%3s equivalent for C++

what happens if i have a char array [20]
and i want to print only the first 3 letters of the string

what c++ function would i use?

the idea is that i have a ssn [10]
and i want to display it as 1234-56-789

i could use C functions but i dont want to do that
and i could print them one char at a time in a for loop but i am wondering if there are c++ functions for that
something like setprecision (though that is for numbers)
u get the idea

cheers

If you don't wanna use sprintf, why not use the string class?

cuz the teacher hasnt taught it yet
but i dont mind using the string class just that i havent used string data types

cout.write(ssn,3);

Originally posted by hk_mp5kpdw
cout.write(ssn,3);

silly me
i have learnt it but never used it