diff --git a/CryptX.xs b/CryptX.xs
index 5d76d98..98a4cae 100644
--- a/CryptX.xs
+++ b/CryptX.xs
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@
 void _ecc_oid_lookup(ecc_key *key)
 {
    int err;
-   unsigned i;
+   unsigned i, j;
    void *tmp;
    const ltc_ecc_curve *cu;
 
@@ -264,9 +264,20 @@
       break; /* found */
    }
    ltc_mp.deinit(tmp);
-   if (cu->prime != NULL) {
-     key->dp.oidlen = cu->oidlen;
-     for(i = 0; i < cu->oidlen; i++) key->dp.oid[i] = cu->oid[i];
+   if (cu->prime && cu->OID) {
+     for (i = 0; i < 16; i++) key->dp.oid[i] = 0;
+     for (i = 0, j = 0; i < strlen(cu->OID); i++) {
+       if (cu->OID[i] == '.') {
+         if (++j >= 16) return;
+       }
+       else if(cu->OID[i] >= '0' && cu->OID[i] <= '9') {
+         key->dp.oid[j] = key->dp.oid[j] * 10 + (cu->OID[i] - '0');
+       }
+       else {
+         return;
+       }
+     }
+     key->dp.oidlen = j + 1;
    }
 }
 
@@ -276,23 +287,23 @@
   HV *hc, *hl, *h;
   SV *sv_crv, **pref;
   SV **sv_cofactor, **sv_prime, **sv_A, **sv_B, **sv_order, **sv_Gx, **sv_Gy, **sv_oid;
-  char *ch_name;
-  STRLEN l_name, i, j;
+  char *ptr_crv;
+  STRLEN len_crv;
   int err;
 
   if (!SvOK(curve)) croak("FATAL: undefined curve");
 
   if (SvPOK(curve)) {
     /* string */
-    ch_name = SvPV(curve, l_name);
+    ptr_crv = SvPV(curve, len_crv);
     if ((hl = get_hv("Crypt::PK::ECC::curve2ltc", 0)) == NULL) croak("FATAL: no curve2ltc register");
-    pref = hv_fetch(hl, ch_name, (U32)l_name, 0);
+    pref = hv_fetch(hl, ptr_crv, (U32)len_crv, 0);
     if (pref && SvOK(*pref)) {
       sv_crv = *pref; /* found in %cutve2ltc */
     }
     else {
       if ((hc = get_hv("Crypt::PK::ECC::curve", 0)) == NULL) croak("FATAL: no curve register");
-      pref = hv_fetch(hc, ch_name, (U32)l_name, 0);
+      pref = hv_fetch(hc, ptr_crv, (U32)len_crv, 0);
       if (pref && SvOK(*pref)) {
         sv_crv = *pref; /* found in %curve */
       }
@@ -312,8 +323,8 @@
   if (SvPOK(sv_crv)) {
     /* string - curve name */
     const ltc_ecc_curve *cu;
-    ch_name = SvPV(sv_crv, l_name);
-    if (ecc_get_curve_by_name(ch_name, &cu) != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: ecparams: unknown curve '%s'", ch_name);
+    ptr_crv = SvPV(sv_crv, len_crv);
+    if (ecc_get_curve(ptr_crv, &cu) != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: ecparams: unknown curve '%s'", ptr_crv);
     return ecc_set_dp(cu, key);
   }
   else {
@@ -338,32 +349,16 @@
     if (!SvOK(*sv_Gy      )) croak("FATAL: ecparams: undefined param Gy");
     if (!SvOK(*sv_cofactor)) croak("FATAL: ecparams: undefined param cofactor");
 
