Data Structures

C++ Strings

Working with Strings

C++ strings use std::string, with std::wstring for Unicode.

Introduction to C++ Strings

In C++, strings are used to handle textual data. The Standard Library provides two main types of strings: std::string for regular character strings and std::wstring for wide-character strings, typically used for Unicode text. This guide will walk you through the basics of using these string types, including common operations and best practices.

Using std::string

The std::string class is part of the C++ Standard Library and is used for handling strings composed of single-byte characters. Here are some common operations you can perform with std::string:

Wide Strings with std::wstring

std::wstring is used for wide-character strings, suitable for storing Unicode text. This is especially useful when working with internationalized applications. Here is an example of using std::wstring:

Common String Operations

C++ strings support a variety of operations beyond basic concatenation and character access:

Substrings: Extract parts of a string using the substr() method.
Search: Find characters or substrings with methods like find() and rfind().
Modification: Modify strings in place with methods such as replace() and erase().

Conclusion

C++ strings are a powerful feature of the language, offering flexibility and ease of use for handling textual data. By understanding both std::string and std::wstring, you can effectively manage different character encodings and perform a wide range of string operations. As you continue learning C++, mastering strings will be a crucial part of your development journey.

Data Structures

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