Converting numbers to strings

In this recipe, we will continue discussing the lexical conversions, but now we will be converting numbers to strings using Boost.LexicalCast. As usual, boost::lexical_cast will provide a very simple way to convert the data.

Getting ready

Only basic knowledge of C++ and a standard library is required for this recipe.

How to do it...

Let's convert integer 100 to std::string using boost::lexical_cast:

 

#include <cassert>
#include <boost/lexical_cast.hpp> 

void lexical_cast_example() {
    const std::string s = boost::lexical_cast<std::string>(100);
    assert(s == "100");
}

Compare it against the traditional C++ conversion method:

 

#include <cassert>
#include <sstream> 

void cpp_convert_example() {
    std::stringstream ss;  // Slow/heavy default constructor.
    ss << 100;
    std::string s;
    ss >> s;

    // Variable 'ss' will dangle all the way, till the end
    // of scope. Multiple virtual methods and heavy 
    //...