---
title: "init(cString:encoding:)"
framework: foundation
role: symbol
role_heading: Initializer
path: "foundation/nsstring/init(cstring:encoding:)-20f9h"
---

# init(cString:encoding:)

Returns an @c NSString object initialized using the characters in a given C array, interpreted according to a given encoding.

## Declaration

```swift
convenience init?(cString nullTerminatedCString: UnsafePointer<CChar>, encoding: UInt)
```

## Parameters

- `nullTerminatedCString`: A C array of characters. The array must end with a @c NULL character; intermediate @c NULL characters are not allowed.
- `encoding`: The encoding of @c nullTerminatedCString.

## Return Value

Return Value An @c NSString object initialized using the characters from @c nullTerminatedCString. The returned object may be different from the original receiver.