What are the limitations of std::string_view in C++17?

What are the limitations of std::string_view in C++17?

std::string_view is lightweight and efficient, but it has some limitations. It doesn't own the string data, so if the original string is modified or goes out of scope, the string_view becomes invalid. Additionally, it cannot be used for string manipulation like std::string.

Can you give an example of when std::string_view might lead to issues?

Sure! If you create a std::string_view from a local std::string variable and return it from a function, the string_view will point to invalid memory once the function exits, leading to undefined behavior.

Are there any performance benefits to using std::string_view?

Yes, std::string_view can improve performance by avoiding unnecessary string copies. It allows you to pass around string data without the overhead of copying, which is especially useful in performance-critical applications.

What about compatibility with other string types?

std::string_view is compatible with std::string and C-style strings, but you need to be careful about the lifetime of the underlying data. It can be used to create views of substrings without copying, but ensure the original data remains valid.