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When you need a matrix of dynamic size which won't *change* size often, you should consider using boost::multi_array.

Just for fun: realloc() can be used in place of free() by specifying a new size of 0.

A good reason, right up until you realize that std::vector::resize() is C++'s answer to realloc----plus it makes things even easier by completely hiding the fact that you're working with dynamic...

realloc behaves like malloc if its first argument is NULL.

I would advise using a vector<string> for this problem.