C++: Converting an MFC CString to a std::string

std::string CStringToSTDStr(const CString& theCStr)
{
	// Convert the CString to a regular char array
	const int theCStrLen = theCStr.GetLength();
	char *buffer = (char*)malloc(sizeof(char)*(theCStrLen+1));
	memset((void*)buffer, 0, sizeof(buffer));
	WideCharToMultiByte(CP_UTF8, 0, static_cast<cstring>(theCStr).GetBuffer(), theCStrLen, buffer, sizeof(char)*(theCStrLen+1), NULL, NULL);
	// Construct a std::string with the char array, free the memory used by the char array, and
	// return the std::string object.
	std::string STDStr(buffer);
	free((void*)buffer);
	return STDStr;
}</cstring>

I was born and raised (and currently still reside in) northwest Oregon, USA. I started using computers at a very young age, maybe 4 or 5 years old, using my dad's computers. I got my own computer when I was 12 (1992). Later, I realized that I really enjoy programming, and in college, I decided to get a degree in software engineering. In 2005, I earned my bachelor's degree in software engineering from Oregon Institute of Technology.
 
I have been working as a software engineer since October 2003. So far, I've had experience with C++, PHP, JavaScript, Perl, Bash shell scripting, C#, and HTML. I have developed GUIs with MFC, wxWidgets, and WinForms. I also have experience with open-source technologies such as Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. My favorite Linux text editor is Vim.
 
In my personal time I enjoy tinkering with computers (building PCs, gaming, occasionally working on personal programming projects), playing music (I enjoy playing guitar and synthesizer/piano), and spending time with family & friends. I also enjoy reading the occasional book (pretty much anything with a good story, but usually sci-fi, drama, programming books, advice books, and scientific non-fiction, such as books written by physicist Michio Kaku). Currently, my favorite TV show is The Office; I also like watching the news when I can. I also enjoy the occasional movie (sci-fi, comedy, action, drama; pretty much anything with a good story).