# lossyCString() Returns a representation of the receiver as a C string in the default C-string encoding, possibly losing information in converting to that encoding. ``` func lossyCString() -> UnsafePointer? ``` ## Discussion This method does not raise an exception if the conversion is lossy. 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. ## See Also [`- cStringUsingEncoding:`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString/cString(using:)) Returns a representation of the string as a C string using a given encoding. [`- dataUsingEncoding:allowLossyConversion:`](/documentation/Foundation/NSString/data(using:allowLossyConversion:)) Returns an `NSData` object containing a representation of the receiver encoded using a given encoding. --- 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)