# getCString(_:maxLength:encoding:) Converts the string to a given encoding and stores it in a buffer. ``` func getCString(_ buffer: UnsafeMutablePointer, maxLength maxBufferCount: Int, encoding: UInt) -> Bool ``` ## Parameters `buffer` Upon return, contains the converted C-string plus the `NULL` termination byte. The buffer must include room for `maxBufferCount` bytes. `maxBufferCount` The maximum number of bytes in the string to return in buffer (*including* the `NULL` termination byte). `encoding` The encoding for the returned C string. For possible values, see [`NSStringEncoding`](/documentation/Foundation/NSStringEncoding). ## Return Value if the operation was successful, otherwise . Returns if conversion is not possible due to encoding errors or if `buffer` is too small. ## Discussion Note that in the treatment of the `maxBufferCount` argument, this method differs from the deprecated [`getCString(_:maxLength:)`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString/getCString(_:maxLength:)) method which it replaces. (The buffer should include room for `maxBufferCount` bytes; this number should accommodate the expected size of the return value plus the `NULL` termination byte, which this method adds.) You can use [`canBeConverted(to:)`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString/canBeConverted(to:)) to check whether a string can be losslessly converted to `encoding`. If it can’t, you can use [`data(using:allowLossyConversion:)`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString/data(using:allowLossyConversion:)) to get a C-string representation using `encoding`, allowing some loss of information (note that the data returned by [`data(using:allowLossyConversion:)`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString/data(using:allowLossyConversion:)) is not a strict C-string since it does not have a `NULL` terminator). ## See Also [`canBeConverted(to:)`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString/canBeConverted(to:)) Returns a Boolean value that indicates whether the receiver can be converted to a given encoding without loss of information. --- 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)