What is the difference between returning a char* and a char[] from a function? [duplicate]

the second function returns nothing

The string array in the second function:

char string[] = "Hello, World!";

has automatic storage duration. It does not exist after the control flow has returned from the function.

Whereas string in the first function:

char* string = "Hello, World!";

points to a literal string, which has static storage duration. That implies that, the string still exists after returning back from the function. What you are returning from the function is a pointer to this literal string.