diff --git a/array.go b/array.go
index 5a2c4eb..0c3668d 100644
--- a/array.go
+++ b/array.go
@@ -3,14 +3,17 @@ package grocksdb
 // #include "stdlib.h"
 // #include "rocksdb/c.h"
 import "C"
+
 import (
 	"reflect"
 	"unsafe"
 )
 
-type charsSlice []*C.char
-type sizeTSlice []C.size_t
-type columnFamilySlice []*C.rocksdb_column_family_handle_t
+type (
+	charsSlice        []*C.char
+	sizeTSlice        []C.size_t
+	columnFamilySlice []*C.rocksdb_column_family_handle_t
+)
 
 func (s charsSlice) c() **C.char {
 	sH := (*reflect.SliceHeader)(unsafe.Pointer(&s))
diff --git a/build.sh b/build.sh
index 90127ab..f0a1163 100755
--- a/build.sh
+++ b/build.sh
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ mkdir -p $BUILD_PATH
 
 CMAKE_REQUIRED_PARAMS="-DCMAKE_POSITION_INDEPENDENT_CODE=ON -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=${INSTALL_PREFIX}"
 
-snappy_version="1.1.9"
+snappy_version="1.1.10"
 cd $BUILD_PATH && wget https://github.com/google/snappy/archive/${snappy_version}.tar.gz && tar xzf ${snappy_version}.tar.gz && cd snappy-${snappy_version} && \
     mkdir -p build_place && cd build_place && \
     cmake $CMAKE_REQUIRED_PARAMS -DSNAPPY_BUILD_TESTS=OFF -DSNAPPY_BUILD_BENCHMARKS=OFF .. && \
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ cd $BUILD_PATH && wget https://github.com/google/snappy/archive/${snappy_version
 export CFLAGS='-fPIC -O3 -pipe' 
 export CXXFLAGS='-fPIC -O3 -pipe -Wno-uninitialized'
 
-zlib_version="1.2.13"
+zlib_version="1.3"
 cd $BUILD_PATH && wget https://github.com/madler/zlib/archive/v${zlib_version}.tar.gz && tar xzf v${zlib_version}.tar.gz && cd zlib-${zlib_version} && \
     ./configure --prefix=$INSTALL_PREFIX --static && make -j16 install && \
     cd $BUILD_PATH && rm -rf *
diff --git a/compaction_filter.go b/compaction_filter.go
index 18ec3bb..ec31579 100644
--- a/compaction_filter.go
+++ b/compaction_filter.go
@@ -76,14 +76,14 @@ func registerCompactionFilter(filter CompactionFilter) int {
 
 //export gorocksdb_compactionfilter_filter
 func gorocksdb_compactionfilter_filter(idx int, cLevel C.int, cKey *C.char, cKeyLen C.size_t, cVal *C.char, cValLen C.size_t, cNewVal **C.char, cNewValLen *C.size_t, cValChanged *C.uchar) C.int {
-	key := charToByte(cKey, cKeyLen)
-	val := charToByte(cVal, cValLen)
+	key := refCBytes(cKey, cKeyLen)
+	val := refCBytes(cVal, cValLen)
 
 	remove, newVal := compactionFilters.Get(idx).(compactionFilterWrapper).filter.Filter(int(cLevel), key, val)
 	if remove {
 		return C.int(1)
 	} else if newVal != nil {
-		*cNewVal = byteToChar(newVal)
+		*cNewVal = refGoBytes(newVal)
 		*cNewValLen = C.size_t(len(newVal))
 		*cValChanged = C.uchar(1)
 	}
diff --git a/comparator.go b/comparator.go
index a681429..1dcde49 100644
--- a/comparator.go
+++ b/comparator.go
@@ -89,22 +89,22 @@ func registerComperator(cmp *Comparator) int {
 
 //export gorocksdb_comparator_compare
 func gorocksdb_comparator_compare(idx int, cKeyA *C.char, cKeyALen C.size_t, cKeyB *C.char, cKeyBLen C.size_t) C.int {
-	keyA := charToByte(cKeyA, cKeyALen)
-	keyB := charToByte(cKeyB, cKeyBLen)
+	keyA := refCBytes(cKeyA, cKeyALen)
+	keyB := refCBytes(cKeyB, cKeyBLen)
 	return C.int(comperators.Get(idx).(comperatorWrapper).comparator.Compare(keyA, keyB))
 }
 
 //export gorocksdb_comparator_compare_ts
 func gorocksdb_comparator_compare_ts(idx int, cTsA *C.char, cTsALen C.size_t, cTsB *C.char, cTsBLen C.size_t) C.int {
-	tsA := charToByte(cTsA, cTsALen)
-	tsB := charToByte(cTsB, cTsBLen)
+	tsA := refCBytes(cTsA, cTsALen)
+	tsB := refCBytes(cTsB, cTsBLen)
 	return C.int(comperators.Get(idx).(comperatorWrapper).comparator.CompareTimestamp(tsA, tsB))
 }
 
 //export gorocksdb_comparator_compare_without_ts
 func gorocksdb_comparator_compare_without_ts(idx int, cKeyA *C.char, cKeyALen C.size_t, cAHasTs C.uchar, cKeyB *C.char, cKeyBLen C.size_t, cBHasTs C.uchar) C.int {
-	keyA := charToByte(cKeyA, cKeyALen)
-	keyB := charToByte(cKeyB, cKeyBLen)
+	keyA := refCBytes(cKeyA, cKeyALen)
+	keyB := refCBytes(cKeyB, cKeyBLen)
 	keyAHasTs := charToBool(cAHasTs)
 	keyBHasTs := charToBool(cBHasTs)
 	return C.int(comperators.Get(idx).(comperatorWrapper).comparator.CompareWithoutTimestamp(keyA, keyAHasTs, keyB, keyBHasTs))
diff --git a/db.go b/db.go
index 28214bd..d5b98aa 100644
--- a/db.go
+++ b/db.go
@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ func OpenDbAndTrimHistory(opts *Options,
 
 	cHandles := make([]*C.rocksdb_column_family_handle_t, numColumnFamilies)
 
