How to convert VARIANT to String (without MFC)?

[ChristophLange]

Hi, I'm using Visual C++ Express.
I have a DLL which will receive data (variables) as VARIANT (this is obligatory).
The data is String, like 2008-01-22

so I did this:

VARIANT vDatum;    
VariantInit(&vDatum);    
variables[2]->GetValue(&vDatum);

but now later, I'm comparing it to String-Data from a text file
if( strLine.substr(0,10).compare(str) == 0 )

so first I need to convert the Variant &vDatum to String.
How can I do this (without MFC)? Thanks.

[Duthomhas]

I don't think you can (safely, at least).
What's wrong with MFC?

[ChristophLange]

nothing at all..
it's not included in the free VC Expresss Version.
But I found a solution anyway, thanks.