NAME

std::basic_string::front - std::basic_string::front

Synopsis

CharT& front(); (since C++11)
(until C++20)
constexpr CharT& front(); (since C++20)
const CharT& front() const; (since C++11)
(until C++20)
constexpr const CharT& front() const; (since C++20)

Returns reference to the first character in the string. The behavior is undefined if
empty() == true.

Parameters

(none)

Return value

reference to the first character, equivalent to operator[](0).

Complexity

Constant

Example

// Run this code

#include <iostream>
#include <string>

int main()
{
{
std::string s("Exemplary");
char& f = s.front();
f = 'e';
std::cout << s << '\n'; // "exemplary"
}

{
std::string const c("Exemplary");
char const& f = c.front();
std::cout << &f << '\n'; // "Exemplary"
}
}

Output:

exemplary
Exemplary

See also

back accesses the last character
(C++11) (public member function)
front accesses the first character
(C++17) (public member function of std::basic_string_view<CharT,Traits>)