std::string vs char array for static const

Question

I want to use a string constant in multiple places in my cpp file. Should I use std::string or char[]?

static const std::string kConstantString = "ConstantStringValue";

static const char kConstantString[] = "ConstantStringValue";

I was told to prefer the latter since it "avoids static allocation". Doesn't the char array also have to be statically allocated?

Answer 1

Yes, yes it does also have to be statically allocated.

Always use std::string unless your profiler tells you that it's worth pissing around with legacy crap like const char[]. Choosing const char[] is an annoying micro-optimization over std::string and a stupid decision unless you know for sure that this piece of code is a hotpath (since it's static either way I highly doubt it).