+    sv_oid = hv_fetchs(h, "oid", 0); /* 'oid' is optional */
+    cu.OID = (sv_oid && SvOK(*sv_oid)) ? SvPV_nolen(*sv_oid) : NULL;
+
     cu.prime    = SvPV_nolen(*sv_prime);
     cu.A        = SvPV_nolen(*sv_A);
     cu.B        = SvPV_nolen(*sv_B);
     cu.order    = SvPV_nolen(*sv_order);
     cu.Gx       = SvPV_nolen(*sv_Gx);
     cu.Gy       = SvPV_nolen(*sv_Gy);
-    cu.cofactor = (unsigned long)SvUV(*sv_cofactor),
-    cu.oidlen   = 0;
-
-    sv_oid = hv_fetchs(h, "oid", 0);
-    if (sv_oid && SvPOK(*sv_oid)) {
-      ch_name = SvPV(*sv_oid, l_name);
-      for (i = 0, j = 0; i < l_name; i++) {
-        if (ch_name[i] == '.') {
-          if (++j >= 16) return CRYPT_ERROR;
-        }
-        else if(ch_name[i] >= '0' && ch_name[i] <= '9') {
-          cu.oid[j] = cu.oid[j] * 10 + (ch_name[i] - '0');
-        }
-        else {
-          return CRYPT_ERROR;
-        }
-      }
-      if (j == 0) return CRYPT_ERROR;
-      cu.oidlen = j + 1;
-    }
+    cu.cofactor = (unsigned long)SvUV(*sv_cofactor);
 
     if ((err = ecc_set_dp(&cu, key)) != CRYPT_OK) return err;
     if (key->dp.oidlen == 0) _ecc_oid_lookup(key);
@@ -493,7 +488,8 @@
         int rv;
         STRLEN in_len;
         unsigned long out_len;
-        unsigned char *out_data, *in_data;
+        unsigned char *in_data;
+        char *out_data;
 
         if (!SvPOK(in)) XSRETURN_UNDEF;
         in_data = (unsigned char *) SvPVbyte(in, in_len);
@@ -504,7 +500,7 @@
           out_len = (unsigned long)(4 * ((in_len + 2) / 3) + 1);
           RETVAL = NEWSV(0, out_len); /* avoid zero! */
           SvPOK_only(RETVAL);
-          out_data = (unsigned char *)SvPVX(RETVAL);
+          out_data = SvPVX(RETVAL);
           if (ix == 1)
             rv = base64url_encode(in_data, (unsigned long)in_len, out_data, &out_len);
           else
@@ -528,10 +524,11 @@
         int rv;
         STRLEN in_len;
         unsigned long out_len;
-        unsigned char *out_data, *in_data;
+        unsigned char *out_data;
+        char *in_data;
 
         if (!SvPOK(in)) XSRETURN_UNDEF;
-        in_data = (unsigned char *)SvPVbyte(in, in_len);
+        in_data = SvPVbyte(in, in_len);
         if (in_len == 0) {
           RETVAL = newSVpvn("", 0);
         }
diff --git a/Makefile.PL b/Makefile.PL
index 11f9956..891df7e 100644
--- a/Makefile.PL
+++ b/Makefile.PL
@@ -50,8 +50,13 @@
     my ($maj, $min) = $arver =~ /^GNU ar [^\d]*(\d)\.(\d+)\.\d+/s;
     $myarflags = 'rcD' if ($maj && $min && $maj >= 2 && $min >= 20) || $arver=~ /^BSD ar /;
   }
+
+  # turn on extra warnings in AUTHOR_MODE (it is gcc only!!)
+  $mycflags = "$mycflags -Wall -Werror -Wextra" if $ENV{AUTHOR_MODE};
+
   @EUMM_INC_LIB = (
-    INC      => '-DLTM_DESC -Isrc/ltc/headers -Isrc/ltm',
+    INC      => $ENV{AUTHOR_MODE} ? '-DLTM_DESC -Isrc/ltc/headers -Isrc/ltm -Wall -Werror -Wextra' #gcc only!!
+                                  : '-DLTM_DESC -Isrc/ltc/headers -Isrc/ltm',
     MYEXTLIB => "src/liballinone$Config{lib_ext}",
     clean    => { 'FILES' => join(' ', @myobjs, "src/liballinone$Config{lib_ext}") },
   );
diff --git a/_generators/Mac.xs.inc.tt b/_generators/Mac.xs.inc.tt
index 781cf2f..ebcbbe5 100644
--- a/_generators/Mac.xs.inc.tt
+++ b/_generators/Mac.xs.inc.tt
@@ -128,17 +128,17 @@
 [%-END%]
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
@@ -248,19 +248,19 @@
 
