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(C++) Iterator

Iterators allow a uniform way to travel through all STL containers.

Example

• Iterator example 1: basics

Advice

• Prefer using standard algorithms, instead of crafting your own for loops [1]
• Use const iterators when you are not modifying the contents of a container [2,4]
• Prefer comparing iterators with operator!=, instead of operator< [3]
• Use auto to avoid verbosity and typos when you use iterators [5]
• Don't use iterators into a resized std::vector or std::deque [6]

References

1. Herb Sutter. Exceptional C++ style. 2005. ISBN: 0-201-76042-8. Item 1 guideline: 'Prefer reusing algorithms, particularly standard algorithms (e.g., for_each), instead of crafting your own loops'.
2. Herb Sutter. Exceptional C++ style. 2005. ISBN: 0-201-76042-8. Item 1 guideline: 'Use const_iterator when you are not modifying the contents of a container'.
3. Herb Sutter. Exceptional C++ style. 2005. ISBN: 0-201-76042-8. Item 1 guideline: 'Prefer comparing iterators with !=, not <'.
4. Bjarne Stroustrup. The C++ Programming Language (4th edition). 2013. ISBN: 978-0-321-56384-2. Chapter 31.6. Advice. page 924: '[16] Use const iterators where you don't need to modify the elements of a container'
5. Bjarne Stroustrup. The C++ Programming Language (4th edition). 2013. ISBN: 978-0-321-56384-2. Chapter 31.6. Advice. page 924: '[17] Use auto to avoid verbosity and typos when you use iterators'
6. Bjarne Stroustrup. The C++ Programming Language (4th edition). 2013. ISBN: 978-0-321-56384-2. Chapter 31.6. Advice. page 924: '[21] Don't use iterators into a resized vector or deque'

Go back to Richel Bilderbeek's C++ page.

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