c++windowsvisual-c++strcpy

Difference between 'strcpy' and 'strcpy_s'?


When I tried to use strcpy to copy a string it gave me a compile error.

error C4996 'strcpy': This function or variable may be unsafe.
 
Consider using `strcpy_s` instead. To disable deprecation, 
use `_CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS`. See online help for details.

What is the difference between strcpy and strcpy_s?


Solution

  • strcpy is a unsafe function. When you try to copy a string using strcpy() to a buffer which is not large enough to contain it, it will cause a buffer overflow.

    strcpy_s() is a security enhanced version of strcpy(). With strcpy_s you can specify the size of the destination buffer to avoid buffer overflows during copies.

    char tuna[5];  // a buffer which holds 5 chars incluing the null character.
    char salmon[] = "A string which is longer than 5 chars";
    
    strcpy( tuna, salmon ); // This will corrupt your memory because of the buffer overflow.
    
    strcpy_s( tuna, 5, salmon ); // strcpy_s will not write more than 5 chars.