Is it necessary to initialize a string in c++? [closed]

Question

I am using string in c++. And I am getting unusual answers sometimes if I don't initialize strings.

What is good practice don't initialize the string or If it has to be initialized What is the best way to do it?

Answer 1

If by "string", you mean char*, then yes, they should be (even must be, or at least is it strongly recommended) initialized, like any other variable by the way.

If by "string", you mean std::string, then they are initialized to empty string ("") automatically by default (default constructor).

std::string str;
std::cout << str; // will print nothing (empty string) for sure
char* str2;
std::cout << str2; // will most likely print garbage or even crash

Answer 2

The standard advice in c++ is always initialize all your variables. So yes, you should initialize it. That's just good practice.

When you say "unusual answers" we need more details to offer more advice.

Answer 3

If you are talking about std::string, you don't need to "initialize" it because it is automatically initialized to the empty string in its constructor.

If you mean const char * or char *, then yes, you should initialize them because by default they point to garbage.