Why isn't delete needed for the c_str() member function of the string class?

[unregistered]

The c_str() function returns a pointer to a c style string of the string object but how does it work such that delete isn't needed?

[helios]

Because std::string::c_str() doesn't transfer ownership with the pointer. The pointer belongs to the object that returned it and it's its responsibility to free it.

[unregistered]

err so if let's say the string object goes out of scope/destroyed then my pointer that I used to point to the c style string after calling c_str() would become a dangling pointer?

[helios]

Yes.

const char *p;
{
    std::string s="hello";
    p=s.c_str();
}
//p is invalid 

[unregistered]

ok thanks for the explanation, then if I explicitly called delete on my pointer which points to the c style string, then the string object would be left in an inconsistent state? or is there a mechanism to prevent this from happening?

[firedraco]

I don't think you would be able to, since it is a pointer to a const char.

[unregistered]

ok thanks for clearing it all up :)