diff --git a/src/GPU/pair_eam_alloy_gpu.cpp b/src/GPU/pair_eam_alloy_gpu.cpp
index 3a8e440bdc..11af562f15 100644
--- a/src/GPU/pair_eam_alloy_gpu.cpp
+++ b/src/GPU/pair_eam_alloy_gpu.cpp
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ void PairEAMAlloyGPU::read_file(char *filename)
     fptr = fopen(filename,"r");
     if (fptr == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/GPU/pair_eam_fs_gpu.cpp b/src/GPU/pair_eam_fs_gpu.cpp
index 51681d563b..ef8dd09e23 100644
--- a/src/GPU/pair_eam_fs_gpu.cpp
+++ b/src/GPU/pair_eam_fs_gpu.cpp
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ void PairEAMFSGPU::read_file(char *filename)
     fptr = force->open_potential(filename);
     if (fptr == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/GRANULAR/fix_wall_gran_region.cpp b/src/GRANULAR/fix_wall_gran_region.cpp
index 4a6be5f3c9..8633587ad5 100644
--- a/src/GRANULAR/fix_wall_gran_region.cpp
+++ b/src/GRANULAR/fix_wall_gran_region.cpp
@@ -113,16 +113,16 @@ void FixWallGranRegion::init()
       strcmp(region_style,region->style) != 0 ||
       nregion != region->nregion) {
     char str[256];
-    sprintf(str,"Region properties for region %s changed between runs, "
-            "resetting its motion",idregion);
+    snprintf(str,256,"Region properties for region %s changed between runs, "
+             "resetting its motion",idregion);
     error->warning(FLERR,str);
     region->reset_vel();
   }
 
   if (motion_resetflag){
     char str[256];
-    sprintf(str,"Region properties for region %s are inconsistent "
-            "with restart file, resetting its motion",idregion);
+    snprintf(str,256,"Region properties for region %s are inconsistent "
+             "with restart file, resetting its motion",idregion);
     error->warning(FLERR,str);
     region->reset_vel();
   }
diff --git a/src/KOKKOS/pair_eam_alloy_kokkos.cpp b/src/KOKKOS/pair_eam_alloy_kokkos.cpp
index fc19da1c8a..49e1313c26 100644
--- a/src/KOKKOS/pair_eam_alloy_kokkos.cpp
+++ b/src/KOKKOS/pair_eam_alloy_kokkos.cpp
@@ -992,7 +992,7 @@ void PairEAMAlloyKokkos<DeviceType>::read_file(char *filename)
     fptr = force->open_potential(filename);
     if (fptr == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/KOKKOS/pair_eam_fs_kokkos.cpp b/src/KOKKOS/pair_eam_fs_kokkos.cpp
index 8f5571bf29..ee0a799826 100644
--- a/src/KOKKOS/pair_eam_fs_kokkos.cpp
+++ b/src/KOKKOS/pair_eam_fs_kokkos.cpp
@@ -992,7 +992,7 @@ void PairEAMFSKokkos<DeviceType>::read_file(char *filename)
     fptr = force->open_potential(filename);
     if (fptr == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/KOKKOS/pair_exp6_rx_kokkos.cpp b/src/KOKKOS/pair_exp6_rx_kokkos.cpp
index 810173d219..f38feea5f4 100644
--- a/src/KOKKOS/pair_exp6_rx_kokkos.cpp
+++ b/src/KOKKOS/pair_exp6_rx_kokkos.cpp
@@ -1725,7 +1725,7 @@ void PairExp6rxKokkos<DeviceType>::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open exp6/rx potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open exp6/rx potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/fix_qeq_comb.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/fix_qeq_comb.cpp
index e46da9bfe7..7146ee9d65 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/fix_qeq_comb.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/fix_qeq_comb.cpp
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ FixQEQComb::FixQEQComb(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) : Fix(lmp, narg, arg),
         fp = fopen(arg[iarg+1],"w");
         if (fp == NULL) {
           char str[128];
-          sprintf(str,"Cannot open fix qeq/comb file %s",arg[iarg+1]);
+          snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open fix qeq/comb file %s",arg[iarg+1]);
           error->one(FLERR,str);
         }
       }
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_adp.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_adp.cpp
index 831f1d0efa..7b48522e84 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_adp.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_adp.cpp
@@ -551,7 +551,7 @@ void PairADP::read_file(char *filename)
     fp = force->open_potential(filename);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open ADP potential file %s",filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open ADP potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_airebo.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_airebo.cpp
index ac3ed36a83..067eb1634f 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_airebo.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_airebo.cpp
@@ -3373,9 +3373,9 @@ void PairAIREBO::read_file(char *filename)
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
       if (morseflag)
-        sprintf(str,"Cannot open AIREBO-M potential file %s",filename);
+        snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open AIREBO-M potential file %s",filename);
       else
-        sprintf(str,"Cannot open AIREBO potential file %s",filename);
+        snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open AIREBO potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_bop.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_bop.cpp
index 87a23dff99..ca0f229068 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_bop.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_bop.cpp
@@ -4976,7 +4976,7 @@ void PairBOP::read_table(char *filename)
     FILE *fp = force->open_potential(filename);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open BOP potential file %s",filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open BOP potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
     fgets(s,MAXLINE,fp);  // skip first comment line
@@ -5079,7 +5079,7 @@ void PairBOP::read_table(char *filename)
     FILE *fp = force->open_potential(filename);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open BOP potential file %s",filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open BOP potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
     fgets(s,MAXLINE,fp);  // skip first comment line
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_comb.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_comb.cpp
index e7b0d27b6e..85ea4812bf 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_comb.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_comb.cpp
@@ -597,7 +597,7 @@ void PairComb::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open COMB potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open COMB potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_comb3.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_comb3.cpp
index 72360be5f0..106b83eeba 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_comb3.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_comb3.cpp
@@ -320,11 +320,7 @@ void PairComb3::read_lib()
 
   if (comm->me == 0) {
     FILE *fp = force->open_potential("lib.comb3");
-    if (fp == NULL) {
-      char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open COMB3 lib.comb3 file");
-      error->one(FLERR,str);
-    }
+    if (fp == NULL) error->one(FLERR,"Cannot open COMB3 lib.comb3 file");
 
