Understanding the C+ + Array of Strings Terminator: How to Properly Use char**

Are you confused about how to handle arrays of strings in `C+ + `? This blog explains how to correctly check for the end of a `char**` variable with easy-to-understand code examples.
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: C+ + array of strings terminator

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Understanding the C+ + Array of Strings Terminator: How to Properly Use char**

If you are new to C+ + , you might find the concept of strings and character arrays a bit confusing. Particularly, when it comes to handling arrays of strings, it is crucial to understand how to determine the end of an array. In this guide, we will dive into the details of using char** variables and how to effectively know when you have reached the end of such arrays.

The Confusion: What is a char**?

Before we dive into the solution, let’s clarify the original question. Our new C+ + user is trying to understand if a char** array behaves like a character array, which is typically terminated by a null (\0) byte. In simple terms:

A char* (also known as a C-string) is a string that ends with a null byte.

A char** is a pointer to a pointer to a character, supporting arrays of strings.

The main question here is: How do we know when we have reached the end of a char** variable? Let’s take a look at how to initialize and iterate over string arrays correctly.

Correct Initialization of C+ + String Arrays

The original code provided was:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

However, this declaration does not make sense because you cannot initialize a scalar object with a braced-list containing more than one expression. What you likely want is an array of strings, which can be properly declared as:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Why Initialization Matters

Proper Initialization: Always use const char* if you are going to handle string literals.

Type Safety: This declaration provides better type safety during compilation.

How to Iterate Through the Array

After correctly initializing your string array, the next step is to iterate through it. Initially, this was suggested:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

However, this would lead to undefined behavior because your array does not have a null terminator.

Correct Loop Structure

To correctly iterate through an array, one of the following methods can be used:

Using Sizeof:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This approach calculates the number of elements in the array using the sizeof operator.

Using std::size (C+ + 17):

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This is a modern approach introduced in C+ + 17, providing a more straightforward way to get the size of an array.

Alternative with a Sentinel Value

If you prefer using a terminating condition like in traditional C-style strings, you can initialize your array including a nullptr as the last element:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In this case, your loop would work perfectly as follows:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

Understanding how to properly handle arrays of strings in C+ + is essential for avoiding common pitfalls and undefined behavior. Remember, always initialize your arrays correctly and choose the right method to determine their size, either by using sizeof or std::size. Alternatively, using a sentinel value for termination enhances clarity and correctness in your loops.

By following these guidelines, you can manage char** effectively and avoid typical errors. Happy coding in C+ + !