How to Get ASCII Value of Char in C++

1. Use std::copy and std::ostream_iterator to Get the ASCII Value of a char in C++
2. Use the printf Format Specifiers to Get the ASCII Value of a char in C++
3. Use int() to Get the ASCII Value of a char in C++
4. Use Type Casting to Get the ASCII Value of a char in C++
5. Conclusion

In C++, obtaining the ASCII values of characters is a common task with multiple methods available. This article will explore various techniques, including type casting, printf format specifiers, int() conversion, and the use of std::copy with std::ostream_iterator.

Each method provides a unique approach, catering to different preferences and coding scenarios.

Use std::copy and std::ostream_iterator to Get the ASCII Value of a char in C++

In C++, you can easily retrieve the ASCII values of characters using the std::copy algorithm along with std::ostream_iterator. This method allows you to output the ASCII values directly to the console.

The std::copy algorithm is part of the C++ Standard Template Library (STL), and it is used for copying elements from one container to another. In this case, we use it to copy the characters from a vector of characters to the console.

On the other hand, std::ostream_iterator is an output iterator that writes values to an output stream. By combining these two, we can seamlessly output the ASCII values of characters to the console.

The key syntax involves specifying the range of elements to copy (chars.begin() to chars.end()), the destination iterator (std::ostream_iterator<int>(cout, "; ")), and the source container (chars).

The int in std::ostream_iterator<int> is crucial as it tells the iterator to treat the values as integers, ensuring that ASCII values are correctly displayed.

Here’s an example:

#include <iostream>
#include <iterator>
#include <vector>

int main() {
  std::vector<char> chars{'g', 'h', 'T', 'U', 'q', '%',
                          '+', '!', '1', '2', '3'};

  std::cout << "ASCII values: ";
  std::copy(chars.begin(), chars.end(),
            std::ostream_iterator<int>(std::cout, "; "));

  return 0;
}

In this code, we first include necessary header files (<iostream>, <iterator>, and <vector>). We then define the main function, where we initialize a vector chars with a sequence of characters.

The std::copy function takes the range of characters from chars.begin() to chars.end() and copies them to the output stream (std::cout) using std::ostream_iterator<int>.

The std::ostream_iterator<int>(std::cout, "; ") specifies that a semicolon and a space should follow each value. The int indicates that the values should be treated as integers, displaying the ASCII values rather than the characters themselves.

Output:

ASCII values: 103; 104; 84; 85; 113; 37; 43; 33; 49; 50; 51;

In the output, you can observe the ASCII values of the characters from the chars vector, separated by semicolons and spaces.

Use the printf Format Specifiers to Get the ASCII Value of a char in C++

Another approach to retrieve the ASCII values of characters is by utilizing the versatile printf function with specific format specifiers. This method allows you to print both the character and its corresponding ASCII value clearly and concisely.

In this context, we use %c to represent the character and %d to represent its ASCII value. The syntax involves providing these format specifiers within the format string, followed by the actual values to be displayed.

Notably, %c is used for both character types and %d for integer types, allowing seamless integration of character and ASCII value representation.

Below is an example:

#include <iostream>
#include <vector>

int main() {
  std::vector<char> chars{'g', 'h', 'T', 'U', 'q', '%',
                          '+', '!', '1', '2', '3'};

  std::cout << std::endl;
  for (const auto &character : chars) {
    printf("The ASCII value of '%c' is: %d\n", character, character);
  }

  return 0;
}

Here, we include the necessary header files (<iostream> and <vector>). Within the main function, we initialize a vector named chars containing a sequence of characters.

The program then enters a loop where printf is employed to print the ASCII values of each character.

The format string within printf contains %c to represent the character and %d to represent the ASCII value. The loop iterates through each character in the chars vector, printing the character itself and its corresponding ASCII value on a new line.

