What\'s the Difference Between char* and char[] in C?

Delving into the Differences between char* and char[]

In programming, understanding the nuances between different data types is crucial. A fundamental distinction exists between char* and char[], both of which deal with character data.

char str[] = "Test" vs. char *str = "Test"

Let's examine the following examples:

char str[] = "Test";

In this case, str is declared as an array of characters and is initialized with the content of the string "Test". The array str has ownership of its contents, which means that it can store and modify the characters within the array.

char *str = "Test";

Contrastingly, in this example, str is declared as a pointer to a character, and it is assigned the address of the string literal "Test". The asterisk (*) before str denotes that it's a pointer. In this scenario, str points to the string "Test" but does not own its contents. The pointed string is immutable, meaning it cannot be modified.

Therefore, the key difference lies in the nature of the variables: str[] is an array that can be manipulated, while char *str is a pointer that references an immutable string. This has implications for memory management, data ownership, and immutability. Understanding this distinction is essential for efficient programming and avoiding potential errors.

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