diff --git a/src/KIM/kim_init.cpp b/src/KIM/kim_init.cpp
index 36df368016..2d639ede4c 100644
--- a/src/KIM/kim_init.cpp
+++ b/src/KIM/kim_init.cpp
@@ -86,10 +86,8 @@ void KimInit::command(int narg, char **arg)
   if (domain->box_exist)
     error->all(FLERR,"Must use 'kim_init' command before "
                      "simulation box is defined");
-  char *model_name = new char[strlen(arg[0])+1];
-  strcpy(model_name,arg[0]);
-  char *user_units = new char[strlen(arg[1])+1];
-  strcpy(user_units,arg[1]);
+  char *model_name = utils::strdup(arg[0]);
+  char *user_units = utils::strdup(arg[1]);
   if (narg == 3) {
     if (strcmp(arg[2],"unit_conversion_mode")==0) unit_conversion_mode = true;
     else {
@@ -214,8 +212,7 @@ void KimInit::determine_model_type_and_units(char * model_name,
     if (units_accepted) {
       logID = fmt::format("{}_Model", comm->me);
       KIM_Model_SetLogID(pkim, logID.c_str());
-      *model_units = new char[strlen(user_units)+1];
-      strcpy(*model_units,user_units);
+      *model_units = utils::strdup(user_units);
       return;
     } else if (unit_conversion_mode) {
       KIM_Model_Destroy(&pkim);
@@ -237,8 +234,7 @@ void KimInit::determine_model_type_and_units(char * model_name,
         if (units_accepted) {
           logID = fmt::format("{}_Model", comm->me);
           KIM_Model_SetLogID(pkim, logID.c_str());
-          *model_units = new char[strlen(systems[i])+1];
-          strcpy(*model_units,systems[i]);
+          *model_units = utils::strdup(systems[i]);
           return;
         }
         KIM_Model_Destroy(&pkim);
@@ -272,9 +268,7 @@ void KimInit::determine_model_type_and_units(char * model_name,
       if (0 == strcmp(sim_field,"units")) {
         KIM_SimulatorModel_GetSimulatorFieldLine(
           simulatorModel, i, 0, &sim_value);
-        int len=strlen(sim_value)+1;
-        *model_units = new char[len];
-        strcpy(*model_units,sim_value);
+        *model_units = utils::strdup(sim_value);
         break;
       }
     }
diff --git a/src/compute_coord_atom.cpp b/src/compute_coord_atom.cpp
index 3055fb96ac..51a3618d5a 100644
--- a/src/compute_coord_atom.cpp
+++ b/src/compute_coord_atom.cpp
@@ -53,9 +53,7 @@ ComputeCoordAtom::ComputeCoordAtom(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
 
     int iarg = 5;
     if ((narg > 6) && (strcmp(arg[5],"group") == 0)) {
-      int len = strlen(arg[6])+1;
-      group2 = new char[len];
-      strcpy(group2,arg[6]);
+      group2 = utils::strdup(arg[6]);
       iarg += 2;
       jgroup = group->find(group2);
       if (jgroup == -1)
diff --git a/src/fix_property_atom.cpp b/src/fix_property_atom.cpp
index 72f2eee605..c1c52a3f8c 100644
--- a/src/fix_property_atom.cpp
+++ b/src/fix_property_atom.cpp
@@ -13,13 +13,12 @@
 
 #include "fix_property_atom.h"
 
-#include <cstring>
 #include "atom.h"
 #include "comm.h"
-#include "memory.h"
 #include "error.h"
+#include "memory.h"
 
-
+#include <cstring>
 
 using namespace LAMMPS_NS;
 using namespace FixConst;
@@ -126,9 +125,7 @@ FixPropertyAtom::FixPropertyAtom(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
 
   // store current atom style
 
-  int n = strlen(atom->atom_style) + 1;
-  astyle = new char[n];
-  strcpy(astyle,atom->atom_style);
+  astyle = utils::strdup(atom->atom_style);
 
