diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCComponent.cpp b/cocos/2d/CCComponent.cpp
index fa228d0ff7..4f8482367a 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCComponent.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCComponent.cpp
@@ -72,14 +72,14 @@ Component* Component::create(void)
 	return ret;
 }
 
-const char* Component::getName() const
+const std::string& Component::getName() const
 {
-    return _name.c_str();
+    return _name;
 }
 
-void Component::setName(const char *name)
+void Component::setName(const std::string& name)
 {
-    _name.assign(name);
+    _name = name;
 }
 
 Node* Component::getOwner() const
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCComponent.h b/cocos/2d/CCComponent.h
index 3babdbba46..5631c2585f 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCComponent.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCComponent.h
@@ -60,8 +60,8 @@ public:
     virtual void setEnabled(bool b);
     static Component* create(void);
     
-    const char* getName() const;
-    void setName(const char *name);
+    const std::string& getName() const;
+    void setName(const std::string& name);
     
     void setOwner(Node *pOwner);
     Node* getOwner() const;
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCComponentContainer.cpp b/cocos/2d/CCComponentContainer.cpp
index 0e510d8de9..905bebbe27 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCComponentContainer.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCComponentContainer.cpp
@@ -40,12 +40,10 @@ ComponentContainer::~ComponentContainer(void)
     CC_SAFE_DELETE(_components);
 }
 
-Component* ComponentContainer::get(const char *name) const
+Component* ComponentContainer::get(const std::string& name) const
 {
     Component* ret = nullptr;
-    CCASSERT(name != nullptr, "Argument must be non-nil");
     do {
-        CC_BREAK_IF(nullptr == name);
         CC_BREAK_IF(nullptr == _components);
         ret = _components->at(name);
         
@@ -77,10 +75,9 @@ bool ComponentContainer::add(Component *com)
     return ret;
 }
 
-bool ComponentContainer::remove(const char *name)
+bool ComponentContainer::remove(const std::string& name)
 {
     bool ret = false;
-    CCASSERT(name != nullptr, "Argument must be non-nil");
     do 
     {        
         CC_BREAK_IF(!_components);
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCComponentContainer.h b/cocos/2d/CCComponentContainer.h
index e50fbbc8d9..d895693a86 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCComponentContainer.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCComponentContainer.h
@@ -47,9 +47,9 @@ public:
      * @lua NA
      */
     virtual ~ComponentContainer(void);
-    virtual Component* get(const char *name) const;
+    virtual Component* get(const std::string& name) const;
     virtual bool add(Component *com);
-    virtual bool remove(const char *name);
+    virtual bool remove(const std::string& name);
     virtual void removeAll();
     virtual void visit(float delta);
 public:
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCConfiguration.cpp b/cocos/2d/CCConfiguration.cpp
index ea3e64d362..07ff02933d 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCConfiguration.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCConfiguration.cpp
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ void Configuration::setValue(const std::string& key, const Value& value)
 //
 // load file
 //
-void Configuration::loadConfigFile(const char *filename)
+void Configuration::loadConfigFile(const std::string& filename)
 {
 	ValueMap dict = FileUtils::getInstance()->getValueMapFromFile(filename);
 	CCASSERT(!dict.empty(), "cannot create dictionary");
@@ -312,14 +312,14 @@ void Configuration::loadConfigFile(const char *filename)
 
 	if (! validMetadata)
     {
-		CCLOG("Invalid config format for file: %s", filename);
+		CCLOG("Invalid config format for file: %s", filename.c_str());
 		return;
 	}
 
 	auto dataIter = dict.find("data");
 	if (dataIter == dict.end() || dataIter->second.getType() != Value::Type::MAP)
     {
-		CCLOG("Expected 'data' dict, but not found. Config file: %s", filename);
+		CCLOG("Expected 'data' dict, but not found. Config file: %s", filename.c_str());
 		return;
 	}
 
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCConfiguration.h b/cocos/2d/CCConfiguration.h
index f0296080ec..90387d5c38 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCConfiguration.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCConfiguration.h
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ public:
 	void gatherGPUInfo();
 
 	/** Loads a config file. If the keys are already present, then they are going to be replaced. Otherwise the new keys are added. */
-	void loadConfigFile(const char *filename);
+	void loadConfigFile(const std::string& filename);
 
 private:
     Configuration(void);
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCFontAtlasCache.cpp b/cocos/2d/CCFontAtlasCache.cpp
index 197aacde7f..b72b76540c 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCFontAtlasCache.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCFontAtlasCache.cpp
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ NS_CC_BEGIN
 
 std::unordered_map<std::string, FontAtlas *> FontAtlasCache::_atlasMap;
 
-FontAtlas * FontAtlasCache::getFontAtlasTTF(const char *fontFileName, int size, GlyphCollection glyphs, const char *customGlyphs, bool useDistanceField)
+FontAtlas * FontAtlasCache::getFontAtlasTTF(const std::string& fontFileName, int size, GlyphCollection glyphs, const char *customGlyphs, bool useDistanceField)
 {
     std::string atlasName = generateFontName(fontFileName, size, glyphs, useDistanceField);
     FontAtlas  *tempAtlas = _atlasMap[atlasName];
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ FontAtlas * FontAtlasCache::getFontAtlasTTF(const char *fontFileName, int size,
     return tempAtlas;
 }
 
-FontAtlas * FontAtlasCache::getFontAtlasFNT(const char *fontFileName)
+FontAtlas * FontAtlasCache::getFontAtlasFNT(const std::string& fontFileName)
 {
     std::string atlasName = generateFontName(fontFileName, 0, GlyphCollection::CUSTOM,false);
     FontAtlas *tempAtlas = _atlasMap[atlasName];
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ FontAtlas * FontAtlasCache::getFontAtlasFNT(const char *fontFileName)
     return tempAtlas;
 }
 
-std::string FontAtlasCache::generateFontName(const char *fontFileName, int size, GlyphCollection theGlyphs, bool useDistanceField)
+std::string FontAtlasCache::generateFontName(const std::string& fontFileName, int size, GlyphCollection theGlyphs, bool useDistanceField)
 {
     std::string tempName(fontFileName);
     
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCFontAtlasCache.h b/cocos/2d/CCFontAtlasCache.h
index b64d9ea6f3..acbbb28ca9 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCFontAtlasCache.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCFontAtlasCache.h
@@ -38,14 +38,14 @@ class CC_DLL FontAtlasCache
     
 public:
     
-    static FontAtlas * getFontAtlasTTF(const char *fontFileName, int size, GlyphCollection glyphs, const char *customGlyphs = 0, bool useDistanceField = false);
-    static FontAtlas * getFontAtlasFNT(const char *fontFileName);
+    static FontAtlas * getFontAtlasTTF(const std::string& fontFileName, int size, GlyphCollection glyphs, const char *customGlyphs = 0, bool useDistanceField = false);
+    static FontAtlas * getFontAtlasFNT(const std::string& fontFileName);
     
     static bool releaseFontAtlas(FontAtlas *atlas);
     
 private:
     
-    static std::string generateFontName(const char *fontFileName, int size, GlyphCollection theGlyphs, bool useDistanceField);
+    static std::string generateFontName(const std::string& fontFileName, int size, GlyphCollection theGlyphs, bool useDistanceField);
     static std::unordered_map<std::string, FontAtlas *> _atlasMap;
 };
 
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCFontAtlasFactory.cpp b/cocos/2d/CCFontAtlasFactory.cpp
index 5c06b2ba9c..8e532af2c5 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCFontAtlasFactory.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCFontAtlasFactory.cpp
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 
 NS_CC_BEGIN
 
-FontAtlas * FontAtlasFactory::createAtlasFromTTF(const char* fntFilePath, int fontSize, GlyphCollection glyphs, const char *customGlyphs, bool useDistanceField)
+FontAtlas * FontAtlasFactory::createAtlasFromTTF(const std::string& fntFilePath, int fontSize, GlyphCollection glyphs, const char *customGlyphs, bool useDistanceField)
 {
     
     Font *font = Font::createWithTTF(fntFilePath, fontSize, glyphs, customGlyphs);
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ FontAtlas * FontAtlasFactory::createAtlasFromTTF(const char* fntFilePath, int fo
     }
 }
 
-FontAtlas * FontAtlasFactory::createAtlasFromFNT(const char* fntFilePath)
+FontAtlas * FontAtlasFactory::createAtlasFromFNT(const std::string& fntFilePath)
 {
     Font *font = Font::createWithFNT(fntFilePath);
     
