What are the best practices for using strings in C++?

What are the best practices for using strings in C++?

When using strings in C++, it's important to prefer std::string over C-style strings for safety and ease of use.

Why should I prefer std::string?

std::string manages memory automatically, reduces the risk of buffer overflows, and provides useful member functions.

Are there any performance considerations I should be aware of?

Yes, avoid unnecessary copies by using references or move semantics, and consider using std::string_view for read-only access.

What about string concatenation?

For concatenation, prefer using std::ostringstream or the + operator, but be cautious of performance in tight loops.