   // perform initial allocation of atom-based array
   // register with Atom class
diff --git a/src/fix_setforce.cpp b/src/fix_setforce.cpp
index 8430f4d784..7d41b428c9 100644
--- a/src/fix_setforce.cpp
+++ b/src/fix_setforce.cpp
@@ -49,9 +49,7 @@ FixSetForce::FixSetForce(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
   xstr = ystr = zstr = nullptr;
 
   if (utils::strmatch(arg[3],"^v_")) {
-    int n = strlen(&arg[3][2]) + 1;
-    xstr = new char[n];
-    strcpy(xstr,&arg[3][2]);
+    xstr = utils::strdup(arg[3]+2);
   } else if (strcmp(arg[3],"NULL") == 0) {
     xstyle = NONE;
   } else {
@@ -59,9 +57,7 @@ FixSetForce::FixSetForce(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
     xstyle = CONSTANT;
   }
   if (utils::strmatch(arg[4],"^v_")) {
-    int n = strlen(&arg[4][2]) + 1;
-    ystr = new char[n];
-    strcpy(ystr,&arg[4][2]);
+    ystr = utils::strdup(arg[4]+2);
   } else if (strcmp(arg[4],"NULL") == 0) {
     ystyle = NONE;
   } else {
@@ -69,9 +65,7 @@ FixSetForce::FixSetForce(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
     ystyle = CONSTANT;
   }
   if (utils::strmatch(arg[5],"^v_")) {
-    int n = strlen(&arg[5][2]) + 1;
-    zstr = new char[n];
-    strcpy(zstr,&arg[5][2]);
+    zstr = utils::strdup(arg[5]+2);
   } else if (strcmp(arg[5],"NULL") == 0) {
     zstyle = NONE;
   } else {
@@ -91,9 +85,7 @@ FixSetForce::FixSetForce(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
       iregion = domain->find_region(arg[iarg+1]);
       if (iregion == -1)
         error->all(FLERR,"Region ID for fix setforce does not exist");
-      int n = strlen(arg[iarg+1]) + 1;
-      idregion = new char[n];
-      strcpy(idregion,arg[iarg+1]);
+      idregion = utils::strdup(arg[iarg+1]);
       iarg += 2;
     } else error->all(FLERR,"Illegal fix setforce command");
   }
diff --git a/src/fix_temp_berendsen.cpp b/src/fix_temp_berendsen.cpp
index c80ffc7859..403e43cd61 100644
--- a/src/fix_temp_berendsen.cpp
+++ b/src/fix_temp_berendsen.cpp
@@ -12,20 +12,20 @@
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 
 #include "fix_temp_berendsen.h"
-#include <cstring>
 
-#include <cmath>
 #include "atom.h"
-#include "force.h"
 #include "comm.h"
-#include "input.h"
-#include "variable.h"
-#include "group.h"
-#include "update.h"
-#include "modify.h"
 #include "compute.h"
 #include "error.h"
+#include "force.h"
+#include "group.h"
+#include "input.h"
+#include "modify.h"
+#include "update.h"
+#include "variable.h"
 
+#include <cmath>
+#include <cstring>
 
 using namespace LAMMPS_NS;
 using namespace FixConst;
@@ -52,9 +52,7 @@ FixTempBerendsen::FixTempBerendsen(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
 
   tstr = nullptr;
   if (utils::strmatch(arg[3],"^v_")) {
-    int n = strlen(&arg[3][2]) + 1;
-    tstr = new char[n];
-    strcpy(tstr,&arg[3][2]);
+    tstr = utils::strdup(arg[3]+2);
     tstyle = EQUAL;
   } else {
     t_start = utils::numeric(FLERR,arg[3],false,lmp);
@@ -74,9 +72,7 @@ FixTempBerendsen::FixTempBerendsen(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
   // id = fix-ID + temp, compute group = fix group
 
   std::string cmd = id + std::string("_temp");
-  id_temp = new char[cmd.size()+1];
-  strcpy(id_temp,cmd.c_str());
-
+  id_temp = utils::strdup(cmd);
   cmd += fmt::format(" {} temp",group->names[igroup]);
   modify->add_compute(cmd);
   tflag = 1;
diff --git a/src/fix_temp_csld.cpp b/src/fix_temp_csld.cpp
index e38ad2a43f..f8afdada97 100644
--- a/src/fix_temp_csld.cpp
+++ b/src/fix_temp_csld.cpp
@@ -16,22 +16,22 @@
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 
 #include "fix_temp_csld.h"
-#include <cstring>
+
+#include "atom.h"
+#include "comm.h"
+#include "compute.h"
+#include "error.h"
+#include "force.h"
+#include "group.h"
+#include "input.h"
+#include "memory.h"
+#include "modify.h"
+#include "random_mars.h"
+#include "update.h"
+#include "variable.h"
 
