diff --git a/doc/src/sgml/ecpg.sgml b/doc/src/sgml/ecpg.sgml
index ce6a67b70ae880fb9fda0301b4e6172de22ea9d5..196c79c93e4fb4ea0dc09c128c1c2dfee3670736 100644
--- a/doc/src/sgml/ecpg.sgml
+++ b/doc/src/sgml/ecpg.sgml
@@ -1917,11 +1917,23 @@ EXEC SQL SELECT started, duration INTO :ts1, :iv1 FROM datetbl WHERE d=:date1;
 PGTYPEStimestamp_add_interval(&ts1, &iv1, &tsout);
 out = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(&tsout);
 printf("Started + duration: %s\n", out);
-free(out);
+PGTYPESchar_free(out);
 ]]>
 </programlisting>
   </para>
 
+  <sect2 id="ecpg-pgtypes-cstrings">
+   <title>Character Strings</title>
+   <para>
+   Some functions such as <function>PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc</function> return
+   a pointer to a freshly allocated character string. These results should be
+   freed with <function>PGTYPESchar_free</function> instead of
+   <function>free</function>. (This is important only on Windows, where
+   memory allocation and release sometimes need to be done by the same
+   library.)
+   </para>
+  </sect2>
+
   <sect2 id="ecpg-pgtypes-numeric">
    <title>The numeric Type</title>
    <para>
@@ -1995,6 +2007,7 @@ char *PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(numeric *num, int dscale);
 </synopsis>
        The numeric value will be printed with <literal>dscale</literal> decimal
        digits, with rounding applied if necessary.
+       The result must be freed with <function>PGTYPESchar_free()</function>.
       </para>
      </listitem>
     </varlistentry>
@@ -2382,9 +2395,10 @@ date PGTYPESdate_from_asc(char *str, char **endptr);
 <synopsis>
 char *PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date dDate);
 </synopsis>
-        The function receives the date <literal>dDate</> as its only parameter.
-        It will output the date in the form <literal>1999-01-18</>, i.e., in the
-        <literal>YYYY-MM-DD</> format.
+        The function receives the date <literal>dDate</literal> as its only parameter.
+        It will output the date in the form <literal>1999-01-18</literal>, i.e., in the
+        <literal>YYYY-MM-DD</literal> format.
+        The result must be freed with <function>PGTYPESchar_free()</function>.
        </para>
       </listitem>
      </varlistentry>
@@ -2807,6 +2821,7 @@ char *PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(timestamp tstamp);
         The function receives the timestamp <literal>tstamp</> as
         its only argument and returns an allocated string that contains the
         textual representation of the timestamp.
+        The result must be freed with <function>PGTYPESchar_free()</function>.
        </para>
       </listitem>
      </varlistentry>
@@ -3315,6 +3330,7 @@ char *PGTYPESinterval_to_asc(interval *span);
         The function converts the interval variable that <literal>span</>
         points to into a C char*. The output looks like this example:
         <literal>@ 1 day 12 hours 59 mins 10 secs</literal>.
+        The result must be freed with <function>PGTYPESchar_free()</function>.
        </para>
       </listitem>
      </varlistentry>
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/Makefile b/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/Makefile
index e92e56f26f37a2c3f854a8a4fb41e5b026f53a6d..9c68bf3c4770c1bd7d8ef15cb4a88ad832afa62d 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/Makefile
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/Makefile
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ install: all installdirs install-headers
 
 .PHONY: install-headers
 ecpg_headers = ecpgerrno.h ecpglib.h ecpgtype.h sqlca.h sql3types.h ecpg_informix.h \
-	pgtypes_error.h pgtypes_numeric.h pgtypes_timestamp.h pgtypes_date.h pgtypes_interval.h \
+	pgtypes_error.h pgtypes_numeric.h pgtypes_timestamp.h pgtypes_date.h pgtypes_interval.h pgtypes.h \
 	sqlda.h sqlda-compat.h sqlda-native.h
 informix_headers = datetime.h decimal.h sqltypes.h
 
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes.h b/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..dbf759b45f572568aab0860fd2b1028edbbded6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes.h
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+/* src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes.h */
+
+#ifndef PGTYPES_H
+#define PGTYPES_H
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+extern "C"
+{
+#endif
+
+extern void PGTYPESchar_free(char *ptr);
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+}
+#endif
+
+#endif							/* PGTYPES_H */
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes_date.h b/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes_date.h
index b8990bb07230f2acf6f8ea33f480d96ac5d6b8db..80629e19526ad744efd78fedee4a36370e6e87eb 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes_date.h
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes_date.h
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #ifndef PGTYPES_DATETIME
 #define PGTYPES_DATETIME
 