-	cTs := byteToChar(trimTimestamp)
+	cTs := refGoBytes(trimTimestamp)
 
 	var cErr *C.char
 	_db := C.rocksdb_open_and_trim_history(
@@ -476,9 +476,9 @@ func (db *DB) KeyMayExists(opts *ReadOptions, key []byte, timestamp string) (sli
 	var (
 		cValue     *C.char
 		cValLen    C.size_t
-		cKey               = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey               = refGoBytes(key)
 		cFound     C.uchar = 0
-		cTimestamp         = byteToChar(t)
+		cTimestamp         = refGoBytes(t)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_key_may_exist(db.c, opts.c,
@@ -502,9 +502,9 @@ func (db *DB) KeyMayExistsCF(opts *ReadOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []by
 	var (
 		cValue     *C.char
 		cValLen    C.size_t
-		cKey               = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey               = refGoBytes(key)
 		cFound     C.uchar = 0
-		cTimestamp         = byteToChar(t)
+		cTimestamp         = refGoBytes(t)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_key_may_exist_cf(db.c, opts.c,
@@ -526,7 +526,7 @@ func (db *DB) Get(opts *ReadOptions, key []byte) (slice *Slice, err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr    *C.char
 		cValLen C.size_t
-		cKey    = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey    = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_get(db.c, opts.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cValLen, &cErr)
@@ -544,7 +544,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetWithTS(opts *ReadOptions, key []byte) (value, timestamp *Slice,
 		cTs     *C.char
 		cValLen C.size_t
 		cTsLen  C.size_t
-		cKey    = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey    = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_get_with_ts(db.c, opts.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cValLen, &cTs, &cTsLen, &cErr)
@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetBytes(opts *ReadOptions, key []byte) (data []byte, err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr    *C.char
 		cValLen C.size_t
-		cKey    = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey    = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_get(db.c, opts.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cValLen, &cErr)
@@ -584,7 +584,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetBytesWithTS(opts *ReadOptions, key []byte) (data, timestamp []b
 		cTs     *C.char
 		cValLen C.size_t
 		cTsLen  C.size_t
-		cKey    = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey    = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_get_with_ts(db.c, opts.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cValLen, &cTs, &cTsLen, &cErr)
@@ -607,7 +607,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetCF(opts *ReadOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []byte) (slic
 	var (
 		cErr    *C.char
 		cValLen C.size_t
-		cKey    = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey    = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_get_cf(db.c, opts.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cValLen, &cErr)
@@ -625,7 +625,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetCFWithTS(opts *ReadOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []byte)
 		cTs     *C.char
 		cValLen C.size_t
 		cTsLen  C.size_t
-		cKey    = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey    = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_get_cf_with_ts(db.c, opts.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cValLen, &cTs, &cTsLen, &cErr)
@@ -641,7 +641,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetCFWithTS(opts *ReadOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []byte)
 func (db *DB) GetPinned(opts *ReadOptions, key []byte) (handle *PinnableSliceHandle, err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cHandle := C.rocksdb_get_pinned(db.c, opts.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cErr)
@@ -656,7 +656,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetPinned(opts *ReadOptions, key []byte) (handle *PinnableSliceHan
 func (db *DB) GetPinnedCF(opts *ReadOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []byte) (handle *PinnableSliceHandle, err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cHandle := C.rocksdb_get_pinned_cf(db.c, opts.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cErr)
@@ -880,8 +880,8 @@ func (db *DB) MultiGetMultiCFWithTS(opts *ReadOptions, cfs ColumnFamilyHandles,
 func (db *DB) Put(opts *WriteOptions, key, value []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr   *C.char
-		cKey   = byteToChar(key)
-		cValue = byteToChar(value)
+		cKey   = refGoBytes(key)
+		cValue = refGoBytes(value)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_put(db.c, opts.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)), &cErr)
@@ -894,9 +894,9 @@ func (db *DB) Put(opts *WriteOptions, key, value []byte) (err error) {
 func (db *DB) PutWithTS(opts *WriteOptions, key, ts, value []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr   *C.char
-		cKey   = byteToChar(key)
-		cValue = byteToChar(value)
-		cTs    = byteToChar(ts)
+		cKey   = refGoBytes(key)
+		cValue = refGoBytes(value)
+		cTs    = refGoBytes(ts)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_put_with_ts(db.c, opts.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cTs, C.size_t(len(ts)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)), &cErr)
@@ -909,8 +909,8 @@ func (db *DB) PutWithTS(opts *WriteOptions, key, ts, value []byte) (err error) {
 func (db *DB) PutCF(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, value []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr   *C.char
-		cKey   = byteToChar(key)
-		cValue = byteToChar(value)
+		cKey   = refGoBytes(key)
+		cValue = refGoBytes(value)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_put_cf(db.c, opts.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)), &cErr)
@@ -923,9 +923,9 @@ func (db *DB) PutCF(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, value []byt
 func (db *DB) PutCFWithTS(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, ts, value []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr   *C.char
-		cKey   = byteToChar(key)
-		cValue = byteToChar(value)
-		cTs    = byteToChar(ts)
+		cKey   = refGoBytes(key)
+		cValue = refGoBytes(value)
+		cTs    = refGoBytes(ts)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_put_cf_with_ts(db.c, opts.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cTs, C.size_t(len(ts)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)), &cErr)
@@ -938,7 +938,7 @@ func (db *DB) PutCFWithTS(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, ts, v
 func (db *DB) Delete(opts *WriteOptions, key []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_delete(db.c, opts.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cErr)
@@ -951,7 +951,7 @@ func (db *DB) Delete(opts *WriteOptions, key []byte) (err error) {
 func (db *DB) DeleteCF(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_delete_cf(db.c, opts.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cErr)
@@ -964,8 +964,8 @@ func (db *DB) DeleteCF(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []byte) (
 func (db *DB) DeleteWithTS(opts *WriteOptions, key, ts []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
-		cTs  = byteToChar(ts)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
+		cTs  = refGoBytes(ts)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_delete_with_ts(db.c, opts.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cTs, C.size_t(len(ts)), &cErr)
@@ -978,8 +978,8 @@ func (db *DB) DeleteWithTS(opts *WriteOptions, key, ts []byte) (err error) {
 func (db *DB) DeleteCFWithTS(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, ts []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
-		cTs  = byteToChar(ts)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
+		cTs  = refGoBytes(ts)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_delete_cf_with_ts(db.c, opts.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cTs, C.size_t(len(ts)), &cErr)
@@ -992,8 +992,8 @@ func (db *DB) DeleteCFWithTS(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, ts
 func (db *DB) SingleDeleteWithTS(opts *WriteOptions, key, ts []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
-		cTs  = byteToChar(ts)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
+		cTs  = refGoBytes(ts)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_singledelete_with_ts(db.c, opts.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cTs, C.size_t(len(ts)), &cErr)
@@ -1006,8 +1006,8 @@ func (db *DB) SingleDeleteWithTS(opts *WriteOptions, key, ts []byte) (err error)
 func (db *DB) SingleDeleteCFWithTS(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, ts []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
-		cTs  = byteToChar(ts)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
+		cTs  = refGoBytes(ts)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_singledelete_cf_with_ts(db.c, opts.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cTs, C.size_t(len(ts)), &cErr)
@@ -1020,8 +1020,8 @@ func (db *DB) SingleDeleteCFWithTS(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, k
 func (db *DB) DeleteRangeCF(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, startKey []byte, endKey []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr      *C.char
-		cStartKey = byteToChar(startKey)
-		cEndKey   = byteToChar(endKey)
+		cStartKey = refGoBytes(startKey)
+		cEndKey   = refGoBytes(endKey)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_delete_range_cf(db.c, opts.c, cf.c, cStartKey, C.size_t(len(startKey)), cEndKey, C.size_t(len(endKey)), &cErr)
@@ -1049,7 +1049,7 @@ func (db *DB) DeleteRangeCF(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, startKey
 func (db *DB) SingleDelete(opts *WriteOptions, key []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_singledelete(db.c, opts.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cErr)
@@ -1077,7 +1077,7 @@ func (db *DB) SingleDelete(opts *WriteOptions, key []byte) (err error) {
 func (db *DB) SingleDeleteCF(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_singledelete_cf(db.c, opts.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cErr)
@@ -1090,8 +1090,8 @@ func (db *DB) SingleDeleteCF(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []b
 func (db *DB) Merge(opts *WriteOptions, key []byte, value []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr   *C.char
-		cKey   = byteToChar(key)
-		cValue = byteToChar(value)
+		cKey   = refGoBytes(key)
+		cValue = refGoBytes(value)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_merge(db.c, opts.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)), &cErr)
@@ -1105,8 +1105,8 @@ func (db *DB) Merge(opts *WriteOptions, key []byte, value []byte) (err error) {
 func (db *DB) MergeCF(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []byte, value []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr   *C.char
-		cKey   = byteToChar(key)
-		cValue = byteToChar(value)
+		cKey   = refGoBytes(key)
+		cValue = refGoBytes(value)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_merge_cf(db.c, opts.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)), &cErr)
@@ -1540,39 +1540,39 @@ func (db *DB) GetLiveFilesMetaData() []LiveFileMetadata {
 // CompactRange runs a manual compaction on the Range of keys given. This is
 // not likely to be needed for typical usage.
 func (db *DB) CompactRange(r Range) {
-	cStart := byteToChar(r.Start)
-	cLimit := byteToChar(r.Limit)
+	cStart := refGoBytes(r.Start)
+	cLimit := refGoBytes(r.Limit)
 	C.rocksdb_compact_range(db.c, cStart, C.size_t(len(r.Start)), cLimit, C.size_t(len(r.Limit)))
 }
 
