Book Image

Data Structures and Algorithms with the C++ STL

By : John Farrier
5 (2)
Book Image

Data Structures and Algorithms with the C++ STL

5 (2)
By: John Farrier

Overview of this book

While the Standard Template Library (STL) offers a rich set of tools for data structures and algorithms, navigating its intricacies can be daunting for intermediate C++ developers without expert guidance. This book offers a thorough exploration of the STL’s components, covering fundamental data structures, advanced algorithms, and concurrency features. Starting with an in-depth analysis of the std::vector, this book highlights its pivotal role in the STL, progressing toward building your proficiency in utilizing vectors, managing memory, and leveraging iterators. The book then advances to STL’s data structures, including sequence containers, associative containers, and unordered containers, simplifying the concepts of container adaptors and views to enhance your knowledge of modern STL programming. Shifting the focus to STL algorithms, you’ll get to grips with sorting, searching, and transformations and develop the skills to implement and modify algorithms with best practices. Advanced sections cover extending the STL with custom types and algorithms, as well as concurrency features, exception safety, and parallel algorithms. By the end of this book, you’ll have transformed into a proficient STL practitioner ready to tackle real-world challenges and build efficient and scalable C++ applications.
Table of Contents (30 chapters)
Free Chapter
1
Part 1: Mastering std::vector
7
Part 2: Understanding STL Data Structures
13
Part 3: Mastering STL Algorithms
19
Part 4: Creating STL-Compatible Types and Algorithms
23
Part 5: STL Data Structures and Algorithms: Under the Hood

Best practices

Let’s review optimal ways of implementing STL algorithms to ensure efficiency, maintain data integrity, and recognize the most apt methods suitable for diverse use cases.

  • Choose the right algorithm: One size does not fit all. A quintessential practice is to ascertain the selection of the correct algorithm for the right task. Study the properties, strengths, and weaknesses of each algorithm before deciding. For instance, std::sort is versatile but may not be optimal for partially sorted sequences, where std::partial_sort or std::stable_sort may prevail.
  • Prefer algorithms over hand-written loops: When confronted with tasks like searching or sorting, favor STL algorithms over hand-written loops as they are optimized and tested extensively, rendering them more reliable and often faster.
  • Use const correctness: Ensure you use const wherever possible. It maintains data integrity and provides better interface insights, avoiding accidental modifications...