+#include <pgtypes.h>
 #include <pgtypes_timestamp.h>
 
 typedef long date;
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes_interval.h b/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes_interval.h
index deac6a2e01a1415a42f85c2c265f3c08608f9734..517fc335b473a472d62e5874ab5a12313fe2d60f 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes_interval.h
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes_interval.h
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #define PGTYPES_INTERVAL
 
 #include <ecpg_config.h>
+#include <pgtypes.h>
 
 #ifndef C_H
 
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes_numeric.h b/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes_numeric.h
index 1b9e4c35e436c62265e0c288d85baeba07d9a704..03c8a7c5e45286c96755078c2dd86690dd6a667f 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes_numeric.h
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes_numeric.h
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #ifndef PGTYPES_NUMERIC
 #define PGTYPES_NUMERIC
 
+#include <pgtypes.h>
+
 #define NUMERIC_POS						0x0000
 #define NUMERIC_NEG						0x4000
 #define NUMERIC_NAN						0xC000
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes_timestamp.h b/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes_timestamp.h
index 537585ce21563a6dc8e3ed70f62ac827ad030456..f418d19dcb9393bfd18268f67dbcb5436dc95801 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes_timestamp.h
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/include/pgtypes_timestamp.h
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #ifndef PGTYPES_TIMESTAMP
 #define PGTYPES_TIMESTAMP
 
+#include <pgtypes.h>
 /* pgtypes_interval.h includes ecpg_config.h */
 #include <pgtypes_interval.h>
 
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/pgtypeslib/common.c b/src/interfaces/ecpg/pgtypeslib/common.c
index fd29e30a3bbb3be6ed49150672f0c39781a2a700..7adca66618d8d9dc8c2cea90a922acc045f89cd1 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/pgtypeslib/common.c
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/pgtypeslib/common.c
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include "postgres_fe.h"
 
 #include "extern.h"
+#include "pgtypes.h"
 
 /* Return value is zero-filled. */
 char *
@@ -136,3 +137,12 @@ pgtypes_fmt_replace(union un_fmt_comb replace_val, int replace_type, char **outp
 	}
 	return 0;
 }
+
+/* Functions declared in pgtypes.h. */
+
+/* Just frees memory (mostly needed for Windows) */
+void
+PGTYPESchar_free(char *ptr)
+{
+	free(ptr);
+}
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/pgtypeslib/exports.txt b/src/interfaces/ecpg/pgtypeslib/exports.txt
index 70ef01a8a7d63bdbea207c7903af0d0d506391cc..2d5ec17656a164b7ec1efe8b793603da3992c4b3 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/pgtypeslib/exports.txt
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/pgtypeslib/exports.txt
@@ -45,3 +45,4 @@ PGTYPEStimestamp_from_asc       42
 PGTYPEStimestamp_sub            43
 PGTYPEStimestamp_sub_interval   44
 PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc         45
+PGTYPESchar_free                46
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/pgtypeslib-dt_test.c b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/pgtypeslib-dt_test.c
index 78f6b3de71e71567d87b8e0a25e6e8ce535f6413..54de05e528bb429bb555efb15a7e1df9ac817748 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/pgtypeslib-dt_test.c
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/pgtypeslib-dt_test.c
@@ -113,18 +113,18 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf ("Date: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf ("timestamp: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	iv1 = PGTYPESinterval_from_asc("13556 days 12 hours 34 minutes 14 seconds ", NULL);
 	PGTYPESinterval_copy(iv1, &iv2);
 	text = PGTYPESinterval_to_asc(&iv2);
 	printf ("interval: %s\n", text);
 	PGTYPESinterval_free(iv1);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	PGTYPESdate_mdyjul(mdy, &date2);
 	printf("m: %d, d: %d, y: %d\n", mdy[0], mdy[1], mdy[2]);
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 	PGTYPESdate_fmt_asc(date1, fmt, out);
 	printf("date_day of %s is %d\n", text, PGTYPESdate_dayofweek(date1));
 	printf("Above date in format \"%s\" is \"%s\"\n", fmt, out);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 	free(out);
 
