What is std::string_view?

Question

Accepted Answer

**std::string_view** — non-owning reference to a string.

```cpp
void process(std::string_view sv) {
    std::cout << sv << "
";
    // sv.size(), sv.substr(), sv.find()
}

// Works with all string types
process("hello");           // const char*
process(std::string("hi")); // std::string
process(std::string_view("x"));
```

**Advantages over std::string:**
- No allocation overhead
- Avoids copies for read-only access
- Can point to any contiguous character data
- Smaller than std::string

**Warning:** Dangling references!
```cpp
std::string_view sv;
{
    std::string s = "hello";
    sv = s; // OK
}
// sv is now dangling!
```

**Use when:**
- Function only reads the string
- Avoid unnecessary string construction

C++: What is std::string_view?