/Zc:strictStrings (Disable string literal type conversion)

When specified, the compiler requires strict const-qualification conformance for pointers initialized by using string literals.

Syntax

/Zc:strictStrings[-]

Remarks

If /Zc:strictStrings is specified, the compiler enforces the standard C++ const qualifications for string literals, as type 'array of const char' or 'array of const wchar_t', depending on the declaration. String literals are immutable, and an attempt to modify the contents of one results in an access violation error at run time. You must declare a string pointer as const to initialize it by using a string literal, or use an explicit const_cast to initialize a non-const pointer. By default, or if /Zc:strictStrings- is specified, the compiler does not enforce the standard C++ const qualifications for string pointers initialized by using string literals.

The /Zc:strictStrings option is off by default. The /permissive- compiler option implicitly sets this option, but it can be overridden by using /Zc:strictStrings-.

Use the /Zc:strictStrings option to prevent compilation of incorrect code. This example shows how a simple declaration error leads to a crash at run time:

// strictStrings_off.cpp
// compile by using: cl /W4 strictStrings_off.cpp
int main() {
   wchar_t* str = L"hello";
   str[2] = L'a'; // run-time error: access violation
}

When /Zc:strictStrings is enabled, the same code reports an error in the declaration of str.

// strictStrings_on.cpp
// compile by using: cl /Zc:strictStrings /W4 strictStrings_on.cpp
int main() {
   wchar_t* str = L"hello"; // error: Conversion from string literal
   // loses const qualifier
   str[2] = L'a';
}

If you use auto to declare a string pointer, the compiler creates the correct const pointer type declaration for you. An attempt to modify the contents of a const pointer is reported by the compiler as an error.

Note

The C++ Standard Library in Visual Studio 2013 does not support the /Zc:strictStrings compiler option in debug builds. If you see several C2665 errors in your build output, this may be the cause.

For more information about conformance issues in Visual C++, see Nonstandard Behavior.

To set this compiler option in the Visual Studio development environment

1. Open the project's Property Pages dialog box. For details, see Set C++ compiler and build properties in Visual Studio.

2. Select the Configuration Properties > C/C++ > Command Line property page.

3. Modify the Additional Options property to include /Zc:strictStrings and then choose OK.

See also

/Zc (Conformance)