 	out = (char*) malloc(48);
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc1: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "mmmm. dd. yyyy";
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc2: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "yy/mm/dd";
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc3: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "yy/mm/dd";
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc4: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "dd-mm-yy";
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc5: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "mmddyy";
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc6: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "mmm. dd. yyyy";
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc7: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "mmm. dd. yyyy";
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc8: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "mm yy   dd.";
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc9: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "yyyy fierj mm   dd.";
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc10: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "mm/dd/yy";
@@ -244,28 +244,28 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc12: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	PGTYPEStimestamp_current(&ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	/* can't output this in regression mode */
 	/* printf("timestamp_current: Now: %s\n", text); */
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	ts1 = PGTYPEStimestamp_from_asc("96-02-29", NULL);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_to_asc1: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	ts1 = PGTYPEStimestamp_from_asc("1994-02-11 3:10:35", NULL);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_to_asc2: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	ts1 = PGTYPEStimestamp_from_asc("1994-02-11 26:10:35", NULL);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_to_asc3: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 /*	abc-03:10:35-def-02/11/94-gh  */
 /*      12345678901234567890123456789 */
@@ -280,161 +280,161 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%a %b %d %H:%M:%S %z %Y";
 	in =  "Tue Jul 22 17:28:44 +0200 2003";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%a %b %d %H:%M:%S %z %Y";
 	in =  "Tue Feb 29 17:28:44 +0200 2000";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%a %b %d %H:%M:%S %z %Y";
 	in =  "Tue Feb 29 17:28:44 +0200 1900";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error (should be error!): %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%a %b %d %H:%M:%S %z %Y";
 	in =  "Tue Feb 29 17:28:44 +0200 1996";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%b %d %H:%M:%S %z %Y";
 	in =  "      Jul 31 17:28:44 +0200 1996";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%b %d %H:%M:%S %z %Y";
 	in =  "      Jul 32 17:28:44 +0200 1996";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error (should be error!): %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%a %b %d %H:%M:%S %z %Y";
 	in =  "Tue Feb 29 17:28:44 +0200 1997";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error (should be error!): %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%";
 	in =  "Tue Jul 22 17:28:44 +0200 2003";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error (should be error!): %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "a %";
 	in =  "Tue Jul 22 17:28:44 +0200 2003";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error (should be error!): %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%b, %d %H_%M`%S %z %Y";
 	in =  "    Jul, 22 17_28 `44 +0200  2003  ";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%a %b %%%d %H:%M:%S %Z %Y";
 	in =  "Tue Jul %22 17:28:44 CEST 2003";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%a %b %%%d %H:%M:%S %Z %Y";
 	in =  "Tue Jul %22 17:28:44 CEST 2003";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "abc%n %C %B %%%d %H:%M:%S %Z %Y";
 	in =  "abc\n   19 October %22 17:28:44 CEST 2003";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "abc%n %C %B %%%d %H:%M:%S %Z %y";
 	in =  "abc\n   18 October %34 17:28:44 CEST 80";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error (should be error!): %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "";
 	in =  "abc\n   18 October %34 17:28:44 CEST 80";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error (should be error!): %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = NULL;
 	in =  "1980-04-12 3:49:44      ";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, NULL) = %s, error: %d\n", in, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%B %d, %Y. Time: %I:%M%p";
 	in =  "July 14, 1988. Time: 9:15am";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	in = "September 6 at 01:30 pm in the year 1983";
 	fmt = "%B %d at %I:%M %p in the year %Y";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	in = "  1976, July 14. Time: 9:15am";
 	fmt = "%Y,   %B %d. Time: %I:%M %p";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	in = "  1976, July 14. Time: 9:15 am";
 	fmt = "%Y,   %B %d. Time: %I:%M%p";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	in = "  1976, P.M. July 14. Time: 9:15";
 	fmt = "%Y, %P  %B %d. Time: %I:%M";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	in = "1234567890";
 	fmt = "%s";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	{ ECPGtrans(__LINE__, NULL, "rollback");
 #line 365 "dt_test.pgc"
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/pgtypeslib-dt_test2.c b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/pgtypeslib-dt_test2.c
index 4277c2615dac7015e91f2b9cf22acc6f263e954a..a90d199128102bbcd978c10bb4d2cf46ed2248cc 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/pgtypeslib-dt_test2.c
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/pgtypeslib-dt_test2.c
@@ -110,14 +110,14 @@ main(void)
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 
 	printf("timestamp: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = PGTYPESdate_from_timestamp(ts1);
 	dc = PGTYPESdate_new();
 	*dc = date1;
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(*dc);
 	printf("Date of timestamp: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 	PGTYPESdate_free(dc);
 