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else {
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) mac, len);
diff --git a/inc/CryptX_Checksum_Adler32.xs.inc b/inc/CryptX_Checksum_Adler32.xs.inc
index 6b2292a..7966f56 100644
--- a/inc/CryptX_Checksum_Adler32.xs.inc
+++ b/inc/CryptX_Checksum_Adler32.xs.inc
@@ -59,7 +59,8 @@
     CODE:
     {
         int rv;
-        unsigned char hash[4], out[9];
+        unsigned char hash[4];
+        char out[9];
         unsigned long outlen = 9;
         unsigned int ui32;
 
@@ -67,7 +68,7 @@
         if (ix == 1) {
           rv = base16_encode(hash, 4, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *)out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 2) {
           LOAD32H(ui32, hash);
@@ -89,7 +90,8 @@
     {
         adler32_state st;
         int rv, j;
-        unsigned char hash[4], out[9], *in;
+        unsigned char hash[4], *in;
+        char out[9];
         unsigned long outlen = 9;
         unsigned int ui32;
         STRLEN inlen;
@@ -105,7 +107,7 @@
         if (ix == 1) {
           rv = base16_encode(hash, 4, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *)out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 2) {
           LOAD32H(ui32, hash);
diff --git a/inc/CryptX_Checksum_CRC32.xs.inc b/inc/CryptX_Checksum_CRC32.xs.inc
index 700db43..486bf64 100644
--- a/inc/CryptX_Checksum_CRC32.xs.inc
+++ b/inc/CryptX_Checksum_CRC32.xs.inc
@@ -59,7 +59,8 @@
     CODE:
     {
         int rv;
-        unsigned char hash[4], out[9];
+        unsigned char hash[4];
+        char out[9];
         unsigned long outlen = 9;
         unsigned int ui32;
 
@@ -67,7 +68,7 @@
         if (ix == 1) {
           rv = base16_encode(hash, 4, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *)out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 2) {
           LOAD32H(ui32, hash);
@@ -89,7 +90,8 @@
     {
         crc32_state st;
         int rv, j;
-        unsigned char hash[4], out[9], *in;
+        unsigned char hash[4], *in;
+        char out[9];
         unsigned long outlen = 9;
         unsigned int ui32;
         STRLEN inlen;
@@ -105,7 +107,7 @@
         if (ix == 1) {
           rv = base16_encode(hash, 4, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *)out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 2) {
           LOAD32H(ui32, hash);
diff --git a/inc/CryptX_Digest.xs.inc b/inc/CryptX_Digest.xs.inc
index bbf337a..96a3dbb 100644
--- a/inc/CryptX_Digest.xs.inc
+++ b/inc/CryptX_Digest.xs.inc
@@ -86,17 +86,17 @@
 
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(hash, self->desc->hashsize, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(hash, self->desc->hashsize, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(hash, self->desc->hashsize, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(hash, self->desc->hashsize, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(hash, self->desc->hashsize, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(hash, self->desc->hashsize, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
@@ -141,19 +141,19 @@
 
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(hash, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(hash, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(hash, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(hash, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(hash, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(hash, len, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else {
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) hash, len);
diff --git a/inc/CryptX_Mac_BLAKE2b.xs.inc b/inc/CryptX_Mac_BLAKE2b.xs.inc
index 8c00ed4..a8f5113 100644
--- a/inc/CryptX_Mac_BLAKE2b.xs.inc
+++ b/inc/CryptX_Mac_BLAKE2b.xs.inc
@@ -77,17 +77,17 @@
         if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: blake2bmac_done failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
@@ -130,19 +130,19 @@
 
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else {
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) mac, len);
diff --git a/inc/CryptX_Mac_BLAKE2s.xs.inc b/inc/CryptX_Mac_BLAKE2s.xs.inc
index f9fd0a1..d1b4292 100644
--- a/inc/CryptX_Mac_BLAKE2s.xs.inc
+++ b/inc/CryptX_Mac_BLAKE2s.xs.inc
@@ -77,17 +77,17 @@
         if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: blake2smac_done failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
@@ -130,19 +130,19 @@
 
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else {
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) mac, len);
diff --git a/inc/CryptX_Mac_F9.xs.inc b/inc/CryptX_Mac_F9.xs.inc
index b21099e..f3ce96f 100644
--- a/inc/CryptX_Mac_F9.xs.inc
+++ b/inc/CryptX_Mac_F9.xs.inc
@@ -81,17 +81,17 @@
         if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: f9_done failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
@@ -135,19 +135,19 @@
 
