====== STRNCPY ======

Syntax:

  strncpy <string pointer destination>, <string pointer source>, <byte n>
  
The ''STRNCPY'' command is similar to ''[[STRCPY|STRCPY]]'', the difference is that ''STRNCPY'' will copy the first //n// characters only. Copying will stop at the end of //source// even if //n// is greater than the length of //source//.

Example:

  dim buffer![6]
  a$ = "hello world"
  b$ = @buffer!
  strncpy b$, a$, 5
  print b$
  rem -- the above will output "hello"
  
''STRNCPY'' can be used to emulate the CBM BASIC functions ''LEFT$'' and ''MID$''. The example above shows how to get the first n characters of a string. Here is an example for getting the middle of a string:

**CBM BASIC** code:

  10 a$="hello world"
  20 b$=mid$(a$, 4, 3)
  30 print b$
  
**XC=BASIC** code:

  a$ = "hello world"
  dim buffer![6]
  b$ = @buffer!
  strncpy b$, a$+4, 3
  print b$
  
Both programs will output "o w".
  
**Important note**: The routine will not stop copying at the end of //destination// which may lead to an overflow situation. You have to make sure that there is enough memory at the destination.