diff --git a/src/main/java/dk/camelot64/kickc/passes/Pass2ConstantStringConsolidation.java b/src/main/java/dk/camelot64/kickc/passes/Pass2ConstantStringConsolidation.java
index 81f3e7c2b..ce55ad390 100644
--- a/src/main/java/dk/camelot64/kickc/passes/Pass2ConstantStringConsolidation.java
+++ b/src/main/java/dk/camelot64/kickc/passes/Pass2ConstantStringConsolidation.java
@@ -5,10 +5,8 @@ import dk.camelot64.kickc.model.symbols.ArraySpec;
 import dk.camelot64.kickc.model.symbols.ProgramScope;
 import dk.camelot64.kickc.model.symbols.Variable;
 import dk.camelot64.kickc.model.types.SymbolType;
-import dk.camelot64.kickc.model.values.ConstantRef;
-import dk.camelot64.kickc.model.values.ConstantString;
-import dk.camelot64.kickc.model.values.ConstantValue;
-import dk.camelot64.kickc.model.values.ScopeRef;
+import dk.camelot64.kickc.model.types.SymbolTypePointer;
+import dk.camelot64.kickc.model.values.*;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.LinkedHashMap;
@@ -93,7 +91,9 @@ public class Pass2ConstantStringConsolidation extends Pass2SsaOptimization {
             // Create a new root - and roll around again
             ProgramScope rootScope = getScope();
             String localName = getRootName(constantVars);
-            Variable newRootConstant = Variable.createConstant(localName, SymbolType.STRING, rootScope, new ArraySpec(), constString, segmentData);
+            final long stringLength = constString.getStringLength();
+            final ConstantInteger arraySize = new ConstantInteger(stringLength, stringLength<256?SymbolType.BYTE : SymbolType.WORD);
+            Variable newRootConstant = Variable.createConstant(localName, new SymbolTypePointer(SymbolType.BYTE), rootScope, new ArraySpec(arraySize), constString, segmentData);
             rootScope.add(newRootConstant);
             rootConstant = newRootConstant;
          }
diff --git a/src/test/ref/constants.cfg b/src/test/ref/constants.cfg
index d904f2cdc..3b14a33b2 100644
--- a/src/test/ref/constants.cfg
+++ b/src/test/ref/constants.cfg
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ test_sbytes::@return: scope:[test_sbytes]  from test_sbytes::@4
 assert_sbyte: scope:[assert_sbyte]  from test_sbytes test_sbytes::@1 test_sbytes::@2 test_sbytes::@3 test_sbytes::@4
   [22] (signed byte) assert_sbyte::c#5 ← phi( test_sbytes/(signed byte) 0 test_sbytes::@1/(signed byte) 2 test_sbytes::@2/(signed byte) -2 test_sbytes::@3/(signed byte) 2 test_sbytes::@4/(signed byte) 2 )
   [22] (signed byte) assert_sbyte::b#5 ← phi( test_sbytes/(const signed byte) test_sbytes::bb test_sbytes::@1/(const signed byte) test_sbytes::bc#0 test_sbytes::@2/(const signed byte) test_sbytes::bd#0 test_sbytes::@3/(const signed byte) test_sbytes::be#0 test_sbytes::@4/(const signed byte) test_sbytes::bf )
-  [22] (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5 ← phi( test_sbytes/(const string) msg test_sbytes::@1/(const string) msg1 test_sbytes::@2/(const byte*) test_sbytes::msg2 test_sbytes::@3/(const byte*) test_sbytes::msg3 test_sbytes::@4/(const byte*) test_sbytes::msg4 )
+  [22] (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5 ← phi( test_sbytes/(const byte*) msg test_sbytes::@1/(const byte*) msg1 test_sbytes::@2/(const byte*) test_sbytes::msg2 test_sbytes::@3/(const byte*) test_sbytes::msg3 test_sbytes::@4/(const byte*) test_sbytes::msg4 )
   [23] (byte*) print_str::str#5 ← (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5
   [24] (byte*) print_char_cursor#85 ← (byte*) print_line_cursor#1
   [25] call print_str 
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ assert_sbyte::@1: scope:[assert_sbyte]  from assert_sbyte::@5
 (void()) print_str((byte*) print_str::str)
 print_str: scope:[print_str]  from assert_byte assert_byte::@1 assert_byte::@3 assert_byte::@4 assert_sbyte assert_sbyte::@1 assert_sbyte::@3 assert_sbyte::@4
   [36] (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 ← phi( assert_byte/(byte*) print_char_cursor#70 assert_byte::@1/(byte*) print_char_cursor#2 assert_byte::@3/(byte*) print_char_cursor#2 assert_byte::@4/(byte*) print_char_cursor#2 assert_sbyte/(byte*) print_char_cursor#85 assert_sbyte::@1/(byte*) print_char_cursor#2 assert_sbyte::@3/(byte*) print_char_cursor#2 assert_sbyte::@4/(byte*) print_char_cursor#2 )
-  [36] (byte*) print_str::str#11 ← phi( assert_byte/(byte*) print_str::str#1 assert_byte::@1/(const string) str1 assert_byte::@3/(const string) str2 assert_byte::@4/(const string) str assert_sbyte/(byte*) print_str::str#5 assert_sbyte::@1/(const string) str1 assert_sbyte::@3/(const string) str2 assert_sbyte::@4/(const string) str )
+  [36] (byte*) print_str::str#11 ← phi( assert_byte/(byte*) print_str::str#1 assert_byte::@1/(const byte*) str1 assert_byte::@3/(const byte*) str2 assert_byte::@4/(const byte*) str assert_sbyte/(byte*) print_str::str#5 assert_sbyte::@1/(const byte*) str1 assert_sbyte::@3/(const byte*) str2 assert_sbyte::@4/(const byte*) str )
   to:print_str::@1
 print_str::@1: scope:[print_str]  from print_str print_str::@2
   [37] (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 ← phi( print_str/(byte*) print_char_cursor#80 print_str::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#1 )
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ assert_byte: scope:[assert_byte]  from test_bytes test_bytes::@1 test_bytes::@2
   [55] (byte) assert_byte::c#3 ← phi( test_bytes/(byte) 0 test_bytes::@1/(byte) 2 test_bytes::@2/(byte) $fe )
   [55] (byte) assert_byte::b#3 ← phi( test_bytes/(const byte) test_bytes::bb test_bytes::@1/(const byte) test_bytes::bc#0 test_bytes::@2/(const byte) test_bytes::bd#0 )
   [55] (byte*) print_char_cursor#70 ← phi( test_bytes/(byte*) 1024 test_bytes::@1/(byte*) print_char_cursor#91 test_bytes::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#92 )
-  [55] (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3 ← phi( test_bytes/(const string) msg test_bytes::@1/(const string) msg1 test_bytes::@2/(const byte*) test_bytes::msg2 )
+  [55] (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3 ← phi( test_bytes/(const byte*) msg test_bytes::@1/(const byte*) msg1 test_bytes::@2/(const byte*) test_bytes::msg2 )
   [56] (byte*) print_str::str#1 ← (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3
   [57] call print_str 
   to:assert_byte::@4
diff --git a/src/test/ref/constants.log b/src/test/ref/constants.log
index da1f46ac2..df232543d 100644
--- a/src/test/ref/constants.log
+++ b/src/test/ref/constants.log
@@ -1114,11 +1114,11 @@ Constant (const void*) memset::return#2 = memset::str#0
 Successful SSA optimization Pass2ConstantIdentification
 if() condition always false - eliminating [3] if((const word) memset::num#0<=(byte) 0) goto memset::@1
 Successful SSA optimization Pass2ConstantIfs
-Consolidated constant strings into (const string) msg
-Consolidated constant strings into (const string) msg1
-Consolidated constant strings into (const string) str
-Consolidated constant strings into (const string) str1
-Consolidated constant strings into (const string) str2
+Consolidated constant strings into (const byte*) msg
+Consolidated constant strings into (const byte*) msg1
+Consolidated constant strings into (const byte*) str
+Consolidated constant strings into (const byte*) str1
+Consolidated constant strings into (const byte*) str2
 Successful SSA optimization Pass2ConstantStringConsolidation
 Simplifying expression containing zero 2 in 
 Simplifying expression containing zero 2 in 
@@ -1176,17 +1176,17 @@ Inlining constant with var siblings (const signed byte) assert_sbyte::b#1
 Inlining constant with var siblings (const signed byte) assert_sbyte::b#2
 Inlining constant with var siblings (const signed byte) assert_sbyte::b#3
 Inlining constant with var siblings (const byte*) print_line_cursor#0
-Constant inlined test_bytes::msg = (const string) msg
-Constant inlined test_sbytes::msg = (const string) msg
+Constant inlined test_bytes::msg = (const byte*) msg
+Constant inlined test_sbytes::msg = (const byte*) msg
 Constant inlined assert_sbyte::b#2 = (const signed byte) test_sbytes::bd#0
 Constant inlined assert_sbyte::c#1 = (signed byte) 2
 Constant inlined assert_sbyte::b#1 = (const signed byte) test_sbytes::bc#0
 Constant inlined assert_sbyte::c#0 = (signed byte) 0
 Constant inlined assert_byte::b#0 = (const byte) test_bytes::bb
-Constant inlined assert_sbyte::str1 = (const string) str1
+Constant inlined assert_sbyte::str1 = (const byte*) str1
 Constant inlined assert_sbyte::b#0 = (const signed byte) test_sbytes::bb
 Constant inlined assert_byte::b#1 = (const byte) test_bytes::bc#0
-Constant inlined assert_sbyte::str2 = (const string) str2
+Constant inlined assert_sbyte::str2 = (const byte*) str2
 Constant inlined assert_byte::c#0 = (byte) 0
 Constant inlined assert_byte::b#2 = (const byte) test_bytes::bd#0
 Constant inlined assert_byte::c#1 = (byte) 2
@@ -1199,28 +1199,28 @@ Constant inlined test_bytes::$4 = (signed byte)(const byte) test_bytes::bc#0-(si
 Constant inlined assert_sbyte::c#3 = (signed byte) 2
 Constant inlined assert_sbyte::b#3 = (const signed byte) test_sbytes::be#0
 Constant inlined assert_sbyte::c#2 = (signed byte) -2
-Constant inlined assert_byte::str2 = (const string) str2
-Constant inlined assert_byte::msg#0 = (const string) msg
-Constant inlined test_sbytes::msg1 = (const string) msg1
-Constant inlined assert_byte::str1 = (const string) str1
-Constant inlined assert_byte::msg#1 = (const string) msg1
+Constant inlined assert_byte::str2 = (const byte*) str2
+Constant inlined assert_byte::msg#0 = (const byte*) msg
+Constant inlined test_sbytes::msg1 = (const byte*) msg1
+Constant inlined assert_byte::str1 = (const byte*) str1
+Constant inlined assert_byte::msg#1 = (const byte*) msg1
 Constant inlined assert_byte::msg#2 = (const byte*) test_bytes::msg2
-Constant inlined assert_sbyte::msg#0 = (const string) msg
-Constant inlined assert_sbyte::msg#1 = (const string) msg1
+Constant inlined assert_sbyte::msg#0 = (const byte*) msg
+Constant inlined assert_sbyte::msg#1 = (const byte*) msg1
 Constant inlined assert_sbyte::msg#2 = (const byte*) test_sbytes::msg2
 Constant inlined print_line_cursor#0 = (byte*) 1024
 Constant inlined assert_sbyte::msg#3 = (const byte*) test_sbytes::msg3
-Constant inlined assert_sbyte::str = (const string) str
-Constant inlined assert_byte::str = (const string) str
-Constant inlined test_bytes::msg1 = (const string) msg1
-Constant inlined print_str::str#4 = (const string) str2
+Constant inlined assert_sbyte::str = (const byte*) str
+Constant inlined assert_byte::str = (const byte*) str
+Constant inlined test_bytes::msg1 = (const byte*) msg1
+Constant inlined print_str::str#4 = (const byte*) str2
 Constant inlined assert_sbyte::msg#4 = (const byte*) test_sbytes::msg4
-Constant inlined print_str::str#3 = (const string) str1
-Constant inlined print_str::str#2 = (const string) str
+Constant inlined print_str::str#3 = (const byte*) str1
+Constant inlined print_str::str#2 = (const byte*) str
 Constant inlined memset::dst#0 = (byte*)(const void*) memset::str#0
-Constant inlined print_str::str#8 = (const string) str2
-Constant inlined print_str::str#7 = (const string) str1
-Constant inlined print_str::str#6 = (const string) str
+Constant inlined print_str::str#8 = (const byte*) str2
+Constant inlined print_str::str#7 = (const byte*) str1
+Constant inlined print_str::str#6 = (const byte*) str
 Successful SSA optimization Pass2ConstantInlining
 Added new block during phi lifting print_ln::@3(between print_ln::@1 and print_ln::@1)
 Adding NOP phi() at start of @begin
@@ -1385,7 +1385,7 @@ test_sbytes::@return: scope:[test_sbytes]  from test_sbytes::@4
 assert_sbyte: scope:[assert_sbyte]  from test_sbytes test_sbytes::@1 test_sbytes::@2 test_sbytes::@3 test_sbytes::@4
   [22] (signed byte) assert_sbyte::c#5 ← phi( test_sbytes/(signed byte) 0 test_sbytes::@1/(signed byte) 2 test_sbytes::@2/(signed byte) -2 test_sbytes::@3/(signed byte) 2 test_sbytes::@4/(signed byte) 2 )
   [22] (signed byte) assert_sbyte::b#5 ← phi( test_sbytes/(const signed byte) test_sbytes::bb test_sbytes::@1/(const signed byte) test_sbytes::bc#0 test_sbytes::@2/(const signed byte) test_sbytes::bd#0 test_sbytes::@3/(const signed byte) test_sbytes::be#0 test_sbytes::@4/(const signed byte) test_sbytes::bf )
-  [22] (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5 ← phi( test_sbytes/(const string) msg test_sbytes::@1/(const string) msg1 test_sbytes::@2/(const byte*) test_sbytes::msg2 test_sbytes::@3/(const byte*) test_sbytes::msg3 test_sbytes::@4/(const byte*) test_sbytes::msg4 )
+  [22] (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5 ← phi( test_sbytes/(const byte*) msg test_sbytes::@1/(const byte*) msg1 test_sbytes::@2/(const byte*) test_sbytes::msg2 test_sbytes::@3/(const byte*) test_sbytes::msg3 test_sbytes::@4/(const byte*) test_sbytes::msg4 )
   [23] (byte*) print_str::str#5 ← (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5
   [24] (byte*) print_char_cursor#85 ← (byte*) print_line_cursor#1
   [25] call print_str 
@@ -1416,7 +1416,7 @@ assert_sbyte::@1: scope:[assert_sbyte]  from assert_sbyte::@5
 (void()) print_str((byte*) print_str::str)