 #include <cmath>
-#include "atom.h"
-#include "force.h"
-#include "memory.h"
-#include "comm.h"
-#include "input.h"
-#include "variable.h"
-#include "group.h"
-#include "update.h"
-#include "modify.h"
-#include "compute.h"
-#include "random_mars.h"
-#include "error.h"
-
+#include <cstring>
 
 using namespace LAMMPS_NS;
 using namespace FixConst;
@@ -58,9 +58,7 @@ FixTempCSLD::FixTempCSLD(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
 
   tstr = nullptr;
   if (utils::strmatch(arg[3],"^v_")) {
-    int n = strlen(&arg[3][2]) + 1;
-    tstr = new char[n];
-    strcpy(tstr,&arg[3][2]);
+    tstr = utils::strdup(arg[3]+2);
     tstyle = EQUAL;
   } else {
     t_start = utils::numeric(FLERR,arg[3],false,lmp);
@@ -83,9 +81,7 @@ FixTempCSLD::FixTempCSLD(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
   // id = fix-ID + temp, compute group = fix group
 
   std::string cmd = id + std::string("_temp");
-  id_temp = new char[cmd.size()+1];
-  strcpy(id_temp,cmd.c_str());
-
+  id_temp = utils::strdup(cmd);
   cmd += fmt::format(" {} temp",group->names[igroup]);
   modify->add_compute(cmd);
   tflag = 1;
diff --git a/src/fix_temp_csvr.cpp b/src/fix_temp_csvr.cpp
index 9c10b0fb7d..3f71c211e5 100644
--- a/src/fix_temp_csvr.cpp
+++ b/src/fix_temp_csvr.cpp
@@ -18,22 +18,21 @@
 
 #include "fix_temp_csvr.h"
 
+#include "atom.h"
+#include "comm.h"
+#include "compute.h"
+#include "error.h"
+#include "force.h"
+#include "group.h"
+#include "input.h"
+#include "modify.h"
+#include "random_mars.h"
+#include "update.h"
+#include "variable.h"
+
 #include <cstring>
 #include <cmath>
 
-#include "atom.h"
-#include "force.h"
-#include "comm.h"
-#include "input.h"
-#include "variable.h"
-#include "group.h"
-#include "update.h"
-#include "modify.h"
-#include "compute.h"
-#include "random_mars.h"
-#include "error.h"
-
-
 using namespace LAMMPS_NS;
 using namespace FixConst;
 
@@ -135,9 +134,7 @@ FixTempCSVR::FixTempCSVR(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
 
   tstr = nullptr;
   if (utils::strmatch(arg[3],"^v_")) {
-    int n = strlen(&arg[3][2]) + 1;
-    tstr = new char[n];
-    strcpy(tstr,&arg[3][2]);
+    tstr = utils::strdup(arg[3]+2);
     tstyle = EQUAL;
   } else {
     t_start = utils::numeric(FLERR,arg[3],false,lmp);
@@ -160,9 +157,7 @@ FixTempCSVR::FixTempCSVR(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
   // id = fix-ID + temp, compute group = fix group
 
   std::string cmd = id + std::string("_temp");
-  id_temp = new char[cmd.size()+1];
-  strcpy(id_temp,cmd.c_str());
-
+  id_temp = utils::strdup(cmd);
   cmd += fmt::format(" {} temp",group->names[igroup]);
   modify->add_compute(cmd);
   tflag = 1;
diff --git a/src/fix_temp_rescale.cpp b/src/fix_temp_rescale.cpp
index 321486b761..6ad0d705f6 100644
--- a/src/fix_temp_rescale.cpp
+++ b/src/fix_temp_rescale.cpp
@@ -12,20 +12,20 @@
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 
 #include "fix_temp_rescale.h"
-#include <cstring>
 