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else {
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) mac, len);
diff --git a/inc/CryptX_Mac_HMAC.xs.inc b/inc/CryptX_Mac_HMAC.xs.inc
index da87bc1..44aa085 100644
--- a/inc/CryptX_Mac_HMAC.xs.inc
+++ b/inc/CryptX_Mac_HMAC.xs.inc
@@ -81,17 +81,17 @@
         if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: hmac_done failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
@@ -135,19 +135,19 @@
 
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else {
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) mac, len);
diff --git a/inc/CryptX_Mac_OMAC.xs.inc b/inc/CryptX_Mac_OMAC.xs.inc
index 0510825..ed2ee8e 100644
--- a/inc/CryptX_Mac_OMAC.xs.inc
+++ b/inc/CryptX_Mac_OMAC.xs.inc
@@ -81,17 +81,17 @@
         if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: omac_done failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
@@ -135,19 +135,19 @@
 
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else {
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) mac, len);
diff --git a/inc/CryptX_Mac_PMAC.xs.inc b/inc/CryptX_Mac_PMAC.xs.inc
index f8eb832..45cfe66 100644
--- a/inc/CryptX_Mac_PMAC.xs.inc
+++ b/inc/CryptX_Mac_PMAC.xs.inc
@@ -81,17 +81,17 @@
         if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: pmac_done failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
@@ -135,19 +135,19 @@
 
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else {
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) mac, len);
diff --git a/inc/CryptX_Mac_Pelican.xs.inc b/inc/CryptX_Mac_Pelican.xs.inc
index ea2e22a..b3e9f15 100644
--- a/inc/CryptX_Mac_Pelican.xs.inc
+++ b/inc/CryptX_Mac_Pelican.xs.inc
@@ -77,17 +77,17 @@
         if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: pelican_done failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
@@ -130,19 +130,19 @@
 
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else {
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) mac, len);
diff --git a/inc/CryptX_Mac_Poly1305.xs.inc b/inc/CryptX_Mac_Poly1305.xs.inc
index c42d3a9..f816e48 100644
--- a/inc/CryptX_Mac_Poly1305.xs.inc
+++ b/inc/CryptX_Mac_Poly1305.xs.inc
@@ -77,17 +77,17 @@
         if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: poly1305_done failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
@@ -129,19 +129,19 @@
 
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else {
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) mac, len);
diff --git a/inc/CryptX_Mac_XCBC.xs.inc b/inc/CryptX_Mac_XCBC.xs.inc
index 809f583..a5a0205 100644
--- a/inc/CryptX_Mac_XCBC.xs.inc
+++ b/inc/CryptX_Mac_XCBC.xs.inc
@@ -81,17 +81,17 @@
         if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: xcbc_done failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char*)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, maclen, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
@@ -135,19 +135,19 @@
 
         outlen = sizeof(out);
         if (ix == 3) {
-          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64url_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64url_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 2) {
-          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen);
+          rv = base64_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base64_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else if (ix == 1) {
-          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, (unsigned char *)out, &outlen, 0);
+          rv = base16_encode(mac, len, out, &outlen, 0);
           if (rv != CRYPT_OK) croak("FATAL: base16_encode failed: %s", error_to_string(rv));
-          RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) out, outlen);
+          RETVAL = newSVpvn(out, outlen);
         }
         else {
           RETVAL = newSVpvn((char *) mac, len);
diff --git a/inc/CryptX_PRNG.xs.inc b/inc/CryptX_PRNG.xs.inc
index ddc19fa..62ee07c 100644
--- a/inc/CryptX_PRNG.xs.inc
+++ b/inc/CryptX_PRNG.xs.inc
@@ -105,7 +105,8 @@
         IV curpid = (IV)PerlProc_getpid();
         int rv_len, rv;
         unsigned long len;
-        unsigned char *rdata, *tmp;
+        unsigned char *tmp;
+        char *rdata;
         unsigned char entropy_buf[40];
 
