# cString() Returns a representation of the receiver as a C string in the default C-string encoding. ``` func cString() -> UnsafePointer? ``` ## Discussion The returned C string will be automatically freed just as a returned object would be released; your code should copy the C string or use [`getCString(_:)`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString/getCString(_:)) if it needs to store the C string outside of the autorelease context in which the C string is created. Raises an `NSCharacterConversionException` if the receiver can’t be represented in the default C-string encoding without loss of information. Use [`canBeConverted(to:)`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString/canBeConverted(to:)) if necessary to check whether a string can be losslessly converted to the default C-string encoding. If it can’t, use [`lossyCString()`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString/lossyCString()) or [`data(using:allowLossyConversion:)`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString/data(using:allowLossyConversion:)) to get a C-string representation with some loss of information. ## See Also [`- cStringUsingEncoding:`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString/cString(using:)) Returns a representation of the string as a C string using a given encoding. [`UTF8String`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString/utf8String) A null-terminated UTF8 representation of the string. [`- getCString:maxLength:encoding:`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString/getCString(_:maxLength:encoding:)) Converts the string to a given encoding and stores it in a buffer. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)