String helpers

Add and test string processing functions.

String helpers

In this lesson we add the first helper method to the Helpers class: capitalize. This method uppercases the first letter of a string. In C++ the std::toupper function uppercases a single character.

Example: static std::string capitalize(std::string text) { if (text.empty()) return text; text[0] = std::toupper(text[0]); return text; }. Here text.empty() checks for an empty string; text[0] accesses the first character. Call: Helpers::capitalize("hello") returns "Hello". We take the previous lesson's skeleton and add this method.

Calling the method

A static method is called with the class name and two colons (::). No instance is needed: Helpers::capitalize("hello"). You can print the returned value with std::cout.

To see output on separate lines, use std::endl: std::cout << Helpers::capitalize("hello") << std::endl;. This prints Hello and moves to the next line. After the previous lesson's "Ready" output, Hello appears on a new line. This way the output of two lessons accumulates.

Exercise Add the capitalize method and call it

Take the previous lesson's Helpers skeleton. Under public: add static std::string capitalize(std::string text) with body if (text.empty()) return text; text[0] = std::toupper(text[0]); return text;. In main after std::cout << "Ready" << std::endl; add std::cout << Helpers::capitalize("hello");.

Show example solution

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <cctype>

class Helpers {
public:
    static std::string capitalize(std::string text) {
        if (text.empty()) return text;
        text[0] = std::toupper(text[0]);
        return text;
    }
};

int main() {
    std::cout << "Ready" << std::endl;
    std::cout << Helpers::capitalize("hello");
    return 0;
}

Test yourself

What does capitalize("hello") return?
```
Helpers::capitalize("hello")
```
- "HELLO"
- "Hello"
- "hello"
- "hELLO"
Show answer

"Hello" — Only the first letter is uppercased: Hello.

Uppercase the first letter

text[0] = std::____(text[0]);

Show answer

text[0] = std::toupper(text[0]);

Match each piece to its role

static

Enables call without instance
std::toupper

Uppercases a character
text.empty()

Empty string check
Helpers::capitalize

Method call

Next lesson: Number helpers

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