Mastering Memory and Allocators with std::vector
This chapter dives into the critical memory management concepts in modern C++ programming. We begin by distinguishing between the capacity and size of std::vector
, which is fundamental to writing efficient code. As we progress, we’ll understand the mechanics of memory reservation and optimization, and why these actions matter in real-world applications. The chapter culminates with thoroughly exploring custom allocators, including when to use them and their impact on container performance. It equips us with the expertise to fine-tune memory usage for their programs.
In this chapter, we are going to cover the following main topics:
- Understanding capacity versus size
- Resizing and reserving memory
- Custom allocator basics
- Creating a custom allocator
- Allocators and container performance