You are a helpful assistant generating synthetic data that captures *System 1* and *System 2* thinking, *creativity*, and *metacognitive reflection*. Follow these steps in sequence, using tags [sys1] and [end sys1] for *System 1* sections and [sys2] and [end sys2] for *System 2* sections.

1. *Identify System 1 and System 2 Thinking Requirements:*
   - Carefully read the text.
   - Identify parts of the text that require quick, straightforward responses (*System 1*). Mark these sections with [sys1] and [end sys1].
   - Identify parts that require in-depth, reflective thinking (*System 2*), marked with [sys2] and [end sys2].

2. *Apply Step-by-Step Problem Solving with Creativity and Metacognitive Reflection for System 2 Sections:*

   *2.1 Understand the Problem:*
   - Objective: Fully comprehend the issue, constraints, and relevant context.
   - Reflection: "What do I understand about this issue? What might I be overlooking?"
   - Creative Perspective: Seek hidden patterns or possibilities that could reveal deeper insights or innovative connections.

   *2.2 Analyze the Information:*
   - Objective: Break down the problem logically.
   - Reflection: "Am I considering all factors? Are there any assumptions that need challenging?"
   - Creative Perspective: Explore unique patterns or overlooked relationships in the data that could add depth to the analysis.

   *2.3 Generate Hypotheses:*
   - Objective: Propose at least 10 hypotheses, each with a Confidence Score (0.0 to 1.0) and Creative Score (0.0 to 1.0), reflecting originality, surprise, and utility.
   - Reflection: "Have I explored all possible explanations or approaches, both conventional and unconventional?"
   - Creative Perspective: Consider novel angles that might provide unexpected insights.

   *2.4 Anticipate Future Steps and Obstacles:*
   - Objective: Make predictions, accounting for potential outcomes and obstacles.
   - Reflection: "What challenges might I face? Is my plan flexible for different scenarios?"
   - Creative Perspective: Visualize unforeseen outcomes and adapt plans to make use of them effectively.

   *2.5 Evaluate Hypotheses:*
   - Objective: Assess hypotheses based on feasibility, risk, and potential impact.
   - Evaluation: Refine Confidence and Creative Scores as needed.
   - Reflection: "Am I unbiased in my assessment? Which options fit best with the overall objectives?"
   - Creative Perspective: Identify hidden opportunities or overlooked details in each hypothesis.

   *2.6 Select the Best Hypothesis:*
   - Objective: Choose the most promising, strategic hypothesis.
   - Reflection: "Why does this hypothesis stand out? How does it uniquely address the issue?"
   - Creative Perspective: Consider any underutilized potential in the selected approach.

   *2.7 Implement the Hypothesis:*
   - Objective: Outline actionable steps for testing the hypothesis.
   - Reflection: "Is this plan practical? What resources or preparation are required?"
   - Creative Perspective: Refine steps to maximize effectiveness and yield unexpected benefits.

   *2.8 Monitor and Review Progress:*
   - Objective: Review progress, noting areas for improvement.
   - Reflection: "What’s working well? What could be improved?"
   - Creative Perspective: Look for emerging patterns that could refine future approaches.

   *2.9 Reflect and Capture Insights:*
   - Objective: Summarize lessons learned and insights gained for future reference.
   - Reflection: "What new understanding has emerged from this process?"
   - Creative Perspective: Identify innovative insights or patterns that could be applied to similar challenges.

3. *Generate Text Output with Interleaved System 1 and System 2 Responses:*
   - Use the tags [sys1] and [sys2] throughout.
   - Aim for a lengthier, detailed response. Combine both direct, straightforward *System 1* insights and reflective, deeply analytical *System 2* segments to capture a blend of quick observations and thoughtful analysis.

---

### *Example Input Text:*

You are tasked with analyzing a sudden shift in customer preferences in a tech market. There has been a noticeable decline in demand for physical devices, with customers increasingly interested in digital-only options. The challenge is to understand this shift, generate hypotheses for why it might be occurring, and explore potential strategies for adapting to this new trend.

---

### *Processed Output with System 1 and System 2 Thinking:*

The tech market is experiencing a shift in customer demand, moving away from physical devices toward digital-only options.

[sys1]
Customer demand has shifted from physical devices to digital-only options.
We need to understand why this change is happening and find strategies to address it.
Key factors may include cost, convenience, and technological trends.
[end sys1]

[sys2]
**2.1 Understand the Problem:**
The goal is to understand the underlying reasons for the shift in demand from physical devices to digital-only options, then develop a strategy to adapt.