 // CompactRangeCF runs a manual compaction on the Range of keys given on the
 // given column family. This is not likely to be needed for typical usage.
 func (db *DB) CompactRangeCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, r Range) {
-	cStart := byteToChar(r.Start)
-	cLimit := byteToChar(r.Limit)
+	cStart := refGoBytes(r.Start)
+	cLimit := refGoBytes(r.Limit)
 	C.rocksdb_compact_range_cf(db.c, cf.c, cStart, C.size_t(len(r.Start)), cLimit, C.size_t(len(r.Limit)))
 }
 
 // CompactRangeOpt runs a manual compaction on the Range of keys given with provided options. This is
 // not likely to be needed for typical usage.
 func (db *DB) CompactRangeOpt(r Range, opt *CompactRangeOptions) {
-	cStart := byteToChar(r.Start)
-	cLimit := byteToChar(r.Limit)
+	cStart := refGoBytes(r.Start)
+	cLimit := refGoBytes(r.Limit)
 	C.rocksdb_compact_range_opt(db.c, opt.c, cStart, C.size_t(len(r.Start)), cLimit, C.size_t(len(r.Limit)))
 }
 
 // CompactRangeCFOpt runs a manual compaction on the Range of keys given on the
 // given column family with provided options. This is not likely to be needed for typical usage.
 func (db *DB) CompactRangeCFOpt(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, r Range, opt *CompactRangeOptions) {
-	cStart := byteToChar(r.Start)
-	cLimit := byteToChar(r.Limit)
+	cStart := refGoBytes(r.Start)
+	cLimit := refGoBytes(r.Limit)
 	C.rocksdb_compact_range_cf_opt(db.c, cf.c, opt.c, cStart, C.size_t(len(r.Start)), cLimit, C.size_t(len(r.Limit)))
 }
 
 // SuggestCompactRange only for leveled compaction.
 func (db *DB) SuggestCompactRange(r Range) (err error) {
-	cStart := byteToChar(r.Start)
-	cLimit := byteToChar(r.Limit)
+	cStart := refGoBytes(r.Start)
+	cLimit := refGoBytes(r.Limit)
 
 	var cErr *C.char
 	C.rocksdb_suggest_compact_range(db.c, cStart, C.size_t(len(r.Start)), cLimit, C.size_t(len(r.Limit)), &cErr)
@@ -1583,8 +1583,8 @@ func (db *DB) SuggestCompactRange(r Range) (err error) {
 
 // SuggestCompactRangeCF only for leveled compaction.
 func (db *DB) SuggestCompactRangeCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, r Range) (err error) {
-	cStart := byteToChar(r.Start)
-	cLimit := byteToChar(r.Limit)
+	cStart := refGoBytes(r.Start)
+	cLimit := refGoBytes(r.Limit)
 
 	var cErr *C.char
 	C.rocksdb_suggest_compact_range_cf(db.c, cf.c, cStart, C.size_t(len(r.Start)), cLimit, C.size_t(len(r.Limit)), &cErr)
@@ -1672,8 +1672,8 @@ func (db *DB) DeleteFile(name string) {
 
