg = wxString::Format( _( "Unable to parse URL:\n\"%s\"" ), GetChars( aRepoURL ) );
+        wxString msg = wxString::Format( _( "Unable to parse URL:\n\"%s\"" ), aRepoURL );
         THROW_IO_ERROR( msg );
     }
 

pcbnew/netlist_reader/legacy_netlist_reader.cpp

@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ void LEGACY_NETLIST_READER::loadFootprintFilters()
             {
                 wxString msg;
                 msg.Printf( _( "Cannot find symbol \"%s\" in footprint filter section "
-                               "of netlist." ), GetChars( cmpRef ) );
+                               "of netlist." ), cmpRef );
                 THROW_PARSE_ERROR( msg, m_lineReader->GetSource(), line, m_lineReader->LineNumber(),
                                    m_lineReader->Length() );
             }

pcbnew/netlist_reader/netlist.cpp

@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ bool PCB_EDIT_FRAME::ReadNetlistFromFile( const wxString &aFilename, NETLIST& aN
 
         if( !netlistReader.get() )
         {
-            msg.Printf( _( "Cannot open netlist file \"%s\"." ), GetChars( aFilename ) );
+            msg.Printf( _( "Cannot open netlist file \"%s\"." ), aFilename );
             wxMessageBox( msg, _( "Netlist Load Error." ), wxOK | wxICON_ERROR, this );
             return false;
         }
@@ -169,8 +169,8 @@ void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::LoadFootprints( NETLIST& aNetlist, REPORTER& aReporter )
         {
             msg.Printf( _( "Footprint of %s changed: board footprint \"%s\", netlist footprint \"%s\"." ),
                         component->GetReference(),
-                        GetChars( fpOnBoard->GetFPID().Format() ),
-                        GetChars( component->GetFPID().Format() ) );
+                        fpOnBoard->GetFPID().Format().wx_str(),
+                        component->GetFPID().Format().wx_str() );
             aReporter.Report( msg, RPT_SEVERITY_WARNING );
 
             continue;
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::LoadFootprints( NETLIST& aNetlist, REPORTER& aReporter )
             {
                 msg.Printf( _( "%s footprint ID \"%s\" is not valid." ),
                             component->GetReference(),
-                            GetChars( component->GetFPID().Format() ) );
+                            component->GetFPID().Format().wx_str() );
                 aReporter.Report( msg, RPT_SEVERITY_ERROR );
 
                 continue;
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::LoadFootprints( NETLIST& aNetlist, REPORTER& aReporter )
             {
                 msg.Printf( _( "%s footprint \"%s\" not found in any libraries in the footprint library table.\n" ),
                             component->GetReference(),
-                            GetChars( component->GetFPID().GetLibItemName() ) );
+                            component->GetFPID().GetLibItemName().wx_str() );
                 aReporter.Report( msg, RPT_SEVERITY_ERROR );
 
                 continue;

pcbnew/pcbplot.cpp

@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ const wxString GetGerberFileFunctionAttribute( const BOARD *aBoard, LAYER_NUM aL
 #endif
 
     wxString fileFct;
-    fileFct.Printf( "%%TF.FileFunction,%s*%%", GetChars( attrib ) );
+    fileFct.Printf( "%%TF.FileFunction,%s*%%", attrib );
 
     return fileFct;
 }
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ void AddGerberX2Header( PLOTTER * aPlotter,
     if( rev.IsEmpty() )
         rev = wxT( "rev?" );
 
-    text.Printf( wxT( "%%TF.ProjectId,%s,%s,%s*%%" ), msg.ToAscii(), GetChars( guid ), rev.ToAscii() );
+    text.Printf( wxT( "%%TF.ProjectId,%s,%s,%s*%%" ), msg.ToAscii(), guid, rev.ToAscii() );
     aPlotter->AddLineToHeader( makeStringCompatX1( text, aUseX1CompatibilityMode ) );
 