-#include <cmath>
 #include "atom.h"
-#include "force.h"
-#include "group.h"
-#include "update.h"
 #include "comm.h"
-#include "input.h"
-#include "variable.h"
-#include "modify.h"
 #include "compute.h"
 #include "error.h"
+#include "force.h"
+#include "group.h"
+#include "input.h"
+#include "modify.h"
+#include "update.h"
+#include "variable.h"
 
+#include <cmath>
+#include <cstring>
 
 using namespace LAMMPS_NS;
 using namespace FixConst;
@@ -52,9 +52,7 @@ FixTempRescale::FixTempRescale(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
 
   tstr = nullptr;
   if (utils::strmatch(arg[4],"^v_")) {
-    int n = strlen(&arg[4][2]) + 1;
-    tstr = new char[n];
-    strcpy(tstr,&arg[4][2]);
+    tstr = utils::strdup(arg[4]+2);
     tstyle = EQUAL;
   } else {
     t_start = utils::numeric(FLERR,arg[4],false,lmp);
@@ -70,9 +68,7 @@ FixTempRescale::FixTempRescale(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
   // id = fix-ID + temp, compute group = fix group
 
   std::string cmd = id + std::string("_temp");
-  id_temp = new char[cmd.size()+1];
-  strcpy(id_temp,cmd.c_str());
-
+  id_temp = utils::strdup(cmd);
   cmd += fmt::format(" {} temp",group->names[igroup]);
   modify->add_compute(cmd);
   tflag = 1;
diff --git a/src/fix_wall.cpp b/src/fix_wall.cpp
index 255f851408..26ea22db9d 100644
--- a/src/fix_wall.cpp
+++ b/src/fix_wall.cpp
@@ -81,18 +81,14 @@ FixWall::FixWall(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
         else coord0[nwall] = domain->boxhi[dim];
       } else if (utils::strmatch(arg[iarg+1],"^v_")) {
         xstyle[nwall] = VARIABLE;
-        int n = strlen(&arg[iarg+1][2]) + 1;
-        xstr[nwall] = new char[n];
-        strcpy(xstr[nwall],&arg[iarg+1][2]);
+        xstr[nwall] = utils::strdup(arg[iarg+1]+2);
       } else {
         xstyle[nwall] = CONSTANT;
         coord0[nwall] = utils::numeric(FLERR,arg[iarg+1],false,lmp);
       }
 
       if (utils::strmatch(arg[iarg+2],"^v_")) {
-        int n = strlen(&arg[iarg+2][2]) + 1;
-        estr[nwall] = new char[n];
-        strcpy(estr[nwall],&arg[iarg+2][2]);
+        estr[nwall] = utils::strdup(arg[iarg+2]+2);
         estyle[nwall] = VARIABLE;
       } else {
         epsilon[nwall] = utils::numeric(FLERR,arg[iarg+2],false,lmp);
@@ -101,9 +97,7 @@ FixWall::FixWall(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
 
       if (utils::strmatch(style,"^wall/morse")) {
         if (utils::strmatch(arg[iarg+3],"^v_")) {
-          int n = strlen(&arg[iarg+3][2]) + 1;
-          astr[nwall] = new char[n];
-          strcpy(astr[nwall],&arg[iarg+3][2]);
+          astr[nwall] = utils::strdup(arg[iarg+3]+2);
           astyle[nwall] = VARIABLE;
         } else {
           alpha[nwall] = utils::numeric(FLERR,arg[iarg+3],false,lmp);
@@ -113,9 +107,7 @@ FixWall::FixWall(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
       }
 
