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C Language: mbtowc function
(Convert Multibyte Character to Wide Character)

In the C Programming Language, the mbtowc function converts a multibyte character (as pointed to by s) into a wide character (as pointed to by pwc) up to n codes in length.

Syntax

The syntax for the mbtowc function in the C Language is:

int mbtowc(wchar_t *pwc, const char *s, size_t n);

Parameters or Arguments

pwc

he array where the converted wide character will be stored.

s

The multibyte character to convert into a wide character.

n

The maximum number of bytes to store in pwc.

mbtowc function - Returns

The mbtowc function looks at the first n bytes and if it forms a valid character, it returns the number of bytes in s. If it is not, the mbtowc function returns -1. The mbtowc function returns zero if s points to a null character.

Required Header

In the C Language, the required header for the mbtowc function is:

#include <stdlib.h>

Applies To

In the C Language, the mbtowc function can be used in the following versions:

• ANSI/ISO 9899-1990

Similar Functions

Other C functions that are similar to the mbtowc function:

• mblen function <stdlib.h>
• wctomb function <stdlib.h>

See Also

Other C functions that are noteworthy when dealing with the mbtowc function:

• mbstowcs function <stdlib.h>
• setlocale function <locale.h>
• wcstombs function <stdlib.h>