     // Add the TF.SameCoordinates, that specify all gerber files uses the same

pcbnew/plugins/altium/altium_pcb.cpp

@@ -1102,7 +1102,7 @@ void ALTIUM_PCB::ParseModelsData( const CFB::CompoundFileReader& aReader,
         {
             wxLogError( wxString::Format(
                     _( "Cannot create directory \"%s\" -> no 3D-models will be imported." ),
-                    GetChars( altiumModelsPath.GetFullPath() ) ) );
+                    altiumModelsPath.GetFullPath() ) );
             return;
         }
     }
@@ -1127,7 +1127,7 @@ void ALTIUM_PCB::ParseModelsData( const CFB::CompoundFileReader& aReader,
         {
             wxLogError(
                     wxString::Format( _( "You do not have write permissions to save file \"%s\"." ),
-                            GetChars( storagePath.GetFullPath() ) ) );
+                            storagePath.GetFullPath() ) );
             continue;
         }
 

pcbnew/plugins/eagle/eagle_plugin.cpp

@@ -949,10 +949,7 @@ void EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadLibrary( wxXmlNode* aLib, const wxString* aLibName )
             const wxString& pkg = pack_ref;
 
             wxString emsg = wxString::Format(
-                _( "<package> name: \"%s\" duplicated in eagle <library>: \"%s\"" ),
-                GetChars( pkg ),
-                GetChars( lib )
-                );
+                    _( "<package> name: \"%s\" duplicated in eagle <library>: \"%s\"" ), pkg, lib );
             THROW_IO_ERROR( emsg );
         }
 
@@ -1027,8 +1024,7 @@ void EAGLE_PLUGIN::loadElements( wxXmlNode* aElements )
         if( mi == m_templates.end() )
         {
             wxString emsg = wxString::Format( _( "No \"%s\" package in library \"%s\"" ),
-                                              GetChars( FROM_UTF8( e.package.c_str() ) ),
-                                              GetChars( FROM_UTF8( e.library.c_str() ) ) );
+                    FROM_UTF8( e.package.c_str() ), FROM_UTF8( e.library.c_str() ) );
             THROW_IO_ERROR( emsg );
         }
 

pcbnew/plugins/geda/gpcb_plugin.cpp

@@ -344,7 +344,7 @@ MODULE* GPCB_FPL_CACHE::parseMODULE( LINE_READER* aLineReader )
 
     if( parameters[0].CmpNoCase( wxT( "Element" ) ) != 0 )
     {
-        msg.Printf( _( "unknown token \"%s\"" ), GetChars( parameters[0] ) );
+        msg.Printf( _( "unknown token \"%s\"" ), parameters[0] );
         THROW_PARSE_ERROR( msg, aLineReader->GetSource(), (const char *)aLineReader,
                            aLineReader->LineNumber(), 0 );
     }
@@ -449,8 +449,8 @@ MODULE* GPCB_FPL_CACHE::parseMODULE( LINE_READER* aLineReader )
                 conv_unit = NEW_GPCB_UNIT_CONV;
         }
 
-        wxLogTrace( traceGedaPcbPlugin, wxT( "%s parameter count = %d." ),
-                    GetChars( parameters[0] ), paramCnt );
+        wxLogTrace(
+                traceGedaPcbPlugin, wxT( "%s parameter count = %d." ), parameters[0], paramCnt );
 
         // Parse a line with format: ElementLine [X1 Y1 X2 Y2 Thickness]
         if( parameters[0].CmpNoCase( wxT( "ElementLine" ) ) == 0 )

pcbnew/plugins/kicad/kicad_plugin.cpp

@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ void FP_CACHE::Save( MODULE* aModule )
         // renaming the file.
         {
             wxLogTrace( traceKicadPcbPlugin, wxT( "Creating temporary library file %s" ),
-                        GetChars( tempFileName ) );
+                    tempFileName );
 
             FILE_OUTPUTFORMATTER formatter( tempFileName );
 