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCFontAtlasFactory.h b/cocos/2d/CCFontAtlasFactory.h
index d1f3604ad1..b03806dccd 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCFontAtlasFactory.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCFontAtlasFactory.h
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ class CC_DLL FontAtlasFactory
     
 public:
     
-    static FontAtlas * createAtlasFromTTF(const char* fntFilePath, int fontSize, GlyphCollection glyphs, const char *customGlyphs = 0, bool useDistanceField = false);
-    static FontAtlas * createAtlasFromFNT(const char* fntFilePath);
+    static FontAtlas * createAtlasFromTTF(const std::string& fntFilePath, int fontSize, GlyphCollection glyphs, const char *customGlyphs = 0, bool useDistanceField = false);
+    static FontAtlas * createAtlasFromFNT(const std::string& fntFilePath);
     
 private:
 };
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCIMEDelegate.h b/cocos/2d/CCIMEDelegate.h
index d7fee2e59b..053359abfc 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCIMEDelegate.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCIMEDelegate.h
@@ -25,9 +25,11 @@ THE SOFTWARE.
 #ifndef __CC_IME_DELEGATE_H__
 #define __CC_IME_DELEGATE_H__
 
+#include <string>
 #include "CCGeometry.h"
 
 NS_CC_BEGIN
+extern const std::string STD_STRING_EMPTY;
 
 /**
  * @addtogroup input
@@ -114,7 +116,7 @@ protected:
     * @js NA
     * @lua NA
     */
-    virtual const char * getContentText() { return 0; }
+    virtual const std::string& getContentText() { return STD_STRING_EMPTY; }
 
     //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
     // keyboard show/hide notification
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCIMEDispatcher.cpp b/cocos/2d/CCIMEDispatcher.cpp
index 8c2724e51e..7bc493c988 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCIMEDispatcher.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCIMEDispatcher.cpp
@@ -239,14 +239,13 @@ void IMEDispatcher::dispatchDeleteBackward()
     } while (0);
 }
 
-const char * IMEDispatcher::getContentText()
+const std::string& IMEDispatcher::getContentText()
 {
-    const char * contentText = 0;
     if (_impl && _impl->_delegateWithIme)
     {
-        contentText = _impl->_delegateWithIme->getContentText();
+        return _impl->_delegateWithIme->getContentText();
     }
-    return (contentText) ? contentText : "";
+    return STD_STRING_EMPTY;
 }
 
 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCIMEDispatcher.h b/cocos/2d/CCIMEDispatcher.h
index d03ca15e24..ea551a4d3e 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCIMEDispatcher.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCIMEDispatcher.h
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ public:
      * @js NA
      * @lua NA
      */
-    const char * getContentText();
+    const std::string& getContentText();
 
     //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
     // dispatch keyboard notification
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCMenuItem.cpp b/cocos/2d/CCMenuItem.cpp
index 31cf74363c..7ec1097ee1 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCMenuItem.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCMenuItem.cpp
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ MenuItemAtlasFont * MenuItemAtlasFont::create(const std::string& value, const st
 }
 
 // XXX: deprecated
-MenuItemAtlasFont * MenuItemAtlasFont::create(const char* value, const char* charMapFile, int itemWidth, int itemHeight, char startCharMap, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector)
+MenuItemAtlasFont * MenuItemAtlasFont::create(const std::string& value, const std::string& charMapFile, int itemWidth, int itemHeight, char startCharMap, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector)
 {
     MenuItemAtlasFont *ret = new MenuItemAtlasFont();
     ret->initWithString(value, charMapFile, itemWidth, itemHeight, startCharMap, target, selector);
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ MenuItemAtlasFont * MenuItemAtlasFont::create(const std::string& value, const st
 }
 
 // XXX: deprecated
-bool MenuItemAtlasFont::initWithString(const char* value, const char* charMapFile, int itemWidth, int itemHeight, char startCharMap, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector)
+bool MenuItemAtlasFont::initWithString(const std::string& value, const std::string& charMapFile, int itemWidth, int itemHeight, char startCharMap, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector)
 {
 	_target = target;
 	CC_SAFE_RETAIN(_target);
@@ -387,7 +387,7 @@ const std::string& MenuItemFont::getFontName()
 }
 
 // XXX: deprecated
-MenuItemFont * MenuItemFont::create(const char *value, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector)
+MenuItemFont * MenuItemFont::create(const std::string& value, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector)
 {
     MenuItemFont *ret = new MenuItemFont();
     ret->initWithString(value, target, selector);
@@ -422,9 +422,9 @@ MenuItemFont::~MenuItemFont()
 }
 
 // XXX: deprecated
-bool MenuItemFont::initWithString(const char *value, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector)
+bool MenuItemFont::initWithString(const std::string& value, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector)
 {
-    CCASSERT( value != nullptr && strlen(value) != 0, "Value length must be greater than 0");
+    CCASSERT( !value.empty(), "Value length must be greater than 0");
 
 	_target = target;
     CC_SAFE_RETAIN(target);
@@ -433,7 +433,7 @@ bool MenuItemFont::initWithString(const char *value, Object* target, SEL_MenuHan
 
 bool MenuItemFont::initWithString(const std::string& value, const ccMenuCallback& callback)
 {
-    CCASSERT( value.size() >= 0, "Value length must be greater than 0");
+    CCASSERT( !value.empty(), "Value length must be greater than 0");
 
     _fontName = _globalFontName;
     _fontSize = _globalFontSize;
@@ -710,7 +710,7 @@ MenuItemImage * MenuItemImage::create(const std::string& normalImage, const std:
 }
 
 // XXX deprecated
-MenuItemImage * MenuItemImage::create(const char *normalImage, const char *selectedImage, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector)
+MenuItemImage * MenuItemImage::create(const std::string& normalImage, const std::string& selectedImage, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector)
 {
     return MenuItemImage::create(normalImage, selectedImage, "", target, selector);
 }
@@ -721,7 +721,7 @@ MenuItemImage * MenuItemImage::create(const std::string& normalImage, const std:
 }
 
 // XXX deprecated
-MenuItemImage * MenuItemImage::create(const char *normalImage, const char *selectedImage, const char *disabledImage, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector)
+MenuItemImage * MenuItemImage::create(const std::string& normalImage, const std::string& selectedImage, const std::string& disabledImage, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector)
 {
     MenuItemImage *ret = new MenuItemImage();
     if (ret && ret->initWithNormalImage(normalImage, selectedImage, disabledImage, target, selector))
@@ -758,7 +758,7 @@ MenuItemImage * MenuItemImage::create(const std::string& normalImage, const std:
 }
 
 // XXX: deprecated
-bool MenuItemImage::initWithNormalImage(const char *normalImage, const char *selectedImage, const char *disabledImage, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector)
+bool MenuItemImage::initWithNormalImage(const std::string& normalImage, const std::string& selectedImage, const std::string& disabledImage, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector)
 {
 	_target = target;
 	CC_SAFE_RETAIN(_target);
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCMenuItem.h b/cocos/2d/CCMenuItem.h
index 112e23c808..d44dd60d97 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCMenuItem.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCMenuItem.h
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ public:
     /** creates a menu item from a string and atlas with a target/selector */
     static MenuItemAtlasFont* create(const std::string& value, const std::string& charMapFile, int itemWidth, int itemHeight, char startCharMap);
     /** creates a menu item from a string and atlas. Use it with MenuItemToggle */
-    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE static MenuItemAtlasFont* create(const char* value, const char* charMapFile, int itemWidth, int itemHeight, char startCharMap, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector);
+    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE static MenuItemAtlasFont* create(const std::string& value, const std::string& charMapFile, int itemWidth, int itemHeight, char startCharMap, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector);
     /** creates a menu item from a string and atlas. Use it with MenuItemToggle */
     static MenuItemAtlasFont* create(const std::string& value, const std::string& charMapFile, int itemWidth, int itemHeight, char startCharMap, const ccMenuCallback& callback);
 
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ protected:
     virtual ~MenuItemAtlasFont(){}
 
     /** initializes a menu item from a string and atlas with a target/selector */
-    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE bool initWithString(const char *value, const char *charMapFile, int itemWidth, int itemHeight, char startCharMap, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector);
+    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE bool initWithString(const std::string& value, const std::string& charMapFile, int itemWidth, int itemHeight, char startCharMap, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector);
     /** initializes a menu item from a string and atlas with a target/selector */
     bool initWithString(const std::string& value, const std::string& charMapFile, int itemWidth, int itemHeight, char startCharMap, const ccMenuCallback& callback);
 