 	for (i = 0; dates[i]; i++)
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ main(void)
 					i, err ? "-" : text,
 					endptr ? 'N' : 'Y',
 					err ? 'T' : 'F');
-		free(text);
+		PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		if (!err)
 		{
 			for (j = 0; times[j]; j++)
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ main(void)
 				if (i != 19 || (j != 3 && j != 4))
 					printf("TS[%d,%d]: %s\n",
 						i, j, errno ? "-" : text);
-				free(text);
+				PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 				free(t);
 			}
 		}
@@ -173,13 +173,13 @@ main(void)
 			continue;
 		text = PGTYPESinterval_to_asc(i1);
 		printf("interval[%d]: %s\n", i, text ? text : "-");
-		free(text);
+		PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 		ic = PGTYPESinterval_new();
 		PGTYPESinterval_copy(i1, ic);
 		text = PGTYPESinterval_to_asc(i1);
 		printf("interval_copy[%d]: %s\n", i, text ? text : "-");
-		free(text);
+		PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		PGTYPESinterval_free(ic);
 		PGTYPESinterval_free(i1);
 	}
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/pgtypeslib-num_test.c b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/pgtypeslib-num_test.c
index 6144034173f97a3205acf6216a7e3c760736f600..d8555d153ff25aaf736edf81fb008e5a4d663d8a 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/pgtypeslib-num_test.c
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/pgtypeslib-num_test.c
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 	PGTYPESnumeric_from_int(1407, value1);
 	text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(value1, -1);
 	printf("from int = %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 	PGTYPESnumeric_free(value1);
 
 	value1 = PGTYPESnumeric_from_asc("2369.7", NULL);
@@ -87,12 +87,12 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 	PGTYPESnumeric_add(value1, value2, res);
 	text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(res, -1);
 	printf("add = %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	PGTYPESnumeric_sub(res, value2, res);
 	text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(res, -1);
 	printf("sub = %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 	PGTYPESnumeric_free(value2);
 
 	des = PGTYPESnumeric_new();
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 	PGTYPESnumeric_mul(res, des, res);
 	text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(res, -1);
 	printf("mul = %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 	PGTYPESnumeric_free(des);
 
 	value2 = PGTYPESnumeric_from_asc("10000", NULL);
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ if (sqlca.sqlcode < 0) sqlprint ( );}
 	i = PGTYPESnumeric_to_long(value1, &l1) | PGTYPESnumeric_to_long(value2, &l2);
 	printf("to long(%d) = %ld %ld\n", i, l1, l2);
 
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 	PGTYPESnumeric_free(value1);
 	PGTYPESnumeric_free(value2);
 	PGTYPESnumeric_free(res);
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/pgtypeslib-num_test2.c b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/pgtypeslib-num_test2.c
index 83636ad880016b8c3768d39a0b77aaeef4dd08ad..d47997c3c91e079cdfb29c01a62780ac78296a63 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/pgtypeslib-num_test2.c
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/pgtypeslib-num_test2.c
@@ -77,21 +77,21 @@ main(void)
 
 		text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(num, -1);
 		if (!text) check_errno();
-		printf("num[%d,1]: %s\n", i, text); free(text);
+		printf("num[%d,1]: %s\n", i, text); PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(num, 0);
 		if (!text) check_errno();
-		printf("num[%d,2]: %s\n", i, text); free(text);
+		printf("num[%d,2]: %s\n", i, text); PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(num, 1);
 		if (!text) check_errno();
-		printf("num[%d,3]: %s\n", i, text); free(text);
+		printf("num[%d,3]: %s\n", i, text); PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(num, 2);
 		if (!text) check_errno();
-		printf("num[%d,4]: %s\n", i, text); free(text);
+		printf("num[%d,4]: %s\n", i, text); PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 		nin = PGTYPESnumeric_new();
 		text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(nin, 2);
 		if (!text) check_errno();
-		printf("num[%d,5]: %s\n", i, text); free(text);
+		printf("num[%d,5]: %s\n", i, text); PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 		r = PGTYPESnumeric_to_long(num, &l);
 		if (r) check_errno();
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ main(void)
 			text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(nin, 2);
 			q = PGTYPESnumeric_cmp(num, nin);
 			printf("num[%d,7]: %s (r: %d - cmp: %d)\n", i, text, r, q);
-			free(text);
+			PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		}
 