@@ -204,9 +204,7 @@ void FP_CACHE::Save( MODULE* aModule )
         {
             wxString msg = wxString::Format(
                     _( "Cannot rename temporary file \"%s\" to footprint library file \"%s\"" ),
-                    GetChars( tempFileName ),
-                    GetChars( fn.GetFullPath() )
-                    );
+                    tempFileName, fn.GetFullPath() );
             THROW_IO_ERROR( msg );
         }
 #endif
@@ -2233,8 +2231,8 @@ void PCB_IO::FootprintSave( const wxString& aLibraryPath, const MODULE* aFootpri
         if( !m_cache->Exists() )
         {
             const wxString msg = wxString::Format( _( "Library \"%s\" does not exist.\n"
-                                                   "Would you like to create it?"),
-                                                   GetChars( aLibraryPath ) );
+                                                      "Would you like to create it?"),
+                                                      aLibraryPath );
 
             if( wxMessageBox( msg, _( "Library Not Found"), wxYES_NO | wxICON_QUESTION ) != wxYES )
                 return;

pcbnew/plugins/kicad/pcb_parser.cpp

@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ double PCB_PARSER::parseDouble()
     {
         wxString error;
         error.Printf( _( "Invalid floating point number in\nfile: \"%s\"\nline: %d\noffset: %d" ),
-                      GetChars( CurSource() ), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() );
+                      CurSource(), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() );
 
         THROW_IO_ERROR( error );
     }
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ double PCB_PARSER::parseDouble()
     {
         wxString error;
         error.Printf( _( "Missing floating point number in\nfile: \"%s\"\nline: %d\noffset: %d" ),
-                      GetChars( CurSource() ), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() );
+                      CurSource(), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() );
 
         THROW_IO_ERROR( error );
     }
@@ -513,7 +513,7 @@ BOARD_ITEM* PCB_PARSER::Parse()
 
     default:
         wxString err;
-        err.Printf( _( "Unknown token \"%s\"" ), GetChars( FromUTF8() ) );
+        err.Printf( _( "Unknown token \"%s\"" ), FromUTF8() );
         THROW_PARSE_ERROR( err, CurSource(), CurLine(), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() );
     }
 
@@ -638,7 +638,7 @@ BOARD* PCB_PARSER::parseBOARD_unchecked()
 
         default:
             wxString err;
-            err.Printf( _( "Unknown token \"%s\"" ), GetChars( FromUTF8() ) );
+            err.Printf( _( "Unknown token \"%s\"" ), FromUTF8() );
             THROW_PARSE_ERROR( err, CurSource(), CurLine(), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() );
         }
     }
@@ -889,7 +889,7 @@ void PCB_PARSER::parsePAGE_INFO()
     if( !pageInfo.SetType( pageType ) )
     {
         wxString err;
-        err.Printf( _( "Page type \"%s\" is not valid " ), GetChars( FromUTF8() ) );
+        err.Printf( _( "Page type \"%s\" is not valid " ), FromUTF8() );
         THROW_PARSE_ERROR( err, CurSource(), CurLine(), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() );
     }
 
@@ -1421,8 +1421,8 @@ void PCB_PARSER::parseLayers()
             {
                 wxString error = wxString::Format(
                     _( "Layer \"%s\" in file \"%s\" at line %d, is not in fixed layer hash" ),
-                    GetChars( layer.m_name ),
-                    GetChars( CurSource() ),
+                    layer.m_name,
+                    CurSource(),
                     CurLineNumber(),
                     CurOffset()
                     );
@@ -2801,7 +2801,7 @@ MODULE* PCB_PARSER::parseMODULE_unchecked( wxArrayString* aInitialComments )
     {
         wxString error;
         error.Printf( _( "Invalid footprint ID in\nfile: \"%s\"\nline: %d\noffset: %d" ),
-                      GetChars( CurSource() ), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() );
+                      CurSource(), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() );
         THROW_IO_ERROR( error );
     }
 
