[Dev-C++] [OT] C++ string vs char *

[<bis...@bt...>]

Hi all

I'm writing a small application using G++ - this one has a lot of string
manipulation (It is a doxygen-like auto documentation system for a
propreitory language). I seem to have three options:

a) Use char *s and do my own memory management.
b) Roll by own lightweight string class
c) Use the C++ string class

Can anyone tell me how good is the string class in terms of bloat/efficiency
compared to char * ?
Is (b) a viable option if what I want is basically char * with inbuild
memory management ?

Also, should I use (io|f|str)string ? How much of a bloat/efficiency concern
is that compared to (f|s)printf/write/read and friends ?

I don't plan to use the STL stuff.

Thanks in advance.
Biswa.