 print_str: scope:[print_str]  from assert_byte assert_byte::@1 assert_byte::@3 assert_byte::@4 assert_sbyte assert_sbyte::@1 assert_sbyte::@3 assert_sbyte::@4
   [36] (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 ← phi( assert_byte/(byte*) print_char_cursor#70 assert_byte::@1/(byte*) print_char_cursor#2 assert_byte::@3/(byte*) print_char_cursor#2 assert_byte::@4/(byte*) print_char_cursor#2 assert_sbyte/(byte*) print_char_cursor#85 assert_sbyte::@1/(byte*) print_char_cursor#2 assert_sbyte::@3/(byte*) print_char_cursor#2 assert_sbyte::@4/(byte*) print_char_cursor#2 )
-  [36] (byte*) print_str::str#11 ← phi( assert_byte/(byte*) print_str::str#1 assert_byte::@1/(const string) str1 assert_byte::@3/(const string) str2 assert_byte::@4/(const string) str assert_sbyte/(byte*) print_str::str#5 assert_sbyte::@1/(const string) str1 assert_sbyte::@3/(const string) str2 assert_sbyte::@4/(const string) str )
+  [36] (byte*) print_str::str#11 ← phi( assert_byte/(byte*) print_str::str#1 assert_byte::@1/(const byte*) str1 assert_byte::@3/(const byte*) str2 assert_byte::@4/(const byte*) str assert_sbyte/(byte*) print_str::str#5 assert_sbyte::@1/(const byte*) str1 assert_sbyte::@3/(const byte*) str2 assert_sbyte::@4/(const byte*) str )
   to:print_str::@1
 print_str::@1: scope:[print_str]  from print_str print_str::@2
   [37] (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 ← phi( print_str/(byte*) print_char_cursor#80 print_str::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#1 )
@@ -1468,7 +1468,7 @@ assert_byte: scope:[assert_byte]  from test_bytes test_bytes::@1 test_bytes::@2
   [55] (byte) assert_byte::c#3 ← phi( test_bytes/(byte) 0 test_bytes::@1/(byte) 2 test_bytes::@2/(byte) $fe )
   [55] (byte) assert_byte::b#3 ← phi( test_bytes/(const byte) test_bytes::bb test_bytes::@1/(const byte) test_bytes::bc#0 test_bytes::@2/(const byte) test_bytes::bd#0 )
   [55] (byte*) print_char_cursor#70 ← phi( test_bytes/(byte*) 1024 test_bytes::@1/(byte*) print_char_cursor#91 test_bytes::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#92 )
-  [55] (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3 ← phi( test_bytes/(const string) msg test_bytes::@1/(const string) msg1 test_bytes::@2/(const byte*) test_bytes::msg2 )
+  [55] (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3 ← phi( test_bytes/(const byte*) msg test_bytes::@1/(const byte*) msg1 test_bytes::@2/(const byte*) test_bytes::msg2 )
   [56] (byte*) print_str::str#1 ← (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3
   [57] call print_str 
   to:assert_byte::@4
@@ -1687,7 +1687,7 @@ test_sbytes: {
     // [22] phi (signed byte) assert_sbyte::b#5 = (const signed byte) test_sbytes::bb [phi:test_sbytes->assert_sbyte#1] -- vbsz1=vbsc1 
     lda #bb
     sta.z assert_sbyte.b
-    // [22] phi (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5 = (const string) msg [phi:test_sbytes->assert_sbyte#2] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [22] phi (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5 = (const byte*) msg [phi:test_sbytes->assert_sbyte#2] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<msg
     sta.z assert_sbyte.msg
     lda #>msg
@@ -1707,7 +1707,7 @@ test_sbytes: {
     // [22] phi (signed byte) assert_sbyte::b#5 = (const signed byte) test_sbytes::bc#0 [phi:test_sbytes::@1->assert_sbyte#1] -- vbsz1=vbsc1 
     lda #bc
     sta.z assert_sbyte.b
-    // [22] phi (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5 = (const string) msg1 [phi:test_sbytes::@1->assert_sbyte#2] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [22] phi (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5 = (const byte*) msg1 [phi:test_sbytes::@1->assert_sbyte#2] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<msg1
     sta.z assert_sbyte.msg
     lda #>msg1
@@ -1816,7 +1816,7 @@ assert_sbyte: {
     // [36] phi from assert_sbyte::@4 to print_str [phi:assert_sbyte::@4->print_str]
   print_str_from___b4:
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_sbyte::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str [phi:assert_sbyte::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str [phi:assert_sbyte::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -1838,7 +1838,7 @@ assert_sbyte: {
     // [36] phi from assert_sbyte::@3 to print_str [phi:assert_sbyte::@3->print_str]
   print_str_from___b3:
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_sbyte::@3->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str2 [phi:assert_sbyte::@3->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:assert_sbyte::@3->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -1869,7 +1869,7 @@ assert_sbyte: {
     // [36] phi from assert_sbyte::@1 to print_str [phi:assert_sbyte::@1->print_str]
   print_str_from___b1:
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_sbyte::@1->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str1 [phi:assert_sbyte::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:assert_sbyte::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -1977,7 +1977,7 @@ test_bytes: {
     sta.z print_char_cursor
     lda #>$400
     sta.z print_char_cursor+1
-    // [55] phi (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3 = (const string) msg [phi:test_bytes->assert_byte#4] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [55] phi (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3 = (const byte*) msg [phi:test_bytes->assert_byte#4] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<msg
     sta.z assert_byte.msg
     lda #>msg
@@ -2002,7 +2002,7 @@ test_bytes: {
     lda #bc
     sta.z assert_byte.b
     // [55] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#70 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#91 [phi:test_bytes::@1->assert_byte#3] -- register_copy 
-    // [55] phi (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3 = (const string) msg1 [phi:test_bytes::@1->assert_byte#4] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [55] phi (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3 = (const byte*) msg1 [phi:test_bytes::@1->assert_byte#4] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<msg1
     sta.z assert_byte.msg
     lda #>msg1
@@ -2067,7 +2067,7 @@ assert_byte: {
     // [36] phi from assert_byte::@4 to print_str [phi:assert_byte::@4->print_str]
   print_str_from___b4:
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_byte::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str [phi:assert_byte::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str [phi:assert_byte::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -2089,7 +2089,7 @@ assert_byte: {
     // [36] phi from assert_byte::@3 to print_str [phi:assert_byte::@3->print_str]
   print_str_from___b3:
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_byte::@3->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str2 [phi:assert_byte::@3->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:assert_byte::@3->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -2120,7 +2120,7 @@ assert_byte: {
     // [36] phi from assert_byte::@1 to print_str [phi:assert_byte::@1->print_str]
   print_str_from___b1:
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_byte::@1->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str1 [phi:assert_byte::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:assert_byte::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -2359,7 +2359,7 @@ test_sbytes: {
     sta.z assert_sbyte.c
     // [22] phi (signed byte) assert_sbyte::b#5 = (const signed byte) test_sbytes::bb [phi:test_sbytes->assert_sbyte#1] -- vbsxx=vbsc1 
     ldx #bb
-    // [22] phi (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5 = (const string) msg [phi:test_sbytes->assert_sbyte#2] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [22] phi (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5 = (const byte*) msg [phi:test_sbytes->assert_sbyte#2] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<msg
     sta.z assert_sbyte.msg
     lda #>msg
@@ -2378,7 +2378,7 @@ test_sbytes: {
     sta.z assert_sbyte.c
     // [22] phi (signed byte) assert_sbyte::b#5 = (const signed byte) test_sbytes::bc#0 [phi:test_sbytes::@1->assert_sbyte#1] -- vbsxx=vbsc1 
     ldx #bc
-    // [22] phi (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5 = (const string) msg1 [phi:test_sbytes::@1->assert_sbyte#2] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [22] phi (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5 = (const byte*) msg1 [phi:test_sbytes::@1->assert_sbyte#2] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<msg1
     sta.z assert_sbyte.msg
     lda #>msg1
@@ -2479,7 +2479,7 @@ assert_sbyte: {
     // [36] phi from assert_sbyte::@4 to print_str [phi:assert_sbyte::@4->print_str]
   print_str_from___b4:
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_sbyte::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str [phi:assert_sbyte::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str [phi:assert_sbyte::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -2500,7 +2500,7 @@ assert_sbyte: {
     // [36] phi from assert_sbyte::@3 to print_str [phi:assert_sbyte::@3->print_str]
   print_str_from___b3:
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_sbyte::@3->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str2 [phi:assert_sbyte::@3->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:assert_sbyte::@3->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -2531,7 +2531,7 @@ assert_sbyte: {
     // [36] phi from assert_sbyte::@1 to print_str [phi:assert_sbyte::@1->print_str]
   print_str_from___b1:
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_sbyte::@1->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str1 [phi:assert_sbyte::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:assert_sbyte::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -2638,7 +2638,7 @@ test_bytes: {
     sta.z print_char_cursor
     lda #>$400
     sta.z print_char_cursor+1
-    // [55] phi (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3 = (const string) msg [phi:test_bytes->assert_byte#4] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [55] phi (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3 = (const byte*) msg [phi:test_bytes->assert_byte#4] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<msg
     sta.z assert_byte.msg
     lda #>msg
@@ -2662,7 +2662,7 @@ test_bytes: {
     // [55] phi (byte) assert_byte::b#3 = (const byte) test_bytes::bc#0 [phi:test_bytes::@1->assert_byte#2] -- vbuxx=vbuc1 
     ldx #bc
     // [55] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#70 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#91 [phi:test_bytes::@1->assert_byte#3] -- register_copy 
-    // [55] phi (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3 = (const string) msg1 [phi:test_bytes::@1->assert_byte#4] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [55] phi (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3 = (const byte*) msg1 [phi:test_bytes::@1->assert_byte#4] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<msg1
     sta.z assert_byte.msg
     lda #>msg1
@@ -2721,7 +2721,7 @@ assert_byte: {
     // [36] phi from assert_byte::@4 to print_str [phi:assert_byte::@4->print_str]
   print_str_from___b4:
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_byte::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str [phi:assert_byte::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str [phi:assert_byte::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -2742,7 +2742,7 @@ assert_byte: {
     // [36] phi from assert_byte::@3 to print_str [phi:assert_byte::@3->print_str]
   print_str_from___b3:
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_byte::@3->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str2 [phi:assert_byte::@3->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:assert_byte::@3->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -2773,7 +2773,7 @@ assert_byte: {
     // [36] phi from assert_byte::@1 to print_str [phi:assert_byte::@1->print_str]
   print_str_from___b1:
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_byte::@1->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str1 [phi:assert_byte::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:assert_byte::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -3026,8 +3026,8 @@ FINAL SYMBOL TABLE
 (void*) memset::return
 (void*) memset::str
 (const void*) memset::str#0 str = (void*)(byte*) 1024
-(const string) msg[]  = (string) "0=0"
-(const string) msg1[]  = (string) "0+2=2"
+(const byte*) msg[(byte) 4]  = (string) "0=0"
+(const byte*) msg1[(byte) 6]  = (string) "0+2=2"
 (byte*) print_char_cursor
 (byte*) print_char_cursor#1 print_char_cursor zp[2]:2 11.0
 (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 print_char_cursor zp[2]:2 2.230769230769231
@@ -3057,9 +3057,9 @@ FINAL SYMBOL TABLE
 (byte*) print_str::str#10 str zp[2]:7 11.5
 (byte*) print_str::str#11 str zp[2]:7 6.0
 (byte*) print_str::str#5 str zp[2]:7 2.0
-(const string) str[]  = (string) " "
-(const string) str1[]  = (string) "fail!"
