How to convert std::chrono::zoned_time to std::string

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What is the most efficient way to convert from std::chrono::zoned_time to std::string?

I came up with this simple solution:

#include <iostream>
#include <sstream>
#include <string>
#include <chrono>


#if __cpp_lib_chrono >= 201907L
[[ nodiscard ]] inline auto
retrieve_current_local_time( )
{
    using namespace std::chrono;
    return zoned_time { current_zone( ), system_clock::now( ) };
}
#endif

int main( )
{
    const std::chrono::zoned_time time { retrieve_current_local_time( ) };
    const auto str { ( std::ostringstream { } << time ).str( ) };

    std::cout << str << '\n';
}

As can be seen, time is inserted into the ostringstream object using the operator<< and then a std::string is constructed from its content.

Is there anything better than this in the standard library?

BTW, why doesn't the above program give proper output when executed on Compiler Explorer?

1 Answers
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