@@ -3103,7 +3103,7 @@ FP_TEXT* PCB_PARSER::parseFP_TEXT()
 {
     wxCHECK_MSG( CurTok() == T_fp_text, NULL,
                  wxString::Format( wxT( "Cannot parse %s as FP_TEXT at line %d, offset %d." ),
-                                   GetChars( GetTokenString( CurTok() ) ),
+                                   GetTokenString( CurTok() ),
                                    CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() ) );
 
     T token = NextTok();
@@ -3124,8 +3124,8 @@ FP_TEXT* PCB_PARSER::parseFP_TEXT()
         break;          // Default type is user text.
 
     default:
-        THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format( _( "Cannot handle footprint text type %s" ),
-                                          GetChars( FromUTF8() ) ) );
+        THROW_IO_ERROR(
+                wxString::Format( _( "Cannot handle footprint text type %s" ), FromUTF8() ) );
     }
 
     NeedSYMBOLorNUMBER();
@@ -4055,8 +4055,8 @@ ARC* PCB_PARSER::parseARC()
         case T_net:
             if( !arc->SetNetCode( getNetCode( parseInt( "net number" ) ), /* aNoAssert */ true ) )
                 THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format(
-                        _( "Invalid net ID in\nfile: \"%s\"\nline: %d\noffset: %d" ),
-                        GetChars( CurSource() ), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() ) );
+                        _( "Invalid net ID in\nfile: \"%s\"\nline: %d\noffset: %d" ), CurSource(),
+                        CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() ) );
             break;
 
         case T_tstamp:
@@ -4124,11 +4124,10 @@ TRACK* PCB_PARSER::parseTRACK()
             break;
 
         case T_net:
-            if( ! track->SetNetCode( getNetCode( parseInt( "net number" ) ), /* aNoAssert */ true ) )
-                THROW_IO_ERROR(
-                    wxString::Format( _( "Invalid net ID in\nfile: \"%s\"\nline: %d\noffset: %d" ),
-                                      GetChars( CurSource() ), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() )
-                    );
+            if( !track->SetNetCode( getNetCode( parseInt( "net number" ) ), /* aNoAssert */ true ) )
+                THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format(
+                        _( "Invalid net ID in\nfile: \"%s\"\nline: %d\noffset: %d" ), CurSource(),
+                        CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() ) );
             break;
 
         case T_tstamp:
@@ -4215,7 +4214,7 @@ VIA* PCB_PARSER::parseVIA()
             if(! via->SetNetCode( getNetCode( parseInt( "net number" ) ), /* aNoAssert */ true))
                 THROW_IO_ERROR(
                     wxString::Format( _( "Invalid net ID in\nfile: \"%s\"\nline: %d\noffset: %d" ),
-                                      GetChars( CurSource() ), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() )
+                                      CurSource(), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() )
                     );
             NeedRIGHT();
             break;
@@ -4301,11 +4300,10 @@ ZONE_CONTAINER* PCB_PARSER::parseZONE_CONTAINER( BOARD_ITEM_CONTAINER* aParent )
             if( tmp < 0 )
                 tmp = 0;
 
-            if( ! zone->SetNetCode( tmp, /* aNoAssert */ true ) )
-                THROW_IO_ERROR(
-                    wxString::Format( _( "Invalid net ID in\nfile: \"%s\"\nline: %d\noffset: %d" ),
-                                      GetChars( CurSource() ), CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() )
-                    );
+            if( !zone->SetNetCode( tmp, /* aNoAssert */ true ) )
+                THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format(
+                        _( "Invalid net ID in\nfile: \"%s\"\nline: %d\noffset: %d" ), CurSource(),
+                        CurLineNumber(), CurOffset() ) );
 