-(const string) str2[]  = (string) "ok"
+(const byte*) str[(byte) 2]  = (string) " "
+(const byte*) str1[(byte) 6]  = (string) "fail!"
+(const byte*) str2[(byte) 3]  = (string) "ok"
 (void()) test_bytes()
 (label) test_bytes::@1
 (label) test_bytes::@2
@@ -3159,7 +3159,7 @@ test_sbytes: {
     sta.z assert_sbyte.c
     // [22] phi (signed byte) assert_sbyte::b#5 = (const signed byte) test_sbytes::bb [phi:test_sbytes->assert_sbyte#1] -- vbsxx=vbsc1 
     ldx #bb
-    // [22] phi (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5 = (const string) msg [phi:test_sbytes->assert_sbyte#2] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [22] phi (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5 = (const byte*) msg [phi:test_sbytes->assert_sbyte#2] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<msg
     sta.z assert_sbyte.msg
     lda #>msg
@@ -3175,7 +3175,7 @@ test_sbytes: {
     sta.z assert_sbyte.c
     // [22] phi (signed byte) assert_sbyte::b#5 = (const signed byte) test_sbytes::bc#0 [phi:test_sbytes::@1->assert_sbyte#1] -- vbsxx=vbsc1 
     ldx #bc
-    // [22] phi (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5 = (const string) msg1 [phi:test_sbytes::@1->assert_sbyte#2] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [22] phi (byte*) assert_sbyte::msg#5 = (const byte*) msg1 [phi:test_sbytes::@1->assert_sbyte#2] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<msg1
     sta.z assert_sbyte.msg
     lda #>msg1
@@ -3264,7 +3264,7 @@ assert_sbyte: {
     // [27] call print_str 
     // [36] phi from assert_sbyte::@4 to print_str [phi:assert_sbyte::@4->print_str]
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_sbyte::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str [phi:assert_sbyte::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str [phi:assert_sbyte::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -3281,7 +3281,7 @@ assert_sbyte: {
     // [30] call print_str 
     // [36] phi from assert_sbyte::@3 to print_str [phi:assert_sbyte::@3->print_str]
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_sbyte::@3->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str2 [phi:assert_sbyte::@3->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:assert_sbyte::@3->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -3309,7 +3309,7 @@ assert_sbyte: {
     // [35] call print_str 
     // [36] phi from assert_sbyte::@1 to print_str [phi:assert_sbyte::@1->print_str]
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_sbyte::@1->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str1 [phi:assert_sbyte::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:assert_sbyte::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -3412,7 +3412,7 @@ test_bytes: {
     sta.z print_char_cursor
     lda #>$400
     sta.z print_char_cursor+1
-    // [55] phi (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3 = (const string) msg [phi:test_bytes->assert_byte#4] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [55] phi (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3 = (const byte*) msg [phi:test_bytes->assert_byte#4] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<msg
     sta.z assert_byte.msg
     lda #>msg
@@ -3434,7 +3434,7 @@ test_bytes: {
     // [55] phi (byte) assert_byte::b#3 = (const byte) test_bytes::bc#0 [phi:test_bytes::@1->assert_byte#2] -- vbuxx=vbuc1 
     ldx #bc
     // [55] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#70 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#91 [phi:test_bytes::@1->assert_byte#3] -- register_copy 
-    // [55] phi (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3 = (const string) msg1 [phi:test_bytes::@1->assert_byte#4] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [55] phi (byte*) assert_byte::msg#3 = (const byte*) msg1 [phi:test_bytes::@1->assert_byte#4] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<msg1
     sta.z assert_byte.msg
     lda #>msg1
@@ -3487,7 +3487,7 @@ assert_byte: {
     // [59] call print_str 
     // [36] phi from assert_byte::@4 to print_str [phi:assert_byte::@4->print_str]
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_byte::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str [phi:assert_byte::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str [phi:assert_byte::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -3504,7 +3504,7 @@ assert_byte: {
     // [62] call print_str 
     // [36] phi from assert_byte::@3 to print_str [phi:assert_byte::@3->print_str]
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_byte::@3->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str2 [phi:assert_byte::@3->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:assert_byte::@3->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -3532,7 +3532,7 @@ assert_byte: {
     // [67] call print_str 
     // [36] phi from assert_byte::@1 to print_str [phi:assert_byte::@1->print_str]
     // [36] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#80 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 [phi:assert_byte::@1->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const string) str1 [phi:assert_byte::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [36] phi (byte*) print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:assert_byte::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
diff --git a/src/test/ref/constants.sym b/src/test/ref/constants.sym
index 5524985eb..247ba0fd4 100644
--- a/src/test/ref/constants.sym
+++ b/src/test/ref/constants.sym
@@ -54,8 +54,8 @@
 (void*) memset::return
 (void*) memset::str
 (const void*) memset::str#0 str = (void*)(byte*) 1024
-(const string) msg[]  = (string) "0=0"
-(const string) msg1[]  = (string) "0+2=2"
+(const byte*) msg[(byte) 4]  = (string) "0=0"
+(const byte*) msg1[(byte) 6]  = (string) "0+2=2"
 (byte*) print_char_cursor
 (byte*) print_char_cursor#1 print_char_cursor zp[2]:2 11.0
 (byte*) print_char_cursor#2 print_char_cursor zp[2]:2 2.230769230769231
@@ -85,9 +85,9 @@
 (byte*) print_str::str#10 str zp[2]:7 11.5
 (byte*) print_str::str#11 str zp[2]:7 6.0
 (byte*) print_str::str#5 str zp[2]:7 2.0
-(const string) str[]  = (string) " "
-(const string) str1[]  = (string) "fail!"
-(const string) str2[]  = (string) "ok"
+(const byte*) str[(byte) 2]  = (string) " "
+(const byte*) str1[(byte) 6]  = (string) "fail!"
+(const byte*) str2[(byte) 3]  = (string) "ok"
 (void()) test_bytes()
 (label) test_bytes::@1
 (label) test_bytes::@2
diff --git a/src/test/ref/test-division.cfg b/src/test/ref/test-division.cfg
index 9638aab8f..a38dabe76 100644
--- a/src/test/ref/test-division.cfg
+++ b/src/test/ref/test-division.cfg
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ print_byte::@return: scope:[print_byte]  from print_byte::@1
 
 (void()) print_str((byte*) print_str::str)
 print_str: scope:[print_str]  from test_16s::@3 test_16s::@5 test_16s::@7 test_16u::@3 test_16u::@5 test_16u::@7 test_8s::@3 test_8s::@5 test_8s::@7 test_8u::@3 test_8u::@5 test_8u::@7
-  [79] (byte*) print_str::str#15 ← phi( test_16s::@3/(const string) str test_16s::@5/(const string) str1 test_16s::@7/(const string) str2 test_16u::@3/(const string) str test_16u::@5/(const string) str1 test_16u::@7/(const string) str2 test_8s::@3/(const string) str test_8s::@5/(const string) str1 test_8s::@7/(const string) str2 test_8u::@3/(const string) str test_8u::@5/(const string) str1 test_8u::@7/(const string) str2 )
+  [79] (byte*) print_str::str#15 ← phi( test_16s::@3/(const byte*) str test_16s::@5/(const byte*) str1 test_16s::@7/(const byte*) str2 test_16u::@3/(const byte*) str test_16u::@5/(const byte*) str1 test_16u::@7/(const byte*) str2 test_8s::@3/(const byte*) str test_8s::@5/(const byte*) str1 test_8s::@7/(const byte*) str2 test_8u::@3/(const byte*) str test_8u::@5/(const byte*) str1 test_8u::@7/(const byte*) str2 )
   to:print_str::@1
 print_str::@1: scope:[print_str]  from print_str print_str::@2
   [80] (byte*) print_char_cursor#130 ← phi( print_str/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 print_str::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#1 )
diff --git a/src/test/ref/test-division.log b/src/test/ref/test-division.log
index f8970d3fb..3e79dfd15 100644
--- a/src/test/ref/test-division.log
+++ b/src/test/ref/test-division.log
@@ -3339,9 +3339,9 @@ Constant (const void*) memset::return#2 = memset::str#0
 Successful SSA optimization Pass2ConstantIdentification
 if() condition always false - eliminating [3] if((const word) memset::num#0<=(byte) 0) goto memset::@1
 Successful SSA optimization Pass2ConstantIfs
-Consolidated constant strings into (const string) str
-Consolidated constant strings into (const string) str1
-Consolidated constant strings into (const string) str2
+Consolidated constant strings into (const byte*) str
+Consolidated constant strings into (const byte*) str1
+Consolidated constant strings into (const byte*) str2
 Successful SSA optimization Pass2ConstantStringConsolidation
 Resolved ranged next value [179] divr8u::i#1 ← ++ divr8u::i#2 to ++
 Resolved ranged comparison value [181] if(divr8u::i#1!=rangelast(0,7)) goto divr8u::@1 to (number) 8
@@ -3472,51 +3472,51 @@ Inlining constant with var siblings (const byte) test_8s::i#0
 Inlining constant with var siblings (const byte) test_16s::i#0
 Inlining constant with var siblings (const byte*) print_line_cursor#0
 Constant inlined divr16u::rem#3 = (byte) 0
-Constant inlined test_16s::str = (const string) str
-Constant inlined test_8s::str1 = (const string) str1
+Constant inlined test_16s::str = (const byte*) str
+Constant inlined test_8s::str1 = (const byte*) str1
 Constant inlined divr16u::i#0 = (byte) 0
-Constant inlined test_8s::str2 = (const string) str2
-Constant inlined print_str::str#12 = (const string) str2
-Constant inlined print_str::str#11 = (const string) str1
-Constant inlined print_str::str#10 = (const string) str
+Constant inlined test_8s::str2 = (const byte*) str2
+Constant inlined print_str::str#12 = (const byte*) str2
+Constant inlined print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str1
+Constant inlined print_str::str#10 = (const byte*) str
 Constant inlined divr16s::neg#1 = (byte) 1
 Constant inlined divr8u::i#0 = (byte) 0
 Constant inlined divr16s::neg#0 = (byte) 0
 Constant inlined test_16u::i#0 = (byte) 0
-Constant inlined test_8u::str2 = (const string) str2
+Constant inlined test_8u::str2 = (const byte*) str2
 Constant inlined memset::$2 = (byte*)(const void*) memset::str#0
 Constant inlined divr16u::quotient#0 = (word) 0
-Constant inlined test_8u::str1 = (const string) str1
+Constant inlined test_8u::str1 = (const byte*) str1
 Constant inlined test_8u::i#0 = (byte) 0
-Constant inlined test_8s::str = (const string) str
-Constant inlined test_16s::str1 = (const string) str1
+Constant inlined test_8s::str = (const byte*) str
+Constant inlined test_16s::str1 = (const byte*) str1
 Constant inlined print_line_cursor#0 = (byte*) 1024
-Constant inlined test_16s::str2 = (const string) str2
+Constant inlined test_16s::str2 = (const byte*) str2
 Constant inlined test_16s::i#0 = (byte) 0
 Constant inlined divr8u::rem#0 = (byte) 0
 Constant inlined print_char::ch#3 = (byte) ' '
 Constant inlined divr8u::quotient#0 = (byte) 0
-Constant inlined test_16u::str1 = (const string) str1
+Constant inlined test_16u::str1 = (const byte*) str1
 Constant inlined print_char::ch#2 = (byte) '-'
-Constant inlined test_16u::str = (const string) str
-Constant inlined print_str::str#9 = (const string) str2
-Constant inlined test_16u::str2 = (const string) str2
+Constant inlined test_16u::str = (const byte*) str
+Constant inlined print_str::str#9 = (const byte*) str2
+Constant inlined test_16u::str2 = (const byte*) str2
 Constant inlined print_char::ch#1 = (byte) ' '
 Constant inlined print_char::ch#0 = (byte) '-'
-Constant inlined print_str::str#4 = (const string) str
-Constant inlined print_str::str#3 = (const string) str2
+Constant inlined print_str::str#4 = (const byte*) str
+Constant inlined print_str::str#3 = (const byte*) str2
 Constant inlined div8s::neg#1 = (byte) 1
-Constant inlined print_str::str#2 = (const string) str1
+Constant inlined print_str::str#2 = (const byte*) str1
 Constant inlined memset::dst#0 = (byte*)(const void*) memset::str#0
 Constant inlined div8s::neg#0 = (byte) 0
-Constant inlined print_str::str#1 = (const string) str
-Constant inlined print_str::str#8 = (const string) str1
-Constant inlined print_str::str#7 = (const string) str
-Constant inlined test_8u::str = (const string) str
-Constant inlined print_str::str#6 = (const string) str2
+Constant inlined print_str::str#1 = (const byte*) str
+Constant inlined print_str::str#8 = (const byte*) str1
+Constant inlined print_str::str#7 = (const byte*) str
+Constant inlined test_8u::str = (const byte*) str
+Constant inlined print_str::str#6 = (const byte*) str2
 Constant inlined divr16s::remu#1 = (word) 0
 Constant inlined test_8s::i#0 = (byte) 0
-Constant inlined print_str::str#5 = (const string) str1
+Constant inlined print_str::str#5 = (const byte*) str1
 Constant inlined divr16s::remu#2 = (word) 0
 Successful SSA optimization Pass2ConstantInlining
 Identical Phi Values (word) divr16s::remu#3 (word) 0
@@ -4004,7 +4004,7 @@ print_byte::@return: scope:[print_byte]  from print_byte::@1
 
 (void()) print_str((byte*) print_str::str)
 print_str: scope:[print_str]  from test_16s::@3 test_16s::@5 test_16s::@7 test_16u::@3 test_16u::@5 test_16u::@7 test_8s::@3 test_8s::@5 test_8s::@7 test_8u::@3 test_8u::@5 test_8u::@7
