Storing/Retrieving Pointer to std::wstring in char Array - char

Question

I am trying to learn more about C++ memory management and type casting. How can I store and retrieve a std::wstring* in a char array? Code or suggestions about what to read would be appreciated.
Here is what I have tried so far. My definition of "Works" is that the correct string appears in the GUI control. "Does not work" means it compiles and runs but gives me a blank in the GUI control.
I'm really curious about why "Wrapper 2" works but not "Wrapper 1".
Integer example (Works):
int* lInt(new int);
*lInt = 1500000;
char lBuffer[sizeof(void*)];
memcpy(lBuffer, lInt, sizeof(void*));
int* lInt2 = (int*)lBuffer;
Memo->Lines->Append(IntToStr(*lInt2)); //C++Builder GUI control
delete lInt;
std::wstring Example (Does not work):
std::wstring* lMyString = new std::wstring();
*lMyString = L"My Name";
char lBuffer[sizeof(void*)];
memcpy(lBuffer, lMyString, sizeof(void*));
std::wstring* lMyString2 = (std::wstring*)lBuffer;
Memo->Lines->Append(lMyString2->c_str()); //C++Builder GUI control
delete lMyString;
Wrapper 1 (Does not work):
struct MyString
{
std::wstring Text;
};
MyString* lMyString = new MyString();
lMyString->Text = L"My Name";
char lBuffer[sizeof(void*)];
memcpy(lBuffer, lMyString, sizeof(void*));
MyString* lMyString2 = (MyString*)lBuffer;
Memo->Lines->Append(lMyString2->Text.c_str()); //C++Builder GUI control
delete lMyString;
Wrapper 2 (Works):
struct MyString
{
MyString(): Text(new std::wstring()){};
~MyString() {delete Text;};
std::wstring* Text;
};
MyString* lMyString = new MyString();
*lMyString->Text = L"My Name";
char lBuffer[sizeof(void*)];
memcpy(lBuffer, lMyString, sizeof(void*));
MyString* lMyString2 = (MyString*)lBuffer;
Memo->Lines->Append(lMyString2->Text->c_str()); //C++Builder GUI control
delete lMyString;

Answer 1

How can I store and retrieve a std::wstring* in a char array?
The better way is to store it in void*:
std::wstring ws;
void *addr = &ws;
// ...
std::wstring retreived = *static_cast<std::wstring*>(addr);
***** std::wstring Example (Does not work) *****
std::wstring* lMyString = new std::wstring();
// ...
char lBuffer[sizeof(void*)];
memcpy(lBuffer, lMyString, sizeof(void*));
std::wstring* lMyString2 = (std::wstring*)lBuffer;
// ...
memcpy used this way actually copies bytes of the stored std::wstring.
void* memcpy( void* dest, const void* src, std::size_t count );
lMyString is a pointer to allocated std::wstring and memcpy copies bytes from memory src points to. What you actually wanted to do is to copy the pointer itself so you need to take address of the pointer:
memcpy(lBuffer, &lMyString, sizeof(void*));
std::wstring* lMyString2 = (std::wstring*)lBuffer;
This is also wrong. You are converting address of the first character in char[], not the actual bytes that you stored in the char array before. You should memcpy it back:
std::wstring* lMyString2 = nullptr;
std::memcpy(&lMyString2, lBuffer, sizeof(void*));
As I said, use void* instead.