             NeedRIGHT();
             break;

pcbnew/plugins/legacy/legacy_plugin.cpp

@@ -1393,8 +1393,7 @@ void LEGACY_PLUGIN::loadMODULE( MODULE* aModule )
     }
 
     wxString msg = wxString::Format(
-        _( "Missing '$EndMODULE' for MODULE \"%s\"" ),
-        GetChars( aModule->GetFPID().GetLibItemName() ) );
+            _( "Missing '$EndMODULE' for MODULE \"%s\"" ), aModule->GetFPID().GetLibItemName().wx_str() );
 
     THROW_IO_ERROR( msg );
 }
@@ -1448,7 +1447,7 @@ void LEGACY_PLUGIN::loadPAD( MODULE* aModule )
                                 padchar,
                                 padchar,
                                 m_reader->LineNumber(),
-                                GetChars( aModule->GetFPID().GetLibItemName() )
+                                aModule->GetFPID().GetLibItemName().wx_str()
                     );
                 THROW_IO_ERROR( m_error );
             }
@@ -1651,7 +1650,7 @@ void LEGACY_PLUGIN::loadMODULE_EDGE( MODULE* aModule )
                         (unsigned char) line[1],
                         (unsigned char) line[1],
                         m_reader->LineNumber(),
-                        GetChars( aModule->GetFPID().GetLibItemName() )
+                        aModule->GetFPID().GetLibItemName().wx_str()
                         );
         THROW_IO_ERROR( m_error );
     }

pcbnew/specctra_import_export/specctra_export.cpp

@@ -907,16 +907,18 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::FromBOARD( BOARD* aBoard )
 
             if( module->GetReference() == wxEmptyString )
             {
-                THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format( _( "Symbol with value of \"%s\" has empty reference id." ),
-                                                  GetChars( module->GetValue() ) ) );
+                THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format(
+                        _( "Symbol with value of \"%s\" has empty reference id." ),
+                        module->GetValue() ) );
             }
 
             // if we cannot insert OK, that means the reference has been seen before.
             STRINGSET_PAIR refpair = refs.insert( TO_UTF8( module->GetReference() ) );
             if( !refpair.second )      // insert failed
             {
-                THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format( _( "Multiple symbols have identical reference IDs of \"%s\"." ),
-                                                  GetChars( module->GetReference() ) ) );
+                THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format(
+                        _( "Multiple symbols have identical reference IDs of \"%s\"." ),
+                        module->GetReference() ) );
             }
         }
     }

pcbnew/specctra_import_export/specctra_import.cpp

@@ -163,8 +163,8 @@ TRACK* SPECCTRA_DB::makeTRACK( PATH* aPath, int aPointIndex, int aNetcode )
     if( layerNdx == -1 )
     {
         wxString layerName = FROM_UTF8( aPath->layer_id.c_str() );
-        THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format( _("Session file uses invalid layer id \"%s\""),
-                                          GetChars( layerName ) ) );
+        THROW_IO_ERROR(
+                wxString::Format( _( "Session file uses invalid layer id \"%s\"" ), layerName ) );
     }
 
     TRACK* track = new TRACK( sessionBoard );
@@ -222,8 +222,8 @@ TRACK* SPECCTRA_DB::makeTRACK( PATH* aPath, int aPointIndex, int aNetcode )
         shape = (SHAPE*) (*aPadstack)[0];
         DSN_T type = shape->shape->Type();
         if( type != T_circle )
-            THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format( _( "Unsupported via shape: %s"),
-                                              GetChars( GetTokenString( type ) ) ) );
+            THROW_IO_ERROR(
+                    wxString::Format( _( "Unsupported via shape: %s" ), GetTokenString( type ) ) );
 
         CIRCLE* circle = (CIRCLE*) shape->shape;
         int viaDiam = scale( circle->diameter, routeResolution );
@@ -240,8 +240,8 @@ TRACK* SPECCTRA_DB::makeTRACK( PATH* aPath, int aPointIndex, int aNetcode )
         shape = (SHAPE*) (*aPadstack)[0];
         DSN_T type = shape->shape->Type();
         if( type != T_circle )
-            THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format( _( "Unsupported via shape: %s"),
-                                              GetChars( GetTokenString( type ) ) ) );
+            THROW_IO_ERROR(
+                    wxString::Format( _( "Unsupported via shape: %s" ), GetTokenString( type ) ) );
 