-  [79] (byte*) print_str::str#15 ← phi( test_16s::@3/(const string) str test_16s::@5/(const string) str1 test_16s::@7/(const string) str2 test_16u::@3/(const string) str test_16u::@5/(const string) str1 test_16u::@7/(const string) str2 test_8s::@3/(const string) str test_8s::@5/(const string) str1 test_8s::@7/(const string) str2 test_8u::@3/(const string) str test_8u::@5/(const string) str1 test_8u::@7/(const string) str2 )
+  [79] (byte*) print_str::str#15 ← phi( test_16s::@3/(const byte*) str test_16s::@5/(const byte*) str1 test_16s::@7/(const byte*) str2 test_16u::@3/(const byte*) str test_16u::@5/(const byte*) str1 test_16u::@7/(const byte*) str2 test_8s::@3/(const byte*) str test_8s::@5/(const byte*) str1 test_8s::@7/(const byte*) str2 test_8u::@3/(const byte*) str test_8u::@5/(const byte*) str1 test_8u::@7/(const byte*) str2 )
   to:print_str::@1
 print_str::@1: scope:[print_str]  from print_str print_str::@2
   [80] (byte*) print_char_cursor#130 ← phi( print_str/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 print_str::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#1 )
@@ -5167,7 +5167,7 @@ test_16s: {
     // [29] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16s::@3 to print_str [phi:test_16s::@3->print_str]
   print_str_from___b3:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str [phi:test_16s::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str [phi:test_16s::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -5195,7 +5195,7 @@ test_16s: {
     // [33] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16s::@5 to print_str [phi:test_16s::@5->print_str]
   print_str_from___b5:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str1 [phi:test_16s::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:test_16s::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -5223,7 +5223,7 @@ test_16s: {
     // [37] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16s::@7 to print_str [phi:test_16s::@7->print_str]
   print_str_from___b7:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str2 [phi:test_16s::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:test_16s::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -5934,7 +5934,7 @@ test_8s: {
     // [147] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8s::@3 to print_str [phi:test_8s::@3->print_str]
   print_str_from___b3:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str [phi:test_8s::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str [phi:test_8s::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -5960,7 +5960,7 @@ test_8s: {
     // [151] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8s::@5 to print_str [phi:test_8s::@5->print_str]
   print_str_from___b5:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str1 [phi:test_8s::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:test_8s::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -5986,7 +5986,7 @@ test_8s: {
     // [155] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8s::@7 to print_str [phi:test_8s::@7->print_str]
   print_str_from___b7:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str2 [phi:test_8s::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:test_8s::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -6475,7 +6475,7 @@ test_16u: {
     // [236] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16u::@3 to print_str [phi:test_16u::@3->print_str]
   print_str_from___b3:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str [phi:test_16u::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str [phi:test_16u::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -6503,7 +6503,7 @@ test_16u: {
     // [240] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16u::@5 to print_str [phi:test_16u::@5->print_str]
   print_str_from___b5:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str1 [phi:test_16u::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:test_16u::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -6531,7 +6531,7 @@ test_16u: {
     // [244] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16u::@7 to print_str [phi:test_16u::@7->print_str]
   print_str_from___b7:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str2 [phi:test_16u::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:test_16u::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -6694,7 +6694,7 @@ test_8u: {
     // [270] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8u::@3 to print_str [phi:test_8u::@3->print_str]
   print_str_from___b3:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str [phi:test_8u::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str [phi:test_8u::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -6720,7 +6720,7 @@ test_8u: {
     // [274] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8u::@5 to print_str [phi:test_8u::@5->print_str]
   print_str_from___b5:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str1 [phi:test_8u::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:test_8u::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -6746,7 +6746,7 @@ test_8u: {
     // [278] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8u::@7 to print_str [phi:test_8u::@7->print_str]
   print_str_from___b7:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str2 [phi:test_8u::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:test_8u::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -7532,7 +7532,7 @@ test_16s: {
     // [29] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16s::@3 to print_str [phi:test_16s::@3->print_str]
   print_str_from___b3:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str [phi:test_16s::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str [phi:test_16s::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -7560,7 +7560,7 @@ test_16s: {
     // [33] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16s::@5 to print_str [phi:test_16s::@5->print_str]
   print_str_from___b5:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str1 [phi:test_16s::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:test_16s::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -7588,7 +7588,7 @@ test_16s: {
     // [37] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16s::@7 to print_str [phi:test_16s::@7->print_str]
   print_str_from___b7:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str2 [phi:test_16s::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:test_16s::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -8203,7 +8203,7 @@ test_8s: {
     // [147] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8s::@3 to print_str [phi:test_8s::@3->print_str]
   print_str_from___b3:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str [phi:test_8s::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str [phi:test_8s::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -8229,7 +8229,7 @@ test_8s: {
     // [151] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8s::@5 to print_str [phi:test_8s::@5->print_str]
   print_str_from___b5:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str1 [phi:test_8s::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:test_8s::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -8255,7 +8255,7 @@ test_8s: {
     // [155] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8s::@7 to print_str [phi:test_8s::@7->print_str]
   print_str_from___b7:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str2 [phi:test_8s::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:test_8s::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -8668,7 +8668,7 @@ test_16u: {
     // [236] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16u::@3 to print_str [phi:test_16u::@3->print_str]
   print_str_from___b3:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str [phi:test_16u::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str [phi:test_16u::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -8696,7 +8696,7 @@ test_16u: {
     // [240] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16u::@5 to print_str [phi:test_16u::@5->print_str]
   print_str_from___b5:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str1 [phi:test_16u::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:test_16u::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -8724,7 +8724,7 @@ test_16u: {
     // [244] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16u::@7 to print_str [phi:test_16u::@7->print_str]
   print_str_from___b7:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str2 [phi:test_16u::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:test_16u::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -8867,7 +8867,7 @@ test_8u: {
     // [270] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8u::@3 to print_str [phi:test_8u::@3->print_str]
   print_str_from___b3:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str [phi:test_8u::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str [phi:test_8u::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -8893,7 +8893,7 @@ test_8u: {
     // [274] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8u::@5 to print_str [phi:test_8u::@5->print_str]
   print_str_from___b5:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str1 [phi:test_8u::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:test_8u::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -8919,7 +8919,7 @@ test_8u: {
     // [278] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8u::@7 to print_str [phi:test_8u::@7->print_str]
   print_str_from___b7:
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str2 [phi:test_8u::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:test_8u::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -9729,9 +9729,9 @@ FINAL SYMBOL TABLE
 (signed byte) rem8s#33 reg byte x 4.0
 (byte) rem8u
 (byte) rem8u#17 reg byte x 0.5
-(const string) str[]  = (string) " / "
-(const string) str1[]  = (string) " = "
-(const string) str2[]  = (string) " "
+(const byte*) str[(byte) 4]  = (string) " / "
+(const byte*) str1[(byte) 4]  = (string) " = "
+(const byte*) str2[(byte) 2]  = (string) " "
 (void()) test_16s()
 (byte~) test_16s::$11 reg byte x 16.5
 (label) test_16s::@1
@@ -9989,7 +9989,7 @@ test_16s: {
     // print_str(" / ")
     // [29] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16s::@3 to print_str [phi:test_16s::@3->print_str]
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str [phi:test_16s::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str [phi:test_16s::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -10012,7 +10012,7 @@ test_16s: {
     // print_str(" = ")
     // [33] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16s::@5 to print_str [phi:test_16s::@5->print_str]
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str1 [phi:test_16s::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:test_16s::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -10035,7 +10035,7 @@ test_16s: {
     // print_str(" ")
     // [37] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16s::@7 to print_str [phi:test_16s::@7->print_str]
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str2 [phi:test_16s::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:test_16s::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -10605,7 +10605,7 @@ test_8s: {
     // print_str(" / ")
     // [147] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8s::@3 to print_str [phi:test_8s::@3->print_str]
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str [phi:test_8s::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str [phi:test_8s::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -10626,7 +10626,7 @@ test_8s: {
     // print_str(" = ")
     // [151] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8s::@5 to print_str [phi:test_8s::@5->print_str]
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str1 [phi:test_8s::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:test_8s::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -10647,7 +10647,7 @@ test_8s: {
     // print_str(" ")
     // [155] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8s::@7 to print_str [phi:test_8s::@7->print_str]
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str2 [phi:test_8s::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:test_8s::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -11026,7 +11026,7 @@ test_16u: {
     // print_str(" / ")
     // [236] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16u::@3 to print_str [phi:test_16u::@3->print_str]
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str [phi:test_16u::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str [phi:test_16u::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -11049,7 +11049,7 @@ test_16u: {
     // print_str(" = ")
     // [240] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16u::@5 to print_str [phi:test_16u::@5->print_str]
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str1 [phi:test_16u::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:test_16u::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -11072,7 +11072,7 @@ test_16u: {
     // print_str(" ")
     // [244] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_16u::@7 to print_str [phi:test_16u::@7->print_str]
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str2 [phi:test_16u::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:test_16u::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -11202,7 +11202,7 @@ test_8u: {
     // print_str(" / ")
     // [270] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8u::@3 to print_str [phi:test_8u::@3->print_str]
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str [phi:test_8u::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str [phi:test_8u::@3->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -11223,7 +11223,7 @@ test_8u: {
