# std::basic_string<CharT,Traits,Allocator>::begin, std::basic_string<CharT,Traits,Allocator>::cbegin

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< cpp‎ | string‎ | basic string

| (1) |
iterator begin(); |  | (until C++11)
iterator begin() noexcept; |  | (since C++11) (until C++20)
constexpr iterator begin() noexcept; |  | (since C++20)
| (2) |
const_iterator begin() const; |  | (until C++11)
const_iterator begin() const noexcept; |  | (since C++11) (until C++20)
constexpr const_iterator begin() const noexcept; |  | (since C++20)
| (3) |
const_iterator cbegin() const; |  | (until C++11)
const_iterator cbegin() const noexcept; |  | (since C++11) (until C++20)
constexpr const_iterator cbegin() const noexcept; |  | (since C++20)

Returns an iterator to the first character of the string.

`begin()` returns a mutable or constant iterator, depending on the constness of *this.

`cbegin()` always returns a constant iterator. It is equivalent to const_cast<const basic_string&>(*this).begin().

### Parameters

(none)

### Return value

Iterator to the first character.

### Complexity

Constant.

### Notes

In libstdc++, `cbegin()` is not available in C++98 mode.

### Example

Run this code

    #include <iostream>
    #include <string>

    int main()
    {
        std::string s("Exemplar");
        *s.begin() = 'e';
        std::cout << s << '\n';

        auto i = s.cbegin();
        std::cout << *i << '\n';
    //  *i = 'E'; // error: i is a constant iterator
    }

Output:

    exemplar
    e

### Defect reports

The following behavior-changing defect reports were applied retroactively to previously published C++ standards.

DR | Applied to | Behavior as published | Correct behavior
--- | --- | --- | ---
LWG 1192 | C++98 | std::basic_string did not have the member function `cbegin()` | added

### See also

end cend (DR*) | returns an iterator to the end (public member function)
begin cbegin (C++17) | returns an iterator to the beginning (public member function of `std::basic_string_view<CharT,Traits>`)

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