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ public:
     /** creates a menu item from a string without target/selector. To be used with MenuItemToggle */
     static MenuItemFont * create(const std::string& value = "");
     /** creates a menu item from a string with a target/selector */
-    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE static MenuItemFont * create(const char *value, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector);
+    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE static MenuItemFont * create(const std::string& value, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector);
     /** creates a menu item from a string with a target/selector */
     static MenuItemFont * create(const std::string& value, const ccMenuCallback& callback);
 
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ protected:
     virtual ~MenuItemFont();
 
     /** initializes a menu item from a string with a target/selector */
-    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE bool initWithString(const char *value, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector);
+    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE bool initWithString(const std::string& value, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector);
     /** initializes a menu item from a string with a target/selector */
     bool initWithString(const std::string& value, const ccMenuCallback& callback);
 
@@ -411,12 +411,12 @@ public:
     /** creates a menu item with a normal,selected  and disabled image*/
     static MenuItemImage* create(const std::string& normalImage, const std::string& selectedImage, const std::string& disabledImage);
     /** creates a menu item with a normal and selected image with target/selector */
-    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE static MenuItemImage* create(const char *normalImage, const char *selectedImage, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector);
+    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE static MenuItemImage* create(const std::string& normalImage, const std::string& selectedImage, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector);
     /** creates a menu item with a normal and selected image with a callable object */
     static MenuItemImage* create(const std::string&normalImage, const std::string&selectedImage, const ccMenuCallback& callback);
 
     /** creates a menu item with a normal,selected  and disabled image with target/selector */
-    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE static MenuItemImage* create(const char *normalImage, const char *selectedImage, const char *disabledImage, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector);
+    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE static MenuItemImage* create(const std::string& normalImage, const std::string& selectedImage, const std::string& disabledImage, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector);
     /** creates a menu item with a normal,selected  and disabled image with a callable object */
     static MenuItemImage* create(const std::string&normalImage, const std::string&selectedImage, const std::string&disabledImage, const ccMenuCallback& callback);
 
@@ -440,7 +440,7 @@ protected:
 
     bool init();
     /** initializes a menu item with a normal, selected  and disabled image with target/selector */
-    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE bool initWithNormalImage(const char *normalImage, const char *selectedImage, const char *disabledImage, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector);
+    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE bool initWithNormalImage(const std::string& normalImage, const std::string& selectedImage, const std::string& disabledImage, Object* target, SEL_MenuHandler selector);
     /** initializes a menu item with a normal, selected  and disabled image with a callable object */
     bool initWithNormalImage(const std::string& normalImage, const std::string& selectedImage, const std::string& disabledImage, const ccMenuCallback& callback);
 
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCMotionStreak.cpp b/cocos/2d/CCMotionStreak.cpp
index 6034cac483..70a00b622c 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCMotionStreak.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCMotionStreak.cpp
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ MotionStreak::~MotionStreak()
     CC_SAFE_FREE(_texCoords);
 }
 
-MotionStreak* MotionStreak::create(float fade, float minSeg, float stroke, const Color3B& color, const char* path)
+MotionStreak* MotionStreak::create(float fade, float minSeg, float stroke, const Color3B& color, const std::string& path)
 {
     MotionStreak *ret = new MotionStreak();
     if (ret && ret->initWithFade(fade, minSeg, stroke, color, path))
@@ -91,9 +91,9 @@ MotionStreak* MotionStreak::create(float fade, float minSeg, float stroke, const
     return nullptr;
 }
 
-bool MotionStreak::initWithFade(float fade, float minSeg, float stroke, const Color3B& color, const char* path)
+bool MotionStreak::initWithFade(float fade, float minSeg, float stroke, const Color3B& color, const std::string& path)
 {
-    CCASSERT(path != nullptr, "Invalid filename");
+    CCASSERT(!path.empty(), "Invalid filename");
 
     Texture2D *texture = Director::getInstance()->getTextureCache()->addImage(path);
     return initWithFade(fade, minSeg, stroke, color, texture);
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCMotionStreak.h b/cocos/2d/CCMotionStreak.h
index e26ccaad6f..a8aaf5e4b4 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCMotionStreak.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCMotionStreak.h
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ class CC_DLL MotionStreak : public Node, public TextureProtocol
 {
 public:
     /** creates and initializes a motion streak with fade in seconds, minimum segments, stroke's width, color, texture filename */
-    static MotionStreak* create(float fade, float minSeg, float stroke, const Color3B& color, const char* path);
+    static MotionStreak* create(float fade, float minSeg, float stroke, const Color3B& color, const std::string& path);
     /** creates and initializes a motion streak with fade in seconds, minimum segments, stroke's width, color, texture */
     static MotionStreak* create(float fade, float minSeg, float stroke, const Color3B& color, Texture2D* texture);
 
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ protected:
     virtual ~MotionStreak();
 
     /** initializes a motion streak with fade in seconds, minimum segments, stroke's width, color and texture filename */
-    bool initWithFade(float fade, float minSeg, float stroke, const Color3B& color, const char* path);
+    bool initWithFade(float fade, float minSeg, float stroke, const Color3B& color, const std::string& path);
     /** initializes a motion streak with fade in seconds, minimum segments, stroke's width, color and texture  */
     bool initWithFade(float fade, float minSeg, float stroke, const Color3B& color, Texture2D* texture);
 
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCNode.cpp b/cocos/2d/CCNode.cpp
index cee03e61ac..496fcb4a11 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCNode.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCNode.cpp
@@ -1346,7 +1346,7 @@ void Node::updateTransform()
         child->updateTransform();
 }
 
-Component* Node::getComponent(const char *pName)
+Component* Node::getComponent(const std::string& pName)
 {
     if( _componentContainer )
         return _componentContainer->get(pName);
@@ -1361,7 +1361,7 @@ bool Node::addComponent(Component *pComponent)
     return _componentContainer->add(pComponent);
 }
 
-bool Node::removeComponent(const char *pName)
+bool Node::removeComponent(const std::string& pName)
 {
     if( _componentContainer )
         return _componentContainer->remove(pName);
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCNode.h b/cocos/2d/CCNode.h
index c04c5c8fbe..af95adc220 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCNode.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCNode.h
@@ -1322,7 +1322,7 @@ public:
     /**
      *   gets a component by its name
      */
-    Component* getComponent(const char *pName);
+    Component* getComponent(const std::string& pName);
 
     /**
      *   adds a component
@@ -1332,7 +1332,7 @@ public:
     /**
      *   removes a component by its name
      */
-    virtual bool removeComponent(const char *pName);
+    virtual bool removeComponent(const std::string& pName);
 
     /**
      *   removes all components
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCNotificationCenter.cpp b/cocos/2d/CCNotificationCenter.cpp
index 8eb36c13eb..7d2a647b92 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCNotificationCenter.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCNotificationCenter.cpp
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ void NotificationCenter::purgeNotificationCenter(void)
 //
 // internal functions
 //
-bool NotificationCenter::observerExisted(Object *target,const char *name, Object *sender)
+bool NotificationCenter::observerExisted(Object *target, const std::string& name, Object *sender)
 {
     Object* obj = nullptr;
     CCARRAY_FOREACH(_observers, obj)
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ bool NotificationCenter::observerExisted(Object *target,const char *name, Object
         if (!observer)
             continue;
         
-        if (!strcmp(observer->getName(),name) && observer->getTarget() == target && observer->getSender() == sender)
+        if (observer->getName() == name && observer->getTarget() == target && observer->getSender() == sender)
             return true;
     }
     return false;
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ bool NotificationCenter::observerExisted(Object *target,const char *name, Object
 //
 void NotificationCenter::addObserver(Object *target, 
                                        SEL_CallFuncO selector,
-                                       const char *name,
+                                       const std::string& name,
                                        Object *sender)
 {
     if (this->observerExisted(target, name, sender))
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ void NotificationCenter::addObserver(Object *target,
     _observers->addObject(observer);
 }
 
-void NotificationCenter::removeObserver(Object *target,const char *name)
+void NotificationCenter::removeObserver(Object *target, const std::string& name)
 {
     Object* obj = nullptr;
     CCARRAY_FOREACH(_observers, obj)
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ void NotificationCenter::removeObserver(Object *target,const char *name)
         if (!observer)
             continue;
         