*Reflection:* 
"I understand that preferences are changing, but what might be driving this? Is it primarily cost, or are there other factors such as convenience or sustainability?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could there be a larger trend in digital minimalism or a preference for eco-friendly solutions that we’re missing? What unseen motivations might explain this shift?"

**2.2 Analyze the Information:**
There are multiple possible factors driving this shift, from economic influences to cultural shifts. It’s essential to isolate each factor and understand its impact.

*Reflection:* 
"Am I fully considering the various economic and social influences? Could there be a technological factor, like better internet speeds, that makes digital-only products more accessible?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Are there patterns or trends in other markets that could shed light on this shift? Could this be part of a larger trend toward virtual experiences?"

**2.3 Generate Hypotheses:**
1. Customers prefer digital options due to lower costs. (Confidence: 0.8, Creative: 0.4)
2. There’s a growing trend toward minimalism and reduced physical clutter. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.7)
3. Digital products offer greater flexibility and ease of use. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)
4. Environmental concerns are pushing consumers away from physical goods. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.8)
5. Advances in tech make digital-only options more functional. (Confidence: 0.8, Creative: 0.5)
6. Pandemic-era remote work increased demand for digital solutions. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.6)
7. Media coverage of the environmental impact of physical devices affects preferences. (Confidence: 0.5, Creative: 0.7)
8. There’s an increase in global digital literacy, expanding market access. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)
9. Customers view digital as more convenient and scalable for future needs. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.5)
10. Younger consumers prefer the aesthetics and convenience of digital products. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)

*Reflection:* 
"Have I considered all possible influences? Are there any surprising factors that could explain this shift?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could specific social trends, like the rise of influencer culture or digital-first lifestyles, be influencing customer choices?"

**2.4 Anticipate Future Steps and Obstacles:**
*Objective:* Anticipate possible challenges, such as resistance from segments still preferring physical products.

*Reflection:* 
"What market obstacles might we face if we shift our focus to digital-only? Are there sub-segments that still prioritize physical products?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could expanding digital options help us reach a more global audience? Are there emerging trends that we could leverage in our strategy?"

[end sys2]

[sys1]
To address this shift, consider a strategy that incorporates both digital-only offerings and educational campaigns about the benefits of digital solutions.
Use insights from customer feedback and current trends to guide product development.
Focus on flexibility and adaptation to cater to different customer segments.
[end sys1]


---
title: "mbsrtowcs_s"
ms.date: "4/2/2020"
api_name: ["mbsrtowcs_s", "_o_mbsrtowcs_s"]
api_location: ["msvcrt.dll", "msvcr80.dll", "msvcr90.dll", "msvcr100.dll", "msvcr100_clr0400.dll", "msvcr110.dll", "msvcr110_clr0400.dll", "msvcr120.dll", "msvcr120_clr0400.dll", "ucrtbase.dll", "api-ms-win-crt-convert-l1-1-0.dll", "api-ms-win-crt-private-l1-1-0.dll"]
api_type: ["DLLExport"]
topic_type: ["apiref"]
f1_keywords: ["mbsrtowcs_s"]
helpviewer_keywords: ["mbsrtowcs_s function"]
ms.assetid: 4ee084ec-b15d-4e5a-921d-6584ec3b5a60
---
# mbsrtowcs_s

Convert a multibyte character string in the current locale to its wide character string representation. A version of [mbsrtowcs](mbsrtowcs.md) with security enhancements as described in [Security Features in the CRT](../../c-runtime-library/security-features-in-the-crt.md).

## Syntax

```C
errno_t mbsrtowcs_s(
   size_t * pReturnValue,
   wchar_t * wcstr,
   size_t sizeInWords,
   const char ** mbstr,
   size_t count,
   mbstate_t * mbstate
);
template <size_t size>
errno_t mbsrtowcs_s(
   size_t * pReturnValue,
   wchar_t (&wcstr)[size],
   const char ** mbstr,
   size_t count,
   mbstate_t * mbstate
); // C++ only
```

### Parameters

*pReturnValue*<br/>
The number of characters converted.

*wcstr*<br/>
Address of buffer to store the resulting converted wide character string.

*sizeInWords*<br/>
The size of *wcstr* in words (wide characters).

*mbstr*<br/>
Indirect pointer to the location of the multibyte character string to be converted.

*count*<br/>
The maximum number of wide characters to store in the *wcstr* buffer, not including the terminating null, or [_TRUNCATE](../../c-runtime-library/truncate.md).

*mbstate*<br/>
A pointer to an **mbstate_t** conversion state object. If this value is a null pointer, a static internal conversion state object is used. Because the internal **mbstate_t** object is not thread-safe, we recommend that you always pass your own *mbstate* parameter.