       if (utils::strmatch(arg[iarg+3],"^v_")) {
-        int n = strlen(&arg[iarg+3][2]) + 1;
-        sstr[nwall] = new char[n];
-        strcpy(sstr[nwall],&arg[iarg+3][2]);
+        sstr[nwall] = utils::strdup(arg[iarg+3]+2);
         sstyle[nwall] = VARIABLE;
       } else {
         sigma[nwall] = utils::numeric(FLERR,arg[iarg+3],false,lmp);
diff --git a/src/fix_wall_reflect.cpp b/src/fix_wall_reflect.cpp
index 12dd7b5877..77c3cd368f 100644
--- a/src/fix_wall_reflect.cpp
+++ b/src/fix_wall_reflect.cpp
@@ -75,9 +75,7 @@ FixWallReflect::FixWallReflect(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
         else coord0[nwall] = domain->boxhi[dim];
       } else if (utils::strmatch(arg[iarg+1],"^v_")) {
         wallstyle[nwall] = VARIABLE;
-        int n = strlen(&arg[iarg+1][2]) + 1;
-        varstr[nwall] = new char[n];
-        strcpy(varstr[nwall],&arg[iarg+1][2]);
+        varstr[nwall] = utils::strdup(arg[iarg+1]+2);
       } else {
         wallstyle[nwall] = CONSTANT;
         coord0[nwall] = utils::numeric(FLERR,arg[iarg+1],false,lmp);
diff --git a/src/output.cpp b/src/output.cpp
index 31377e9ca6..828796b873 100644
--- a/src/output.cpp
+++ b/src/output.cpp
@@ -665,9 +665,7 @@ void Output::set_thermo(int narg, char **arg)
   var_thermo = nullptr;
 
   if (utils::strmatch(arg[0],"^v_")) {
-    int n = strlen(&arg[0][2]) + 1;
-    var_thermo = new char[n];
-    strcpy(var_thermo,&arg[0][2]);
+    var_thermo = utils::strdup(arg[0]+2);
   } else {
     thermo_every = utils::inumeric(FLERR,arg[0],false,lmp);
     if (thermo_every < 0) error->all(FLERR,"Illegal thermo command");
@@ -745,9 +743,7 @@ void Output::create_restart(int narg, char **arg)
 
     if (varflag) {
       delete [] var_restart_single;
-      int n = strlen(&arg[0][2]) + 1;
-      var_restart_single = new char[n];
-      strcpy(var_restart_single,&arg[0][2]);
+      var_restart_single = utils::strdup(arg[0]+2);
       restart_every_single = 0;
     } else restart_every_single = every;
 
@@ -763,9 +759,7 @@ void Output::create_restart(int narg, char **arg)
 
     if (varflag) {
       delete [] var_restart_double;
-      int n = strlen(&arg[0][2]) + 1;
-      var_restart_double = new char[n];
-      strcpy(var_restart_double,&arg[0][2]);
+      var_restart_double = utils::strdup(arg[0]+2);
       restart_every_double = 0;
     } else restart_every_double = every;
 
diff --git a/src/region_cylinder.cpp b/src/region_cylinder.cpp
index 6aec067a40..2092a03b79 100644
--- a/src/region_cylinder.cpp
+++ b/src/region_cylinder.cpp
@@ -45,9 +45,7 @@ RegCylinder::RegCylinder(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
 
   if (axis == 'x') {
     if (utils::strmatch(arg[3],"^v_")) {
-      int n = strlen(arg[3]+2) + 1;
-      c1str = new char[n];
-      strcpy(c1str,arg[3]+2);
+      c1str = utils::strdup(arg[3]+2);
       c1 = 0.0;
       c1style = VARIABLE;
       varshape = 1;
@@ -56,9 +54,7 @@ RegCylinder::RegCylinder(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
       c1style = CONSTANT;
     }
     if (utils::strmatch(arg[4],"^v_")) {
-      int n = strlen(arg[4]+2) + 1;
-      c2str = new char[n];
-      strcpy(c2str,arg[4]+2);
+      c2str = utils::strdup(arg[4]+2);
       c2 = 0.0;
       c2style = VARIABLE;
       varshape = 1;
@@ -68,9 +64,7 @@ RegCylinder::RegCylinder(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
     }
   } else if (axis == 'y') {
     if (utils::strmatch(arg[3],"^v_")) {
-      int n = strlen(arg[3]+2) + 1;
-      c1str = new char[n];
-      strcpy(c1str,arg[3]+2);
+      c1str = utils::strdup(arg[3]+2);
       c1 = 0.0;
       c1style = VARIABLE;
       varshape = 1;
@@ -79,9 +73,7 @@ RegCylinder::RegCylinder(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
       c1style = CONSTANT;
     }
     if (utils::strmatch(arg[4],"^v_")) {
-      int n = strlen(arg[4]+2) + 1;
-      c2str = new char[n];
-      strcpy(c2str,arg[4]+2);
+      c2str = utils::strdup(arg[4]+2);
       c2 = 0.0;
       c2style = VARIABLE;
       varshape = 1;
@@ -91,9 +83,7 @@ RegCylinder::RegCylinder(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
     }
   } else if (axis == 'z') {
     if (utils::strmatch(arg[3],"^v_")) {
-      int n = strlen(arg[3]+2) + 1;
-      c1str = new char[n];
-      strcpy(c1str,arg[3]+2);
+      c1str = utils::strdup(arg[3]+2);
       c1 = 0.0;
       c1style = VARIABLE;
       varshape = 1;
@@ -102,9 +92,7 @@ RegCylinder::RegCylinder(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
       c1style = CONSTANT;
     }
     if (utils::strmatch(arg[4],"^v_")) {
-      int n = strlen(arg[4]+2) + 1;
-      c2str = new char[n];
-      strcpy(c2str,arg[4]+2);
+      c2str = utils::strdup(arg[4]+2);
       c2 = 0.0;
       c2style = VARIABLE;
       varshape = 1;
@@ -115,9 +103,7 @@ RegCylinder::RegCylinder(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
   }
 