-        if (!strcmp(observer->getName(),name) && observer->getTarget() == target)
+        if (observer->getName() == name && observer->getTarget() == target)
         {
             _observers->removeObject(observer);
             return;
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ int NotificationCenter::removeAllObservers(Object *target)
     return static_cast<int>(toRemove->count());
 }
 
-void NotificationCenter::registerScriptObserver( Object *target, int handler,const char* name)
+void NotificationCenter::registerScriptObserver( Object *target, int handler,const std::string& name)
 {
     
     if (this->observerExisted(target, name, nullptr))
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ void NotificationCenter::registerScriptObserver( Object *target, int handler,con
     _observers->addObject(observer);
 }
 
-void NotificationCenter::unregisterScriptObserver(Object *target,const char* name)
+void NotificationCenter::unregisterScriptObserver(Object *target,const std::string& name)
 {        
     Object* obj = nullptr;
     CCARRAY_FOREACH(_observers, obj)
@@ -170,14 +170,14 @@ void NotificationCenter::unregisterScriptObserver(Object *target,const char* nam
         if (!observer)
             continue;
             
-        if ( !strcmp(observer->getName(),name) && observer->getTarget() == target)
+        if ( observer->getName() == name && observer->getTarget() == target)
         {
             _observers->removeObject(observer);
         }
     }
 }
 
-void NotificationCenter::postNotification(const char *name, Object *sender)
+void NotificationCenter::postNotification(const std::string& name, Object *sender)
 {
     __Array* ObserversCopy = __Array::createWithCapacity(_observers->count());
     ObserversCopy->addObjectsFromArray(_observers);
@@ -188,11 +188,11 @@ void NotificationCenter::postNotification(const char *name, Object *sender)
         if (!observer)
             continue;
         
-        if (!strcmp(name,observer->getName()) && (observer->getSender() == sender || observer->getSender() == nullptr || sender == nullptr))
+        if (observer->getName() == name && (observer->getSender() == sender || observer->getSender() == nullptr || sender == nullptr))
         {
             if (0 != observer->getHandler())
             {
-                BasicScriptData data(this, (void*)name);
+                BasicScriptData data(this, (void*)name.c_str());
                 ScriptEvent scriptEvent(kNotificationEvent,(void*)&data);
                 ScriptEngineManager::getInstance()->getScriptEngine()->sendEvent(&scriptEvent);
             }
@@ -204,14 +204,14 @@ void NotificationCenter::postNotification(const char *name, Object *sender)
     }
 }
 
-void NotificationCenter::postNotification(const char *name)
+void NotificationCenter::postNotification(const std::string& name)
 {
     this->postNotification(name,nullptr);
 }
 
-int NotificationCenter::getObserverHandlerByName(const char* name)
+int NotificationCenter::getObserverHandlerByName(const std::string& name)
 {
-    if (nullptr == name || strlen(name) == 0)
+    if (name.empty())
     {
         return 0;
     }
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ int NotificationCenter::getObserverHandlerByName(const char* name)
         if (nullptr == observer)
             continue;
         
-        if ( 0 == strcmp(observer->getName(),name) )
+        if ( observer->getName() == name )
         {
             return observer->getHandler();
             break;
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ int NotificationCenter::getObserverHandlerByName(const char* name)
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 NotificationObserver::NotificationObserver(Object *target, 
                                                SEL_CallFuncO selector,
-                                               const char *name,
+                                               const std::string& name,
                                                Object *sender)
 {
     _target = target;
@@ -278,9 +278,9 @@ SEL_CallFuncO NotificationObserver::getSelector() const
     return _selector;
 }
 
-const char* NotificationObserver::getName() const
+const std::string& NotificationObserver::getName() const
 {
-    return _name.c_str();
+    return _name;
 }
 
 Object* NotificationObserver::getSender() const
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCNotificationCenter.h b/cocos/2d/CCNotificationCenter.h
index 6935255518..f2265b1518 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCNotificationCenter.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCNotificationCenter.h
@@ -67,14 +67,14 @@ public:
      */
     void addObserver(Object *target, 
                      SEL_CallFuncO selector,
-                     const char *name,
+                     const std::string& name,
                      Object *sender);
 
     /** @brief Removes the observer by the specified target and name.
      *  @param target The target of this notification.
      *  @param name The name of this notification. 
      */
-    void removeObserver(Object *target,const char *name);
+    void removeObserver(Object *target,const std::string& name);
     
     /** @brief Removes all notifications registered by this target
      *  @param target The target of this notification.
@@ -86,21 +86,21 @@ public:
      *  @note Only supports Lua Binding now.
      *  @param handler The lua handler.
      */
-    void registerScriptObserver(Object *target,int handler,const char* name);
+    void registerScriptObserver(Object *target,int handler,const std::string& name);
 
     /** Unregisters script observer */
-    void unregisterScriptObserver(Object *target,const char* name);
+    void unregisterScriptObserver(Object *target,const std::string& name);
     
     /** @brief Posts one notification event by name.
      *  @param name The name of this notification.
      */
-    void postNotification(const char *name);
+    void postNotification(const std::string& name);
 
     /** @brief Posts one notification event by name.
      *  @param name The name of this notification.
      *  @param sender The object posting the notification. Can be nullptr
      */
-    void postNotification(const char *name, Object *sender);
+    void postNotification(const std::string& name, Object *sender);
     
     /** @brief Gets script handler.
      *  @note Only supports Lua Binding now.
@@ -112,12 +112,12 @@ public:
      *  @param name The name of this notification.
      *  @return The observer script handle.
      */
-    int getObserverHandlerByName(const char* name);
+    int getObserverHandlerByName(const std::string& name);
 private:
     // internal functions
 
     // Check whether the observer exists by the specified target and name.
-    bool observerExisted(Object *target,const char *name, Object *sender);
+    bool observerExisted(Object *target,const std::string& name, Object *sender);
     
     // variables
     //
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ public:
      */
     NotificationObserver(Object *target, 
                            SEL_CallFuncO selector,
-                           const char *name,
+                           const std::string& name,
                            Object *sender);
 
     /** NotificationObserver destructor function 
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ public:
      * @js NA
      * @lua NA
      */
-    const char* getName() const;
+    const std::string& getName() const;
     /**
      * @js NA
      * @lua NA
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCParticleExamples.cpp b/cocos/2d/CCParticleExamples.cpp
index d2368d5cac..6f7a307db3 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCParticleExamples.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCParticleExamples.cpp
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ static Texture2D* getDefaultTexture()
     do 
     {
         bool ret = false;
-        const char* key = "/__firePngData";
+        const std::string key = "/__firePngData";
         texture = Director::getInstance()->getTextureCache()->getTextureForKey(key);
         CC_BREAK_IF(texture != nullptr);
 
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCSpriteBatchNode.cpp b/cocos/2d/CCSpriteBatchNode.cpp
index 2fafa72070..024d438931 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCSpriteBatchNode.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCSpriteBatchNode.cpp
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ SpriteBatchNode* SpriteBatchNode::createWithTexture(Texture2D* tex, ssize_t capa
 * creation with File Image
 */
 
-SpriteBatchNode* SpriteBatchNode::create(const char *fileImage, ssize_t capacity/* = DEFAULT_CAPACITY*/)
+SpriteBatchNode* SpriteBatchNode::create(const std::string& fileImage, ssize_t capacity/* = DEFAULT_CAPACITY*/)
 {
     SpriteBatchNode *batchNode = new SpriteBatchNode();
     batchNode->initWithFile(fileImage, capacity);
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ bool SpriteBatchNode::init()
 /*
 * init with FileImage
 */
-bool SpriteBatchNode::initWithFile(const char* fileImage, ssize_t capacity)
+bool SpriteBatchNode::initWithFile(const std::string& fileImage, ssize_t capacity)
 {
     Texture2D *texture2D = Director::getInstance()->getTextureCache()->addImage(fileImage);
     return initWithTexture(texture2D, capacity);
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCSpriteBatchNode.h b/cocos/2d/CCSpriteBatchNode.h
index 29eb7fadb3..82adde74af 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCSpriteBatchNode.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCSpriteBatchNode.h
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ public:
      The capacity will be increased in 33% in runtime if it run out of space.
      The file will be loaded using the TextureMgr.
      */
-    static SpriteBatchNode* create(const char* fileImage, ssize_t capacity = DEFAULT_CAPACITY);
+    static SpriteBatchNode* create(const std::string& fileImage, ssize_t capacity = DEFAULT_CAPACITY);
     /**
      * @js ctor
      */
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ public:
      * @js init
      * @lua init
      */
-    bool initWithFile(const char* fileImage, ssize_t capacity);
+    bool initWithFile(const std::string& fileImage, ssize_t capacity);
     bool init();
 
