C string functions are essential tools for manipulating and working with strings in the C programming language. These functions, provided by the <string.h> library, offer powerful capabilities for string operations.

Introduction to C Strings

In C, strings are represented as arrays of characters terminated by a null character ('\0'). The C String Basics provide a foundation for understanding how strings are stored and manipulated in C programs.

Common C String Functions

1. strlen()

The strlen() function calculates the length of a string, excluding the null terminator.


#include <string.h>
#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    char str[] = "Hello, World!";
    size_t length = strlen(str);
    printf("Length: %zu\n", length);
    return 0;
}

2. strcpy()

Use strcpy() to copy one string to another.


#include <string.h>
#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    char source[] = "Copy me";
    char destination[20];
    strcpy(destination, source);
    printf("Copied string: %s\n", destination);
    return 0;
}

3. strcat()

The strcat() function concatenates two strings.

4. strcmp()

strcmp() compares two strings lexicographically.

Important Considerations

Always ensure sufficient buffer size to prevent buffer overflows.
Remember that C strings are null-terminated.
Use strncpy(), strncat(), and strncmp() for safer, length-limited operations.

Advanced String Manipulation

For more complex string operations, explore C String Manipulation techniques. These include searching, tokenizing, and transforming strings.

Conclusion

Mastering C string functions is crucial for effective string handling in C programs. They provide efficient tools for common string operations, enhancing your ability to process and manipulate text data.

For further exploration of C programming concepts, consider learning about C Pointers and Arrays, which are closely related to string manipulation in C.