 // DeleteFileInRange deletes SST files that contain keys between the Range, [r.Start, r.Limit]
 func (db *DB) DeleteFileInRange(r Range) (err error) {
-	cStartKey := byteToChar(r.Start)
-	cLimitKey := byteToChar(r.Limit)
+	cStartKey := refGoBytes(r.Start)
+	cLimitKey := refGoBytes(r.Limit)
 
 	var cErr *C.char
 
@@ -1691,8 +1691,8 @@ func (db *DB) DeleteFileInRange(r Range) (err error) {
 // DeleteFileInRangeCF deletes SST files that contain keys between the Range, [r.Start, r.Limit], and
 // belong to a given column family
 func (db *DB) DeleteFileInRangeCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, r Range) (err error) {
-	cStartKey := byteToChar(r.Start)
-	cLimitKey := byteToChar(r.Limit)
+	cStartKey := refGoBytes(r.Start)
+	cLimitKey := refGoBytes(r.Limit)
 
 	var cErr *C.char
 
@@ -1715,7 +1715,7 @@ func (db *DB) DeleteFileInRangeCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, r Range) (err error) {
 func (db *DB) IncreaseFullHistoryTsLow(handle *ColumnFamilyHandle, ts []byte) (err error) {
 	var cErr *C.char
 
-	cTs := byteToChar(ts)
+	cTs := refGoBytes(ts)
 	C.rocksdb_increase_full_history_ts_low(db.c, handle.c, cTs, C.size_t(len(ts)), &cErr)
 
 	err = fromCError(cErr)
diff --git a/iterator.go b/iterator.go
index f32276d..12d1bd5 100644
--- a/iterator.go
+++ b/iterator.go
@@ -104,14 +104,14 @@ func (iter *Iterator) SeekToLast() {
 
 // Seek moves the iterator to the position greater than or equal to the key.
 func (iter *Iterator) Seek(key []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
 	C.rocksdb_iter_seek(iter.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)))
 }
 
 // SeekForPrev moves the iterator to the last key that less than or equal
 // to the target key, in contrast with Seek.
 func (iter *Iterator) SeekForPrev(key []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
 	C.rocksdb_iter_seek_for_prev(iter.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)))
 }
 
diff --git a/merge_operator.go b/merge_operator.go
index da809f1..0b8d1f3 100644
--- a/merge_operator.go
+++ b/merge_operator.go
@@ -114,13 +114,13 @@ func registerMergeOperator(merger MergeOperator) int {
 
 //export gorocksdb_mergeoperator_full_merge
 func gorocksdb_mergeoperator_full_merge(idx int, cKey *C.char, cKeyLen C.size_t, cExistingValue *C.char, cExistingValueLen C.size_t, cOperands **C.char, cOperandsLen *C.size_t, cNumOperands C.int, cSuccess *C.uchar, cNewValueLen *C.size_t) *C.char {
-	key := charToByte(cKey, cKeyLen)
+	key := refCBytes(cKey, cKeyLen)
 	rawOperands := charSlice(cOperands, cNumOperands)
 	operandsLen := sizeSlice(cOperandsLen, cNumOperands)
-	existingValue := charToByte(cExistingValue, cExistingValueLen)
+	existingValue := refCBytes(cExistingValue, cExistingValueLen)
 	operands := make([][]byte, int(cNumOperands))
 	for i, len := range operandsLen {
-		operands[i] = charToByte(rawOperands[i], len)
+		operands[i] = refCBytes(rawOperands[i], len)
 	}
 
 	newValue, success := mergeOperators.Get(idx).(mergeOperatorWrapper).mergeOperator.FullMerge(key, existingValue, operands)
@@ -134,12 +134,12 @@ func gorocksdb_mergeoperator_full_merge(idx int, cKey *C.char, cKeyLen C.size_t,
 
 //export gorocksdb_mergeoperator_partial_merge_multi
 func gorocksdb_mergeoperator_partial_merge_multi(idx int, cKey *C.char, cKeyLen C.size_t, cOperands **C.char, cOperandsLen *C.size_t, cNumOperands C.int, cSuccess *C.uchar, cNewValueLen *C.size_t) *C.char {
-	key := charToByte(cKey, cKeyLen)
+	key := refCBytes(cKey, cKeyLen)
 	rawOperands := charSlice(cOperands, cNumOperands)
 	operandsLen := sizeSlice(cOperandsLen, cNumOperands)
 	operands := make([][]byte, int(cNumOperands))
 	for i, len := range operandsLen {
-		operands[i] = charToByte(rawOperands[i], len)
+		operands[i] = refCBytes(rawOperands[i], len)
 	}
 
 	var newValue []byte
diff --git a/options_compaction.go b/options_compaction.go
index 2e79286..7f6433d 100644
--- a/options_compaction.go
+++ b/options_compaction.go
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ func (opts *CompactRangeOptions) TargetLevel() int32 {
 // low bound maybe GCed by compaction.
 // Default: nullptr
 func (opts *CompactRangeOptions) SetFullHistoryTsLow(ts []byte) {
-	cTs := byteToChar(ts)
+	cTs := refGoBytes(ts)
 	C.rocksdb_compactoptions_set_full_history_ts_low(opts.c, cTs, C.size_t(len(ts)))
 }
 
diff --git a/options_read.go b/options_read.go
index e81a23b..11cf2da 100644
--- a/options_read.go
+++ b/options_read.go
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ func (opts *ReadOptions) SetSnapshot(snap *Snapshot) {
 // Default: nullptr
 func (opts *ReadOptions) SetIterateUpperBound(key []byte) {
 	opts.iterUpperBound = key
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
 	cKeyLen := C.size_t(len(key))
 	C.rocksdb_readoptions_set_iterate_upper_bound(opts.c, cKey, cKeyLen)
 }
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ func (opts *ReadOptions) SetIterateUpperBound(key []byte) {
 // Default: nullptr
 func (opts *ReadOptions) SetIterateLowerBound(key []byte) {
 	opts.iterLowerBound = key
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
 	cKeyLen := C.size_t(len(key))
 	C.rocksdb_readoptions_set_iterate_lower_bound(opts.c, cKey, cKeyLen)
 }
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ func (opts *ReadOptions) Destroy() {
 // Default: nullptr
 func (opts *ReadOptions) SetTimestamp(ts []byte) {
 	opts.timestamp = ts
-	cTS := byteToChar(ts)
+	cTS := refGoBytes(ts)
 	cTSLen := C.size_t(len(ts))
 	C.rocksdb_readoptions_set_timestamp(opts.c, cTS, cTSLen)
 }
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ func (opts *ReadOptions) SetTimestamp(ts []byte) {
 // Default: nullptr
 func (opts *ReadOptions) SetIterStartTimestamp(ts []byte) {
 	opts.timestampStart = ts
-	cTS := byteToChar(ts)
+	cTS := refGoBytes(ts)
 	cTSLen := C.size_t(len(ts))
 	C.rocksdb_readoptions_set_iter_start_ts(opts.c, cTS, cTSLen)
 }
diff --git a/slice.go b/slice.go
index be1a6c6..1ec2d56 100644
--- a/slice.go
+++ b/slice.go
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ func (s *Slice) Exists() bool {
 // nil slice.
 func (s *Slice) Data() []byte {
 	if s.Exists() {
-		return charToByte(s.data, s.size)
+		return refCBytes(s.data, s.size)
 	}
 