     /** returns the TextureAtlas object */
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCTMXLayer.h b/cocos/2d/CCTMXLayer.h
index 31cd4b9cbd..d153f6472d 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCTMXLayer.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCTMXLayer.h
@@ -143,8 +143,8 @@ public:
     /** Creates the tiles */
     void setupTiles();
 
-    inline const char* getLayerName(){ return _layerName.c_str(); }
-    inline void setLayerName(const char *layerName){ _layerName = layerName; }
+    inline const std::string& getLayerName(){ return _layerName; }
+    inline void setLayerName(const std::string& layerName){ _layerName = layerName; }
 
     /** size of the layer in tiles */
     inline const Size& getLayerSize() const { return _layerSize; };
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCTMXTiledMap.h b/cocos/2d/CCTMXTiledMap.h
index a72a85ea1b..7f39531a7f 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCTMXTiledMap.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCTMXTiledMap.h
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ public:
      * @js NA
      * @lua NA
      */
-    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE TMXLayer* layerNamed(const char *layerName) const { return getLayer(layerName); };
+    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE TMXLayer* layerNamed(const std::string& layerName) const { return getLayer(layerName); };
 
     /** return the TMXObjectGroup for the specific group */
     TMXObjectGroup* getObjectGroup(const std::string& groupName) const;
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ public:
      * @js NA
      * @lua NA
      */
-    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE TMXObjectGroup* objectGroupNamed(const char *groupName) const { return getObjectGroup(groupName); };
+    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE TMXObjectGroup* objectGroupNamed(const std::string& groupName) const { return getObjectGroup(groupName); };
 
     /** return the value for the specific property name */
     Value getProperty(const std::string& propertyName) const;
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCTextFieldTTF.cpp b/cocos/2d/CCTextFieldTTF.cpp
index 93ef04cd1d..6924296cfc 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCTextFieldTTF.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCTextFieldTTF.cpp
@@ -236,9 +236,9 @@ void TextFieldTTF::deleteBackward()
     setString(text);
 }
 
-const char * TextFieldTTF::getContentText()
+const std::string& TextFieldTTF::getContentText()
 {
-    return _inputText.c_str();
+    return _inputText;
 }
 
 void TextFieldTTF::draw()
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCTextFieldTTF.h b/cocos/2d/CCTextFieldTTF.h
index d36df0c547..5c011b18cc 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCTextFieldTTF.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCTextFieldTTF.h
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ protected:
     virtual bool canDetachWithIME() override;
     virtual void insertText(const char * text, int len) override;
     virtual void deleteBackward() override;
-    virtual const char * getContentText() override;
+    virtual const std::string& getContentText() override;
 private:
     class LengthStack;
     LengthStack * _lens;
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCTextureAtlas.cpp b/cocos/2d/CCTextureAtlas.cpp
index e443a26146..f4f6422bbe 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCTextureAtlas.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCTextureAtlas.cpp
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ void TextureAtlas::setQuads(V3F_C4B_T2F_Quad* quads)
 
 // TextureAtlas - alloc & init
 
-TextureAtlas * TextureAtlas::create(const char* file, ssize_t capacity)
+TextureAtlas * TextureAtlas::create(const std::string& file, ssize_t capacity)
 {
     TextureAtlas * textureAtlas = new TextureAtlas();
     if(textureAtlas && textureAtlas->initWithFile(file, capacity))
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ TextureAtlas * TextureAtlas::createWithTexture(Texture2D *texture, ssize_t capac
     return nullptr;
 }
 
-bool TextureAtlas::initWithFile(const char * file, ssize_t capacity)
+bool TextureAtlas::initWithFile(const std::string& file, ssize_t capacity)
 {
     // retained in property
     Texture2D *texture = Director::getInstance()->getTextureCache()->addImage(file);
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ bool TextureAtlas::initWithFile(const char * file, ssize_t capacity)
     }
     else
     {
-        CCLOG("cocos2d: Could not open file: %s", file);
+        CCLOG("cocos2d: Could not open file: %s", file.c_str());
         return false;
     }
 }
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCTextureAtlas.h b/cocos/2d/CCTextureAtlas.h
index 424d67eb99..2862b13eb0 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCTextureAtlas.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCTextureAtlas.h
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ public:
     /** creates a TextureAtlas with an filename and with an initial capacity for Quads.
      * The TextureAtlas capacity can be increased in runtime.
      */
-    static TextureAtlas* create(const char* file , ssize_t capacity);
+    static TextureAtlas* create(const std::string& file , ssize_t capacity);
 
     /** creates a TextureAtlas with a previously initialized Texture2D object, and
      * with an initial capacity for n Quads.
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ public:
     *
     * WARNING: Do not reinitialize the TextureAtlas because it will leak memory (issue #706)
     */
-    bool initWithFile(const char* file, ssize_t capacity);
+    bool initWithFile(const std::string& file, ssize_t capacity);
 
     /** initializes a TextureAtlas with a previously initialized Texture2D object, and
     * with an initial capacity for Quads. 
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCTextureCache.cpp b/cocos/2d/CCTextureCache.cpp
index d7a745a40f..02313e9192 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCTextureCache.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCTextureCache.cpp
@@ -193,13 +193,13 @@ void TextureCache::loadImage()
 
         if (generateImage)
         {
-            const char *filename = asyncStruct->filename.c_str();
+            const std::string& filename = asyncStruct->filename;
             // generate image      
             image = new Image();
             if (image && !image->initWithImageFileThreadSafe(filename))
             {
                 CC_SAFE_RELEASE(image);
-                CCLOG("can not load %s", filename);
+                CCLOG("can not load %s", filename.c_str());
                 continue;
             }
         }    
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ void TextureCache::addImageAsyncCallBack(float dt)
 
         Object *target = asyncStruct->target;
         SEL_CallFuncO selector = asyncStruct->selector;
-        const char* filename = asyncStruct->filename.c_str();
+        const std::string& filename = asyncStruct->filename;
 
         Texture2D *texture = nullptr;
         if (image)
@@ -326,7 +326,7 @@ Texture2D * TextureCache::addImage(const std::string &path)
             {
 #if CC_ENABLE_CACHE_TEXTURE_DATA
                 // cache the texture file name
-                VolatileTextureMgr::addImageTexture(texture, fullpath.c_str());
+                VolatileTextureMgr::addImageTexture(texture, fullpath);
 #endif
                 // texture already retained, no need to re-retain it
                 _textures.insert( std::make_pair(fullpath, texture) );
@@ -509,7 +509,7 @@ VolatileTexture::~VolatileTexture()
     CC_SAFE_RELEASE(_uiImage);
 }
 
-void VolatileTextureMgr::addImageTexture(Texture2D *tt, const char* imageFileName)
+void VolatileTextureMgr::addImageTexture(Texture2D *tt, const std::string& imageFileName)
 {
     if (_isReloading)
     {
diff --git a/cocos/2d/CCTextureCache.h b/cocos/2d/CCTextureCache.h
index 40aaf7be9a..df94ff16a9 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/CCTextureCache.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/CCTextureCache.h
@@ -124,13 +124,13 @@ public:
     * If "key" is nil, then a new texture will be created each time.
     */
     Texture2D* addImage(Image *image, const std::string &key);
-    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE Texture2D* addUIImage(Image *image, const char *key) { return addImage(image,key); }
+    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE Texture2D* addUIImage(Image *image, const std::string& key) { return addImage(image,key); }
 
     /** Returns an already created texture. Returns nil if the texture doesn't exist.
     @since v0.99.5
     */
     Texture2D* getTextureForKey(const std::string& key) const;
-    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE Texture2D* textureForKey(const char* key) const { return getTextureForKey(key); }
+    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE Texture2D* textureForKey(const std::string& key) const { return getTextureForKey(key); }
 