     // read and store at the same time
     fgets(s,MAXLIB,fp);
@@ -607,7 +603,7 @@ void PairComb3::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open COMB3 potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open COMB3 potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam.cpp
index 87bcebb111..f4b4901075 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam.cpp
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ void PairEAM::read_file(char *filename)
     fptr = force->open_potential(filename);
     if (fptr == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam_alloy.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam_alloy.cpp
index eed38f79e9..c004030240 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam_alloy.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam_alloy.cpp
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ void PairEAMAlloy::read_file(char *filename)
     fptr = force->open_potential(filename);
     if (fptr == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam_cd.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam_cd.cpp
index 5b8b241b45..8db1b6dd9a 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam_cd.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam_cd.cpp
@@ -504,7 +504,7 @@ void PairEAMCD::read_h_coeff(char *filename)
     fptr = force->open_potential(filename);
     if (fptr == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s", filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s", filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam_fs.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam_fs.cpp
index 2b5d530d3a..bbda84fdf1 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam_fs.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_eam_fs.cpp
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ void PairEAMFS::read_file(char *filename)
     fptr = force->open_potential(filename);
     if (fptr == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_eim.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_eim.cpp
index 6703e159e6..b0fa1b1eef 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_eim.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_eim.cpp
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ void PairEIM::read_file(char *filename)
     fptr = force->open_potential(filename);
     if (fptr == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open EIM potential file %s",filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open EIM potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_gw.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_gw.cpp
index 0aff4970bb..f2d3b67eb0 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_gw.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_gw.cpp
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ void PairGW::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open GW potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open GW potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_gw_zbl.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_gw_zbl.cpp
index 81d4866e84..f3dd1bc04b 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_gw_zbl.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_gw_zbl.cpp
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ void PairGWZBL::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open GW potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open GW potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_lcbop.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_lcbop.cpp
index 57373c4f85..88477e48f3 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_lcbop.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_lcbop.cpp
@@ -978,7 +978,7 @@ void PairLCBOP::read_file(char *filename)
     FILE *fp = force->open_potential(filename);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open LCBOP potential file %s",filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open LCBOP potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_nb3b_harmonic.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_nb3b_harmonic.cpp
index 01718d14cd..ce449e4890 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_nb3b_harmonic.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_nb3b_harmonic.cpp
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ void PairNb3bHarmonic::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open nb3b/harmonic potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open nb3b/harmonic potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_polymorphic.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_polymorphic.cpp
index ce9af66d30..41c5892d4e 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_polymorphic.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_polymorphic.cpp
@@ -573,7 +573,7 @@ void PairPolymorphic::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open polymorphic potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open polymorphic potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
     // move past comments to first data line
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_sw.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_sw.cpp
index da470d568a..91e11b3d26 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_sw.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_sw.cpp
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ void PairSW::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open Stillinger-Weber potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open Stillinger-Weber potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_tersoff.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_tersoff.cpp
index 45068e5c2e..54101aef9e 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_tersoff.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_tersoff.cpp
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ void PairTersoff::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open Tersoff potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open Tersoff potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_tersoff_mod.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_tersoff_mod.cpp
index 73297fb534..e8fdecfe01 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_tersoff_mod.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_tersoff_mod.cpp
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ void PairTersoffMOD::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open Tersoff potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open Tersoff potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_tersoff_mod_c.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_tersoff_mod_c.cpp
index 0d0016664a..4a5904c106 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_tersoff_mod_c.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_tersoff_mod_c.cpp
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ void PairTersoffMODC::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open Tersoff potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open Tersoff potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_tersoff_zbl.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_tersoff_zbl.cpp
index 1692c88a50..353e3d2264 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_tersoff_zbl.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_tersoff_zbl.cpp
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ void PairTersoffZBL::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open Tersoff potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open Tersoff potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_vashishta.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_vashishta.cpp
index 54b184ea39..b4c3086ca8 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_vashishta.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_vashishta.cpp
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ void PairVashishta::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open Vashishta potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open Vashishta potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/MEAM/pair_meam.cpp b/src/MEAM/pair_meam.cpp
index 5aa13ab02e..b8f5291338 100644
--- a/src/MEAM/pair_meam.cpp
+++ b/src/MEAM/pair_meam.cpp
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ void PairMEAM::read_files(char *globalfile, char *userfile)
     fp = force->open_potential(globalfile);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open MEAM potential file %s",globalfile);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open MEAM potential file %s",globalfile);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
@@ -645,7 +645,7 @@ void PairMEAM::read_files(char *globalfile, char *userfile)
     fp = force->open_potential(userfile);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open MEAM potential file %s",userfile);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open MEAM potential file %s",userfile);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
@@ -694,8 +694,8 @@ void PairMEAM::read_files(char *globalfile, char *userfile)
       if (strcmp(params[0],keywords[which]) == 0) break;
     if (which == nkeywords) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Keyword %s in MEAM parameter file not recognized",
-              params[0]);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Keyword %s in MEAM parameter file not recognized",
+               params[0]);
       error->all(FLERR,str);
     }
     nindex = nparams - 2;
diff --git a/src/MISC/fix_ttm.cpp b/src/MISC/fix_ttm.cpp
index c8f33c73b7..4e15581377 100644
--- a/src/MISC/fix_ttm.cpp
+++ b/src/MISC/fix_ttm.cpp
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ FixTTM::FixTTM(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
   fpr = fopen(arg[13],"r");
   if (fpr == NULL) {
     char str[128];
-    sprintf(str,"Cannot open file %s",arg[13]);
+    snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open file %s",arg[13]);
     error->one(FLERR,str);
   }
 