         if (output_len == 0) {
@@ -127,7 +128,7 @@
             RETVAL = NEWSV(0, output_len * 2 + 1); /* avoid zero! */
             SvPOK_only(RETVAL);
             SvCUR_set(RETVAL, output_len * 2 + 1);
-            rdata = (unsigned char *)SvPVX(RETVAL);
+            rdata = SvPVX(RETVAL);
             len = output_len * 2 + 1;
             rv = base16_encode(tmp, output_len, rdata, &len, 0);
             SvCUR_set(RETVAL, len);
@@ -146,7 +147,7 @@
             RETVAL = NEWSV(0, output_len * 2); /* avoid zero! */
             SvPOK_only(RETVAL);
             SvCUR_set(RETVAL, output_len * 2);
-            rdata = (unsigned char *)SvPVX(RETVAL);
+            rdata = SvPVX(RETVAL);
             len = output_len * 2;
             rv = ix == 3 ? base64url_encode(tmp, output_len, rdata, &len) :
                            base64_encode(tmp, output_len, rdata, &len);
@@ -162,8 +163,8 @@
             RETVAL = NEWSV(0, output_len); /* avoid zero! */
             SvPOK_only(RETVAL);
             SvCUR_set(RETVAL, output_len);
-            rdata = (unsigned char *)SvPVX(RETVAL);
-            rv_len = (self->desc->read)(rdata, (unsigned long)output_len, &self->state);
+            rdata = SvPVX(RETVAL);
+            rv_len = (self->desc->read)((unsigned char*)rdata, (unsigned long)output_len, &self->state);
             if ((UV)rv_len != output_len) {
               SvREFCNT_dec(RETVAL);
               croak("FATAL: PRNG_read failed");
diff --git a/t/002_all_pm.t b/t/002_all_pm.t
index 3daceed..d1ea17f 100644
--- a/t/002_all_pm.t
+++ b/t/002_all_pm.t
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 use Test::More;
 
-plan skip_all => "set TEST_POD to enable this test (developer only!)" unless $ENV{TEST_POD};
+plan skip_all => "set AUTHOR_MODE to enable this test (developer only!)" unless $ENV{AUTHOR_MODE};
 plan skip_all => "File::Find not installed" unless eval { require File::Find };
 plan tests => 1;
 
diff --git a/t/003_all_pm_pod.t b/t/003_all_pm_pod.t
index 47c3ccc..85771b5 100644
--- a/t/003_all_pm_pod.t
+++ b/t/003_all_pm_pod.t
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 use Test::More;
 
-plan skip_all => "set TEST_POD to enable this test (developer only!)" unless $ENV{TEST_POD};
+plan skip_all => "set AUTHOR_MODE to enable this test (developer only!)" unless $ENV{AUTHOR_MODE};
 plan skip_all => "File::Find not installed" unless eval { require File::Find };
 plan skip_all => "Test::Pod not installed" unless eval { require Test::Pod };
 plan tests => 107;
diff --git a/t/004_all_pm_pod_spelling.t b/t/004_all_pm_pod_spelling.t
index 5e6de67..b692782 100644
--- a/t/004_all_pm_pod_spelling.t
+++ b/t/004_all_pm_pod_spelling.t
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 use Test::More;
 
-plan skip_all => "set TEST_POD to enable this test (developer only!)" unless $ENV{TEST_POD};
+plan skip_all => "set AUTHOR_MODE to enable this test (developer only!)" unless $ENV{AUTHOR_MODE};
 plan skip_all => "File::Find not installed" unless eval { require File::Find };
 plan skip_all => "Test::Pod::Spelling or Text::Aspell not installed" unless eval { require Test::Pod::Spelling; require Text::Aspell; };
 
diff --git a/t/005_all_pm_pod_coverage.t b/t/005_all_pm_pod_coverage.t
index ce06bc4..f922b23 100644
--- a/t/005_all_pm_pod_coverage.t
+++ b/t/005_all_pm_pod_coverage.t
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 use Test::More;
 
-plan skip_all => "set TEST_POD to enable this test (developer only!)" unless $ENV{TEST_POD};
+plan skip_all => "set AUTHOR_MODE to enable this test (developer only!)" unless $ENV{AUTHOR_MODE};
 plan skip_all => "Pod::Coverage not installed" unless eval { require Pod::Coverage };
 plan skip_all => "File::Find not installed" unless eval { require File::Find };
 plan tests => 107;