     /** Purges the dictionary of loaded textures.
     * Call this method if you receive the "Memory Warning"
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ protected:
 class VolatileTextureMgr
 {
 public:
-    static void addImageTexture(Texture2D *tt, const char* imageFileName);
+    static void addImageTexture(Texture2D *tt, const std::string& imageFileName);
     static void addStringTexture(Texture2D *tt, const char* text, const FontDefinition& fontDefinition);
     static void addDataTexture(Texture2D *tt, void* data, int dataLen, Texture2D::PixelFormat pixelFormat, const Size& contentSize);
     static void addImage(Texture2D *tt, Image *image);
diff --git a/cocos/2d/ccTypes.cpp b/cocos/2d/ccTypes.cpp
index e0ea80029e..da1430110d 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/ccTypes.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/ccTypes.cpp
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include "ccTypes.h"
 
 NS_CC_BEGIN
+const std::string STD_STRING_EMPTY("");
 
 /**
  * Color3B
diff --git a/cocos/2d/ccTypes.h b/cocos/2d/ccTypes.h
index c5e5d36f83..7083a34d6e 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/ccTypes.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/ccTypes.h
@@ -471,6 +471,8 @@ public:
     Acceleration(): x(0), y(0), z(0), timestamp(0) {}
 };
 
+extern const std::string STD_STRING_EMPTY;
+
 NS_CC_END
 
 #endif //__CCTYPES_H__
diff --git a/cocos/2d/platform/CCFileUtils.cpp b/cocos/2d/platform/CCFileUtils.cpp
index 9adaacde33..01ae6064e0 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/platform/CCFileUtils.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/platform/CCFileUtils.cpp
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ public:
     {
     }
 
-    ValueMap dictionaryWithContentsOfFile(const char *fileName)
+    ValueMap dictionaryWithContentsOfFile(const std::string& fileName)
     {
         _resultType = SAX_RESULT_DICT;
         SAXParser parser;
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ public:
 		return _rootDict;
     }
 
-    ValueVector arrayWithContentsOfFile(const char* fileName)
+    ValueVector arrayWithContentsOfFile(const std::string& fileName)
     {
         _resultType = SAX_RESULT_ARRAY;
         SAXParser parser;
@@ -555,10 +555,10 @@ Data FileUtils::getDataFromFile(const std::string& filename)
     return getData(filename, false);
 }
 
-unsigned char* FileUtils::getFileData(const char* filename, const char* mode, ssize_t *size)
+unsigned char* FileUtils::getFileData(const std::string& filename, const char* mode, ssize_t *size)
 {
     unsigned char * buffer = nullptr;
-    CCASSERT(filename != nullptr && size != nullptr && mode != nullptr, "Invalid parameters.");
+    CCASSERT(!filename.empty() && size != nullptr && mode != nullptr, "Invalid parameters.");
     *size = 0;
     do
     {
@@ -585,7 +585,7 @@ unsigned char* FileUtils::getFileData(const char* filename, const char* mode, ss
     return buffer;
 }
 
-unsigned char* FileUtils::getFileDataFromZip(const char* zipFilePath, const char* filename, ssize_t *size)
+unsigned char* FileUtils::getFileDataFromZip(const std::string& zipFilePath, const std::string& filename, ssize_t *size)
 {
     unsigned char * buffer = nullptr;
     unzFile file = nullptr;
@@ -593,13 +593,12 @@ unsigned char* FileUtils::getFileDataFromZip(const char* zipFilePath, const char
 
     do 
     {
-        CC_BREAK_IF(!zipFilePath || !filename);
-        CC_BREAK_IF(strlen(zipFilePath) == 0);
+        CC_BREAK_IF(zipFilePath.empty());
 
-        file = unzOpen(zipFilePath);
+        file = unzOpen(zipFilePath.c_str());
         CC_BREAK_IF(!file);
 
-        int ret = unzLocateFile(file, filename, 1);
+        int ret = unzLocateFile(file, filename.c_str(), 1);
         CC_BREAK_IF(UNZ_OK != ret);
 
         char filePathA[260];
diff --git a/cocos/2d/platform/CCFileUtils.h b/cocos/2d/platform/CCFileUtils.h
index 8035e83b97..03cbb3a2a1 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/platform/CCFileUtils.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/platform/CCFileUtils.h
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ public:
      *  @return Upon success, a pointer to the data is returned, otherwise NULL.
      *  @warning Recall: you are responsible for calling free() on any Non-NULL pointer returned.
      */
-    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE virtual unsigned char* getFileData(const char* filename, const char* mode, ssize_t *size);
+    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE virtual unsigned char* getFileData(const std::string& filename, const char* mode, ssize_t *size);
 
     /**
      *  Gets resource file data from a zip file.
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ public:
      *  @return Upon success, a pointer to the data is returned, otherwise nullptr.
      *  @warning Recall: you are responsible for calling free() on any Non-nullptr pointer returned.
      */
-    virtual unsigned char* getFileDataFromZip(const char* zipFilePath, const char* filename, ssize_t *size);
+    virtual unsigned char* getFileDataFromZip(const std::string& zipFilePath, const std::string& filename, ssize_t *size);
 
     
     /** Returns the fullpath for a given filename.
diff --git a/cocos/2d/platform/CCImage.h b/cocos/2d/platform/CCImage.h
index 6351ff6439..c89bcd3412 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/platform/CCImage.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/platform/CCImage.h
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ public:
     @param path   the absolute file path.
     @return true if loaded correctly.
     */
-    bool initWithImageFile(const char *path);
+    bool initWithImageFile(const std::string& path);
 
     /**
     @brief Load image from stream buffer.
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ private:
      @param imageType the type of image, currently only supporting two types.
      @return  true if loaded correctly.
      */
-    bool initWithImageFileThreadSafe(const char *fullpath);
+    bool initWithImageFileThreadSafe(const std::string& fullpath);
     
     Format detectFormat(const unsigned char * data, ssize_t dataLen);
     bool isPng(const unsigned char * data, ssize_t dataLen);
diff --git a/cocos/2d/platform/CCImageCommon_cpp.h b/cocos/2d/platform/CCImageCommon_cpp.h
index 3f4d0bdc35..a05e11e4fa 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/platform/CCImageCommon_cpp.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/platform/CCImageCommon_cpp.h
@@ -396,10 +396,10 @@ Image::~Image()
     }
 }
 
-bool Image::initWithImageFile(const char * strPath)
+bool Image::initWithImageFile(const std::string& path)
 {
-    bool bRet = false;
-    _filePath = FileUtils::getInstance()->fullPathForFilename(strPath);
+    bool ret = false;
+    _filePath = FileUtils::getInstance()->fullPathForFilename(path);
 
 #ifdef EMSCRIPTEN
     // Emscripten includes a re-implementation of SDL that uses HTML5 canvas
@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@ bool Image::initWithImageFile(const char * strPath)
     SDL_Surface *iSurf = IMG_Load(fullPath.c_str());
 
     int size = 4 * (iSurf->w * iSurf->h);
-    bRet = initWithRawData((const unsigned char*)iSurf->pixels, size, iSurf->w, iSurf->h, 8, true);
+    ret = initWithRawData((const unsigned char*)iSurf->pixels, size, iSurf->w, iSurf->h, 8, true);
 
     unsigned int *tmp = (unsigned int *)_data;
     int nrPixels = iSurf->w * iSurf->h;
@@ -425,14 +425,14 @@ bool Image::initWithImageFile(const char * strPath)
 
     if (!data.isNull())
     {
-        bRet = initWithImageData(data.getBytes(), data.getSize());
+        ret = initWithImageData(data.getBytes(), data.getSize());
     }
 #endif // EMSCRIPTEN
 
-    return bRet;
+    return ret;
 }
 
-bool Image::initWithImageFileThreadSafe(const char *fullpath)
+bool Image::initWithImageFileThreadSafe(const std::string& fullpath)
 {
     bool ret = false;
     _filePath = fullpath;
diff --git a/cocos/2d/platform/android/CCFileUtilsAndroid.cpp b/cocos/2d/platform/android/CCFileUtilsAndroid.cpp
index 6e9aae8eca..061cd9b789 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/platform/android/CCFileUtilsAndroid.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/platform/android/CCFileUtilsAndroid.cpp
@@ -247,11 +247,11 @@ Data FileUtilsAndroid::getDataFromFile(const std::string& filename)
     return getData(filename, false);
 }
 
-unsigned char* FileUtilsAndroid::getFileData(const char* filename, const char* mode, ssize_t * size)
+unsigned char* FileUtilsAndroid::getFileData(const std::string& filename, const char* mode, ssize_t * size)
 {    
     unsigned char * data = 0;
     
