# init(CString:) Initializes the receiver, a newly allocated `NSString` object, by converting the data in a given C-string from the default C-string encoding into the Unicode character encoding. ``` convenience init?(CString bytes: UnsafePointer) ``` ## Discussion `cString` must be a zero-terminated C string in the default C string encoding, and may not be `NULL`. Returns an initialized object, which might be different from the original receiver. To create an immutable string from an immutable C string buffer, do not attempt to use this method. Instead, use [`init(CStringNoCopy:length:freeWhenDone:)`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString/init(CStringNoCopy:length:freeWhenDone:)-86dm2). ## See Also --- 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)