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ FixTTM::FixTTM(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
       fp = fopen(arg[15],"w");
       if (fp == NULL) {
         char str[128];
-        sprintf(str,"Cannot open fix ttm file %s",arg[15]);
+        snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open fix ttm file %s",arg[15]);
         error->one(FLERR,str);
       }
     }
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/angle_table.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/angle_table.cpp
index 235e9b4d5b..2867865497 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/angle_table.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/angle_table.cpp
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ void AngleTable::read_table(Table *tb, char *file, char *keyword)
   FILE *fp = force->open_potential(file);
   if (fp == NULL) {
     char str[128];
-    sprintf(str,"Cannot open file %s",file);
+    snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open file %s",file);
     error->one(FLERR,str);
   }
 
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/bond_table.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/bond_table.cpp
index a5c579042b..392904149d 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/bond_table.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/bond_table.cpp
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ void BondTable::read_table(Table *tb, char *file, char *keyword)
   FILE *fp = force->open_potential(file);
   if (fp == NULL) {
     char str[128];
-    sprintf(str,"Cannot open file %s",file);
+    snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open file %s",file);
     error->one(FLERR,str);
   }
 
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/fix_cmap.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/fix_cmap.cpp
index b527eef020..a889a8d0db 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/fix_cmap.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/fix_cmap.cpp
@@ -644,7 +644,7 @@ void FixCMAP::read_grid_map(char *cmapfile)
     fp = force->open_potential(cmapfile);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open fix cmap file %s",cmapfile);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open fix cmap file %s",cmapfile);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
@@ -1076,7 +1076,7 @@ void FixCMAP::read_data_section(char *keyword, int n, char *buf,
 
   if (nwords != 7) {
     char str[128];
-    sprintf(str,"Incorrect %s format in data file",keyword);
+    snprintf(str,128,"Incorrect %s format in data file",keyword);
     error->all(FLERR,str);
   }
 
diff --git a/src/POEMS/fix_poems.cpp b/src/POEMS/fix_poems.cpp
index 2c2fefb250..f345d52aab 100644
--- a/src/POEMS/fix_poems.cpp
+++ b/src/POEMS/fix_poems.cpp
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ void FixPOEMS::init()
       if (pflag && (modify->fmask[i] & POST_FORCE) && 
           !modify->fix[i]->rigid_flag) {
         char str[128];
-        sprintf(str,"Fix %s alters forces after fix poems",modify->fix[i]->id);
+        snprintf(str,128,"Fix %s alters forces after fix poems",modify->fix[i]->id);
         error->warning(FLERR,str);
       }
     }
@@ -961,7 +961,7 @@ void FixPOEMS::readfile(char *file)
     fp = fopen(file,"r");
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open fix poems file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open fix poems file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/QEQ/fix_qeq.cpp b/src/QEQ/fix_qeq.cpp
index 0fe041209f..49e0a6d423 100644
--- a/src/QEQ/fix_qeq.cpp
+++ b/src/QEQ/fix_qeq.cpp
@@ -715,7 +715,7 @@ void FixQEq::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open fix qeq parameter file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open fix qeq parameter file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/REAX/fix_reax_bonds.cpp b/src/REAX/fix_reax_bonds.cpp
index 84e4a66e6c..5273cd1faa 100644
--- a/src/REAX/fix_reax_bonds.cpp
+++ b/src/REAX/fix_reax_bonds.cpp
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ FixReaxBonds::FixReaxBonds(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
     if (suffix && strcmp(suffix,".gz") == 0) {
 #ifdef LAMMPS_GZIP
       char gzip[128];
-      sprintf(gzip,"gzip -6 > %s",arg[4]);
+      snprintf(gzip128,,"gzip -6 > %s",arg[4]);
 #ifdef _WIN32
       fp = _popen(gzip,"wb");
 #else
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ FixReaxBonds::FixReaxBonds(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
 
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open fix reax/bonds file %s",arg[4]);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open fix reax/bonds file %s",arg[4]);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
@@ -222,11 +222,8 @@ void FixReaxBonds::OutputReaxBonds(bigint ntimestep, FILE *fp)
         numbonds = nint(buf[j+2]);
         fprintf(fp," %d %d %d",nint(buf[j]),nint(buf[j+1]),numbonds);
         j += 3;
-        if (numbonds > nsbmax_most) {
-          char str[128];
-          sprintf(str,"Fix reax/bonds numbonds > nsbmax_most");
-          error->one(FLERR,str);
-        }
+        if (numbonds > nsbmax_most)
+          error->one(FLERR,"Fix reax/bonds numbonds > nsbmax_most");
 
