strcpy

strcpy is a standard C library function used to copy a null-terminated string from a source to a destination buffer. It is part of the string.h header and is widely used for string manipulation in C programming. However, it is inherently unsafe as it does not check buffer boundaries, which can lead to buffer overflow vulnerabilities.

Also known as: string copy, strcpy_s, strcpy function, C strcpy, string.h strcpy

Why learn strcpy?

Developers should learn strcpy to understand basic string operations in C and for legacy code maintenance, but it should be avoided in new code due to security risks. Use cases include simple string copying in controlled environments or when porting old code, but safer alternatives like strncpy or strlcpy are recommended for modern applications to prevent security exploits.

Learning Resources

• docs: C strcpy - cppreference.com
• tutorial: strcpy Tutorial - GeeksforGeeks
• video: C Programming: strcpy and Buffer Overflows - YouTube
• docs: Secure Coding in C and C++ - CERT