> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mr-poston-1.gitbook.io/c++/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mr-poston-1.gitbook.io/c++/2.-going-beyond-the-basics/2.4-file-input-output/2.4.5-creating-an-input-stream-from-a-string.md).

# 2.4.5 Creating an Input Stream from a String

## String Input Stream

First, starting at the top of your program, you need to include `sstream`, the string stream library.

```
#include <sstream>
```

Next, create a string an **input string stream** object.

```
string line;
istringstream iss(line);
```

Now, `iss` can be used just like `cin` or a file input stream.

## Three-Argument \`getline\` Call

We've seen the standard two-argument call to `getline`:

```
string line;
getline(cin, line); //(input stream, destination)
```

`getline` can also be called with three arguments

```
string token;
char delimiter = ' '; // if you want to use a space character as a delimiiter
getline(cin, token, delimiter);
```

`getline` returns the number of characters read in from the input stream, including the new line character (`\n`), but not including the terminating null byte (`\0`).

```
string line;
istringstream iss(line);
string token;
while (getline(iss, token, ';')) // assuming you want to use ; as a delimiter
{ 
    // read from the string
}
```

This works because, in C++, any non-0 number is the equivalent of `true`, while 0 is the equivalent of `false`.&#x20;

Remember, true is stored as 1 and false is stored as 0 in C++!

### Try This Example

{% embed url="<https://onlinegdb.com/z_XKGOGGdI>" %}
String Input Stream and Three-Argument getline
{% endembed %}