         // print connection table
 
diff --git a/src/REPLICA/neb.cpp b/src/REPLICA/neb.cpp
index c9aedf7401..9a4de9ca0b 100644
--- a/src/REPLICA/neb.cpp
+++ b/src/REPLICA/neb.cpp
@@ -549,7 +549,7 @@ void NEB::open(char *file)
   else {
 #ifdef LAMMPS_GZIP
     char gunzip[128];
-    sprintf(gunzip,"gzip -c -d %s",file);
+    snprintf(gunz128,ip,"gzip -c -d %s",file);
 
 #ifdef _WIN32
     fp = _popen(gunzip,"rb");
@@ -564,7 +564,7 @@ void NEB::open(char *file)
 
   if (fp == NULL) {
     char str[128];
-    sprintf(str,"Cannot open file %s",file);
+    snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open file %s",file);
     error->one(FLERR,str);
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/REPLICA/tad.cpp b/src/REPLICA/tad.cpp
index 46073952fc..da42ba6fae 100644
--- a/src/REPLICA/tad.cpp
+++ b/src/REPLICA/tad.cpp
@@ -712,10 +712,7 @@ void TAD::perform_neb(int ievent)
   args[0] = (char *) "neb";
   args[1] = (char *) "all";
   args[2] = (char *) "neb";
-  char str[128];
-  args[3] = str;
-  double kspring = 1.0;
-  sprintf(args[3],"%f",kspring);
+  args[3] = (char *) "1.0";
   modify->add_fix(narg2,args);
   fix_neb = (Fix *) modify->fix[modify->nfix-1];
   delete [] args;
diff --git a/src/RIGID/fix_rigid.cpp b/src/RIGID/fix_rigid.cpp
index c15a909ada..39c49ca1c4 100644
--- a/src/RIGID/fix_rigid.cpp
+++ b/src/RIGID/fix_rigid.cpp
@@ -730,7 +730,7 @@ void FixRigid::init()
       if (rflag && (modify->fmask[i] & POST_FORCE) && 
           !modify->fix[i]->rigid_flag) {
         char str[128];
-        sprintf(str,"Fix %s alters forces after fix rigid",modify->fix[i]->id);
+        snprintf(str,128,"Fix %s alters forces after fix rigid",modify->fix[i]->id);
         error->warning(FLERR,str);
       }
     }
@@ -2271,7 +2271,7 @@ void FixRigid::readfile(int which, double *vec,
     fp = fopen(infile,"r");
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open fix rigid infile %s",infile);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open fix rigid infile %s",infile);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
 
@@ -2380,11 +2380,11 @@ void FixRigid::write_restart_file(char *file)
   if (me) return;
 
   char outfile[128];
-  sprintf(outfile,"%s.rigid",file);
+  snprintf(outfile,128,"%s.rigid",file);
   FILE *fp = fopen(outfile,"w");
   if (fp == NULL) {
     char str[192];
-    sprintf(str,"Cannot open fix rigid restart file %s",outfile);
+    snprintf(str,192,"Cannot open fix rigid restart file %s",outfile);
     error->one(FLERR,str);
   }
 
diff --git a/src/RIGID/fix_rigid_small.cpp b/src/RIGID/fix_rigid_small.cpp
index d5d3d36083..44e1870e0a 100644
--- a/src/RIGID/fix_rigid_small.cpp
+++ b/src/RIGID/fix_rigid_small.cpp
@@ -569,7 +569,7 @@ void FixRigidSmall::init()
       if (rflag && (modify->fmask[i] & POST_FORCE) && 
           !modify->fix[i]->rigid_flag) {
         char str[128];
-        sprintf(str,"Fix %s alters forces after fix rigid",modify->fix[i]->id);
+        snprintf(str,128,"Fix %s alters forces after fix rigid",modify->fix[i]->id);
         error->warning(FLERR,str);
       }
     }
@@ -2482,7 +2482,7 @@ void FixRigidSmall::readfile(int which, double **array, int *inbody)
     fp = fopen(infile,"r");
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open fix rigid/small infile %s",infile);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open fix rigid/small infile %s",infile);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
 
@@ -2597,11 +2597,11 @@ void FixRigidSmall::write_restart_file(char *file)
 
