C Language: strcmp function
(String Compare)
In the C Programming Language, the strcmp function returns a negative, zero, or positive integer depending on whether the object pointed to by s1 is less than, equal to, or greater than the object pointed to by s2.
Syntax
The syntax for the strcmp function in the C Language is:
int strcmp(const char *s1, const char *s2);
Parameters or Arguments
- s1
- An array to compare.
- s2
- An array to compare.
Returns
The strcmp function returns an integer. The return values are as follows:
| Return Value | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 0 | s1 and s2 are equal |
| Negative integer | The stopping character in s1 was less than the stopping character in s2 |
| Positive integer | The stopping character in s1 was greater than the stopping character in s2 |
Required Header
In the C Language, the required header for the strcmp function is:
#include <string.h>
Applies To
In the C Language, the strcmp function can be used in the following versions:
- ANSI/ISO 9899-1990
strcmp Example
Let's look at an example to see how you would use the strcmp function in a C program:
/* Example using strcmp by TechOnTheNet.com */
#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>
int main(int argc, const char * argv[])
{
/* Create a place to store our results */
int result;
/* Create two arrays to hold our data */
char example1[50];
char example2[50];
/* Copy two strings into our data arrays */
strcpy(example1, "C programming at TechOnTheNet.com");
strcpy(example2, "C programming is fun");
/* Compare the two strings provided */
result = strcmp(example1, example2);
/* If the two strings are the same say so */
if (result == 0) printf("Strings are the same\n");
/* If the first string is less than the second say so
(This is because the 'a' in the word 'at' is less than
the 'i' in the word 'is' */
if (result < 0) printf("Second string is less than the first\n");
return 0;
}
When compiled and run, this application will output:
Second string is less than the first
Similar Functions
Other C functions that are similar to the strcmp function:
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