getvec(). This is safe, because the old code made single copies and
always flushed them back into the unit structures before flushing
those. To do: obey ITEM_MAX.
effect. Replace calls by struct assignment where possible. Replace
clear buffer, copy string to buffer by strncpy(). Use assignment to
clear when that's clearer. Replace overlapping copy through bounce
buffer by memmove(). Replace rest by standard memset() and memcpy().
Also use sizeof() instead of literal array sizes for robustness, and
instead of symbolic array sizes for clarity.
