Converting bool to text in C++

Solution 1:

How about using the C++ language itself?

bool t = true;
bool f = false;
std::cout << std::noboolalpha << t << " == " << std::boolalpha << t << std::endl;        
std::cout << std::noboolalpha << f << " == " << std::boolalpha << f << std::endl;

UPDATE:

If you want more than 4 lines of code without any console output, please go to cppreference.com's page talking about std::boolalpha and std::noboolalpha which shows you the console output and explains more about the API.

Additionally using std::boolalpha will modify the global state of std::cout, you may want to restore the original behavior go here for more info on restoring the state of std::cout.

Solution 2:

We're talking about C++ right? Why on earth are we still using macros!?

C++ inline functions give you the same speed as a macro, with the added benefit of type-safety and parameter evaluation (which avoids the issue that Rodney and dwj mentioned.

inline const char * const BoolToString(bool b)
{
  return b ? "true" : "false";
}

Aside from that I have a few other gripes, particularly with the accepted answer :)

// this is used in C, not C++. if you want to use printf, instead include <cstdio>
//#include <stdio.h>
// instead you should use the iostream libs
#include <iostream>

// not only is this a C include, it's totally unnecessary!
//#include <stdarg.h>

// Macros - not type-safe, has side-effects. Use inline functions instead
//#define BOOL_STR(b) (b?"true":"false")
inline const char * const BoolToString(bool b)
{
  return b ? "true" : "false";
}

int main (int argc, char const *argv[]) {
    bool alpha = true;

    // printf? that's C, not C++
    //printf( BOOL_STR(alpha) );
    // use the iostream functionality
    std::cout << BoolToString(alpha);
    return 0;
}

Cheers :)

@DrPizza: Include a whole boost lib for the sake of a function this simple? You've got to be kidding?