A string is text stored in a program. In C++, std::string can hold words, player names, messages, and labels. Unlike the numbers we stored in OSC++.012, a string stores a sequence of characters. This is a new subject, not another vector lesson.

1. Make a String

#include <iostream>
#include <string>

int main() {
    std::string player = "Alex";
    std::cout << player << '\n';
}

The #include <string> line makes the standard string type available. player holds the text Alex. Double quotation marks surround a string literal.

2. Join Text With +

std::string first = "Hash";
std::string second = " Race";
std::string game = first + second;
std::cout << game; // Hash Race

The + operator joins two strings. The space before Race is part of the text, so the words do not run together.

3. Add More Text With +=

std::string message = "Level";
message += " Complete";
std::cout << message; // Level Complete

+= adds text to the existing string rather than making a separate new variable.

Video: Useful C++ String Methods

Bro Code demonstrates practical string operations in a short beginner lesson, including ways to inspect and modify text.

4. Count Characters With size()

std::string word = "Bitcoin";
std::cout << word.size(); // 7

size() counts the characters. Spaces also count. For example, "Hash Race" has 9 characters, including the space.

5. Read One Character

std::string name = "Alex";
std::cout << name[0]; // A
std::cout << name.at(1); // l

C++ starts counting character positions at 0, not 1. The first character of Alex is A. Only access positions that exist: at() reports an out-of-range error, while an invalid [] index can cause undefined behavior.

6. Check for Empty Text

std::string username = "";
if (username.empty()) {
    std::cout << "Enter a name";
}

empty() checks whether a string has no characters. A simple game can use it to reject a blank player name.

Gaming Example: Player Greeting

#include <iostream>
#include <string>

int main() {
    std::string player = "Alex";
    std::string greeting = "Welcome, " + player;
    std::cout << greeting << '\n';
    std::cout << "Letters in name: " << player.size() << '\n';
}

Output: Welcome, Alex followed by Letters in name: 4. The same idea can label players, levels, and menus.

Simple Bitcoin Mining Example

std::string miner = "Miner A";
std::string status = "Online";
std::cout << miner + ": " + status; // Miner A: Online

A basic facility dashboard can combine a machine label with a simple status. You do not need advanced monitoring knowledge to understand this string example.

Common Mistakes

• Use double quotes for text strings, such as "Hello"; single quotes are for individual character literals such as 'H'.
• Include <string>.
• Remember that character positions start at zero.
• Do not read past the end of the string.

Practice

1. Create a string containing your favorite game title.
2. Join two strings with +.
3. Add a word using +=.
4. Use size() to print the character count.
5. Print the first character using at(0).
6. Use empty() to detect a blank username.

Key Takeaway

std::string stores text. Use + and += to join it, size() to count it, [] or at() to access characters, and empty() to check for a blank string. This prepares you for more advanced text processing in later lessons.