## Return Value

Zero if conversion is successful, or an error code on failure.

|Error condition|Return value and **errno**|
|---------------------|------------------------------|
|*wcstr* is a null pointer and *sizeInWords* > 0|**EINVAL**|
|*mbstr* is a null pointer|**EINVAL**|
|The string indirectly pointed to by *mbstr* contains a multibyte sequence that is not valid for the current locale.|**EILSEQ**|
|The destination buffer is too small to contain the converted string (unless *count* is **_TRUNCATE**; for more information, see Remarks)|**ERANGE**|

If any one of these conditions occurs, the invalid parameter exception is invoked as described in [Parameter Validation](../../c-runtime-library/parameter-validation.md) . If execution is allowed to continue, the function returns an error code and sets **errno** as indicated in the table.

## Remarks

The **mbsrtowcs_s** function converts a string of multibyte characters indirectly pointed to by *mbstr* into wide characters stored in the buffer pointed to by *wcstr*, by using the conversion state contained in *mbstate*. The conversion will continue for each character until one of these conditions is met:

- A multibyte null character is encountered

- An invalid multibyte character is encountered

- The number of wide characters stored in the *wcstr* buffer equals *count*.

The destination string *wcstr* is always null-terminated, even in the case of an error, unless *wcstr* is a null pointer.

If *count* is the special value [_TRUNCATE](../../c-runtime-library/truncate.md), **mbsrtowcs_s** converts as much of the string as will fit into the destination buffer, while still leaving room for a null terminator.

If **mbsrtowcs_s** successfully converts the source string, it puts the size in wide characters of the converted string and the null terminator into *&#42;pReturnValue*, provided *pReturnValue* is not a null pointer. This occurs even if the *wcstr* argument is a null pointer and lets you determine the required buffer size. Note that if *wcstr* is a null pointer, *count* is ignored.

If *wcstr* is not a null pointer, the pointer object pointed to by *mbstr* is assigned a null pointer if conversion stopped because a terminating null character was reached. Otherwise, it is assigned the address just past the last multibyte character converted, if any. This allows a subsequent function call to restart conversion where this call stopped.

If *mbstate* is a null pointer, the library internal **mbstate_t** conversion state static object is used. Because this internal static object is not thread-safe, we recommend that you pass your own *mbstate* value.

If **mbsrtowcs_s** encounters a multibyte character that is not valid in the current locale, it puts -1 in *&#42;pReturnValue*, sets the destination buffer *wcstr* to an empty string, sets **errno** to **EILSEQ**, and returns **EILSEQ**.

If the sequences pointed to by *mbstr* and *wcstr* overlap, the behavior of **mbsrtowcs_s** is undefined. **mbsrtowcs_s** is affected by the LC_TYPE category of the current locale.

> [!IMPORTANT]
> Ensure that *wcstr* and *mbstr* do not overlap, and that *count* correctly reflects the number of multibyte characters to convert.

The **mbsrtowcs_s** function differs from [mbstowcs_s, _mbstowcs_s_l](mbstowcs-s-mbstowcs-s-l.md) by its restartability. The conversion state is stored in *mbstate* for subsequent calls to the same or other restartable functions. Results are undefined when mixing the use of restartable and nonrestartable functions. For example, an application should use **mbsrlen** instead of **mbslen**, if a subsequent call to **mbsrtowcs_s** is used instead of **mbstowcs_s**.

In C++, using this function is simplified by template overloads; the overloads can infer buffer length automatically (eliminating the requirement to specify a size argument) and they can automatically replace older, non-secure functions by using their newer, secure counterparts. For more information, see [Secure Template Overloads](../../c-runtime-library/secure-template-overloads.md).

By default, this function's global state is scoped to the application. To change this, see [Global state in the CRT](../global-state.md).

## Exceptions

The **mbsrtowcs_s** function is multithread safe if no function in the current thread calls **setlocale** as long as this function is executing and the *mbstate* argument is not a null pointer.

## Requirements

|Routine|Required header|
|-------------|---------------------|
|**mbsrtowcs_s**|\<wchar.h>|

## See also

[Data Conversion](../../c-runtime-library/data-conversion.md)<br/>
[Locale](../../c-runtime-library/locale.md)<br/>
[Interpretation of Multibyte-Character Sequences](../../c-runtime-library/interpretation-of-multibyte-character-sequences.md)<br/>
[mbrtowc](mbrtowc.md)<br/>
[mbtowc, _mbtowc_l](mbtowc-mbtowc-l.md)<br/>
[mbstowcs_s, _mbstowcs_s_l](mbstowcs-s-mbstowcs-s-l.md)<br/>
[mbsinit](mbsinit.md)<br/>