gcount() always returning 0

Whether it's a text file or a binary file gcount() always returning 0 but int size gets the values read.
Why?

Code:

---

 
    int size;
    string str;
    ifstream ifs;
    ifs.open(file, ifstream::binary);
 
    while(!ifs.eof())
    {
        getline(ifs, str);
        cout << ifs.gcount() << " characters read: "  << '\n';
        size = str.size();
        cout << "size " << size << endl;
    }

---

I don't think that version of getline changes gcount (just the one that reads into a char* instead).

FAQ > Why it's bad to use feof() to control a loop - Cprogramming.com

It explains for C - but same idea applicable to C++ - so you could benefit from reading this FAQ

Thank you, that was useful.