     // print_str(" = ")
     // [274] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8u::@5 to print_str [phi:test_8u::@5->print_str]
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str1 [phi:test_8u::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:test_8u::@5->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -11244,7 +11244,7 @@ test_8u: {
     // print_str(" ")
     // [278] call print_str 
     // [79] phi from test_8u::@7 to print_str [phi:test_8u::@7->print_str]
-    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const string) str2 [phi:test_8u::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [79] phi (byte*) print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:test_8u::@7->print_str#0] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
diff --git a/src/test/ref/test-division.sym b/src/test/ref/test-division.sym
index caa9452a4..9178edd14 100644
--- a/src/test/ref/test-division.sym
+++ b/src/test/ref/test-division.sym
@@ -312,9 +312,9 @@
 (signed byte) rem8s#33 reg byte x 4.0
 (byte) rem8u
 (byte) rem8u#17 reg byte x 0.5
-(const string) str[]  = (string) " / "
-(const string) str1[]  = (string) " = "
-(const string) str2[]  = (string) " "
+(const byte*) str[(byte) 4]  = (string) " / "
+(const byte*) str1[(byte) 4]  = (string) " = "
+(const byte*) str2[(byte) 2]  = (string) " "
 (void()) test_16s()
 (byte~) test_16s::$11 reg byte x 16.5
 (label) test_16s::@1
diff --git a/src/test/ref/test-multiply-16bit.cfg b/src/test/ref/test-multiply-16bit.cfg
index 2f4107d57..2a0808693 100644
--- a/src/test/ref/test-multiply-16bit.cfg
+++ b/src/test/ref/test-multiply-16bit.cfg
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ print_ln::@return: scope:[print_ln]  from print_ln::@1
 (void()) print_str((byte*) print_str::str)
 print_str: scope:[print_str]  from mul16s_compare::@1 mul16s_compare::@13 mul16s_error mul16s_error::@2 mul16s_error::@4 mul16s_error::@6 mul16s_error::@8 mul16u_compare::@1 mul16u_compare::@13 mul16u_error mul16u_error::@2 mul16u_error::@4 mul16u_error::@6 mul16u_error::@8
   [64] (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 ← phi( mul16s_compare::@1/(byte*) print_char_cursor#149 mul16s_compare::@13/(byte*) print_char_cursor#180 mul16s_error/(byte*) print_char_cursor#132 mul16s_error::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#22 mul16s_error::@4/(byte*) print_char_cursor#22 mul16s_error::@6/(byte*) print_char_cursor#22 mul16s_error::@8/(byte*) print_char_cursor#22 mul16u_compare::@1/(byte*) print_char_cursor#145 mul16u_compare::@13/(byte*) print_char_cursor#187 mul16u_error/(byte*) print_char_cursor#132 mul16u_error::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#22 mul16u_error::@4/(byte*) print_char_cursor#22 mul16u_error::@6/(byte*) print_char_cursor#22 mul16u_error::@8/(byte*) print_char_cursor#22 )
-  [64] (byte*) print_str::str#17 ← phi( mul16s_compare::@1/(const string) str mul16s_compare::@13/(const byte*) mul16s_compare::str1 mul16s_error/(const byte*) mul16s_error::str mul16s_error::@2/(const string) str1 mul16s_error::@4/(const string) str2 mul16s_error::@6/(const string) str3 mul16s_error::@8/(const string) str4 mul16u_compare::@1/(const string) str mul16u_compare::@13/(const byte*) mul16u_compare::str1 mul16u_error/(const byte*) mul16u_error::str mul16u_error::@2/(const string) str1 mul16u_error::@4/(const string) str2 mul16u_error::@6/(const string) str3 mul16u_error::@8/(const string) str4 )
+  [64] (byte*) print_str::str#17 ← phi( mul16s_compare::@1/(const byte*) str mul16s_compare::@13/(const byte*) mul16s_compare::str1 mul16s_error/(const byte*) mul16s_error::str mul16s_error::@2/(const byte*) str1 mul16s_error::@4/(const byte*) str2 mul16s_error::@6/(const byte*) str3 mul16s_error::@8/(const byte*) str4 mul16u_compare::@1/(const byte*) str mul16u_compare::@13/(const byte*) mul16u_compare::str1 mul16u_error/(const byte*) mul16u_error::str mul16u_error::@2/(const byte*) str1 mul16u_error::@4/(const byte*) str2 mul16u_error::@6/(const byte*) str3 mul16u_error::@8/(const byte*) str4 )
   to:print_str::@1
 print_str::@1: scope:[print_str]  from print_str print_str::@2
   [65] (byte*) print_char_cursor#132 ← phi( print_str/(byte*) print_char_cursor#154 print_str::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#1 )
diff --git a/src/test/ref/test-multiply-16bit.log b/src/test/ref/test-multiply-16bit.log
index 203af8533..e74e597c6 100644
--- a/src/test/ref/test-multiply-16bit.log
+++ b/src/test/ref/test-multiply-16bit.log
@@ -3443,11 +3443,11 @@ Constant (const void*) memset::return#2 = memset::str#0
 Successful SSA optimization Pass2ConstantIdentification
 if() condition always false - eliminating [3] if((const word) memset::num#0<=(byte) 0) goto memset::@1
 Successful SSA optimization Pass2ConstantIfs
-Consolidated constant strings into (const string) str
-Consolidated constant strings into (const string) str1
-Consolidated constant strings into (const string) str2
-Consolidated constant strings into (const string) str3
-Consolidated constant strings into (const string) str4
+Consolidated constant strings into (const byte*) str
+Consolidated constant strings into (const byte*) str1
+Consolidated constant strings into (const byte*) str2
+Consolidated constant strings into (const byte*) str3
+Consolidated constant strings into (const byte*) str4
 Successful SSA optimization Pass2ConstantStringConsolidation
 Resolved ranged next value [429] mul16u_compare::j#1 ← ++ mul16u_compare::j#10 to ++
 Resolved ranged comparison value [431] if(mul16u_compare::j#1!=rangelast(0,$f)) goto mul16u_compare::@2 to (number) $10
@@ -3534,11 +3534,11 @@ Inlining constant with var siblings (const byte) mul16s_compare::ok#1
 Inlining constant with var siblings (const byte) mul16s_compare::ok#2
 Inlining constant with var siblings (const byte*) print_line_cursor#0
 Constant inlined mulf_init::sqr2_lo#0 = (const byte*) mulf_sqr2_lo
-Constant inlined mul16u_error::str1 = (const string) str1
-Constant inlined mul16u_error::str3 = (const string) str3
+Constant inlined mul16u_error::str1 = (const byte*) str1
+Constant inlined mul16u_error::str3 = (const byte*) str3
 Constant inlined mulf_init::sqr2_hi#0 = (const byte*) mulf_sqr2_hi
-Constant inlined mul16u_error::str2 = (const string) str2
-Constant inlined mul16u_error::str4 = (const string) str4
+Constant inlined mul16u_error::str2 = (const byte*) str2
+Constant inlined mul16u_error::str4 = (const byte*) str4
 Constant inlined muls16s::j#0 = (signed word) 0
 Constant inlined mul16u_compare::ok#0 = (byte) 1
 Constant inlined mulf_init::dir#1 = (byte) 1
@@ -3546,13 +3546,13 @@ Constant inlined mulf_init::dir#0 = (byte) $ff
 Constant inlined muls16u::i#0 = (word) 0
 Constant inlined mul16u_compare::ok#2 = (byte) 0
 Constant inlined mul16u_compare::ok#1 = (byte) 0
-Constant inlined mul16s_error::str1 = (const string) str1
+Constant inlined mul16s_error::str1 = (const byte*) str1
 Constant inlined muls16u::m#0 = (dword) 0
 Constant inlined mul16s_compare::a#0 = (signed word) -$7fff
 Constant inlined mulf_init::x_255#0 = (byte) -1
-Constant inlined mul16s_error::str4 = (const string) str4
-Constant inlined mul16s_error::str3 = (const string) str3
-Constant inlined mul16s_error::str2 = (const string) str2
+Constant inlined mul16s_error::str4 = (const byte*) str4
+Constant inlined mul16s_error::str3 = (const byte*) str3
+Constant inlined mul16s_error::str2 = (const byte*) str2
 Constant inlined mulf_init::x_2#0 = (byte) 0
 Constant inlined mul16u_compare::a#0 = (word) 0
 Constant inlined mul16s_compare::j#0 = (byte) 0
@@ -3561,26 +3561,26 @@ Constant inlined print_line_cursor#0 = (byte*) 1024
 Constant inlined print_str::str#9 = (const byte*) mul16s_compare::str1
 Constant inlined mulf_init::sqr1_hi#0 = (const byte*) mulf_sqr1_hi+(byte) 1
 Constant inlined mulf_init::sqr1_lo#0 = (const byte*) mulf_sqr1_lo+(byte) 1
-Constant inlined print_str::str#4 = (const string) str1
+Constant inlined print_str::str#4 = (const byte*) str1
 Constant inlined print_str::str#3 = (const byte*) mul16u_error::str
 Constant inlined print_str::str#2 = (const byte*) mul16u_compare::str1
 Constant inlined memset::dst#0 = (byte*)(const void*) memset::str#0
-Constant inlined print_str::str#1 = (const string) str
-Constant inlined print_str::str#8 = (const string) str
-Constant inlined print_str::str#7 = (const string) str4
-Constant inlined print_str::str#6 = (const string) str3
-Constant inlined print_str::str#5 = (const string) str2
+Constant inlined print_str::str#1 = (const byte*) str
+Constant inlined print_str::str#8 = (const byte*) str
+Constant inlined print_str::str#7 = (const byte*) str4
+Constant inlined print_str::str#6 = (const byte*) str3
+Constant inlined print_str::str#5 = (const byte*) str2
 Constant inlined mulf_init::c#0 = (byte) 0
 Constant inlined muls16s::i#0 = (signed word) 0
-Constant inlined mul16s_compare::str = (const string) str
-Constant inlined print_str::str#13 = (const string) str3
-Constant inlined print_str::str#12 = (const string) str2
-Constant inlined print_str::str#11 = (const string) str1
+Constant inlined mul16s_compare::str = (const byte*) str
+Constant inlined print_str::str#13 = (const byte*) str3
+Constant inlined print_str::str#12 = (const byte*) str2
+Constant inlined print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) str1
 Constant inlined print_str::str#10 = (const byte*) mul16s_error::str
 Constant inlined muls16s::m#0 = (signed dword) 0
 Constant inlined mul16s_compare::ok#0 = (byte) 1
 Constant inlined mul16s_compare::ok#1 = (byte) 0
-Constant inlined print_str::str#14 = (const string) str4
+Constant inlined print_str::str#14 = (const byte*) str4
 Constant inlined mul16s_compare::ok#2 = (byte) 0
 Constant inlined memset::$2 = (byte*)(const void*) memset::str#0
 Constant inlined mul16u::res#0 = (dword) 0
@@ -3593,7 +3593,7 @@ Constant inlined print_char::ch#3 = (byte) ' '
 Constant inlined print_char::ch#2 = (byte) '-'
 Constant inlined print_char::ch#1 = (byte) ' '
 Constant inlined print_char::ch#0 = (byte) '-'
-Constant inlined mul16u_compare::str = (const string) str
+Constant inlined mul16u_compare::str = (const byte*) str
 Successful SSA optimization Pass2ConstantInlining
 Added new block during phi lifting print_ln::@3(between print_ln::@1 and print_ln::@1)
 Added new block during phi lifting mul16u::@10(between mul16u::@2 and mul16u::@4)
@@ -4063,7 +4063,7 @@ print_ln::@return: scope:[print_ln]  from print_ln::@1
 (void()) print_str((byte*) print_str::str)
 print_str: scope:[print_str]  from mul16s_compare::@1 mul16s_compare::@13 mul16s_error mul16s_error::@2 mul16s_error::@4 mul16s_error::@6 mul16s_error::@8 mul16u_compare::@1 mul16u_compare::@13 mul16u_error mul16u_error::@2 mul16u_error::@4 mul16u_error::@6 mul16u_error::@8
   [64] (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 ← phi( mul16s_compare::@1/(byte*) print_char_cursor#149 mul16s_compare::@13/(byte*) print_char_cursor#180 mul16s_error/(byte*) print_char_cursor#132 mul16s_error::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#22 mul16s_error::@4/(byte*) print_char_cursor#22 mul16s_error::@6/(byte*) print_char_cursor#22 mul16s_error::@8/(byte*) print_char_cursor#22 mul16u_compare::@1/(byte*) print_char_cursor#145 mul16u_compare::@13/(byte*) print_char_cursor#187 mul16u_error/(byte*) print_char_cursor#132 mul16u_error::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#22 mul16u_error::@4/(byte*) print_char_cursor#22 mul16u_error::@6/(byte*) print_char_cursor#22 mul16u_error::@8/(byte*) print_char_cursor#22 )
-  [64] (byte*) print_str::str#17 ← phi( mul16s_compare::@1/(const string) str mul16s_compare::@13/(const byte*) mul16s_compare::str1 mul16s_error/(const byte*) mul16s_error::str mul16s_error::@2/(const string) str1 mul16s_error::@4/(const string) str2 mul16s_error::@6/(const string) str3 mul16s_error::@8/(const string) str4 mul16u_compare::@1/(const string) str mul16u_compare::@13/(const byte*) mul16u_compare::str1 mul16u_error/(const byte*) mul16u_error::str mul16u_error::@2/(const string) str1 mul16u_error::@4/(const string) str2 mul16u_error::@6/(const string) str3 mul16u_error::@8/(const string) str4 )
+  [64] (byte*) print_str::str#17 ← phi( mul16s_compare::@1/(const byte*) str mul16s_compare::@13/(const byte*) mul16s_compare::str1 mul16s_error/(const byte*) mul16s_error::str mul16s_error::@2/(const byte*) str1 mul16s_error::@4/(const byte*) str2 mul16s_error::@6/(const byte*) str3 mul16s_error::@8/(const byte*) str4 mul16u_compare::@1/(const byte*) str mul16u_compare::@13/(const byte*) mul16u_compare::str1 mul16u_error/(const byte*) mul16u_error::str mul16u_error::@2/(const byte*) str1 mul16u_error::@4/(const byte*) str2 mul16u_error::@6/(const byte*) str3 mul16u_error::@8/(const byte*) str4 )
   to:print_str::@1
 print_str::@1: scope:[print_str]  from print_str print_str::@2
   [65] (byte*) print_char_cursor#132 ← phi( print_str/(byte*) print_char_cursor#154 print_str::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#1 )
@@ -5296,7 +5296,7 @@ mul16s_compare: {
     // [64] phi from mul16s_compare::@1 to print_str [phi:mul16s_compare::@1->print_str]
   print_str_from___b1:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#149 [phi:mul16s_compare::@1->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str [phi:mul16s_compare::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str [phi:mul16s_compare::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -5729,7 +5729,7 @@ mul16s_error: {
     // [64] phi from mul16s_error::@2 to print_str [phi:mul16s_error::@2->print_str]