   if (utils::strmatch(arg[5],"^v_")) {
-    int n = strlen(&arg[5][2]) + 1;
-    rstr = new char[n];
-    strcpy(rstr,&arg[5][2]);
+    rstr = utils::strdup(arg[5]+2);
     radius = 0.0;
     rstyle = VARIABLE;
     varshape = 1;
diff --git a/src/region_sphere.cpp b/src/region_sphere.cpp
index a5fc292b41..8921cbd456 100644
--- a/src/region_sphere.cpp
+++ b/src/region_sphere.cpp
@@ -33,9 +33,7 @@ RegSphere::RegSphere(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
   options(narg-6,&arg[6]);
 
   if (utils::strmatch(arg[2],"^v_")) {
-    int n = strlen(arg[2]+2) + 1;
-    xstr = new char[n];
-    strcpy(xstr,arg[2]+2);
+    xstr = utils::strdup(arg[2]+2);
     xc = 0.0;
     xstyle = VARIABLE;
     varshape = 1;
@@ -45,9 +43,7 @@ RegSphere::RegSphere(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
   }
 
   if (utils::strmatch(arg[3],"^v_")) {
-    int n = strlen(arg[3]+2) + 1;
-    ystr = new char[n];
-    strcpy(ystr,arg[3]+2);
+    ystr = utils::strdup(arg[3]+2);
     yc = 0.0;
     ystyle = VARIABLE;
     varshape = 1;
@@ -57,9 +53,7 @@ RegSphere::RegSphere(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
   }
 
   if (utils::strmatch(arg[4],"^v_")) {
-    int n = strlen(arg[4]+2) + 1;
-    zstr = new char[n];
-    strcpy(zstr,arg[4]+2);
+    zstr = utils::strdup(arg[4]+2);
     zc = 0.0;
     zstyle = VARIABLE;
     varshape = 1;
@@ -69,9 +63,7 @@ RegSphere::RegSphere(LAMMPS *lmp, int narg, char **arg) :
   }
 
   if (utils::strmatch(arg[5],"^v_")) {
-    int n = strlen(&arg[5][2]) + 1;
-    rstr = new char[n];
-    strcpy(rstr,&arg[5][2]);
+    rstr = utils::strdup(arg[5]+2);
     radius = 0.0;
     rstyle = VARIABLE;
     varshape = 1;
diff --git a/src/set.cpp b/src/set.cpp
index 4d27e8183b..fdc0c37bfd 100644
--- a/src/set.cpp
+++ b/src/set.cpp
@@ -71,9 +71,7 @@ void Set::command(int narg, char **arg)
   else if (strcmp(arg[0],"region") == 0) style = REGION_SELECT;
   else error->all(FLERR,"Illegal set command");
 
-  int n = strlen(arg[1]) + 1;
-  id = new char[n];
-  strcpy(id,arg[1]);
+  id = utils::strdup(arg[1]);
   select = nullptr;
   selection(atom->nlocal);