Why not C++ all the time?
In the why-we-don't-prefer-programming-in-c++ exhibit of evidence: python: result = line.split(',') C#: var result = line.Split(','); C++: vector < string > result; ostringstream sourcestream(sourceString); copy( istream_iterator< string >(sourcestream), istream_itearator< string >(), back_inserter< vector < string > >(result) ); Special thanks to StackOverflow Zunino at Stack Overflow for this answer , one of the most concise and standards-respecting.