   print_str_from___b2:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16s_error::@2->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str1 [phi:mul16s_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:mul16s_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -5757,7 +5757,7 @@ mul16s_error: {
     // [64] phi from mul16s_error::@4 to print_str [phi:mul16s_error::@4->print_str]
   print_str_from___b4:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16s_error::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str2 [phi:mul16s_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:mul16s_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -5789,7 +5789,7 @@ mul16s_error: {
     // [64] phi from mul16s_error::@6 to print_str [phi:mul16s_error::@6->print_str]
   print_str_from___b6:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16s_error::@6->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str3 [phi:mul16s_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str3 [phi:mul16s_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str3
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str3
@@ -5821,7 +5821,7 @@ mul16s_error: {
     // [64] phi from mul16s_error::@8 to print_str [phi:mul16s_error::@8->print_str]
   print_str_from___b8:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16s_error::@8->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str4 [phi:mul16s_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str4 [phi:mul16s_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str4
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str4
@@ -6846,7 +6846,7 @@ mul16u_compare: {
     // [64] phi from mul16u_compare::@1 to print_str [phi:mul16u_compare::@1->print_str]
   print_str_from___b1:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#145 [phi:mul16u_compare::@1->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str [phi:mul16u_compare::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str [phi:mul16u_compare::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -7217,7 +7217,7 @@ mul16u_error: {
     // [64] phi from mul16u_error::@2 to print_str [phi:mul16u_error::@2->print_str]
   print_str_from___b2:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16u_error::@2->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str1 [phi:mul16u_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:mul16u_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -7246,7 +7246,7 @@ mul16u_error: {
     // [64] phi from mul16u_error::@4 to print_str [phi:mul16u_error::@4->print_str]
   print_str_from___b4:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16u_error::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str2 [phi:mul16u_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:mul16u_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -7279,7 +7279,7 @@ mul16u_error: {
     // [64] phi from mul16u_error::@6 to print_str [phi:mul16u_error::@6->print_str]
   print_str_from___b6:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16u_error::@6->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str3 [phi:mul16u_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str3 [phi:mul16u_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str3
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str3
@@ -7312,7 +7312,7 @@ mul16u_error: {
     // [64] phi from mul16u_error::@8 to print_str [phi:mul16u_error::@8->print_str]
   print_str_from___b8:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16u_error::@8->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str4 [phi:mul16u_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str4 [phi:mul16u_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str4
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str4
@@ -8396,7 +8396,7 @@ mul16s_compare: {
     // [64] phi from mul16s_compare::@1 to print_str [phi:mul16s_compare::@1->print_str]
   print_str_from___b1:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#149 [phi:mul16s_compare::@1->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str [phi:mul16s_compare::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str [phi:mul16s_compare::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -8715,7 +8715,7 @@ mul16s_error: {
     // [64] phi from mul16s_error::@2 to print_str [phi:mul16s_error::@2->print_str]
   print_str_from___b2:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16s_error::@2->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str1 [phi:mul16s_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:mul16s_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -8743,7 +8743,7 @@ mul16s_error: {
     // [64] phi from mul16s_error::@4 to print_str [phi:mul16s_error::@4->print_str]
   print_str_from___b4:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16s_error::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str2 [phi:mul16s_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:mul16s_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -8767,7 +8767,7 @@ mul16s_error: {
     // [64] phi from mul16s_error::@6 to print_str [phi:mul16s_error::@6->print_str]
   print_str_from___b6:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16s_error::@6->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str3 [phi:mul16s_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str3 [phi:mul16s_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str3
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str3
@@ -8799,7 +8799,7 @@ mul16s_error: {
     // [64] phi from mul16s_error::@8 to print_str [phi:mul16s_error::@8->print_str]
   print_str_from___b8:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16s_error::@8->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str4 [phi:mul16s_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str4 [phi:mul16s_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str4
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str4
@@ -9739,7 +9739,7 @@ mul16u_compare: {
     // [64] phi from mul16u_compare::@1 to print_str [phi:mul16u_compare::@1->print_str]
   print_str_from___b1:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#145 [phi:mul16u_compare::@1->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str [phi:mul16u_compare::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str [phi:mul16u_compare::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -10004,7 +10004,7 @@ mul16u_error: {
     // [64] phi from mul16u_error::@2 to print_str [phi:mul16u_error::@2->print_str]
   print_str_from___b2:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16u_error::@2->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str1 [phi:mul16u_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:mul16u_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -10033,7 +10033,7 @@ mul16u_error: {
     // [64] phi from mul16u_error::@4 to print_str [phi:mul16u_error::@4->print_str]
   print_str_from___b4:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16u_error::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str2 [phi:mul16u_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:mul16u_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -10058,7 +10058,7 @@ mul16u_error: {
     // [64] phi from mul16u_error::@6 to print_str [phi:mul16u_error::@6->print_str]
   print_str_from___b6:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16u_error::@6->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str3 [phi:mul16u_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str3 [phi:mul16u_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str3
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str3
@@ -10091,7 +10091,7 @@ mul16u_error: {
     // [64] phi from mul16u_error::@8 to print_str [phi:mul16u_error::@8->print_str]
   print_str_from___b8:
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16u_error::@8->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str4 [phi:mul16u_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str4 [phi:mul16u_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str4
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str4
@@ -11371,11 +11371,11 @@ FINAL SYMBOL TABLE
 (word) print_word::w#3 w zp[2]:14 4.0
 (word) print_word::w#4 w zp[2]:14 4.0
 (word) print_word::w#5 w zp[2]:14 4.666666666666666
-(const string) str[]  = (string) "."
-(const string) str1[]  = (string) "*"
-(const string) str2[]  = (string) " slow:"
-(const string) str3[]  = (string) " / normal:"
-(const string) str4[]  = (string) " / fast:"
+(const byte*) str[(byte) 2]  = (string) "."
+(const byte*) str1[(byte) 2]  = (string) "*"
+(const byte*) str2[(byte) 7]  = (string) " slow:"
+(const byte*) str3[(byte) $b]  = (string) " / normal:"
+(const byte*) str4[(byte) 9]  = (string) " / fast:"
 
 reg byte y [ mul16s_compare::j#10 mul16s_compare::j#1 ]
 reg byte x [ mul16s_compare::ok#3 mul16s_compare::ok#4 ]
@@ -11496,7 +11496,7 @@ mul16s_compare: {
     // [15] call print_str 
     // [64] phi from mul16s_compare::@1 to print_str [phi:mul16s_compare::@1->print_str]
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#149 [phi:mul16s_compare::@1->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str [phi:mul16s_compare::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str [phi:mul16s_compare::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -11787,7 +11787,7 @@ mul16s_error: {
     // [76] call print_str 
     // [64] phi from mul16s_error::@2 to print_str [phi:mul16s_error::@2->print_str]
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16s_error::@2->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str1 [phi:mul16s_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:mul16s_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -11810,7 +11810,7 @@ mul16s_error: {
     // [80] call print_str 
     // [64] phi from mul16s_error::@4 to print_str [phi:mul16s_error::@4->print_str]
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16s_error::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str2 [phi:mul16s_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:mul16s_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -11829,7 +11829,7 @@ mul16s_error: {
     // [84] call print_str 
     // [64] phi from mul16s_error::@6 to print_str [phi:mul16s_error::@6->print_str]
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16s_error::@6->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str3 [phi:mul16s_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str3 [phi:mul16s_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str3
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str3
@@ -11856,7 +11856,7 @@ mul16s_error: {
     // [88] call print_str 
     // [64] phi from mul16s_error::@8 to print_str [phi:mul16s_error::@8->print_str]
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16s_error::@8->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str4 [phi:mul16s_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str4 [phi:mul16s_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str4
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str4
@@ -12739,7 +12739,7 @@ mul16u_compare: {
     // [205] call print_str 
     // [64] phi from mul16u_compare::@1 to print_str [phi:mul16u_compare::@1->print_str]
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#145 [phi:mul16u_compare::@1->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str [phi:mul16u_compare::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str [phi:mul16u_compare::@1->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str
@@ -12980,7 +12980,7 @@ mul16u_error: {
     // [254] call print_str 
     // [64] phi from mul16u_error::@2 to print_str [phi:mul16u_error::@2->print_str]
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16u_error::@2->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str1 [phi:mul16u_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:mul16u_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -13004,7 +13004,7 @@ mul16u_error: {
     // [258] call print_str 
     // [64] phi from mul16u_error::@4 to print_str [phi:mul16u_error::@4->print_str]
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16u_error::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str2 [phi:mul16u_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:mul16u_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -13024,7 +13024,7 @@ mul16u_error: {
     // [262] call print_str 
     // [64] phi from mul16u_error::@6 to print_str [phi:mul16u_error::@6->print_str]
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16u_error::@6->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str3 [phi:mul16u_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str3 [phi:mul16u_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str3
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str3
@@ -13052,7 +13052,7 @@ mul16u_error: {
     // [266] call print_str 
     // [64] phi from mul16u_error::@8 to print_str [phi:mul16u_error::@8->print_str]
     // [64] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#154 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#22 [phi:mul16u_error::@8->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const string) str4 [phi:mul16u_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [64] phi (byte*) print_str::str#17 = (const byte*) str4 [phi:mul16u_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str4
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str4
diff --git a/src/test/ref/test-multiply-16bit.sym b/src/test/ref/test-multiply-16bit.sym
index c3321615d..986ce1701 100644
--- a/src/test/ref/test-multiply-16bit.sym
+++ b/src/test/ref/test-multiply-16bit.sym
@@ -433,11 +433,11 @@
 (word) print_word::w#3 w zp[2]:14 4.0
 (word) print_word::w#4 w zp[2]:14 4.0
 (word) print_word::w#5 w zp[2]:14 4.666666666666666
-(const string) str[]  = (string) "."
