You can not. Stl maps are templates and currently c++ does not allow you to declare and add to a template at declaration time. So what you normally do is declare it then add to it. If you need an example of that the following is a simple map program. #include <iostream> #include <string> #include <map> using namespace std; int main(int argc, char* argv[]) { // Here is the declaration of the map map<string, string> mymap; map<string, string>::iterator iter; string addr,mail; //just to show how you would stuff a string in the map addr="bla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx"; mail="bla bla bla bla bla\n"; mymap[addr]=mail; addr="fargo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"; mail="Where the heck am I\n"; mymap[addr]=mail; addr="aloeyRubdown@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"; mail="Has any one seen the sticky table.\n"; mymap[addr]=mail; cout << "This is the output of the map in order" << endl; for(iter = mymap.begin(); iter != mymap.end(); iter++) { cout<<iter->first<<endl; } return (0); } -----Original Message----- From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Sean Farrow Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 3:23 AM To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Stl map as a constant Hi: How can I declare an stl map and insert elements at declaration time. Any help apreciated. Sean. __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 3163 (20080606) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com __________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind __________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind