Why use c strings in c++?

Question

Is there any good reason to use C-strings in C++ nowadays? My textbook uses them in examples at some points, and I really feel like it would be easier just to use a std::string

Answer 1

c strings don't carry the overhead of being a class.

c strings generally can result in faster code, as they are closer to the machine level

This is not to say, you can't write bad code with them. They can be misused, like every other construct.

There is a wealth of libary calls that demand them for historical reasons.

Learn to use c strings, and stl strings, and use each when it makes sense to do so.