   if (me == 0) {
     char outfile[128];
-    sprintf(outfile,"%s.rigid",file);
+    snprintf(outfile,128,"%s.rigid",file);
     fp = fopen(outfile,"w");
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open fix rigid restart file %s",outfile);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open fix rigid restart file %s",outfile);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/SNAP/pair_snap.cpp b/src/SNAP/pair_snap.cpp
index eaefb0325d..9f4c6bf5e2 100644
--- a/src/SNAP/pair_snap.cpp
+++ b/src/SNAP/pair_snap.cpp
@@ -1591,7 +1591,7 @@ void PairSNAP::read_files(char *coefffilename, char *paramfilename)
     fpcoeff = force->open_potential(coefffilename);
     if (fpcoeff == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open SNAP coefficient file %s",coefffilename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open SNAP coefficient file %s",coefffilename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
@@ -1757,7 +1757,7 @@ void PairSNAP::read_files(char *coefffilename, char *paramfilename)
     fpparam = force->open_potential(paramfilename);
     if (fpparam == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open SNAP parameter file %s",paramfilename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open SNAP parameter file %s",paramfilename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/USER-BOCS/fix_bocs.cpp b/src/USER-BOCS/fix_bocs.cpp
index 03fc94ae58..bf11b1d6ba 100644
--- a/src/USER-BOCS/fix_bocs.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-BOCS/fix_bocs.cpp
@@ -207,12 +207,11 @@ FixBocs::FixBocs(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
         p_basis_type = 2;
         spline_length = read_F_table( arg[iarg+1], p_basis_type );
         iarg += 2;
-      }  else
-      {
-         char * errmsg = (char *) calloc(150,sizeof(char));
-         sprintf(errmsg,"CG basis type %s is not recognized\nSupported "
-             "basis types: analytic linear_spline cubic_spline",arg[iarg]);
-         error->all(FLERR,errmsg);
+      }  else {
+        char errmsg[256];
+        snprintf(errmsg,256,"CG basis type %s is not recognized\nSupported "
+                 "basis types: analytic linear_spline cubic_spline",arg[iarg]);
+        error->all(FLERR,errmsg);
       } // END NJD MRD
     } else if (strcmp(arg[iarg],"tchain") == 0) {
       if (iarg+2 > narg) error->all(FLERR,"Illegal fix bocs command");
@@ -243,9 +242,9 @@ FixBocs::FixBocs(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
       if (nc_pchain < 0) error->all(FLERR,"Illegal fix bocs command");
       iarg += 2;
     } else {
-      char * errmsg = (char *) calloc(80,sizeof(char));
-      sprintf(errmsg,"Illegal fix bocs command: unrecognized keyword %s"
-                                                             ,arg[iarg]);
+      char errmsg[128];
+      snprintf(errmsg,128,"Illegal fix bocs command: unrecognized keyword %s"
+               ,arg[iarg]);
       error->all(FLERR,errmsg);
     }
   }
@@ -641,20 +640,16 @@ int FixBocs::read_F_table( char *filename, int p_basis_type )
     {
       data[i] = (double *) calloc(n_entries,sizeof(double));
     }
-  }
-  else
-  {
-    char * errmsg = (char *) calloc(50,sizeof(char));
-    sprintf(errmsg,"Unable to open file: %s\n",filename);
+  } else {
+    char errmsg[128];
+    snprintf(errmsg,128,"Unable to open file: %s\n",filename);
     error->all(FLERR,errmsg);
   }
 
   n_entries = 0;
   fpi = fopen(filename,"r");
-  if (fpi)
-  {
-    while( fgets(line,199,fpi))
-    {
+  if (fpi) {
+    while( fgets(line,199,fpi)) {
       ++n_entries;
       test_sscanf = sscanf(line," %f , %f ",&f1, &f2);
       if (test_sscanf == 2)
@@ -668,11 +663,9 @@ int FixBocs::read_F_table( char *filename, int p_basis_type )
                  "line %d of file %s\n\tline: %s",n_entries,filename,line);
       }
     }
-  }
-  else
-  {
-    char * errmsg = (char *) calloc(50,sizeof(char));
-    sprintf(errmsg,"Unable to open file: %s\n",filename);
+  } else {
+    char errmsg[128];
+    snprintf(errmsg,128,"Unable to open file: %s\n",filename);
     error->all(FLERR,errmsg);
   }
   fclose(fpi);
diff --git a/src/USER-DIFFRACTION/fix_saed_vtk.cpp b/src/USER-DIFFRACTION/fix_saed_vtk.cpp
index ad9c76ac6b..882c13bc3e 100644
--- a/src/USER-DIFFRACTION/fix_saed_vtk.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-DIFFRACTION/fix_saed_vtk.cpp
@@ -424,12 +424,12 @@ void FixSAEDVTK::invoke_vector(bigint ntimestep)
       fclose(fp);
 
       char nName [128];
-      sprintf(nName,"%s.%d.vtk",filename,nOutput);
+      snprintf(nName,128,"%s.%d.vtk",filename,nOutput);
       fp = fopen(nName,"w");
 
       if (fp == NULL) {
         char str[128];
-        sprintf(str,"Cannot open fix saed/vtk file %s",nName);
+        snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open fix saed/vtk file %s",nName);
         error->one(FLERR,str);
       }
     }
@@ -550,13 +550,13 @@ void FixSAEDVTK::options(int narg, char **arg)
          filename = new char[n];
          strcpy(filename,arg[iarg+1]);
 
-        char nName [128];
-         sprintf(nName,"%s.%d.vtk",filename,nOutput);
+         char nName [128];
+         snprintf(nName,128,"%s.%d.vtk",filename,nOutput);
          fp = fopen(nName,"w");
 
         if (fp == NULL) {
           char str[128];
-          sprintf(str,"Cannot open fix saed/vtk file %s",nName);
+          snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open fix saed/vtk file %s",nName);
           error->one(FLERR,str);
         }
       }
diff --git a/src/USER-DPD/fix_eos_table.cpp b/src/USER-DPD/fix_eos_table.cpp
index e57a3788bf..7d701f5fb8 100644
--- a/src/USER-DPD/fix_eos_table.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-DPD/fix_eos_table.cpp
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ void FixEOStable::read_table(Table *tb, Table *tb2, char *file, char *keyword)
   FILE *fp = force->open_potential(file);
   if (fp == NULL) {
     char str[128];
-    sprintf(str,"Cannot open file %s",file);
+    snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open file %s",file);
     error->one(FLERR,str);
   }
 