-(const string) str1[]  = (string) "*"
-(const string) str2[]  = (string) " slow:"
-(const string) str3[]  = (string) " / normal:"
-(const string) str4[]  = (string) " / fast:"
+(const byte*) str[(byte) 2]  = (string) "."
+(const byte*) str1[(byte) 2]  = (string) "*"
+(const byte*) str2[(byte) 7]  = (string) " slow:"
+(const byte*) str3[(byte) $b]  = (string) " / normal:"
+(const byte*) str4[(byte) 9]  = (string) " / fast:"
 
 reg byte y [ mul16s_compare::j#10 mul16s_compare::j#1 ]
 reg byte x [ mul16s_compare::ok#3 mul16s_compare::ok#4 ]
diff --git a/src/test/ref/test-multiply-8bit.cfg b/src/test/ref/test-multiply-8bit.cfg
index 7c669d3a5..3853bca60 100644
--- a/src/test/ref/test-multiply-8bit.cfg
+++ b/src/test/ref/test-multiply-8bit.cfg
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ print_byte::@return: scope:[print_byte]  from print_byte::@1
 (void()) print_str((byte*) print_str::str)
 print_str: scope:[print_str]  from mul8s_compare::@2 mul8s_error mul8s_error::@2 mul8s_error::@4 mul8s_error::@6 mul8s_error::@8 mul8u_compare::@9 mul8u_error mul8u_error::@2 mul8u_error::@4 mul8u_error::@6 mul8u_error::@8 mulf_tables_cmp::@3 mulf_tables_cmp::@5 mulf_tables_cmp::@9
   [114] (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 ← phi( mul8s_compare::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#189 mul8s_error/(byte*) print_char_cursor#190 mul8s_error::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mul8s_error::@4/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mul8s_error::@6/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mul8s_error::@8/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mul8u_compare::@9/(byte*) print_char_cursor#100 mul8u_error/(byte*) print_char_cursor#100 mul8u_error::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mul8u_error::@4/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mul8u_error::@6/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mul8u_error::@8/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mulf_tables_cmp::@9/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mulf_tables_cmp::@3/(byte*) 1024 mulf_tables_cmp::@5/(byte*) 1024 )
-  [114] (byte*) print_str::str#18 ← phi( mul8s_compare::@2/(const byte*) mul8s_compare::str mul8s_error/(const byte*) mul8s_error::str mul8s_error::@2/(const string) str1 mul8s_error::@4/(const string) str2 mul8s_error::@6/(const string) str3 mul8s_error::@8/(const string) str4 mul8u_compare::@9/(const byte*) mul8u_compare::str mul8u_error/(const byte*) mul8u_error::str mul8u_error::@2/(const string) str1 mul8u_error::@4/(const string) str2 mul8u_error::@6/(const string) str3 mul8u_error::@8/(const string) str4 mulf_tables_cmp::@9/(const byte*) mulf_tables_cmp::str2 mulf_tables_cmp::@3/(const byte*) mulf_tables_cmp::str mulf_tables_cmp::@5/(const byte*) mulf_tables_cmp::str1 )
+  [114] (byte*) print_str::str#18 ← phi( mul8s_compare::@2/(const byte*) mul8s_compare::str mul8s_error/(const byte*) mul8s_error::str mul8s_error::@2/(const byte*) str1 mul8s_error::@4/(const byte*) str2 mul8s_error::@6/(const byte*) str3 mul8s_error::@8/(const byte*) str4 mul8u_compare::@9/(const byte*) mul8u_compare::str mul8u_error/(const byte*) mul8u_error::str mul8u_error::@2/(const byte*) str1 mul8u_error::@4/(const byte*) str2 mul8u_error::@6/(const byte*) str3 mul8u_error::@8/(const byte*) str4 mulf_tables_cmp::@9/(const byte*) mulf_tables_cmp::str2 mulf_tables_cmp::@3/(const byte*) mulf_tables_cmp::str mulf_tables_cmp::@5/(const byte*) mulf_tables_cmp::str1 )
   to:print_str::@1
 print_str::@1: scope:[print_str]  from print_str print_str::@2
   [115] (byte*) print_char_cursor#134 ← phi( print_str/(byte*) print_char_cursor#155 print_str::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#1 )
diff --git a/src/test/ref/test-multiply-8bit.log b/src/test/ref/test-multiply-8bit.log
index 0a0d64815..b89b15b33 100644
--- a/src/test/ref/test-multiply-8bit.log
+++ b/src/test/ref/test-multiply-8bit.log
@@ -3571,10 +3571,10 @@ Constant (const void*) memset::return#2 = memset::str#0
 Successful SSA optimization Pass2ConstantIdentification
 if() condition always false - eliminating [3] if((const word) memset::num#0<=(byte) 0) goto memset::@1
 Successful SSA optimization Pass2ConstantIfs
-Consolidated constant strings into (const string) str1
-Consolidated constant strings into (const string) str2
-Consolidated constant strings into (const string) str3
-Consolidated constant strings into (const string) str4
+Consolidated constant strings into (const byte*) str1
+Consolidated constant strings into (const byte*) str2
+Consolidated constant strings into (const byte*) str3
+Consolidated constant strings into (const byte*) str4
 Successful SSA optimization Pass2ConstantStringConsolidation
 Resolved ranged next value [495] mul8u_compare::b#1 ← ++ mul8u_compare::b#10 to ++
 Resolved ranged comparison value [497] if(mul8u_compare::b#1!=rangelast(0,$ff)) goto mul8u_compare::@2 to (number) 0
@@ -3671,7 +3671,7 @@ Constant inlined mul8s_compare::ok#0 = (byte) 1
 Constant inlined mul8s_compare::ok#1 = (byte) 0
 Constant inlined muls8s::m#0 = (signed word) 0
 Constant inlined muls8s::i#0 = (signed byte) 0
-Constant inlined print_str::str#9 = (const string) str4
+Constant inlined print_str::str#9 = (const byte*) str4
 Constant inlined mul8u::res#0 = (word) 0
 Constant inlined mulf_init::sqr1_hi#0 = (const byte*) mulf_sqr1_hi+(byte) 1
 Constant inlined mul8s_compare::ok#2 = (byte) 0
@@ -3681,37 +3681,37 @@ Constant inlined print_str::str#3 = (const byte*) mulf_tables_cmp::str2
 Constant inlined print_str::str#2 = (const byte*) mulf_tables_cmp::str1
 Constant inlined memset::dst#0 = (byte*)(const void*) memset::str#0
 Constant inlined print_str::str#1 = (const byte*) mulf_tables_cmp::str
-Constant inlined print_str::str#8 = (const string) str3
-Constant inlined print_str::str#7 = (const string) str2
-Constant inlined print_str::str#6 = (const string) str1
+Constant inlined print_str::str#8 = (const byte*) str3
+Constant inlined print_str::str#7 = (const byte*) str2
+Constant inlined print_str::str#6 = (const byte*) str1
 Constant inlined print_str::str#5 = (const byte*) mul8u_error::str
 Constant inlined mulf_init::c#0 = (byte) 0
-Constant inlined print_str::str#13 = (const string) str2
-Constant inlined print_str::str#12 = (const string) str1
+Constant inlined print_str::str#13 = (const byte*) str2
+Constant inlined print_str::str#12 = (const byte*) str1
 Constant inlined print_str::str#11 = (const byte*) mul8s_error::str
 Constant inlined print_str::str#10 = (const byte*) mul8s_compare::str
-Constant inlined print_str::str#15 = (const string) str4
-Constant inlined print_str::str#14 = (const string) str3
+Constant inlined print_str::str#15 = (const byte*) str4
+Constant inlined print_str::str#14 = (const byte*) str3
 Constant inlined mul8u_compare::a#0 = (byte) 0
 Constant inlined memset::$2 = (byte*)(const void*) memset::str#0
 Constant inlined mul8s_compare::a#0 = (signed byte) -$80
 Constant inlined mulf_init::sqr#0 = (word) 0
 Constant inlined muls8u::i#0 = (byte) 0
-Constant inlined mul8s_error::str1 = (const string) str1
-Constant inlined mul8s_error::str2 = (const string) str2
-Constant inlined mul8s_error::str3 = (const string) str3
+Constant inlined mul8s_error::str1 = (const byte*) str1
+Constant inlined mul8s_error::str2 = (const byte*) str2
+Constant inlined mul8s_error::str3 = (const byte*) str3
 Constant inlined muls8u::m#0 = (word) 0
-Constant inlined mul8s_error::str4 = (const string) str4
+Constant inlined mul8s_error::str4 = (const byte*) str4
 Constant inlined print_char::ch#3 = (byte) ' '
 Constant inlined print_char::ch#2 = (byte) '-'
 Constant inlined muls8s::j#0 = (signed byte) 0
 Constant inlined mulf_tables_cmp::asm_sqr#0 = (const byte*) mula_sqr1_lo
 Constant inlined print_char::ch#1 = (byte) ' '
 Constant inlined print_char::ch#0 = (byte) '-'
-Constant inlined mul8u_error::str1 = (const string) str1
-Constant inlined mul8u_error::str2 = (const string) str2
-Constant inlined mul8u_error::str3 = (const string) str3
-Constant inlined mul8u_error::str4 = (const string) str4
+Constant inlined mul8u_error::str1 = (const byte*) str1
+Constant inlined mul8u_error::str2 = (const byte*) str2
+Constant inlined mul8u_error::str3 = (const byte*) str3
+Constant inlined mul8u_error::str4 = (const byte*) str4
 Successful SSA optimization Pass2ConstantInlining
 Added new block during phi lifting print_ln::@3(between print_ln::@1 and print_ln::@1)
 Added new block during phi lifting mul8u::@10(between mul8u::@2 and mul8u::@4)
@@ -4308,7 +4308,7 @@ print_byte::@return: scope:[print_byte]  from print_byte::@1
 (void()) print_str((byte*) print_str::str)
 print_str: scope:[print_str]  from mul8s_compare::@2 mul8s_error mul8s_error::@2 mul8s_error::@4 mul8s_error::@6 mul8s_error::@8 mul8u_compare::@9 mul8u_error mul8u_error::@2 mul8u_error::@4 mul8u_error::@6 mul8u_error::@8 mulf_tables_cmp::@3 mulf_tables_cmp::@5 mulf_tables_cmp::@9
   [114] (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 ← phi( mul8s_compare::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#189 mul8s_error/(byte*) print_char_cursor#190 mul8s_error::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mul8s_error::@4/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mul8s_error::@6/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mul8s_error::@8/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mul8u_compare::@9/(byte*) print_char_cursor#100 mul8u_error/(byte*) print_char_cursor#100 mul8u_error::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mul8u_error::@4/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mul8u_error::@6/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mul8u_error::@8/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mulf_tables_cmp::@9/(byte*) print_char_cursor#19 mulf_tables_cmp::@3/(byte*) 1024 mulf_tables_cmp::@5/(byte*) 1024 )
-  [114] (byte*) print_str::str#18 ← phi( mul8s_compare::@2/(const byte*) mul8s_compare::str mul8s_error/(const byte*) mul8s_error::str mul8s_error::@2/(const string) str1 mul8s_error::@4/(const string) str2 mul8s_error::@6/(const string) str3 mul8s_error::@8/(const string) str4 mul8u_compare::@9/(const byte*) mul8u_compare::str mul8u_error/(const byte*) mul8u_error::str mul8u_error::@2/(const string) str1 mul8u_error::@4/(const string) str2 mul8u_error::@6/(const string) str3 mul8u_error::@8/(const string) str4 mulf_tables_cmp::@9/(const byte*) mulf_tables_cmp::str2 mulf_tables_cmp::@3/(const byte*) mulf_tables_cmp::str mulf_tables_cmp::@5/(const byte*) mulf_tables_cmp::str1 )
+  [114] (byte*) print_str::str#18 ← phi( mul8s_compare::@2/(const byte*) mul8s_compare::str mul8s_error/(const byte*) mul8s_error::str mul8s_error::@2/(const byte*) str1 mul8s_error::@4/(const byte*) str2 mul8s_error::@6/(const byte*) str3 mul8s_error::@8/(const byte*) str4 mul8u_compare::@9/(const byte*) mul8u_compare::str mul8u_error/(const byte*) mul8u_error::str mul8u_error::@2/(const byte*) str1 mul8u_error::@4/(const byte*) str2 mul8u_error::@6/(const byte*) str3 mul8u_error::@8/(const byte*) str4 mulf_tables_cmp::@9/(const byte*) mulf_tables_cmp::str2 mulf_tables_cmp::@3/(const byte*) mulf_tables_cmp::str mulf_tables_cmp::@5/(const byte*) mulf_tables_cmp::str1 )
   to:print_str::@1
 print_str::@1: scope:[print_str]  from print_str print_str::@2
   [115] (byte*) print_char_cursor#134 ← phi( print_str/(byte*) print_char_cursor#155 print_str::@2/(byte*) print_char_cursor#1 )
@@ -5749,7 +5749,7 @@ mul8s_error: {
     // [114] phi from mul8s_error::@2 to print_str [phi:mul8s_error::@2->print_str]
   print_str_from___b2:
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8s_error::@2->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str1 [phi:mul8s_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:mul8s_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -5775,7 +5775,7 @@ mul8s_error: {
