char causes segfaults more than strings?

Hello all,

I am very new to c++, (but have been a developer for 15 years) and have a question.

I work with other c++ programmers. One loves chars the other says they could cause seg faults and I should use strings.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks,
Michael

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheBigOnion

Hello all,

I am very new to c++, (but have been a developer for 15 years) and have a question.

I work with other c++ programmers. One loves chars the other says they could cause seg faults and I should use strings.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks,
Michael

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If you know how to use character arrays, they're perfectly safe. If you don't, then not only can your application segfault but you can add serious security flaws to your application.
But in my opinion, you have to learn about char arrays.

Perhaps you are talking about using pointers to char to work with null terminated strings. If so, it is true that working with them can be more error prone than working with string objects.

std::string does things with you (manage memory, ensure that enough memory is allocated etc). With C style strings you'd have to take care of these things yourself. You'd write more code and have more chances to screw things up.