diff --git a/src/USER-DPD/fix_eos_table_rx.cpp b/src/USER-DPD/fix_eos_table_rx.cpp
index 181c7dccfa..779cee0e8b 100644
--- a/src/USER-DPD/fix_eos_table_rx.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-DPD/fix_eos_table_rx.cpp
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ void FixEOStableRX::read_file(char *file)
     fp = fopen(file,"r");
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open eos table/rx potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open eos table/rx potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
@@ -419,7 +419,7 @@ void FixEOStableRX::read_table(Table *tb, Table *tb2, char *file, char *keyword)
   FILE *fp = fopen(file,"r");
   if (fp == NULL) {
     char str[128];
-    sprintf(str,"Cannot open file %s",file);
+    snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open file %s",file);
     error->one(FLERR,str);
   }
 
diff --git a/src/USER-DPD/fix_rx.cpp b/src/USER-DPD/fix_rx.cpp
index 1a9c43704d..97668471c8 100644
--- a/src/USER-DPD/fix_rx.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-DPD/fix_rx.cpp
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ void FixRX::post_constructor()
     fp = force->open_potential(kineticsFile);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open rx file %s",kineticsFile);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open rx file %s",kineticsFile);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
@@ -859,7 +859,7 @@ void FixRX::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open rx file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open rx file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/USER-DPD/pair_exp6_rx.cpp b/src/USER-DPD/pair_exp6_rx.cpp
index 057c8fa119..0251f019c5 100644
--- a/src/USER-DPD/pair_exp6_rx.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-DPD/pair_exp6_rx.cpp
@@ -730,7 +730,7 @@ void PairExp6rx::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open exp6/rx potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open exp6/rx potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
@@ -841,7 +841,7 @@ void PairExp6rx::read_file2(char *file)
     fp = fopen(file,"r");
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open polynomial file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open polynomial file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/USER-DPD/pair_multi_lucy.cpp b/src/USER-DPD/pair_multi_lucy.cpp
index f911d8299e..19a4a02f0b 100644
--- a/src/USER-DPD/pair_multi_lucy.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-DPD/pair_multi_lucy.cpp
@@ -350,7 +350,7 @@ void PairMultiLucy::read_table(Table *tb, char *file, char *keyword)
   FILE *fp = fopen(file,"r");
   if (fp == NULL) {
     char str[128];
-    sprintf(str,"Cannot open file %s",file);
+    snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open file %s",file);
     error->one(FLERR,str);
   }
 
diff --git a/src/USER-DPD/pair_multi_lucy_rx.cpp b/src/USER-DPD/pair_multi_lucy_rx.cpp
index 13c838fe01..f3ad86eb2f 100644
--- a/src/USER-DPD/pair_multi_lucy_rx.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-DPD/pair_multi_lucy_rx.cpp
@@ -495,7 +495,7 @@ void PairMultiLucyRX::read_table(Table *tb, char *file, char *keyword)
   FILE *fp = force->open_potential(file);
   if (fp == NULL) {
     char str[128];
-    sprintf(str,"Cannot open file %s",file);
+    snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open file %s",file);
     error->one(FLERR,str);
   }
 
diff --git a/src/USER-INTEL/pair_eam_alloy_intel.cpp b/src/USER-INTEL/pair_eam_alloy_intel.cpp
index 192b39b2e8..da8a180fff 100644
--- a/src/USER-INTEL/pair_eam_alloy_intel.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-INTEL/pair_eam_alloy_intel.cpp
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ void PairEAMAlloyIntel::read_file(char *filename)
     fptr = force->open_potential(filename);
     if (fptr == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/USER-INTEL/pair_eam_fs_intel.cpp b/src/USER-INTEL/pair_eam_fs_intel.cpp
index 61bb6e0b4d..043f77db3e 100644
--- a/src/USER-INTEL/pair_eam_fs_intel.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-INTEL/pair_eam_fs_intel.cpp
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ void PairEAMFSIntel::read_file(char *filename)
     fptr = force->open_potential(filename);
     if (fptr == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open EAM potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/USER-MEAMC/pair_meamc.cpp b/src/USER-MEAMC/pair_meamc.cpp
index eca1040c9c..ff2a1180b5 100644
--- a/src/USER-MEAMC/pair_meamc.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MEAMC/pair_meamc.cpp
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ void PairMEAMC::read_files(char *globalfile, char *userfile)
     fp = force->open_potential(globalfile);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open MEAM potential file %s",globalfile);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open MEAM potential file %s",globalfile);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
@@ -509,7 +509,7 @@ void PairMEAMC::read_files(char *globalfile, char *userfile)
     fp = force->open_potential(userfile);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open MEAM potential file %s",userfile);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open MEAM potential file %s",userfile);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
@@ -558,8 +558,8 @@ void PairMEAMC::read_files(char *globalfile, char *userfile)
       if (strcmp(params[0],keywords[which]) == 0) break;
     if (which == nkeywords) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Keyword %s in MEAM parameter file not recognized",
-              params[0]);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Keyword %s in MEAM parameter file not recognized",
+               params[0]);
       error->all(FLERR,str);
     }
     nindex = nparams - 2;
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/fix_ave_correlate_long.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/fix_ave_correlate_long.cpp
index 0ce6121bf9..5c9f478a65 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/fix_ave_correlate_long.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/fix_ave_correlate_long.cpp
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ FixAveCorrelateLong::FixAveCorrelateLong(LAMMPS * lmp, int narg, char **arg):
         fp = fopen(arg[iarg+1],"w");
         if (fp == NULL) {
           char str[128];
-          sprintf(str,"Cannot open fix ave/correlate/long file %s",arg[iarg+1]);
+          snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open fix ave/correlate/long file %s",arg[iarg+1]);
           error->one(FLERR,str);
         }
       }
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/fix_bond_react.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/fix_bond_react.cpp
index ceac93178d..ae4534f825 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/fix_bond_react.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/fix_bond_react.cpp
@@ -2529,7 +2529,7 @@ void FixBondReact::open(char *file)
   fp = fopen(file,"r");
   if (fp == NULL) {
     char str[128];
-    sprintf(str,"Cannot open superimpose file %s",file);
+    snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open superimpose file %s",file);
     error->one(FLERR,str);
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/fix_gle.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/fix_gle.cpp
index 0b08fab4ca..01da7f87cf 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/fix_gle.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/fix_gle.cpp
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ FixGLE::FixGLE(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
     fgle = force->open_potential(fname);
     if (fgle == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open A-matrix file %s",fname);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open A-matrix file %s",fname);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
     if (screen) fprintf(screen,"Reading A-matrix from %s\n", fname);
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ FixGLE::FixGLE(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
       fgle = force->open_potential(fname);
       if (fgle == NULL) {
         char str[128];
-        sprintf(str,"Cannot open C-matrix file %s",fname);
+        snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open C-matrix file %s",fname);
         error->one(FLERR,str);
       }
       if (screen)
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/fix_ttm_mod.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/fix_ttm_mod.cpp
index 65f8e90ec3..a423b510e5 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/fix_ttm_mod.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/fix_ttm_mod.cpp
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ FixTTMMod::FixTTMMod(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
   FILE *fpr_2 = force->open_potential(arg[4]);
   if (fpr_2 == NULL) {
     char str[128];
-    sprintf(str,"Cannot open file %s",arg[4]);
+    snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open file %s",arg[4]);
     error->all(FLERR,str);
   }
 
