What are the differences between std::string and std::string_view in C++17?

What are the differences between std::string and std::string_view in C++17?

In C++17, std::string is a mutable string class that manages its own memory, while std::string_view is a lightweight, non-owning view of a string. This means std::string_view does not allocate memory and is more efficient for read-only operations.

When should I use std::string_view instead of std::string?

You should use std::string_view when you want to avoid unnecessary copies of strings, especially when passing strings to functions. It's ideal for read-only access to string data.

Are there any limitations to using std::string_view?

Yes, std::string_view does not own the string data it points to, so it can lead to dangling references if the original string is destroyed. Always ensure the lifetime of the original string exceeds that of the string_view.

Can std::string_view be used with string literals?

Absolutely! std::string_view can be initialized with string literals, making it a great choice for functions that need to accept constant strings without copying them.