why is string not declared in scope

I find that including:

using namespace std;

To your C++ code saves a lot of time in debugging especially in situations like yours where std:: string is required and also it will help in keeping your code clean.

With this in mind, your code should be:

#include <string>
using namespace std;
#include <boost/thread/tss.hpp>

static boost::thread_specific_ptr<string> _tssThreadNameSptr;

string is in the std namespace. You have the following options:

• Write using namespace std; after the include and enable all the std names: then you can write only string on your program.
• Write using std::string after the include to enable std::string: then you can write only string on your program.
• Use std::string instead of string

You have to use std::string since it's in the std namespace.