 	return nil
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ func (h *PinnableSliceHandle) Data() []byte {
 	if h.Exists() {
 		var cValLen C.size_t
 		cValue := C.rocksdb_pinnableslice_value(h.c, &cValLen)
-		return charToByte(cValue, cValLen)
+		return refCBytes(cValue, cValLen)
 	}
 
 	return nil
diff --git a/slice_transform.go b/slice_transform.go
index 5e83eb9..c65e494 100644
--- a/slice_transform.go
+++ b/slice_transform.go
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ func registerSliceTransform(st SliceTransform) int {
 
 //export gorocksdb_slicetransform_transform
 func gorocksdb_slicetransform_transform(idx int, cKey *C.char, cKeyLen C.size_t, cDstLen *C.size_t) *C.char {
-	key := charToByte(cKey, cKeyLen)
+	key := refCBytes(cKey, cKeyLen)
 	dst := sliceTransforms.Get(idx).(sliceTransformWrapper).sliceTransform.Transform(key)
 	*cDstLen = C.size_t(len(dst))
 	return cByteSlice(dst)
@@ -72,14 +72,14 @@ func gorocksdb_slicetransform_transform(idx int, cKey *C.char, cKeyLen C.size_t,
 
 //export gorocksdb_slicetransform_in_domain
 func gorocksdb_slicetransform_in_domain(idx int, cKey *C.char, cKeyLen C.size_t) C.uchar {
-	key := charToByte(cKey, cKeyLen)
+	key := refCBytes(cKey, cKeyLen)
 	inDomain := sliceTransforms.Get(idx).(sliceTransformWrapper).sliceTransform.InDomain(key)
 	return boolToChar(inDomain)
 }
 
 //export gorocksdb_slicetransform_in_range
 func gorocksdb_slicetransform_in_range(idx int, cKey *C.char, cKeyLen C.size_t) C.uchar {
-	key := charToByte(cKey, cKeyLen)
+	key := refCBytes(cKey, cKeyLen)
 	inRange := sliceTransforms.Get(idx).(sliceTransformWrapper).sliceTransform.InRange(key)
 	return boolToChar(inRange)
 }
diff --git a/sst_file_writer.go b/sst_file_writer.go
index 7e492f7..96d6ecd 100644
--- a/sst_file_writer.go
+++ b/sst_file_writer.go
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ func (w *SSTFileWriter) Open(path string) (err error) {
 // Add adds key, value to currently opened file.
 // REQUIRES: key is after any previously added key according to comparator.
 func (w *SSTFileWriter) Add(key, value []byte) (err error) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
-	cValue := byteToChar(value)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
+	cValue := refGoBytes(value)
 	var cErr *C.char
 	C.rocksdb_sstfilewriter_add(w.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)), &cErr)
 	err = fromCError(cErr)
@@ -60,8 +60,8 @@ func (w *SSTFileWriter) Add(key, value []byte) (err error) {
 
 // Put key, value to currently opened file.
 func (w *SSTFileWriter) Put(key, value []byte) (err error) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
-	cValue := byteToChar(value)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
+	cValue := refGoBytes(value)
 	var cErr *C.char
 	C.rocksdb_sstfilewriter_put(w.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)), &cErr)
 	err = fromCError(cErr)
@@ -70,9 +70,9 @@ func (w *SSTFileWriter) Put(key, value []byte) (err error) {
 
 // Put key with timestamp, value to the currently opened file
 func (w *SSTFileWriter) PutWithTS(key, ts, value []byte) (err error) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
-	cValue := byteToChar(value)
-	cTs := byteToChar(ts)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
+	cValue := refGoBytes(value)
+	cTs := refGoBytes(ts)
 	var cErr *C.char
 	C.rocksdb_sstfilewriter_put_with_ts(w.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cTs, C.size_t(len(ts)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)), &cErr)
 	err = fromCError(cErr)
@@ -81,8 +81,8 @@ func (w *SSTFileWriter) PutWithTS(key, ts, value []byte) (err error) {
 
 // Merge key, value to currently opened file.
 func (w *SSTFileWriter) Merge(key, value []byte) (err error) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
-	cValue := byteToChar(value)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
+	cValue := refGoBytes(value)
 	var cErr *C.char
 	C.rocksdb_sstfilewriter_merge(w.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)), &cErr)
 	err = fromCError(cErr)
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ func (w *SSTFileWriter) Merge(key, value []byte) (err error) {
 
 // Delete key from currently opened file.
 func (w *SSTFileWriter) Delete(key []byte) (err error) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
 	var cErr *C.char
 	C.rocksdb_sstfilewriter_delete(w.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cErr)
 	err = fromCError(cErr)
@@ -100,8 +100,8 @@ func (w *SSTFileWriter) Delete(key []byte) (err error) {
 
 // DeleteWithTS deletes key with timestamp to the currently opened file
 func (w *SSTFileWriter) DeleteWithTS(key, ts []byte) (err error) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
-	cTs := byteToChar(ts)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
+	cTs := refGoBytes(ts)
 	var cErr *C.char
 	C.rocksdb_sstfilewriter_delete_with_ts(w.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cTs, C.size_t(len(ts)), &cErr)
 	err = fromCError(cErr)
@@ -110,8 +110,8 @@ func (w *SSTFileWriter) DeleteWithTS(key, ts []byte) (err error) {
 
