PRB: STL string Class insert Function Does Not Work as Expected

Last reviewed: July 24, 1997
Article ID: Q168376

The information in this article applies to:

The Standard C++ Library included with: - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Editions, versions 4.2, 5.0

SYMPTOMS

The string::insert member function does not work as expected. This is because the same string object is used for modification and input. Many data manipulation routines do not check for overlapping or identical arguments, causing unexpected results.

RESOLUTION

Create a temporary copy of the string as shown below:

    s.insert(0, string("b"), 1);

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

    #include <iostream>
    #include <string>
    using namespace std ;

    void f1()
     {
      string s ("abc");
      s.insert (0, s, 1, 1);
      cout << "s (should be 'babc'): " << s << endl << endl;
     }

    int main ()
      {
        f1();// prints "aabc" instead of "babc"
        return 0 ;
      }

Keywords : kbprg STLIss
Version : 4.2 5.0
Platform : NT WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb

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Last reviewed: July 24, 1997
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