C strcpy()

In this tutorial, you will learn to use the strcpy() function in C programming to copy strings (with the help of an example).

C strcpy()

The function prototype of strcpy() is:

char* strcpy(char* destination, const char* source);
  • The strcpy() function copies the string pointed by source (including the null character) to the destination.
  • The strcpy() function also returns the copied string.

The strcpy() function is defined in the string.h header file.

Example: C strcpy()

#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>

int main() {
  char str1[20] = "C programming";
  char str2[20];

  // copying str1 to str2
  strcpy(str2, str1);

  puts(str2); // C programming

  return 0;
}

Output

C programming

Note: When you use strcpy(), the size of the destination string should be large enough to store the copied string. Otherwise, it may result in undefined behavior.

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