 // DeleteRange deletes keys that are between [startKey, endKey)
 func (w *SSTFileWriter) DeleteRange(startKey, endKey []byte) (err error) {
-	cStartKey := byteToChar(startKey)
-	cEndKey := byteToChar(endKey)
+	cStartKey := refGoBytes(startKey)
+	cEndKey := refGoBytes(endKey)
 	var cErr *C.char
 	C.rocksdb_sstfilewriter_delete_range(w.c, cStartKey, C.size_t(len(startKey)), cEndKey, C.size_t(len(endKey)), &cErr)
 	err = fromCError(cErr)
diff --git a/transaction.go b/transaction.go
index 936eb43..f08e568 100644
--- a/transaction.go
+++ b/transaction.go
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ func newNativeTransaction(c *C.rocksdb_transaction_t) *Transaction {
 func (transaction *Transaction) SetName(name string) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr  *C.char
-		name_ = byteToChar([]byte(name))
+		name_ = refGoBytes([]byte(name))
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_transaction_set_name(transaction.c, name_, C.size_t(len(name)), &cErr)
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ func (transaction *Transaction) Get(opts *ReadOptions, key []byte) (slice *Slice
 	var (
 		cErr    *C.char
 		cValLen C.size_t
-		cKey    = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey    = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_transaction_get(
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ func (transaction *Transaction) Get(opts *ReadOptions, key []byte) (slice *Slice
 func (transaction *Transaction) GetPinned(opts *ReadOptions, key []byte) (handle *PinnableSliceHandle, err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cHandle := C.rocksdb_transaction_get_pinned(transaction.c, opts.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cErr)
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ func (transaction *Transaction) GetWithCF(opts *ReadOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHan
 	var (
 		cErr    *C.char
 		cValLen C.size_t
-		cKey    = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey    = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_transaction_get_cf(
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ func (transaction *Transaction) GetWithCF(opts *ReadOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHan
 func (transaction *Transaction) GetPinnedWithCF(opts *ReadOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []byte) (handle *PinnableSliceHandle, err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cHandle := C.rocksdb_transaction_get_pinned_cf(transaction.c, opts.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cErr)
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ func (transaction *Transaction) GetForUpdate(opts *ReadOptions, key []byte) (sli
 	var (
 		cErr    *C.char
 		cValLen C.size_t
-		cKey    = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey    = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_transaction_get_for_update(
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ func (transaction *Transaction) GetForUpdate(opts *ReadOptions, key []byte) (sli
 func (transaction *Transaction) GetPinnedForUpdate(opts *ReadOptions, key []byte) (handle *PinnableSliceHandle, err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cHandle := C.rocksdb_transaction_get_pinned_for_update(
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ func (transaction *Transaction) GetForUpdateWithCF(opts *ReadOptions, cf *Column
 	var (
 		cErr    *C.char
 		cValLen C.size_t
-		cKey    = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey    = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_transaction_get_for_update_cf(
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ func (transaction *Transaction) GetForUpdateWithCF(opts *ReadOptions, cf *Column
 func (transaction *Transaction) GetPinnedForUpdateWithCF(opts *ReadOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []byte) (handle *PinnableSliceHandle, err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cHandle := C.rocksdb_transaction_get_pinned_for_update_cf(
@@ -293,8 +293,8 @@ func (transaction *Transaction) MultiGetWithCF(opts *ReadOptions, cf *ColumnFami
 func (transaction *Transaction) Put(key, value []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr   *C.char
-		cKey   = byteToChar(key)
-		cValue = byteToChar(value)
+		cKey   = refGoBytes(key)
+		cValue = refGoBytes(value)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_transaction_put(
@@ -309,8 +309,8 @@ func (transaction *Transaction) Put(key, value []byte) (err error) {
 func (transaction *Transaction) PutCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, value []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr   *C.char
-		cKey   = byteToChar(key)
-		cValue = byteToChar(value)
+		cKey   = refGoBytes(key)
+		cValue = refGoBytes(value)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_transaction_put_cf(
@@ -325,8 +325,8 @@ func (transaction *Transaction) PutCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, value []byte)
 func (transaction *Transaction) Merge(key, value []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr   *C.char
-		cKey   = byteToChar(key)
-		cValue = byteToChar(value)
+		cKey   = refGoBytes(key)
+		cValue = refGoBytes(value)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_transaction_merge(
@@ -341,8 +341,8 @@ func (transaction *Transaction) Merge(key, value []byte) (err error) {
 func (transaction *Transaction) MergeCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, value []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr   *C.char
-		cKey   = byteToChar(key)
-		cValue = byteToChar(value)
+		cKey   = refGoBytes(key)
+		cValue = refGoBytes(value)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_transaction_merge_cf(
@@ -357,7 +357,7 @@ func (transaction *Transaction) MergeCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, value []byt
 func (transaction *Transaction) Delete(key []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_transaction_delete(transaction.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cErr)
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ func (transaction *Transaction) Delete(key []byte) (err error) {
 func (transaction *Transaction) DeleteCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_transaction_delete_cf(transaction.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cErr)
diff --git a/transactiondb.go b/transactiondb.go
index ef6cace..cdfe73e 100644
--- a/transactiondb.go
+++ b/transactiondb.go
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ func (db *TransactionDB) Get(opts *ReadOptions, key []byte) (slice *Slice, err e
 	var (
 		cErr    *C.char
 		cValLen C.size_t
-		cKey    = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey    = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_transactiondb_get(
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ func (db *TransactionDB) Get(opts *ReadOptions, key []byte) (slice *Slice, err e
 func (db *TransactionDB) GetPinned(opts *ReadOptions, key []byte) (handle *PinnableSliceHandle, err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cHandle := C.rocksdb_transactiondb_get_pinned(db.c, opts.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cErr)
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ func (db *TransactionDB) GetCF(opts *ReadOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []
 	var (
 		cErr    *C.char
 		cValLen C.size_t
-		cKey    = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey    = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_transactiondb_get_cf(
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ func (db *TransactionDB) GetCF(opts *ReadOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []
 func (db *TransactionDB) GetPinnedWithCF(opts *ReadOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []byte) (handle *PinnableSliceHandle, err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cHandle := C.rocksdb_transactiondb_get_pinned_cf(db.c, opts.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cErr)
@@ -322,8 +322,8 @@ func (db *TransactionDB) MultiGetWithCF(opts *ReadOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandl
 func (db *TransactionDB) Put(opts *WriteOptions, key, value []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr   *C.char
-		cKey   = byteToChar(key)
-		cValue = byteToChar(value)
+		cKey   = refGoBytes(key)
+		cValue = refGoBytes(value)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_transactiondb_put(
@@ -338,8 +338,8 @@ func (db *TransactionDB) Put(opts *WriteOptions, key, value []byte) (err error)
 func (db *TransactionDB) PutCF(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, value []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr   *C.char
-		cKey   = byteToChar(key)
-		cValue = byteToChar(value)
+		cKey   = refGoBytes(key)
+		cValue = refGoBytes(value)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_transactiondb_put_cf(
@@ -354,8 +354,8 @@ func (db *TransactionDB) PutCF(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key,
 func (db *TransactionDB) Merge(opts *WriteOptions, key, value []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr   *C.char
-		cKey   = byteToChar(key)
-		cValue = byteToChar(value)
+		cKey   = refGoBytes(key)
+		cValue = refGoBytes(value)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_transactiondb_merge(
@@ -370,8 +370,8 @@ func (db *TransactionDB) Merge(opts *WriteOptions, key, value []byte) (err error
 func (db *TransactionDB) MergeCF(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, value []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr   *C.char
-		cKey   = byteToChar(key)
-		cValue = byteToChar(value)
+		cKey   = refGoBytes(key)
+		cValue = refGoBytes(value)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_transactiondb_merge_cf(
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ func (db *TransactionDB) MergeCF(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key
 func (db *TransactionDB) Delete(opts *WriteOptions, key []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_transactiondb_delete(db.c, opts.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cErr)
@@ -399,7 +399,7 @@ func (db *TransactionDB) Delete(opts *WriteOptions, key []byte) (err error) {
 func (db *TransactionDB) DeleteCF(opts *WriteOptions, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []byte) (err error) {
 	var (
 		cErr *C.char
-		cKey = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	C.rocksdb_transactiondb_delete_cf(db.c, opts.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cErr)
diff --git a/util.go b/util.go
index a61d4ac..b951aa8 100644
--- a/util.go
+++ b/util.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package grocksdb
 // #include <stdlib.h>
 // #include "rocksdb/c.h"
 import "C"
+
 import (
 	"errors"
 	"unsafe"
@@ -21,13 +22,13 @@ func charToBool(c C.uchar) bool {
 	return c != 0
 }
 