-    if ((! filename) || (! mode) || 0 == strlen(filename))
+    if ( filename.empty() || (! mode) )
     {
         return 0;
     }
diff --git a/cocos/2d/platform/android/CCFileUtilsAndroid.h b/cocos/2d/platform/android/CCFileUtilsAndroid.h
index 0097a2c149..f7819ab8ab 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/platform/android/CCFileUtilsAndroid.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/platform/android/CCFileUtilsAndroid.h
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ public:
     bool init();
 
     /** @deprecated Please use FileUtils::getDataFromFile or FileUtils::getStringFromFile instead. */
-    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE virtual unsigned char* getFileData(const char* filename, const char* mode, ssize_t * size) override;
+    CC_DEPRECATED_ATTRIBUTE virtual unsigned char* getFileData(const std::string& filename, const char* mode, ssize_t * size) override;
 
     /**
      *  Gets string from a file.
diff --git a/cocos/2d/platform/android/jni/IMEJni.cpp b/cocos/2d/platform/android/jni/IMEJni.cpp
index 30bf6a1e47..5cc75a8fcd 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/platform/android/jni/IMEJni.cpp
+++ b/cocos/2d/platform/android/jni/IMEJni.cpp
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ extern "C" {
         if (JniHelper::getJavaVM()->GetEnv((void**)&env, JNI_VERSION_1_4) != JNI_OK || ! env) {
             return 0;
         }
-        const char * text = cocos2d::IMEDispatcher::sharedDispatcher()->getContentText();
-        return env->NewStringUTF(text);
+        const std::string& text = cocos2d::IMEDispatcher::sharedDispatcher()->getContentText();
+        return env->NewStringUTF(text.c_str());
     }
 }
diff --git a/cocos/2d/platform/ios/CCImage.mm b/cocos/2d/platform/ios/CCImage.mm
index fdecdb9b5c..a2cc87dbec 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/platform/ios/CCImage.mm
+++ b/cocos/2d/platform/ios/CCImage.mm
@@ -87,20 +87,20 @@ static CGSize _calculateStringSize(NSString *str, id font, CGSize *constrainSize
 #define ALIGN_CENTER 3
 #define ALIGN_BOTTOM 2
 
-static bool _initWithString(const char * pText, cocos2d::Image::TextAlign eAlign, const char * pFontName, int nSize, tImageInfo* pInfo)
+static bool _initWithString(const char * text, cocos2d::Image::TextAlign align, const char * fontName, int size, tImageInfo* info)
 {
     bool bRet = false;
     do 
     {
-        CC_BREAK_IF(! pText || ! pInfo);
+        CC_BREAK_IF(! text || ! info);
         
-        NSString * str          = [NSString stringWithUTF8String:pText];
-        NSString * fntName      = [NSString stringWithUTF8String:pFontName];
+        NSString * str          = [NSString stringWithUTF8String:text];
+        NSString * fntName      = [NSString stringWithUTF8String:fontName];
         
         CGSize dim, constrainSize;
         
-        constrainSize.width     = pInfo->width;
-        constrainSize.height    = pInfo->height;
+        constrainSize.width     = info->width;
+        constrainSize.height    = info->height;
         
         // On iOS custom fonts must be listed beforehand in the App info.plist (in order to be usable) and referenced only the by the font family name itself when
         // calling [UIFont fontWithName]. Therefore even if the developer adds 'SomeFont.ttf' or 'fonts/SomeFont.ttf' to the App .plist, the font must
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ static bool _initWithString(const char * pText, cocos2d::Image::TextAlign eAlign
         fntName = [[fntName lastPathComponent] stringByDeletingPathExtension];
         
         // create the font   
-        id font = [UIFont fontWithName:fntName size:nSize];
+        id font = [UIFont fontWithName:fntName size:size];
         
         if (font)
         {
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ static bool _initWithString(const char * pText, cocos2d::Image::TextAlign eAlign
         {
             if (!font)
             {
-                font = [UIFont systemFontOfSize:nSize];
+                font = [UIFont systemFontOfSize:size];
             }
                 
             if (font)
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ static bool _initWithString(const char * pText, cocos2d::Image::TextAlign eAlign
         if (constrainSize.height > dim.height)
         {
             // vertical alignment
-            unsigned int vAlignment = ((int)eAlign >> 4) & 0x0F;
+            unsigned int vAlignment = ((int)align >> 4) & 0x0F;
             if (vAlignment == ALIGN_TOP)
             {
                 startH = 0;
@@ -166,16 +166,16 @@ static bool _initWithString(const char * pText, cocos2d::Image::TextAlign eAlign
         float shadowStrokePaddingX = 0.0f;
         float shadowStrokePaddingY = 0.0f;
         
-        if ( pInfo->hasStroke )
+        if ( info->hasStroke )
         {
-            shadowStrokePaddingX = ceilf(pInfo->strokeSize);
-            shadowStrokePaddingY = ceilf(pInfo->strokeSize);
+            shadowStrokePaddingX = ceilf(info->strokeSize);
+            shadowStrokePaddingY = ceilf(info->strokeSize);
         }
         
-        if ( pInfo->hasShadow )
+        if ( info->hasShadow )
         {
-            shadowStrokePaddingX = std::max(shadowStrokePaddingX, (float)fabs(pInfo->shadowOffset.width));
-            shadowStrokePaddingY = std::max(shadowStrokePaddingY, (float)fabs(pInfo->shadowOffset.height));
+            shadowStrokePaddingX = std::max(shadowStrokePaddingX, (float)fabs(info->shadowOffset.width));
+            shadowStrokePaddingY = std::max(shadowStrokePaddingY, (float)fabs(info->shadowOffset.height));
         }
         
         // add the padding (this could be 0 if no shadow and no stroke)
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ static bool _initWithString(const char * pText, cocos2d::Image::TextAlign eAlign
         }
 
         // text color
-        CGContextSetRGBFillColor(context, pInfo->tintColorR, pInfo->tintColorG, pInfo->tintColorB, 1);
+        CGContextSetRGBFillColor(context, info->tintColorR, info->tintColorG, info->tintColorB, 1);
         // move Y rendering to the top of the image
         CGContextTranslateCTM(context, 0.0f, (dim.height - shadowStrokePaddingY) );
         CGContextScaleCTM(context, 1.0f, -1.0f); //NOTE: NSString draws in UIKit referential i.e. renders upside-down compared to CGBitmapContext referential
@@ -212,30 +212,30 @@ static bool _initWithString(const char * pText, cocos2d::Image::TextAlign eAlign
         UIGraphicsPushContext(context);
         
         // measure text size with specified font and determine the rectangle to draw text in
-        unsigned uHoriFlag = (int)eAlign & 0x0f;
-        UITextAlignment align = (UITextAlignment)((2 == uHoriFlag) ? UITextAlignmentRight
+        unsigned uHoriFlag = (int)align & 0x0f;
+        UITextAlignment testAlign = (UITextAlignment)((2 == uHoriFlag) ? UITextAlignmentRight
                                 : (3 == uHoriFlag) ? UITextAlignmentCenter
                                 : UITextAlignmentLeft);
 
         
         // take care of stroke if needed
-        if ( pInfo->hasStroke )
+        if ( info->hasStroke )
         {
             CGContextSetTextDrawingMode(context, kCGTextFillStroke);
-            CGContextSetRGBStrokeColor(context, pInfo->strokeColorR, pInfo->strokeColorG, pInfo->strokeColorB, 1);
-            CGContextSetLineWidth(context, pInfo->strokeSize);
+            CGContextSetRGBStrokeColor(context, info->strokeColorR, info->strokeColorG, info->strokeColorB, 1);
+            CGContextSetLineWidth(context, info->strokeSize);
         }
         
         // take care of shadow if needed
-        if ( pInfo->hasShadow )
+        if ( info->hasShadow )
         {
             CGSize offset;
-            offset.height = pInfo->shadowOffset.height;
-            offset.width  = pInfo->shadowOffset.width;
-            CGFloat shadowColorValues[] = {0, 0, 0, pInfo->shadowOpacity};
+            offset.height = info->shadowOffset.height;
+            offset.width  = info->shadowOffset.width;
+            CGFloat shadowColorValues[] = {0, 0, 0, info->shadowOpacity};
             CGColorRef shadowColor = CGColorCreate (colorSpace, shadowColorValues);
             
-            CGContextSetShadowWithColor(context, offset, pInfo->shadowBlur, shadowColor);
+            CGContextSetShadowWithColor(context, offset, info->shadowBlur, shadowColor);
             
