Description of Problem:

I create a test file, foo.cpp:
----- Cut here -----
#include   <string>

using      std::string;

main() {
       string          rwh;

       rwh = "acme";
}
----- Cut here -----

I invoke the compiler: g++ -g foo.cpp -o foo

I invoke the debugger: gdb foo
and enter commands:
(gdb) break main
(gdb) r
[hit the breakpoint]
(gdb) p rwh
$1 = { static npos = Cannot access memory at address 0x833b550
(gdb) n
(gdb) p rwh
[same error]
(gdb) n
(gdb) p rwh
[same error]

The memory is obviously accessible, since the assignment did not cause
an exception or fault. Looks like gdb is powerfully confused.

Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable):
The compiler (with -v) says it's RH 8.0 3.2-7.
gdb is 5.2.1-4.

How Reproducible:
every time

Expected Results:
Expected to see an indication that the string contained "acme" after the 
assignment. Expected not to see a bogus error message before the assignment.