 		r = PGTYPESnumeric_to_int(num, &k);
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ main(void)
 			text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(nin, 2);
 			q = PGTYPESnumeric_cmp(num, nin);
 			printf("num[%d,9]: %s (r: %d - cmp: %d)\n", i, text, r, q);
-			free(text);
+			PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		}
 
 		if (i != 6)
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ main(void)
 			text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(nin, 2);
 			q = PGTYPESnumeric_cmp(num, nin);
 			printf("num[%d,12]: %s (r: %d - cmp: %d)\n", i, text, r, q);
-			free(text);
+			PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		}
 
 		PGTYPESdecimal_free(dec);
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ main(void)
 			{
 				text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(a, 10);
 				printf("num[a,%d,%d]: %s\n", i, j, text);
-				free(text);
+				PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 			}
 			r = PGTYPESnumeric_sub(numarr[i], numarr[j], s);
 			if (r)
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ main(void)
 			{
 				text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(s, 10);
 				printf("num[s,%d,%d]: %s\n", i, j, text);
-				free(text);
+				PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 			}
 			r = PGTYPESnumeric_mul(numarr[i], numarr[j], m);
 			if (r)
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ main(void)
 			{
 				text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(m, 10);
 				printf("num[m,%d,%d]: %s\n", i, j, text);
-				free(text);
+				PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 			}
 			r = PGTYPESnumeric_div(numarr[i], numarr[j], d);
 			if (r)
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ main(void)
 			{
 				text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(d, 10);
 				printf("num[d,%d,%d]: %s\n", i, j, text);
-				free(text);
+				PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 			}
 
 			PGTYPESnumeric_free(a);
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ main(void)
 	{
 		text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(numarr[i], -1);
 		printf("%d: %s\n", i, text);
-		free(text);
+		PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		PGTYPESnumeric_free(numarr[i]);
 	}
 	free(numarr);
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/preproc-outofscope.c b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/preproc-outofscope.c
index 1e7503767425fafae598160108be6b9abf9a67ac..4addf048552e9497f7663ce77f8ba15831d622be 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/preproc-outofscope.c
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/preproc-outofscope.c
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@
 #ifndef PGTYPES_NUMERIC
 #define PGTYPES_NUMERIC
 
+#include <pgtypes.h>
+
 #define NUMERIC_POS						0x0000
 #define NUMERIC_NEG						0x4000
 #define NUMERIC_NAN						0xC000
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/sql-sqlda.c b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/sql-sqlda.c
index 5e487650169b84b796a0c8f97644ded9997d4ee8..bc3db27e64f0edb572e95460b129f884752d2a05 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/sql-sqlda.c
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/expected/sql-sqlda.c
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ typedef struct sqlda_struct	sqlda_t;
 #ifndef PGTYPES_NUMERIC
 #define PGTYPES_NUMERIC
 
+#include <pgtypes.h>
+
 #define NUMERIC_POS						0x0000
 #define NUMERIC_NEG						0x4000
 #define NUMERIC_NAN						0xC000
@@ -166,7 +168,7 @@ dump_sqlda(sqlda_t *sqlda)
 
 				val = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc((numeric*)sqlda->sqlvar[i].sqldata, -1);
 				printf("name sqlda descriptor: '%s' value NUMERIC '%s'\n", sqlda->sqlvar[i].sqlname.data, val);
-				free(val);
+				PGTYPESchar_free(val);
 				break;
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/pgtypeslib/dt_test.pgc b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/pgtypeslib/dt_test.pgc
index 768cbd5e6f1f3b021c13b6a9c8aa93ca4c7519b7..6cc2983c3bcfffbb766dff9c1b797d3915b3419b 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/pgtypeslib/dt_test.pgc
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/pgtypeslib/dt_test.pgc
@@ -39,18 +39,18 @@ main(void)
 
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf ("Date: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf ("timestamp: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	iv1 = PGTYPESinterval_from_asc("13556 days 12 hours 34 minutes 14 seconds ", NULL);
 	PGTYPESinterval_copy(iv1, &iv2);
 	text = PGTYPESinterval_to_asc(&iv2);
 	printf ("interval: %s\n", text);
 	PGTYPESinterval_free(iv1);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	PGTYPESdate_mdyjul(mdy, &date2);
 	printf("m: %d, d: %d, y: %d\n", mdy[0], mdy[1], mdy[2]);
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ main(void)
 	PGTYPESdate_fmt_asc(date1, fmt, out);
 	printf("date_day of %s is %d\n", text, PGTYPESdate_dayofweek(date1));
 	printf("Above date in format \"%s\" is \"%s\"\n", fmt, out);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 	free(out);
 
 	out = (char*) malloc(48);
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ main(void)
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc1: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "mmmm. dd. yyyy";
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ main(void)
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc2: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "yy/mm/dd";
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ main(void)
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc3: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "yy/mm/dd";
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ main(void)
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc4: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "dd-mm-yy";
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ main(void)
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc5: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "mmddyy";
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ main(void)
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc6: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "mmm. dd. yyyy";
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ main(void)
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc7: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "mmm. dd. yyyy";
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ main(void)
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc8: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "mm yy   dd.";
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ main(void)
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc9: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "yyyy fierj mm   dd.";
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ main(void)
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc10: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = 0; text = "";
 	fmt = "mm/dd/yy";
@@ -170,28 +170,28 @@ main(void)
 	PGTYPESdate_defmt_asc(&date1, fmt, in);
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(date1);
 	printf("date_defmt_asc12: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	PGTYPEStimestamp_current(&ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	/* can't output this in regression mode */
 	/* printf("timestamp_current: Now: %s\n", text); */
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	ts1 = PGTYPEStimestamp_from_asc("96-02-29", NULL);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_to_asc1: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	ts1 = PGTYPEStimestamp_from_asc("1994-02-11 3:10:35", NULL);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_to_asc2: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	ts1 = PGTYPEStimestamp_from_asc("1994-02-11 26:10:35", NULL);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_to_asc3: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 /*	abc-03:10:35-def-02/11/94-gh  */
 /*      12345678901234567890123456789 */
@@ -206,161 +206,161 @@ main(void)
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%a %b %d %H:%M:%S %z %Y";
 	in =  "Tue Jul 22 17:28:44 +0200 2003";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%a %b %d %H:%M:%S %z %Y";
 	in =  "Tue Feb 29 17:28:44 +0200 2000";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%a %b %d %H:%M:%S %z %Y";
 	in =  "Tue Feb 29 17:28:44 +0200 1900";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error (should be error!): %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%a %b %d %H:%M:%S %z %Y";
 	in =  "Tue Feb 29 17:28:44 +0200 1996";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%b %d %H:%M:%S %z %Y";
 	in =  "      Jul 31 17:28:44 +0200 1996";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%b %d %H:%M:%S %z %Y";
 	in =  "      Jul 32 17:28:44 +0200 1996";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error (should be error!): %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%a %b %d %H:%M:%S %z %Y";
 	in =  "Tue Feb 29 17:28:44 +0200 1997";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error (should be error!): %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%";
 	in =  "Tue Jul 22 17:28:44 +0200 2003";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error (should be error!): %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "a %";
 	in =  "Tue Jul 22 17:28:44 +0200 2003";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error (should be error!): %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%b, %d %H_%M`%S %z %Y";
 	in =  "    Jul, 22 17_28 `44 +0200  2003  ";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%a %b %%%d %H:%M:%S %Z %Y";
 	in =  "Tue Jul %22 17:28:44 CEST 2003";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%a %b %%%d %H:%M:%S %Z %Y";
 	in =  "Tue Jul %22 17:28:44 CEST 2003";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "abc%n %C %B %%%d %H:%M:%S %Z %Y";
 	in =  "abc\n   19 October %22 17:28:44 CEST 2003";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "abc%n %C %B %%%d %H:%M:%S %Z %y";
 	in =  "abc\n   18 October %34 17:28:44 CEST 80";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error (should be error!): %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "";
 	in =  "abc\n   18 October %34 17:28:44 CEST 80";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error (should be error!): %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = NULL;
 	in =  "1980-04-12 3:49:44      ";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, NULL) = %s, error: %d\n", in, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	fmt = "%B %d, %Y. Time: %I:%M%p";
 	in =  "July 14, 1988. Time: 9:15am";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	in = "September 6 at 01:30 pm in the year 1983";
 	fmt = "%B %d at %I:%M %p in the year %Y";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	in = "  1976, July 14. Time: 9:15am";
 	fmt = "%Y,   %B %d. Time: %I:%M %p";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	in = "  1976, July 14. Time: 9:15 am";
 	fmt = "%Y,   %B %d. Time: %I:%M%p";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	in = "  1976, P.M. July 14. Time: 9:15";
 	fmt = "%Y, %P  %B %d. Time: %I:%M";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	in = "1234567890";
 	fmt = "%s";
 	i = PGTYPEStimestamp_defmt_asc(in, fmt, &ts1);
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 	printf("timestamp_defmt_asc(%s, %s) = %s, error: %d\n", in, fmt, text, i);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	exec sql rollback;
         exec sql disconnect;
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/pgtypeslib/dt_test2.pgc b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/pgtypeslib/dt_test2.pgc
index 0bd1fec109db9ef6b5323b6ae8ea509d862764df..ebdd7caa1ed5018e2e1e1938df55b698c022cf62 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/pgtypeslib/dt_test2.pgc
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/pgtypeslib/dt_test2.pgc
@@ -75,14 +75,14 @@ main(void)
 	text = PGTYPEStimestamp_to_asc(ts1);
 