-// charToByte converts a *C.char to a byte slice.
-func charToByte(data *C.char, len C.size_t) []byte {
+// refCBytes referencing *C.char.
+func refCBytes(data *C.char, len C.size_t) []byte {
 	return unsafe.Slice((*byte)(unsafe.Pointer(data)), int(len))
 }
 
-// byteToChar returns *C.char from byte slice.
-func byteToChar(b []byte) *C.char {
+// refGoBytes returns *C.char from byte slice.
+func refGoBytes(b []byte) *C.char {
 	var c *C.char
 	if len(b) > 0 {
 		c = (*C.char)(unsafe.Pointer(&b[0]))
diff --git a/write_batch.go b/write_batch.go
index 84a287e..7988628 100644
--- a/write_batch.go
+++ b/write_batch.go
@@ -27,56 +27,56 @@ func newNativeWriteBatch(c *C.rocksdb_writebatch_t) *WriteBatch {
 
 // WriteBatchFrom creates a write batch from a serialized WriteBatch.
 func WriteBatchFrom(data []byte) *WriteBatch {
-	cWB := C.rocksdb_writebatch_create_from(byteToChar(data), C.size_t(len(data)))
+	cWB := C.rocksdb_writebatch_create_from(refGoBytes(data), C.size_t(len(data)))
 	return newNativeWriteBatch(cWB)
 }
 
 // Put queues a key-value pair.
 func (wb *WriteBatch) Put(key, value []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
-	cValue := byteToChar(value)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
+	cValue := refGoBytes(value)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_put(wb.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)))
 }
 
 // PutCF queues a key-value pair in a column family.
 func (wb *WriteBatch) PutCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, value []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
-	cValue := byteToChar(value)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
+	cValue := refGoBytes(value)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_put_cf(wb.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)))
 }
 
 // PutCFWithTS queues a key-value pair with given timestamp in a column family.
 func (wb *WriteBatch) PutCFWithTS(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, ts, value []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
-	cValue := byteToChar(value)
-	cTs := byteToChar(ts)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
+	cValue := refGoBytes(value)
+	cTs := refGoBytes(ts)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_put_cf_with_ts(wb.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cTs, C.size_t(len(ts)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)))
 }
 
 // PutLogData appends a blob of arbitrary size to the records in this batch.
 func (wb *WriteBatch) PutLogData(blob []byte) {
-	cBlob := byteToChar(blob)
+	cBlob := refGoBytes(blob)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_put_log_data(wb.c, cBlob, C.size_t(len(blob)))
 }
 
 // Merge queues a merge of "value" with the existing value of "key".
 func (wb *WriteBatch) Merge(key, value []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
-	cValue := byteToChar(value)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
+	cValue := refGoBytes(value)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_merge(wb.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)))
 }
 
 // MergeCF queues a merge of "value" with the existing value of "key" in a
 // column family.
 func (wb *WriteBatch) MergeCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, value []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
-	cValue := byteToChar(value)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
+	cValue := refGoBytes(value)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_merge_cf(wb.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)))
 }
 
 // Delete queues a deletion of the data at key.
 func (wb *WriteBatch) Delete(key []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_delete(wb.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)))
 }
 
@@ -97,48 +97,48 @@ func (wb *WriteBatch) Delete(key []byte) {
 //
 // Note: consider setting options.sync = true.
 func (wb *WriteBatch) SingleDelete(key []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_singledelete(wb.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)))
 }
 
 // DeleteCF queues a deletion of the data at key in a column family.
 func (wb *WriteBatch) DeleteCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_delete_cf(wb.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)))
 }
 
 // DeleteCF queues a deletion of the data at key with given timestamp in a column family.
 func (wb *WriteBatch) DeleteCFWithTS(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, ts []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
-	cTs := byteToChar(ts)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
+	cTs := refGoBytes(ts)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_delete_cf_with_ts(wb.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cTs, C.size_t(len(ts)))
 }
 
 // SingleDeleteCF same as SingleDelete but specific column family
 func (wb *WriteBatch) SingleDeleteCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_singledelete_cf(wb.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)))
 }
 
 // SingleDeleteCFWithTS same as SingleDelete but with timestamp for specific column family
 func (wb *WriteBatch) SingleDeleteCFWithTS(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, ts []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
-	cTs := byteToChar(ts)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
+	cTs := refGoBytes(ts)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_singledelete_cf_with_ts(wb.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cTs, C.size_t(len(ts)))
 }
 
 // DeleteRange deletes keys that are between [startKey, endKey)
 func (wb *WriteBatch) DeleteRange(startKey []byte, endKey []byte) {
-	cStartKey := byteToChar(startKey)
-	cEndKey := byteToChar(endKey)
+	cStartKey := refGoBytes(startKey)
+	cEndKey := refGoBytes(endKey)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_delete_range(wb.c, cStartKey, C.size_t(len(startKey)), cEndKey, C.size_t(len(endKey)))
 }
 