         CIRCLE* circle = (CIRCLE*) shape->shape;
         int viaDiam = scale( circle->diameter, routeResolution );
@@ -265,8 +265,8 @@ TRACK* SPECCTRA_DB::makeTRACK( PATH* aPath, int aPointIndex, int aNetcode )
             shape = (SHAPE*) (*aPadstack)[i];
             DSN_T type = shape->shape->Type();
             if( type != T_circle )
-                THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format( _( "Unsupported via shape: %s"),
-                                                  GetChars( GetTokenString( type ) ) ) );
+                THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format(
+                        _( "Unsupported via shape: %s" ), GetTokenString( type ) ) );
 
             CIRCLE* circle = (CIRCLE*) shape->shape;
 
@@ -274,8 +274,8 @@ TRACK* SPECCTRA_DB::makeTRACK( PATH* aPath, int aPointIndex, int aNetcode )
             if( layerNdx == -1 )
             {
                 wxString layerName = FROM_UTF8( circle->layer_id.c_str() );
-                THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format( _("Session file uses invalid layer id \"%s\""),
-                                                  GetChars( layerName ) ) );
+                THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format(
+                        _( "Session file uses invalid layer id \"%s\"" ), layerName ) );
             }
 
             if( layerNdx > topLayerNdx )
@@ -493,8 +493,8 @@ void SPECCTRA_DB::FromSESSION( BOARD* aBoard )
                 // wire_via to text and put that text into the exception.
                 wxString psid( FROM_UTF8( wire_via->GetPadstackId().c_str() ) );
 
-                THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format( _("A wire_via references a missing padstack \"%s\""),
-                                                  GetChars( psid ) ) );
+                THROW_IO_ERROR( wxString::Format(
+                        _( "A wire_via references a missing padstack \"%s\"" ), psid ) );
             }
 
             NETCLASSPTR netclass = aBoard->GetDesignSettings().GetNetClasses().GetDefault();

pcbnew/tools/pcbnew_control.cpp

@@ -956,7 +956,7 @@ int PCBNEW_CONTROL::AppendBoard( PLUGIN& pi, wxString& fileName )
     }
     catch( const IO_ERROR& ioe )
     {
-        wxString msg = wxString::Format( _( "Error loading board.\n%s" ), GetChars( ioe.What() ));
+        wxString msg = wxString::Format( _( "Error loading board.\n%s" ), ioe.What() );
         DisplayError( editFrame, msg );
 
         return 0;

qa/qa_utils/test_app_main.cpp

@@ -182,12 +182,12 @@ struct APP_TEST : public wxApp
         catch( const std::exception& e )
         {
             wxLogError( wxT( "Unhandled exception class: %s  what: %s" ),
-                GetChars( FROM_UTF8( typeid(e).name() )),
-                GetChars( FROM_UTF8( e.what() ) ) );
+                FROM_UTF8( typeid(e).name() ),
+                FROM_UTF8( e.what() ) );
         }
         catch( const IO_ERROR& ioe )
         {
-            wxLogError( GetChars( ioe.What() ) );
+            wxLogError( ioe.What() );
         }
         catch(...)
         {
@@ -218,12 +218,12 @@ struct APP_TEST : public wxApp
         catch( const std::exception& e )
         {
             wxLogError( wxT( "Unhandled exception class: %s  what: %s" ),
-                GetChars( FROM_UTF8( typeid(e).name() )),
-                GetChars( FROM_UTF8( e.what() ) ) );
+                FROM_UTF8( typeid(e).name() ),
+                FROM_UTF8( e.what() ) );
         }
         catch( const IO_ERROR& ioe )
         {
-            wxLogError( GetChars( ioe.What() ) );
+            wxLogError( ioe.What() );
         }
         catch(...)
         {