 	printf("timestamp: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	date1 = PGTYPESdate_from_timestamp(ts1);
 	dc = PGTYPESdate_new();
 	*dc = date1;
 	text = PGTYPESdate_to_asc(*dc);
 	printf("Date of timestamp: %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 	PGTYPESdate_free(dc);
 
 	for (i = 0; dates[i]; i++)
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ main(void)
 					i, err ? "-" : text,
 					endptr ? 'N' : 'Y',
 					err ? 'T' : 'F');
-		free(text);
+		PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		if (!err)
 		{
 			for (j = 0; times[j]; j++)
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ main(void)
 				if (i != 19 || (j != 3 && j != 4))
 					printf("TS[%d,%d]: %s\n",
 						i, j, errno ? "-" : text);
-				free(text);
+				PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 				free(t);
 			}
 		}
@@ -138,13 +138,13 @@ main(void)
 			continue;
 		text = PGTYPESinterval_to_asc(i1);
 		printf("interval[%d]: %s\n", i, text ? text : "-");
-		free(text);
+		PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 		ic = PGTYPESinterval_new();
 		PGTYPESinterval_copy(i1, ic);
 		text = PGTYPESinterval_to_asc(i1);
 		printf("interval_copy[%d]: %s\n", i, text ? text : "-");
-		free(text);
+		PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		PGTYPESinterval_free(ic);
 		PGTYPESinterval_free(i1);
 	}
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/pgtypeslib/num_test.pgc b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/pgtypeslib/num_test.pgc
index a024c8702fb7ec3ffaad77210135b6eccb42e4a5..0b5de558eba46293a6d66dbe6b6b18a59866898d 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/pgtypeslib/num_test.pgc
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/pgtypeslib/num_test.pgc
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ main(void)
 	PGTYPESnumeric_from_int(1407, value1);
 	text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(value1, -1);
 	printf("from int = %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 	PGTYPESnumeric_free(value1);
 
 	value1 = PGTYPESnumeric_from_asc("2369.7", NULL);
@@ -47,12 +47,12 @@ main(void)
 	PGTYPESnumeric_add(value1, value2, res);
 	text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(res, -1);
 	printf("add = %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 	PGTYPESnumeric_sub(res, value2, res);
 	text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(res, -1);
 	printf("sub = %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 	PGTYPESnumeric_free(value2);
 
 	des = PGTYPESnumeric_new();
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ main(void)
 	PGTYPESnumeric_mul(res, des, res);
 	text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(res, -1);
 	printf("mul = %s\n", text);
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 	PGTYPESnumeric_free(des);
 
 	value2 = PGTYPESnumeric_from_asc("10000", NULL);
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ main(void)
 	i = PGTYPESnumeric_to_long(value1, &l1) | PGTYPESnumeric_to_long(value2, &l2);
 	printf("to long(%d) = %ld %ld\n", i, l1, l2);
 
