C++ <string> - front() Function
The C++ string::front function returns a reference to the first character of the string. Please note that, Unlike the string::begin function, which returns the iterator pointing to the first character, it returns the a direct reference to the same character of the string.
Syntax
char& front(); const char& front() const;
Parameters
No parameter is required.
Return Value
A reference to the first character of the string.
Time Complexity
Constant i.e, Θ(1).
Example:
In the example below, the string::front function is used to access the first character of the string str.
#include <iostream> #include <string> using namespace std; int main (){ string str = "HELLO"; cout<<"The first character of str is: "; cout<<str.front(); cout<<"\n\nChange the first character of the string.\n"; str[0] = 'C'; cout<<"Now, The first character of str is: "; cout<<str.front(); return 0; }
The output of the above code will be:
The first character of str is: H Change the first character of the string. Now, The first character of str is: C
❮ C++ <string> Library