In C++, a string is text: a sequence of characters. Modern C++ tutorials start with std::string from <string>—it grows automatically, supports + concatenation, and provides members like length() and find().
You will also meet C-style strings: null-terminated char arrays handled by <cstring> helpers such as strlen() and strcmp(). Prefer std::string for new code; learn both for interviews and C APIs.
This page teaches what a C++ string is. The String Functions index lists every function guide in this series.
It manages memory for you. Use char arrays and <cstring> when a C API or fixed buffer requires it.
#include <string> for std::string. #include <cstring> for C helpers like strcpy and strlen.
Common ways to create and work with std::string:
#include <iostream>
#include <string>
std::string literal = "Hello, C++!";
std::string full = first + " " + last; // + concatenation
std::size_t len = text.length(); // or text.size()
std::size_t pos = text.find("C++"); // search
bool same = (a == b); // content equalityIdeas every C++ string tutorial builds on:
| Idea | Example | Remember |
|---|---|---|
std::string | std::string s = "Hi"; | Include <string> |
| Concatenation | a + " " + b or += | Creates / updates a std::string |
| Length | s.length() / s.size() | Same count for typical text |
| Search | s.find("x") | Returns index or npos if missing |
| Equality | a == b | Compares content for std::string |
| C-string helpers | strlen, strcpy | Need <cstring> and a buffer |
Five short programs that define how strings work in a C++ tutorial.
Assign a std::string and print it with std::cout.
#include <iostream>
#include <string>
int main() {
std::string language = "C++";
int version = 17;
std::cout << "Language: " << language << "\n";
std::cout << "Version: " << version << "\n";
std::cout << "Ready to learn strings!\n";
return 0;
}std::string.<<.Build a message from smaller pieces.
#include <iostream>
#include <string>
int main() {
std::string first = "Hello";
std::string last = "C++";
std::string greeting = first + ", " + last + "!";
std::cout << greeting << "\n";
std::string status = "Status: ";
status += "Active";
std::cout << status << "\n";
return 0;
}std::string values (and string literals).std::string.Measure size and read a character by index.
#include <iostream>
#include <string>
int main() {
std::string word = "Hello";
std::cout << "length: " << word.length() << "\n";
std::cout << "first: " << word[0] << "\n";
std::cout << "last: " << word[word.length() - 1] << "\n";
return 0;
}size()) returns the character count.length() - 1.Search for a substring inside a std::string.
#include <iostream>
#include <string>
int main() {
std::string url = "https://codetofun.com/cpp/string";
std::size_t pos = url.find("/cpp");
if (pos != std::string::npos) {
std::cout << "found at: " << pos << "\n";
} else {
std::cout << "not found\n";
}
return 0;
}npos before using the index.C-style helpers on null-terminated char arrays.
#include <iostream>
#include <cstring>
int main() {
const char* a = "Hello";
const char* b = "Hello";
std::cout << "strlen: " << std::strlen(a) << "\n";
if (std::strcmp(a, b) == 0) {
std::cout << "strcmp: equal\n";
}
return 0;
}'\0'.0 when strings match.After you know what a string is, open the function index for full tutorials on find() and the essential <cstring> helpers in this series.
| Start with | Why |
|---|---|
find() | Search inside std::string |
strlen() | Length of a C-string |
strcmp() | Compare two C-strings |
strcpy() | Copy into a char buffer |
Full list: C++ String Functions index (/cpp/string/function).
Open the functions index for categorized guides with examples and FAQs.
8 people found this page helpful