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Q&A Are memccpy(3) or strncpy(3) bad for copying and catenating strings with truncation?

I heard strncpy(3) is bad, and also heard that C23 added memccpy(3) to replace it. However, I also heard memccpy(3) is even more terrible than strncpy(3). Are these functions really bad? How so?...

2 answers  ·  posted 2mo ago by alx‭  ·  last activity 2mo ago by alx‭

Question c string.h
#3: Post edited by user avatar Karl Knechtel‭ · 2026-07-09T18:15:19Z (2 months ago)
rm no longer applicable meta note
  • I heard strncpy(3) is bad, and also heard that C23 added memccpy(3) to replace it.
  • However, I also heard memccpy(3) is even more terrible than strncpy(3).
  • Are these functions really bad? How so?
  • Are there any legitimate uses of any of these functions?
  • What should we use instead?
  • [I'll reply to myself in a moment.]
  • I heard strncpy(3) is bad, and also heard that C23 added memccpy(3) to replace it.
  • However, I also heard memccpy(3) is even more terrible than strncpy(3).
  • Are these functions really bad? How so?
  • Are there any legitimate uses of any of these functions?
  • What should we use instead?
#2: Post edited by user avatar alx‭ · 2026-07-09T11:46:24Z (2 months ago)
  • I heard strncpy(3) is bad, and also heard that C23 added memccpy(3) to replace it.
  • However, I also heard memccpy(3) is even more terrible than strncpy(3).
  • Are these functions really bad? How so?
  • Are there any legitimate uses of any of these functions?
  • What should we use instead?
  • I heard strncpy(3) is bad, and also heard that C23 added memccpy(3) to replace it.
  • However, I also heard memccpy(3) is even more terrible than strncpy(3).
  • Are these functions really bad? How so?
  • Are there any legitimate uses of any of these functions?
  • What should we use instead?
  • [I'll reply to myself in a moment.]
#1: Initial revision by user avatar alx‭ · 2026-07-09T11:46:05Z (2 months ago)
Are memccpy(3) or strncpy(3) bad for copying and catenating strings with truncation?
I heard strncpy(3) is bad, and also heard that C23 added memccpy(3) to replace it.

However, I also heard memccpy(3) is even more terrible than strncpy(3).

Are these functions really bad?  How so?
Are there any legitimate uses of any of these functions?
What should we use instead?