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ FixTTMMod::FixTTMMod(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
   FILE *fpr = force->open_potential(arg[8]);
   if (fpr == NULL) {
     char str[128];
-    sprintf(str,"Cannot open file %s",arg[8]);
+    snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open file %s",arg[8]);
     error->all(FLERR,str);
   }
 
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ FixTTMMod::FixTTMMod(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
       fp = fopen(arg[10],"w");
       if (fp == NULL) {
         char str[128];
-        sprintf(str,"Cannot open fix ttm/mod file %s",arg[10]);
+        snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open fix ttm/mod file %s",arg[10]);
         error->one(FLERR,str);
       }
     }
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_agni.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_agni.cpp
index 998582f619..0277969d15 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_agni.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_agni.cpp
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ void PairAGNI::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open AGNI potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open AGNI potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_edip.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_edip.cpp
index 4716e271d7..491268567f 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_edip.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_edip.cpp
@@ -877,7 +877,7 @@ void PairEDIP::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open EDIP potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open EDIP potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_edip_multi.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_edip_multi.cpp
index fc76aadb0b..f56650d2f6 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_edip_multi.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_edip_multi.cpp
@@ -644,7 +644,7 @@ void PairEDIPMulti::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open EDIP potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open EDIP potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_extep.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_extep.cpp
index 49c562471f..1e7d17f040 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_extep.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_extep.cpp
@@ -591,7 +591,7 @@ void PairExTeP::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open ExTeP potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open ExTeP potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_ilp_graphene_hbn.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_ilp_graphene_hbn.cpp
index 7e11cdff4f..6b92595472 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_ilp_graphene_hbn.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_ilp_graphene_hbn.cpp
@@ -880,7 +880,7 @@ void PairILPGrapheneHBN::read_file(char *filename)
     fp = force->open_potential(filename);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open ILP potential file %s",filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open ILP potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_kolmogorov_crespi_full.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_kolmogorov_crespi_full.cpp
index bc3bfaeba9..18870ef69a 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_kolmogorov_crespi_full.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_kolmogorov_crespi_full.cpp
@@ -885,7 +885,7 @@ void PairKolmogorovCrespiFull::read_file(char *filename)
     fp = force->open_potential(filename);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open KC potential file %s",filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open KC potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_kolmogorov_crespi_z.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_kolmogorov_crespi_z.cpp
index fb7d5ae40e..b39b9fdb72 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_kolmogorov_crespi_z.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_kolmogorov_crespi_z.cpp
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ void PairKolmogorovCrespiZ::read_file(char *filename)
     fp = force->open_potential(filename);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open KC potential file %s",filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open KC potential file %s",filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_meam_spline.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_meam_spline.cpp
index e6ea6c2ae4..0300e2c7a2 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_meam_spline.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_meam_spline.cpp
@@ -439,7 +439,7 @@ void PairMEAMSpline::read_file(const char* filename)
     FILE *fp = force->open_potential(filename);
     if(fp == NULL) {
       char str[1024];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open spline MEAM potential file %s", filename);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open spline MEAM potential file %s", filename);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_meam_sw_spline.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_meam_sw_spline.cpp
index 891913ccfc..20dade5e5f 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_meam_sw_spline.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_meam_sw_spline.cpp
@@ -462,64 +462,64 @@ void PairMEAMSWSpline::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
 
 void PairMEAMSWSpline::read_file(const char* filename)
 {
-        if(comm->me == 0) {
-                FILE *fp = force->open_potential(filename);
-                if(fp == NULL) {
-                        char str[1024];
-                        sprintf(str,"Cannot open spline MEAM potential file %s", filename);
-                        error->one(FLERR,str);
-                }
+  if(comm->me == 0) {
+    FILE *fp = force->open_potential(filename);
+    if(fp == NULL) {
+      char str[1024];
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open spline MEAM potential file %s", filename);
+      error->one(FLERR,str);
+    }
 
