Tutorials

C stricmp() Function

Posted in C Tutorial

Updated on Nov 16, 2024

By Mari Selvan

👁️ 1638 - Views

⏳ 4 mins

💬 1 Comment

Photo Credit to CodeToFun

🙋 Introduction

In C programming, comparing strings is a common operation, and there are standard functions for this task.

For case-insensitive string comparison, some compilers provide a non-standard extension called stricmp().

It's essential to note that the use of non-standard functions may result in portability issues.

In this tutorial, we'll explore the usage and functionality of the stricmp() function.

💡 Syntax

The signature of the stricmp() function is typically as follows:

Syntax

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int stricmp(const char *s1, const char *s2);

This function takes two strings, s1 and s2, and performs a case-insensitive comparison.

📄 Example

Let's delve into an example to illustrate how the stricmp() function works.

stricmp.c

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#include <stdio.h>

// Prototype for stricmp function (may not be needed in some compilers)
int stricmp(const char * s1,
  const char * s2);

int main() {
  const char * str1 = "Hello, World!";
  const char * str2 = "hello, world!";

  // Compare strings case-insensitively
  int result = stricmp(str1, str2);

  // Output the result
  if (result == 0) {
    printf("The strings are equal.\n");
  } else {
    printf("The strings are not equal.\n");
  }

  return 0;
}

💻 Output

Output

The strings are equal.

🧠 How the Program Works

In this example, the stricmp() function compares the strings "Hello, World!" and "hello, world!" case-insensitively and prints the result.

↩️ Return Value

The stricmp() function returns an integer less than, equal to, or greater than zero if s1 is found, respectively, to be less than, to match, or be greater than s2. The comparison is case-insensitive.

📚 Common Use Cases

The stricmp() function is particularly useful when you need to compare strings in a case-insensitive manner. However, be cautious about its use, as it's not a standard C library function and may not be available in all compilers.

📝 Notes

Verify whether your compiler supports the stricmp() function. In some environments, you might need to use platform-specific alternatives or consider converting strings to lowercase before comparison.

🎢 Optimization

The stricmp() function is optimized for case-insensitive string comparison. However, due to its non-standard nature, consider using standard functions or platform-specific alternatives for better code portability.

🎉 Conclusion

The stricmp() function in C is a non-standard extension that provides case-insensitive string comparison. While it may be convenient, be mindful of potential portability issues, and explore standard alternatives or platform-specific solutions for more robust code.

Feel free to experiment with different strings and explore the behavior of the stricmp() function in various scenarios. Happy coding!