Problem with stricmp function..

[VBDotNetProgrammer]

Hi all,

Im having a problem with the stricmp() function. Ive been using it in VC6 and it is recognised, however I am getting this error under GCC.

error: `stricmp` undeclared (first use this function)

Does this just mean that the stricmp function does not exist in the unix version of the string library?

im using #include <string> just as in windows.

Any ideas how i can rectify this?

Thanks

 

[oppcos]

I've seen something like this defined in a few source files out there:

#ifndef WIN32 
  #define stricmp strcasecmp 
  #define strnicmp strncasecmp 
#endif

That defines stricmp as the function strcasecmp, which is apparently equivalent.

Also, sometimes on Unix I've had better luck doing #include <string.h> rather than #include <string>

 

[ArkM]

The stricmp() function is non-standard, so it troubles...

 

[VBDotNetProgrammer]

Hi,

Thanks for that.

Do any of you know where i can look up only standard C++ libraries etc?

Thanks

 

[VBDotNetProgrammer]

Another quick question, what is the best way to do caseless string comparisons under GCC?

 

[ArkM]

See, for example:

http://www.cplusplus.com/ref/

 

[VBDotNetProgrammer]

Ah thats just what im after thanks!

Shall I just abandon caseless comparisons?

 

[ArkM]

No, in no circumstance...
Case insensitive comparison is a common program case.
As usually, every C/C++ has its own stricmp() equivalent (see your compiler manual).
If you want to write portable codes (or can't find this equivalent), write your own case-insensitive comparator function (it's not so hard). For example (only, it's not 3 Mach code:

#include <cctype>
// ASCII + ordered nationals only...
int cmpistr(const char* s1, const char* s2)
{
	int	c1, c2;
	int	cmp = 0;

	if (s1 && s2)
	for (;;)
	{
		c1 = *s1++;
		c2 = *s2++;
		if (c1 && c2)
		{
			c1 = tolower(c1)&0xFF; // 8 bits
			c2 = tolower(c2)&0xFF; // only
			if (c1 < c2)
			{
				cmp = -1;
				break;
			}
			else if (c1 > c2)
			{
				cmp = 1;
				break;
			}
		}
		else
		{
			if (c1)
				cmp = 1;
			else if (c2)
				cmp = -1;
			break;
		}
	}
	return cmp;
}

Be careful: strcmp (and stricmp) returns < 0 (not exactly -1) or > 0 (not exactly 1)...

 

[chipperMDW]

Another quick question, what is the best way to do caseless string comparisons under GCC?

The compiler doesn't matter; the library does. However, if you're using GCC, then chances are you're also using GLibC, in which case this statement would apply:

That defines stricmp as the function strcasecmp, which is apparently equivalent.

Also, heed the advice about header files. <string> declares the C++ [tt]string[/tt] class; <string.h> declares functions for dealing with C-style strings. Make sure you know which one you want. You used the wrong one in your initial post.