The difference between strcpy and strcat in c language

strcpy copies a string to another string, while strcat appends a string to another string. The main differences include: different purposes, different dst parameter processing, and different security considerations.

The difference between strcpy and strcat

In C language, strcpy and strcat are both string manipulation functions. But they differ in functionality and how they are used.

strcpy

• Function: Copy one string to another string.
• Format: char strcpy(char dest, const char *src);

• Parameters:

  • dest: The destination character array to copy the string to.
  • src: The source string to be copied.
• Return value: Target string dest.

strcat

• Function: Append one string to another string.
• Format: char strcat(char dest, const char *src);

• Parameters:

  • dest: The target character array to which the string is to be appended.
  • src: The source string to append.
• Return value: Target string dest.

Main difference

• Purpose: strcpy is used to copy a string, while strcat is used to copy a string Appended to another string.
• dst parameter: The target string in strcpy must be pre-allocated with enough space to accommodate the source string, while the target string in strcat can not be allocated space in advance.
• Safety: Strcpy may cause a buffer overflow if there is insufficient space in the destination string, but strcat will not.

Usage scenarios

• strcpy: When you need to create a copy of the source string.
• strcat: When one string needs to be appended to another string, and the target string does not have enough space to accommodate the appended string.

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