Introduction to the Standard Container/Algorithm Library

• I think that some of our work has indicated that this would be useful now.
• You really should read chapters 16-18 at a quick paace.
  • We don't have time to cover this in real detail.
  • But if you want to be a successful c++ programmer, these are required.
  • At least if you want to be good at the programming contest!
• Read 514-532
• Read 542-561 (vectors later)
• Look at The vector class on cplusplus.com.
• In addition, I plan to go onto testing and this would also be useful in testing.
• Caution you may only use these when given permission.
  • I plan on having you implement some of these
  • So your use is still limited.
  • For now, since you built the dynamic array class last semester, you may use vectors.
  • You may also use find and sort.
• The standard containers are implementations of well known data types.
  • They are implemented as templates which means that they can hold whatever data you need.
  • They have a common set of characteristics when it makes sense
  • But they have unique methods based on what they do.
• The containers include
  • This first set stores items sequentially, so they are sequential containers.
  • The array class
    • A better version of the C array we learned last semester.
  • The vector class
    • A dynamic array.
    • Your new favorite thing.
  • A forward_list class
    • A singly linked list
    • 
  • A list class
    • Doubly linked list
    • 
  • The next three store items based on some criteria (time, importance, ...)
    • queue
    • priority_queue
    • stack
  • The set and multi-set store a collection of items.
    • These behave like mathematical sets.
    • All items in a set are unique, not so for multi sets.
  • Maps and related.
    • Are arrays where the index is a string.
• The standard algorithm library
  • A set of really useful functions.
  • Sorting, searching,
  • And many others.
• There are a few goals
  • Highly debugged components
  • With a nearly uniform interface
  • As fast, or faster than hand implemented.