comparing strings

strcmp() and strcmpi() return 0 if there is no difference. Maybe you expected it to return true.

What language are you using? If you're using C++ just use std::strings and compare with operator<.

Enigma

strcmp does help you. Any lookup on documentation on it will tell you that it returns a value marking the relation between the first & second parameter strings. -1 meaning the first is lower in ascii order & +1 meaning it is higher.
So it will tell you quite nicely what order they go in.
Also the strcmpi ignores case & seems to accomplish what you want perfectly, but as Enigma said - in c++ it's good to get into the habit of using the c++ libraries & std::string has much nice handling for such things