Output:

The ASCII value of 'g' is: 103
The ASCII value of 'h' is: 104
The ASCII value of 'T' is: 84
The ASCII value of 'U' is: 85
The ASCII value of 'q' is: 113
The ASCII value of '%' is: 37
The ASCII value of '+' is: 43
The ASCII value of '!' is: 33
The ASCII value of '1' is: 49
The ASCII value of '2' is: 50
The ASCII value of '3' is: 51

As seen in the output, each line displays the character and its corresponding ASCII value, providing a clear and organized representation.

Use int() to Get the ASCII Value of a char in C++

In C++, yet another method for retrieving the ASCII values of characters involves utilizing the int() conversion. This approach allows for a straightforward conversion of char values to their integer equivalents, providing a concise representation of ASCII values.

The syntax involves placing the char value within the parentheses of int(). This conversion works seamlessly, as the integer representation of characters aligns with ASCII values.

Once converted, the resulting integer value can be directly output to the console.

See the example below:

#include <iostream>
#include <vector>

int main() {
  std::vector<char> chars{'g', 'h', 'T', 'U', 'q', '%',
                          '+', '!', '1', '2', '3'};

  std::cout << std::endl;
  for (auto &character : chars) {
    std::cout << "The ASCII value of '" << character
              << "' is: " << int(character) << std::endl;
  }

  return 0;
}

In this example, after including the necessary header files (<iostream> and <vector>), we define the main function. A vector named chars is initialized with a sequence of characters.

The program then enters a loop where each character is converted to its ASCII value using int(character). The result is then printed to the console along with a descriptive message.

The conversion is performed within the std::cout statement, where we use int(character) to obtain the ASCII value of each character.

Output:

The ASCII value of 'g' is: 103
The ASCII value of 'h' is: 104
The ASCII value of 'T' is: 84
The ASCII value of 'U' is: 85
The ASCII value of 'q' is: 113
The ASCII value of '%' is: 37
The ASCII value of '+' is: 43
The ASCII value of '!' is: 33
The ASCII value of '1' is: 49
The ASCII value of '2' is: 50
The ASCII value of '3' is: 51

As evident in the output, this method yields the ASCII values of characters, providing a concise and readable representation.

Use Type Casting to Get the ASCII Value of a char in C++

Obtaining the ASCII values of characters can also be accomplished through typecasting. Type casting involves explicitly converting one data type to another, and in this case, we cast char to int to interpret the character as its corresponding ASCII value.

The syntax involves using the static_cast operator or the traditional C-style casting (int) to explicitly cast a char to an int. This conversion works seamlessly because the ASCII values of characters align with their integer representations.

The resulting integer value can then be used as needed, such as for printing or further processing.

#include <iostream>
#include <vector>

int main() {
  std::vector<char> chars{'g', 'h', 'T', 'U', 'q', '%',
                          '+', '!', '1', '2', '3'};

  std::cout << std::endl;
  for (auto &character : chars) {
    int asciiValue = static_cast<int>(character);
    std::cout << "The ASCII value of '" << character << "' is: " << asciiValue
              << std::endl;
  }

  return 0;
}

After including the necessary header files (<iostream> and <vector>), we define the main function. A vector named chars is initialized with a sequence of characters.

The program enters a loop where each character is explicitly cast to an integer using static_cast<int>(character). The resulting ASCII value is then printed to the console along with a descriptive message.

The use of static_cast ensures that the conversion is performed in a type-safe manner. The resulting asciiValue is then printed using std::cout.

Output:

The ASCII value of 'g' is: 103
The ASCII value of 'h' is: 104
The ASCII value of 'T' is: 84
The ASCII value of 'U' is: 85
The ASCII value of 'q' is: 113
The ASCII value of '%' is: 37
The ASCII value of '+' is: 43
The ASCII value of '!' is: 33
The ASCII value of '1' is: 49
The ASCII value of '2' is: 50
The ASCII value of '3' is: 51

Conclusion

Each method showcased above offers a unique approach to obtaining ASCII values of characters in C++. The choice of method depends on your coding style, the context of your program, and your specific requirements.

Whether you prefer the simplicity of typecasting or the elegance of std::copy, these methods allow you to seamlessly work with ASCII values in your C++ programs.