c++ - Efficiently appending or inserting a variable number of spaces to a string -

i have simple programme inserts or appends number of spaces align text.

f() {     string word = “this word”;     const string space = “ “;     int space_num = 5; // number can vary      (int = 0; < space_num; i++)         {             word.insert(0, space);         }        cout << word; } 

now works, wondering if there more efficient way this. not in terms of optimizing programme, more in standard practice.

i can imagine 2 potential methods:

1 - there way create string of 20 spaces, , append portion of spaces rather repeatedly adding single space.

2 – there way create string variable number of spaces , append that?

yes, both take number of copies , character:

word.insert(0, space_num, ' '); word.append(space_num, ' '); 

for aligning text, keep in mind can use string stream , <iomanip> header, such std::setw well.