Difference between array and string?

Answer 1

The main difference between a string and character array is that a string is null-terminated. For example, most of the string functions in string.h expects a null-terminating byte -> strlen(), strcpy(), strcmp().

The C language is smart enough to append a null-terminator when you assign "strings" within double quotes. If you assign to an array character by character you have to add a null-terminator at the end to make it a valid string.

@Jayakrishna - There's a small difference between char *c = "strings" and c[] = "strings".
The first one points to a string in read-only memory (i.e it is not modifiable and should for safety reasons be const char *c) while the second version is stored on the stack and can be modified.

It's a small difference but it matters. Modifying a pointer to a string in read-only memory results in a crash.

Answer 2

Tag the language also in which you want..
From your profile..

In c, a string is sequence of characters stored in a charecter array.. C has no separate string type like other languages have..
An array is colloection of similar data types stored in sequence of locations..
It is refferenced by pointers in a same as other arrays are refferenced.

Answer 3

String defined by array type is modifiable while string defined by pointer is unmodifiable.. Like
Ex:
char c[] ="string" ;
c[0] = "S" ; //is valid but
char *c="string" ;
c[0]= 'S' ; //is not valid, error.
Edit:
@Damyian G, I got the point, I didnot thought about it..
Not understood question fully.. Tqs..

Answer 4

I told in c only,..
If you still have a doubt about this..
As an run this example Arrays by pointers using in to access elements.. :

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
char *c="strings"; //meaning to c[]
int n[]={1,2,3,4,5,6,7};

for(int i=0;i<7;i++)
printf("%c %d\n",*(c+i),*(n+i));

return 0;
}

Edit:
This is about only how it will be a string in c.
There are other defferences using by pointers and using by Arrays...if you are asking about that reply..

Answer 5

In C language