C++ - Specify maximum character for std::cout when printing char*

Question

Let's say I have a const char* that I want to print with std::cout but I only want the first X characters to be printed. Is there a way to tell that to std::cout? (Without inserting a terminating-null into the string or making a temporary copy.)

Answer 1

C++ 17 introduces string_view

#include <string_view>
#include <iostream> 

char message[] = { "my long char message" };
int length = some_number; 

int main() { 
      string_view str(message); 
      std::cout << str.substr(0, length) << std::endl; 
}

I have not tried to compile the above code. string_view is basically a string except that it does not 'own' its contents (will not delete the internal pointer after use).