How to convert std::string to LPCWSTR in C++ (Unicode)

Question

I'm looking for a method, or a code snippet for converting std::string to LPCWSTR

Answer 1

Instead of using a std::string, you could use a std::wstring.

EDIT: Sorry this is not more explanatory, but I have to run.

Use std::wstring::c_str()

Answer 2

A simple google search yields:

MSDN: Convert std::string to LPCWSTR (best way in c++)

Answer 3

If you are in an ATL/MFC environment, You can use the ATL conversion macro:

#include <atlbase.h>
#include <atlconv.h>

. . .

string myStr("My string");
CA2W unicodeStr(myStr);

You can then use unicodeStr as an LPCWSTR. The memory for the unicode string is created on the stack and released then the destructor for unicodeStr executes.

Answer 4

Thanks for the link to the MSDN article. This is exactly what I was looking for.

std::wstring s2ws(const std::string& s)
{
    int len;
    int slength = (int)s.length() + 1;
    len = MultiByteToWideChar(CP_ACP, 0, s.c_str(), slength, 0, 0); 
    wchar_t* buf = new wchar_t[len];
    MultiByteToWideChar(CP_ACP, 0, s.c_str(), slength, buf, len);
    std::wstring r(buf);
    delete[] buf;
    return r;
}

std::wstring stemp = s2ws(myString);
LPCWSTR result = stemp.c_str();

Answer 5

@Chris Fournier:

delete pszWideCharStr; // Free the buffer

Why do you regard freeing the buffer as optional (it should free the buffer even if the second call to MultiByteToWideChar fails), and why do you corrupt your free store (you should use delete[] for arrays)?