-	free(text);
+	PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 	PGTYPESnumeric_free(value1);
 	PGTYPESnumeric_free(value2);
 	PGTYPESnumeric_free(res);
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/pgtypeslib/num_test2.pgc b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/pgtypeslib/num_test2.pgc
index 2ac666f7c02153c921d7b3c8a893a0a755531b52..adcc8b9140fe0e1275ae616d3ea50cc1f0833900 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/pgtypeslib/num_test2.pgc
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/pgtypeslib/num_test2.pgc
@@ -59,21 +59,21 @@ main(void)
 
 		text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(num, -1);
 		if (!text) check_errno();
-		printf("num[%d,1]: %s\n", i, text); free(text);
+		printf("num[%d,1]: %s\n", i, text); PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(num, 0);
 		if (!text) check_errno();
-		printf("num[%d,2]: %s\n", i, text); free(text);
+		printf("num[%d,2]: %s\n", i, text); PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(num, 1);
 		if (!text) check_errno();
-		printf("num[%d,3]: %s\n", i, text); free(text);
+		printf("num[%d,3]: %s\n", i, text); PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(num, 2);
 		if (!text) check_errno();
-		printf("num[%d,4]: %s\n", i, text); free(text);
+		printf("num[%d,4]: %s\n", i, text); PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 		nin = PGTYPESnumeric_new();
 		text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(nin, 2);
 		if (!text) check_errno();
-		printf("num[%d,5]: %s\n", i, text); free(text);
+		printf("num[%d,5]: %s\n", i, text); PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 
 		r = PGTYPESnumeric_to_long(num, &l);
 		if (r) check_errno();
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ main(void)
 			text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(nin, 2);
 			q = PGTYPESnumeric_cmp(num, nin);
 			printf("num[%d,7]: %s (r: %d - cmp: %d)\n", i, text, r, q);
-			free(text);
+			PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		}
 
 		r = PGTYPESnumeric_to_int(num, &k);
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ main(void)
 			text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(nin, 2);
 			q = PGTYPESnumeric_cmp(num, nin);
 			printf("num[%d,9]: %s (r: %d - cmp: %d)\n", i, text, r, q);
-			free(text);
+			PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		}
 
 		if (i != 6)
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ main(void)
 			text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(nin, 2);
 			q = PGTYPESnumeric_cmp(num, nin);
 			printf("num[%d,12]: %s (r: %d - cmp: %d)\n", i, text, r, q);
-			free(text);
+			PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		}
 
 		PGTYPESdecimal_free(dec);
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ main(void)
 			{
 				text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(a, 10);
 				printf("num[a,%d,%d]: %s\n", i, j, text);
-				free(text);
+				PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 			}
 			r = PGTYPESnumeric_sub(numarr[i], numarr[j], s);
 			if (r)
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ main(void)
 			{
 				text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(s, 10);
 				printf("num[s,%d,%d]: %s\n", i, j, text);
-				free(text);
+				PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 			}
 			r = PGTYPESnumeric_mul(numarr[i], numarr[j], m);
 			if (r)
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ main(void)
 			{
 				text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(m, 10);
 				printf("num[m,%d,%d]: %s\n", i, j, text);
-				free(text);
+				PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 			}
 			r = PGTYPESnumeric_div(numarr[i], numarr[j], d);
 			if (r)
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ main(void)
 			{
 				text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(d, 10);
 				printf("num[d,%d,%d]: %s\n", i, j, text);
-				free(text);
+				PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 			}
 
 			PGTYPESnumeric_free(a);
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ main(void)
 	{
 		text = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc(numarr[i], -1);
 		printf("%d: %s\n", i, text);
-		free(text);
+		PGTYPESchar_free(text);
 		PGTYPESnumeric_free(numarr[i]);
 	}
 	free(numarr);
diff --git a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/sql/sqlda.pgc b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/sql/sqlda.pgc
index 67f14d6ccb85d7d28a1852edfdc6fee9fbfaea04..8e3feaeb1942e54f40071973f6abf8120e531219 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/sql/sqlda.pgc
+++ b/src/interfaces/ecpg/test/sql/sqlda.pgc
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ dump_sqlda(sqlda_t *sqlda)
 
 				val = PGTYPESnumeric_to_asc((numeric*)sqlda->sqlvar[i].sqldata, -1);
 				printf("name sqlda descriptor: '%s' value NUMERIC '%s'\n", sqlda->sqlvar[i].sqlname.data, val);
-				free(val);
+				PGTYPESchar_free(val);
 				break;
 			}
 		}