-                // Skip first line of file.
-                char line[MAXLINE];
-                fgets(line, MAXLINE, fp);
+    // Skip first line of file.
+    char line[MAXLINE];
+    fgets(line, MAXLINE, fp);
 
-                // Parse spline functions.
-                phi.parse(fp, error);
-                F.parse(fp, error);
-                G.parse(fp, error);
-                rho.parse(fp, error);
-                U.parse(fp, error);
-                f.parse(fp, error);
-                g.parse(fp, error);
+    // Parse spline functions.
+    phi.parse(fp, error);
+    F.parse(fp, error);
+    G.parse(fp, error);
+    rho.parse(fp, error);
+    U.parse(fp, error);
+    f.parse(fp, error);
+    g.parse(fp, error);
 
-                fclose(fp);
-        }
+    fclose(fp);
+  }
 
-        // Transfer spline functions from master processor to all other processors.
-        phi.communicate(world, comm->me);
-        rho.communicate(world, comm->me);
-        f.communicate(world, comm->me);
-        U.communicate(world, comm->me);
-        g.communicate(world, comm->me);
-        F.communicate(world, comm->me);
-        G.communicate(world, comm->me);
+  // Transfer spline functions from master processor to all other processors.
+  phi.communicate(world, comm->me);
+  rho.communicate(world, comm->me);
+  f.communicate(world, comm->me);
+  U.communicate(world, comm->me);
+  g.communicate(world, comm->me);
+  F.communicate(world, comm->me);
+  G.communicate(world, comm->me);
 
-        // Calculate 'zero-point energy' of single atom in vacuum.
-        zero_atom_energy = U.eval(0.0);
+  // Calculate 'zero-point energy' of single atom in vacuum.
+  zero_atom_energy = U.eval(0.0);
 
-        // Determine maximum cutoff radius of all relevant spline functions.
-        cutoff = 0.0;
-        if(phi.cutoff() > cutoff) cutoff = phi.cutoff();
-        if(rho.cutoff() > cutoff) cutoff = rho.cutoff();
-        if(f.cutoff() > cutoff) cutoff = f.cutoff();
-        if(F.cutoff() > cutoff) cutoff = F.cutoff();
+  // Determine maximum cutoff radius of all relevant spline functions.
+  cutoff = 0.0;
+  if(phi.cutoff() > cutoff) cutoff = phi.cutoff();
+  if(rho.cutoff() > cutoff) cutoff = rho.cutoff();
+  if(f.cutoff() > cutoff) cutoff = f.cutoff();
+  if(F.cutoff() > cutoff) cutoff = F.cutoff();
 
-        // Set LAMMPS pair interaction flags.
-        for(int i = 1; i <= atom->ntypes; i++) {
-                for(int j = 1; j <= atom->ntypes; j++) {
-                        setflag[i][j] = 1;
-                        cutsq[i][j] = cutoff;
-                }
-        }
+  // Set LAMMPS pair interaction flags.
+  for(int i = 1; i <= atom->ntypes; i++) {
+    for(int j = 1; j <= atom->ntypes; j++) {
+      setflag[i][j] = 1;
+      cutsq[i][j] = cutoff;
+    }
+  }
 
-        // phi.writeGnuplot("phi.gp", "Phi(r)");
-        // rho.writeGnuplot("rho.gp", "Rho(r)");
-        // f.writeGnuplot("f.gp", "f(r)");
-        // U.writeGnuplot("U.gp", "U(rho)");
-        // g.writeGnuplot("g.gp", "g(x)");
-        // F.writeGnuplot("F.gp", "F(r)");
-        // G.writeGnuplot("G.gp", "G(x)");
+  // phi.writeGnuplot("phi.gp", "Phi(r)");
+  // rho.writeGnuplot("rho.gp", "Rho(r)");
+  // f.writeGnuplot("f.gp", "f(r)");
+  // U.writeGnuplot("U.gp", "U(rho)");
+  // g.writeGnuplot("g.gp", "g(x)");
+  // F.writeGnuplot("F.gp", "F(r)");
+  // G.writeGnuplot("G.gp", "G(x)");
 }
 
 /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/pair_tersoff_table.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/pair_tersoff_table.cpp
index d7e28a1e40..d1044cc336 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/pair_tersoff_table.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/pair_tersoff_table.cpp
@@ -845,7 +845,7 @@ void PairTersoffTable::read_file(char *file)
     fp = force->open_potential(file);
     if (fp == NULL) {
       char str[128];
-      sprintf(str,"Cannot open Tersoff potential file %s",file);
+      snprintf(str,128,"Cannot open Tersoff potential file %s",file);
       error->one(FLERR,str);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/USER-MOLFILE/reader_molfile.cpp b/src/USER-MOLFILE/reader_molfile.cpp
index 6348009d8f..8e49f56d5c 100644
--- a/src/USER-MOLFILE/reader_molfile.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MOLFILE/reader_molfile.cpp
@@ -113,12 +113,12 @@ void ReaderMolfile::open_file(const char *file)
   rv = mf->open(file,&natoms);
 
   if (rv != MFI::E_NONE) {
-    sprintf(str,"Cannot open file %s",file);
+    snprintf(str,1024,"Cannot open file %s",file);
     error->one(FLERR,str);
   }
 
   if (natoms < 1) {
-    sprintf(str,"No atoms in file %s",file);
+    snprintf(str,1024,"No atoms in file %s",file);
     error->one(FLERR,str);
   }