             CGColorRelease (shadowColor);
         }
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ static bool _initWithString(const char * pText, cocos2d::Image::TextAlign eAlign
         float textHeight   = dim.height - shadowStrokePaddingY;
         
         
-        if ( pInfo->shadowOffset.width < 0 )
+        if ( info->shadowOffset.width < 0 )
         {
             textOriginX = shadowStrokePaddingX;
         }
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ static bool _initWithString(const char * pText, cocos2d::Image::TextAlign eAlign
             textOriginX = 0.0;
         }
         
-        if (pInfo->shadowOffset.height > 0)
+        if (info->shadowOffset.height > 0)
         {
             textOrigingY = startH;
         }
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ static bool _initWithString(const char * pText, cocos2d::Image::TextAlign eAlign
         CGContextBeginTransparencyLayerWithRect(context, rect, nullptr);
         // actually draw the text in the context
 		// XXX: ios7 casting
-        [str drawInRect: rect withFont:font lineBreakMode:NSLineBreakByWordWrapping alignment:(NSTextAlignment)align];
+        [str drawInRect: rect withFont:font lineBreakMode:NSLineBreakByWordWrapping alignment:(NSTextAlignment)testAlign];
 
         CGContextEndTransparencyLayer(context);
         
@@ -300,10 +300,10 @@ static bool _initWithString(const char * pText, cocos2d::Image::TextAlign eAlign
         CGContextRelease(context);
                
         // output params
-        pInfo->data                 = data;
-        pInfo->isPremultipliedAlpha = true;
-        pInfo->width                = dim.width;
-        pInfo->height               = dim.height;
+        info->data                 = data;
+        info->isPremultipliedAlpha = true;
+        info->width                = dim.width;
+        info->height               = dim.height;
         bRet                        = true;
         
     } while (0);
@@ -325,12 +325,12 @@ bool Image::initWithString(
 }
 
 bool Image::initWithStringShadowStroke(
-                                         const char * pText,
-                                         int         nWidth ,
-                                         int         nHeight ,
-                                         TextAlign   eAlignMask ,
-                                         const char * pFontName ,
-                                         int         nSize ,
+                                         const char * text,
+                                         int         width ,
+                                         int         height ,
+                                         TextAlign   alignMask ,
+                                         const char * fontName ,
+                                         int         size ,
                                          float       textTintR,
                                          float       textTintG,
                                          float       textTintB,
@@ -349,8 +349,8 @@ bool Image::initWithStringShadowStroke(
     
     
     tImageInfo info = {0};
-    info.width                  = nWidth;
-    info.height                 = nHeight;
+    info.width                  = width;
+    info.height                 = height;
     info.hasShadow              = shadow;
     info.shadowOffset.width     = shadowOffsetX;
     info.shadowOffset.height    = shadowOffsetY;
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ bool Image::initWithStringShadowStroke(
     info.tintColorB             = textTintB;
     
     
-    if (! _initWithString(pText, eAlignMask, pFontName, nSize, &info))
+    if (! _initWithString(text, alignMask, fontName, size, &info))
     {
         return false;
     }
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ bool Image::initWithStringShadowStroke(
     return true;
 }
 
-bool Image::saveToFile(const std::string& filename, bool bIsToRGB)
+bool Image::saveToFile(const std::string& filename, bool isToRGB)
 {
     bool saveToPNG = false;
     bool needToCopyPixels = false;
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ bool Image::saveToFile(const std::string& filename, bool bIsToRGB)
         
     int bitsPerComponent = 8;            
     int bitsPerPixel = hasAlpha() ? 32 : 24;
-    if ((! saveToPNG) || bIsToRGB)
+    if ((! saveToPNG) || isToRGB)
     {
         bitsPerPixel = 24;
     }            
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ bool Image::saveToFile(const std::string& filename, bool bIsToRGB)
     
     // The data has alpha channel, and want to save it with an RGB png file,
     // or want to save as jpg,  remove the alpha channel.
-    if ((saveToPNG && hasAlpha() && bIsToRGB)
+    if ((saveToPNG && hasAlpha() && isToRGB)
        || (! saveToPNG))
     {
         pixels = new unsigned char[myDataLength];
@@ -424,7 +424,7 @@ bool Image::saveToFile(const std::string& filename, bool bIsToRGB)
         
     // make data provider with data.
     CGBitmapInfo bitmapInfo = kCGBitmapByteOrderDefault;
-    if (saveToPNG && hasAlpha() && (! bIsToRGB))
+    if (saveToPNG && hasAlpha() && (! isToRGB))
     {
         bitmapInfo |= kCGImageAlphaPremultipliedLast;
     }
diff --git a/cocos/2d/platform/mac/CCEGLView.h b/cocos/2d/platform/mac/CCEGLView.h
index 518cb7d8d2..d58d70dc4b 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/platform/mac/CCEGLView.h
+++ b/cocos/2d/platform/mac/CCEGLView.h
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ public:
     /*
      *frameZoomFactor for frame. This method is for debugging big resolution (e.g.new ipad) app on desktop.
      */
-    bool init(const char* viewName, float width, float height, float frameZoomFactor = 1.0f);
+    bool init(const std::string& viewName, float width, float height, float frameZoomFactor = 1.0f);
 public:
     
     //void resize(int width, int height);
diff --git a/cocos/2d/platform/mac/CCEGLView.mm b/cocos/2d/platform/mac/CCEGLView.mm
index 0f5ef6b2c8..335b513634 100644
--- a/cocos/2d/platform/mac/CCEGLView.mm
+++ b/cocos/2d/platform/mac/CCEGLView.mm
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ EGLView::~EGLView()
     s_pEglView = nullptr;
 }
 
-bool EGLView::init(const char *viewName, float width, float height, float frameZoomFactor)
+bool EGLView::init(const std::string& viewName, float width, float height, float frameZoomFactor)
 {
     if(nullptr != _mainWindow) return true;
     
diff --git a/cocos/base/CCArray.cpp b/cocos/base/CCArray.cpp
index 0bb3e2b2ed..8e827878a5 100644
--- a/cocos/base/CCArray.cpp
+++ b/cocos/base/CCArray.cpp
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ __Array* __Array::createWithCapacity(int capacity)
     return array;
 }
 
-__Array* __Array::createWithContentsOfFile(const char* fileName)
+__Array* __Array::createWithContentsOfFile(const std::string& fileName)
 {
     __Array* ret = __Array::createWithContentsOfFileThreadSafe(fileName);
     if (ret != nullptr)
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ __Array* __Array::createWithContentsOfFile(const char* fileName)
     return ret;
 }
 
-__Array* __Array::createWithContentsOfFileThreadSafe(const char* fileName)
+__Array* __Array::createWithContentsOfFileThreadSafe(const std::string& fileName)
 {
     return FileUtils::getInstance()->createArrayWithContentsOfFile(fileName);
 }
@@ -465,7 +465,7 @@ __Array* __Array::createWithCapacity(ssize_t capacity)
     return array;
 }
 
-__Array* __Array::createWithContentsOfFile(const char* fileName)
+__Array* __Array::createWithContentsOfFile(const std::string& fileName)
 {
     __Array* ret = __Array::createWithContentsOfFileThreadSafe(fileName);
     if (ret != nullptr)
@@ -475,7 +475,7 @@ __Array* __Array::createWithContentsOfFile(const char* fileName)
     return ret;
 }
 
-__Array* __Array::createWithContentsOfFileThreadSafe(const char* fileName)
+__Array* __Array::createWithContentsOfFileThreadSafe(const std::string& fileName)
 {
     ValueVector arr = FileUtils::getInstance()->getValueVectorFromFile(fileName);
     
diff --git a/cocos/base/CCArray.h b/cocos/base/CCArray.h
index 17166d7588..8b40329a26 100644
--- a/cocos/base/CCArray.h
+++ b/cocos/base/CCArray.h
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ public:
      @return  The Array pointer generated from the file
      * @js NA
      */
-    static __Array* createWithContentsOfFile(const char* pFileName);
+    static __Array* createWithContentsOfFile(const std::string& pFileName);
     
     /*
      @brief The same meaning as arrayWithContentsOfFile(), but it doesn't call autorelease, so the
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ public:
      * @js NA
      * @lua NA
      */
-    static __Array* createWithContentsOfFileThreadSafe(const char* pFileName);
+    static __Array* createWithContentsOfFileThreadSafe(const std::string& pFileName);
     /**
      * @js NA
      * @lua NA