How to retrieve char, from implmentation file to main.cpp

Hello,

When I derived a class, I can code as below in the implementation file :

int option_parameters::get_option_type(const char * in_string)
{
// Member function for returning option_type parameters

if (! strncmp (in_string, "payoff_type", 100))
{
return payoff_type;
}
......

Then, in my main, I can retirve the payoff_type by code :

int payoff_type = this_option_params->get_option_type ("payoff_type");

It only works for int & double, But, I don't know how to extend this idea to other data type , such as char. I looked into the strncmp but still not know how to modify.

Would anyone give me some hints so that I can retrieve the char in a similar fashion. Thank you very much!!