The string is the most regular type of value used in an application. It can be a group of characters or symbol of any kind in any order. To represent it, as mentioned in Lesson 4, the string is represented in the C++/CLI language by the String class. As a managed type, a String object is declared as a handle. This is the same basis you use to involve a String object in a function.

As a managed class, to return a String value from a function, when creating the function, specify that it returns a handle to String. Here is an example:

String ^ GetPropertyAddress();

When implementing the function, in its body, do whatever you want but the rule, as always, is that you must return a string before the closing curly bracket. Here is an example:

using namespace System;

String ^ GetPropertyAddress();

int main()
{
	String ^ adrs = GetPropertyAddress();

	Console::WriteLine(L"\nAddress: {0}", adrs);
	return 0;
}

String ^ GetPropertyAddress()
{
	String ^ strAddress;

	Console::Write(L"Enter Property's Address: ");
	strAddress = Console::ReadLine();

	return strAddress;
}

Here is an example of running the program:

Enter Property's Address: 6802 Lilas Drive

Address: 6802 Lilas Drive
Press any key to continue . . .

A function that returns a string can take any type of argument such as a primitive type.

A String object can be passed to a function. As a managed type, the argument must be passed either as a tracking reference or as a handle. To pass the argument as a handle, follow the rules we reviewed, that is, precede the name of the argument with the ^ operator. Here is an example:

using namespace System;

String ^ GetPropertyAddress();
void ShowAddress(String ^); 

int main()
{
	String ^ adrs = GetPropertyAddress();
	
	ShowAddress(adrs);

	return 0;
}

String ^ GetPropertyAddress()
{
	String ^ strAddress;
	
	Console::Write(L"Enter Property's Address: ");
	strAddress = Console::ReadLine();

	return strAddress;
}

void ShowAddress(String ^ strAdrs)
{
	Console::WriteLine(L"\nAddress: {0}", strAdrs);
}

Here is an example of running the program:

Enter Property's Address: 8804 Acacia Rd

Address: 8804 Acacia Rd
Press any key to continue . . .

In the same way, you can pass as many strings as you judge necessary. Also, you can pass a mix of strings and other primitive types.