     // [114] phi from mul8s_error::@4 to print_str [phi:mul8s_error::@4->print_str]
   print_str_from___b4:
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8s_error::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str2 [phi:mul8s_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:mul8s_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -5803,7 +5803,7 @@ mul8s_error: {
     // [114] phi from mul8s_error::@6 to print_str [phi:mul8s_error::@6->print_str]
   print_str_from___b6:
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8s_error::@6->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str3 [phi:mul8s_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str3 [phi:mul8s_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str3
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str3
@@ -5831,7 +5831,7 @@ mul8s_error: {
     // [114] phi from mul8s_error::@8 to print_str [phi:mul8s_error::@8->print_str]
   print_str_from___b8:
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8s_error::@8->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str4 [phi:mul8s_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str4 [phi:mul8s_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str4
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str4
@@ -6943,7 +6943,7 @@ mul8u_error: {
     // [114] phi from mul8u_error::@2 to print_str [phi:mul8u_error::@2->print_str]
   print_str_from___b2:
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8u_error::@2->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str1 [phi:mul8u_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:mul8u_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -6970,7 +6970,7 @@ mul8u_error: {
     // [114] phi from mul8u_error::@4 to print_str [phi:mul8u_error::@4->print_str]
   print_str_from___b4:
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8u_error::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str2 [phi:mul8u_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:mul8u_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -6999,7 +6999,7 @@ mul8u_error: {
     // [114] phi from mul8u_error::@6 to print_str [phi:mul8u_error::@6->print_str]
   print_str_from___b6:
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8u_error::@6->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str3 [phi:mul8u_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str3 [phi:mul8u_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str3
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str3
@@ -7028,7 +7028,7 @@ mul8u_error: {
     // [114] phi from mul8u_error::@8 to print_str [phi:mul8u_error::@8->print_str]
   print_str_from___b8:
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8u_error::@8->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str4 [phi:mul8u_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str4 [phi:mul8u_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str4
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str4
@@ -8535,7 +8535,7 @@ mul8s_error: {
     // [114] phi from mul8s_error::@2 to print_str [phi:mul8s_error::@2->print_str]
   print_str_from___b2:
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8s_error::@2->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str1 [phi:mul8s_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:mul8s_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -8560,7 +8560,7 @@ mul8s_error: {
     // [114] phi from mul8s_error::@4 to print_str [phi:mul8s_error::@4->print_str]
   print_str_from___b4:
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8s_error::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str2 [phi:mul8s_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:mul8s_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -8584,7 +8584,7 @@ mul8s_error: {
     // [114] phi from mul8s_error::@6 to print_str [phi:mul8s_error::@6->print_str]
   print_str_from___b6:
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8s_error::@6->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str3 [phi:mul8s_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str3 [phi:mul8s_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str3
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str3
@@ -8612,7 +8612,7 @@ mul8s_error: {
     // [114] phi from mul8s_error::@8 to print_str [phi:mul8s_error::@8->print_str]
   print_str_from___b8:
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8s_error::@8->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str4 [phi:mul8s_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str4 [phi:mul8s_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str4
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str4
@@ -9575,7 +9575,7 @@ mul8u_error: {
     // [114] phi from mul8u_error::@2 to print_str [phi:mul8u_error::@2->print_str]
   print_str_from___b2:
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8u_error::@2->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str1 [phi:mul8u_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:mul8u_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -9601,7 +9601,7 @@ mul8u_error: {
     // [114] phi from mul8u_error::@4 to print_str [phi:mul8u_error::@4->print_str]
   print_str_from___b4:
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8u_error::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str2 [phi:mul8u_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:mul8u_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -9626,7 +9626,7 @@ mul8u_error: {
     // [114] phi from mul8u_error::@6 to print_str [phi:mul8u_error::@6->print_str]
   print_str_from___b6:
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8u_error::@6->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str3 [phi:mul8u_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str3 [phi:mul8u_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str3
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str3
@@ -9655,7 +9655,7 @@ mul8u_error: {
     // [114] phi from mul8u_error::@8 to print_str [phi:mul8u_error::@8->print_str]
   print_str_from___b8:
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8u_error::@8->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str4 [phi:mul8u_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str4 [phi:mul8u_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str4
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str4
@@ -11250,10 +11250,10 @@ FINAL SYMBOL TABLE
 (word) print_word::w#4 w zp[2]:4 4.0
 (word) print_word::w#5 w zp[2]:4 4.0
 (word) print_word::w#6 w zp[2]:4 5.333333333333333
-(const string) str1[]  = (string) "*"
-(const string) str2[]  = (string) " slow:"
-(const string) str3[]  = (string) " / normal:"
-(const string) str4[]  = (string) " / fast:"
+(const byte*) str1[(byte) 2]  = (string) "*"
+(const byte*) str2[(byte) 7]  = (string) " slow:"
+(const byte*) str3[(byte) $b]  = (string) " / normal:"
+(const byte*) str4[(byte) 9]  = (string) " / fast:"
 
 reg byte x [ mul8s_compare::ok#3 mul8s_compare::ok#4 ]
 reg byte a [ print_char::ch#6 print_char::ch#4 print_char::ch#5 ]
@@ -11569,7 +11569,7 @@ mul8s_error: {
     // [62] call print_str 
     // [114] phi from mul8s_error::@2 to print_str [phi:mul8s_error::@2->print_str]
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8s_error::@2->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str1 [phi:mul8s_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:mul8s_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -11589,7 +11589,7 @@ mul8s_error: {
     // [66] call print_str 
     // [114] phi from mul8s_error::@4 to print_str [phi:mul8s_error::@4->print_str]
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8s_error::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str2 [phi:mul8s_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:mul8s_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -11608,7 +11608,7 @@ mul8s_error: {
     // [70] call print_str 
     // [114] phi from mul8s_error::@6 to print_str [phi:mul8s_error::@6->print_str]
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8s_error::@6->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str3 [phi:mul8s_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str3 [phi:mul8s_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str3
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str3
@@ -11631,7 +11631,7 @@ mul8s_error: {
     // [74] call print_str 
     // [114] phi from mul8s_error::@8 to print_str [phi:mul8s_error::@8->print_str]
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8s_error::@8->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str4 [phi:mul8s_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str4 [phi:mul8s_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str4
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str4
@@ -12506,7 +12506,7 @@ mul8u_error: {
     // [248] call print_str 
     // [114] phi from mul8u_error::@2 to print_str [phi:mul8u_error::@2->print_str]
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8u_error::@2->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str1 [phi:mul8u_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str1 [phi:mul8u_error::@2->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str1
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str1
@@ -12527,7 +12527,7 @@ mul8u_error: {
     // [252] call print_str 
     // [114] phi from mul8u_error::@4 to print_str [phi:mul8u_error::@4->print_str]
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8u_error::@4->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str2 [phi:mul8u_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str2 [phi:mul8u_error::@4->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str2
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str2
@@ -12547,7 +12547,7 @@ mul8u_error: {
     // [256] call print_str 
     // [114] phi from mul8u_error::@6 to print_str [phi:mul8u_error::@6->print_str]
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8u_error::@6->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str3 [phi:mul8u_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str3 [phi:mul8u_error::@6->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str3
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str3
@@ -12571,7 +12571,7 @@ mul8u_error: {
     // [260] call print_str 
     // [114] phi from mul8u_error::@8 to print_str [phi:mul8u_error::@8->print_str]
     // [114] phi (byte*) print_char_cursor#155 = (byte*) print_char_cursor#19 [phi:mul8u_error::@8->print_str#0] -- register_copy 
-    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const string) str4 [phi:mul8u_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
+    // [114] phi (byte*) print_str::str#18 = (const byte*) str4 [phi:mul8u_error::@8->print_str#1] -- pbuz1=pbuc1 
     lda #<str4
     sta.z print_str.str
     lda #>str4
diff --git a/src/test/ref/test-multiply-8bit.sym b/src/test/ref/test-multiply-8bit.sym
index fd528a505..93f083ad8 100644
--- a/src/test/ref/test-multiply-8bit.sym
+++ b/src/test/ref/test-multiply-8bit.sym
@@ -461,10 +461,10 @@
 (word) print_word::w#4 w zp[2]:4 4.0
 (word) print_word::w#5 w zp[2]:4 4.0
 (word) print_word::w#6 w zp[2]:4 5.333333333333333
-(const string) str1[]  = (string) "*"
-(const string) str2[]  = (string) " slow:"
-(const string) str3[]  = (string) " / normal:"
-(const string) str4[]  = (string) " / fast:"
+(const byte*) str1[(byte) 2]  = (string) "*"
+(const byte*) str2[(byte) 7]  = (string) " slow:"
+(const byte*) str3[(byte) $b]  = (string) " / normal:"
+(const byte*) str4[(byte) 9]  = (string) " / fast:"
 
 reg byte x [ mul8s_compare::ok#3 mul8s_compare::ok#4 ]
 reg byte a [ print_char::ch#6 print_char::ch#4 print_char::ch#5 ]