 // DeleteRangeCF deletes keys that are between [startKey, endKey) and
 // belong to a given column family
 func (wb *WriteBatch) DeleteRangeCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, startKey []byte, endKey []byte) {
-	cStartKey := byteToChar(startKey)
-	cEndKey := byteToChar(endKey)
+	cStartKey := refGoBytes(startKey)
+	cEndKey := refGoBytes(endKey)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_delete_range_cf(wb.c, cf.c, cStartKey, C.size_t(len(startKey)), cEndKey, C.size_t(len(endKey)))
 }
 
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ func (wb *WriteBatch) DeleteRangeCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, startKey []byte, end
 func (wb *WriteBatch) Data() []byte {
 	var cSize C.size_t
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_writebatch_data(wb.c, &cSize)
-	return charToByte(cValue, cSize)
+	return refCBytes(cValue, cSize)
 }
 
 // Count returns the number of updates in the batch.
diff --git a/write_batch_wi.go b/write_batch_wi.go
index 832e365..5dbef6b 100644
--- a/write_batch_wi.go
+++ b/write_batch_wi.go
@@ -26,42 +26,42 @@ func newNativeWriteBatchWI(c *C.rocksdb_writebatch_wi_t) *WriteBatchWI {
 
 // Put queues a key-value pair.
 func (wb *WriteBatchWI) Put(key, value []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
-	cValue := byteToChar(value)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
+	cValue := refGoBytes(value)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_wi_put(wb.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)))
 }
 
 // PutCF queues a key-value pair in a column family.
 func (wb *WriteBatchWI) PutCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, value []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
-	cValue := byteToChar(value)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
+	cValue := refGoBytes(value)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_wi_put_cf(wb.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)))
 }
 
 // PutLogData appends a blob of arbitrary size to the records in this batch.
 func (wb *WriteBatchWI) PutLogData(blob []byte) {
-	cBlob := byteToChar(blob)
+	cBlob := refGoBytes(blob)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_wi_put_log_data(wb.c, cBlob, C.size_t(len(blob)))
 }
 
 // Merge queues a merge of "value" with the existing value of "key".
 func (wb *WriteBatchWI) Merge(key, value []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
-	cValue := byteToChar(value)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
+	cValue := refGoBytes(value)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_wi_merge(wb.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)))
 }
 
 // MergeCF queues a merge of "value" with the existing value of "key" in a
 // column family.
 func (wb *WriteBatchWI) MergeCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key, value []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
-	cValue := byteToChar(value)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
+	cValue := refGoBytes(value)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_wi_merge_cf(wb.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), cValue, C.size_t(len(value)))
 }
 
 // Delete queues a deletion of the data at key.
 func (wb *WriteBatchWI) Delete(key []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_wi_delete(wb.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)))
 }
 
@@ -82,34 +82,34 @@ func (wb *WriteBatchWI) Delete(key []byte) {
 //
 // Note: consider setting options.sync = true.
 func (wb *WriteBatchWI) SingleDelete(key []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_wi_singledelete(wb.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)))
 }
 
 // DeleteCF queues a deletion of the data at key in a column family.
 func (wb *WriteBatchWI) DeleteCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_wi_delete_cf(wb.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)))
 }
 
 // SingleDeleteCF same as SingleDelete but specific column family
 func (wb *WriteBatchWI) SingleDeleteCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []byte) {
-	cKey := byteToChar(key)
+	cKey := refGoBytes(key)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_wi_singledelete_cf(wb.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)))
 }
 
 // DeleteRange deletes keys that are between [startKey, endKey)
 func (wb *WriteBatchWI) DeleteRange(startKey []byte, endKey []byte) {
-	cStartKey := byteToChar(startKey)
-	cEndKey := byteToChar(endKey)
+	cStartKey := refGoBytes(startKey)
+	cEndKey := refGoBytes(endKey)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_wi_delete_range(wb.c, cStartKey, C.size_t(len(startKey)), cEndKey, C.size_t(len(endKey)))
 }
 
 // DeleteRangeCF deletes keys that are between [startKey, endKey) and
 // belong to a given column family
 func (wb *WriteBatchWI) DeleteRangeCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, startKey []byte, endKey []byte) {
-	cStartKey := byteToChar(startKey)
-	cEndKey := byteToChar(endKey)
+	cStartKey := refGoBytes(startKey)
+	cEndKey := refGoBytes(endKey)
 	C.rocksdb_writebatch_wi_delete_range_cf(wb.c, cf.c, cStartKey, C.size_t(len(startKey)), cEndKey, C.size_t(len(endKey)))
 }
 
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ func (wb *WriteBatchWI) DeleteRangeCF(cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, startKey []byte, e
 func (wb *WriteBatchWI) Data() []byte {
 	var cSize C.size_t
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_writebatch_wi_data(wb.c, &cSize)
-	return charToByte(cValue, cSize)
+	return refCBytes(cValue, cSize)
 }
 
 // Count returns the number of updates in the batch.
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ func (wb *WriteBatchWI) Get(opts *Options, key []byte) (slice *Slice, err error)
 	var (
 		cErr    *C.char
 		cValLen C.size_t
-		cKey    = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey    = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_writebatch_wi_get_from_batch(wb.c, opts.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cValLen, &cErr)
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ func (wb *WriteBatchWI) GetWithCF(opts *Options, cf *ColumnFamilyHandle, key []b
 	var (
 		cErr    *C.char
 		cValLen C.size_t
-		cKey    = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey    = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_writebatch_wi_get_from_batch_cf(wb.c, opts.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cValLen, &cErr)
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ func (wb *WriteBatchWI) GetFromDB(db *DB, opts *ReadOptions, key []byte) (slice
 	var (
 		cErr    *C.char
 		cValLen C.size_t
-		cKey    = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey    = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_writebatch_wi_get_from_batch_and_db(wb.c, db.c, opts.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cValLen, &cErr)
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ func (wb *WriteBatchWI) GetFromDBWithCF(db *DB, opts *ReadOptions, cf *ColumnFam
 	var (
 		cErr    *C.char
 		cValLen C.size_t
-		cKey    = byteToChar(key)
+		cKey    = refGoBytes(key)
 	)
 
 	cValue := C.rocksdb_writebatch_wi_get_from_batch_and_db_cf(wb.c, db.c, opts.c, cf.c, cKey, C.size_t(len(key)), &cValLen, &cErr)