String Representation in Elixir
Explore how Elixir handles strings as binaries and bitstrings, understand the use of the <<>> operator, code points, and common string traps like slow concatenation and memory leaks. Gain insights into best practices for managing strings and optimizing performance in your Elixir applications.
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We'll cover the following...
Strings are binaries
Elixir has datatypes and libraries for dealing with strings of data called bitstrings. A bitstring that’s a multiple of 8 bits is a binary. The operator for converting something to a bitstring is << >>. We can see them at work, like this:
Executable
Output
iex(1)> <<?C, ?A, ?B>>
"CAB"
While the <<>> operator looks like a sharp tool that could hurt us, we don’t have to worry. It’s a binary, and the most common Elixir strings are binaries manipulated and ...