std::string as C++ byte array

Question

Google's Protocol buffer uses the C++ standard string class std::string as variable size byte array (see here) similar to Python where the string class is also used as byte array (at least until Python 3.0).

This approach seems to be good:

• It allows fast assignment via assign and fast direct access via data that is not allowed with vector<byte>
• It allows easier memory management and const references, unlike using byte*.

But I am curious: Is that the preferred way for a byte arrays in C++? What are the drawbacks of this approach (more than a few static_casts)

Answer 1

Personally, I prefer std::vector, since std::string is not guaranteed to be stored contiguously and std::string::data() need not be O(1). std::vector will have data member function in C++0x.