Vectors in C++ STL – Great Learning

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Vectors in C++ STL – Great Learning


When it involves programming in C++, vectors are a vital information construction that each developer needs to be accustomed to. Vectors present a dynamic array-like construction that may retailer and manipulate components effectively. Whether you’re a newbie or an skilled programmer, understanding vectors in C++ is essential for constructing strong and versatile functions.

In this weblog, we are going to discover the idea of vectors in C++ and delve into their varied functionalities, together with find out how to create and initialize vectors, entry and modify components, carry out frequent operations, and make the most of some superior options. By the top of this weblog, you should have a strong understanding of vectors and be outfitted with the information to leverage their energy in your personal C++ applications.

STL stands for Standard Template Library. STL is a set of general-purpose lessons and capabilities primarily for storing and processing information. STL might be outlined as a library of container lessons, algorithms, and iterators, and vectors in C++ is a part of STL. The predominant thought behind STL is to reuse codes already written and examined. It saves effort and time.

STL has 4 elements

  • Algorithms: It defines a set of capabilities specifically designed for use on ranges of components. Examples are sorting, looking out, and many others.
  • Containers: Containers retailer objects and information. There are in complete seven commonplace “first-class” container lessons and three container adaptor lessons and solely seven header information that present entry to those  container adaptors.
  • Functions: STL consists of lessons which overload the operate name operator. Instances of such lessons are known as functors.
  • Iterators: It is used for working upon a sequence of values.It supplies generiality in STL.

What are Vectors in C++?

Vectors are a part of STL. Vectors in C++ are sequence containers representing arrays that may change their dimension throughout runtime. They use contiguous storage areas for his or her components simply as effectively as in arrays, which implies that their components may also be accessed utilizing offsets on common tips that could its components.

Vectors are the dynamic arrays which can be used to retailer information.It is totally different from arrays which retailer sequential information and are static in nature, Vectors present extra flexibility to this system. Vectors can regulate their dimension routinely when a component is inserted or deleted from it.

Vectors will not be ordered in C++. Vector components are positioned in adjoining storage and  might be simply accessed and traversed throughout utilizing iterators. In vectors, information is inserted on the finish once we use push_back() operate . Inserting a component on the finish of a vector takes differential time, as typically there could also be a necessity of extending the vector,  however inserting the aspect at the start or on the center takes linear time. Removing the final aspect takes solely fixed time as a result of no resizing takes place. Check out this free on-line C++ tutorial to study extra and improve your expertise.

Declaration of Vectors in C++

It is obligatory to incorporate #embody<vector> library earlier than utilizing vectors in C++.

For Vector declaration we have to observe the beneath syntax:

vector< object_type > vector_variable_name;

Initialization of Vectors

  1. Pushing the values one-by-one in vector utilizing push_back():
  • All the weather that must be saved within the vector are pushed again one-by-one within the vector utilizing the push_back() methodology. 
  • Syntax:
vector_name.push_back(element_value);
  1. Using the overload constructor of the vector Class:
  • This methodology is used to populate a vector with a number of instances the identical worth.
  • Syntax:
vector<object_type> vector_name (number_of_repetition,element_value);
  1. Using Array:
  • This methodology makes use of array as a parameter to be handed within the vector constructor.
  • Syntax:
vector<object_type> vector_name {val1,val2,val3,....,valn};
  1. Using already initialized vector:
  • This methodology makes use of an already created vector to create a brand new vector with the identical values.
  • This methodology passes the start() and finish() of an already initialized vector.

    |
    Syntax:
    vector<object_type> vector_name_1{val1,val2,…,valn};

vector<object_type> vector_name_2(vector_name_1.start(),vector_name_1.finish())

Various Functions in Vectors are

Iterators:

  • start() –  It returns an iterator pointing to the primary aspect within the vector.
  • finish() – It returns an iterator pointing to the final aspect within the vector.
  • rbegin() – It returns a reverse iterator pointing to the final aspect within the vector.
  • rend() – It returns a reverse iterator pointing to the aspect previous the primary aspect within the vector. Basically thought of as a reverse finish.
  • cbegin() – It returns a continuing iterator pointing to the primary aspect within the vector.
  • cend() – It returns a continuing iterator pointing to the aspect that follows the final aspect within the vector.
  • crbegin() – It returns a continuing reverse iterator pointing to the final aspect within the vector.
  • crend() – It returns a continuing reverse iterator pointing to the aspect previous the primary aspect within the vector.

Example Code for Visualizing using Iterators:

//C++ Code to Visualize Use of Iterators in C++
#embody <iostream> 
#embody <vector> 
utilizing namespace std;   
int predominant() 
{ 
    vector<int> a; //Declaration of vector in C++
   
   //Initializing vector ‘a’ with values from 1 to 7
    for (int i = 1; i <=7 ; i++) 
        a.push_back(i); 

    //Printing the Output of vector ‘a’ utilizing iterators  start() and finish()  
    cout << "Output of start and finish Function: "; 
    for (auto i = a.start(); i != a.finish(); ++i) 
        cout << *i << " "; 
   
   //Printing the Output of vector ‘a’ utilizing iterators cbegin() and cend()
    cout << "nOutput of cbegin and cend Function: "; 
    for (auto i = a.cbegin(); i != a.cend(); ++i) 
        cout << *i << " "; 
   
   //Printing the output of vector ‘a’ utilizing iterators rbegin() and rend()
    cout << "nOutput of rbegin and rend Function: "; 
    for (auto ir = a.rbegin(); ir != a.rend(); ++ir) 
        cout << *ir << " "; 
  
    //Printing the output of vector ‘a’ utilizing iterators crbegin() and crend()
    cout << "nOutput of crbegin and crend Function: "; 
    for (auto ir = a.crbegin(); ir != a.crend(); ++ir) 
        cout << *ir << " "; 
  
    return 0; 
} 

Output:

Capacity:

  • dimension() – It returns the variety of components presently current within the vector.
  • max_size() – It returns the utmost variety of components {that a} vector can maintain.
  • capability() – It returns the storage capability presently allotted to the vector.
  • resize(n) – It resizes the container to retailer ‘n’ components.
  • empty() – It returns whether or not the container is empty or not.

Example Code for visualizing using capability capabilities:

//C++ program to show working of capability operate
#embody <iostream>
#embody <vector> 
utilizing namespace std; 
int predominant() 
{ 
   //Declaring vector ‘a’ of integer sort 
   vector<int> a; 
   
   //Initializing vector ‘a’ with values from 1 to five
    for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) 
        a.push_back(i); 
  
    //Printing dimension of the vector ‘a’
    cout << "Size : " << a.dimension(); 
   
    //Printing the Capacity of the vector ‘a’
    cout << "nCapacity : " << a.capability(); 
    
    //Printing the utmost dimension of the vector ‘a’
    cout << "nMax_Size : " << a.max_size(); 
  
    // resizing  the vector ‘a’ to  dimension  4 
    a.resize(4); 
  
    // printing the vector ‘a’ dimension after resize() operate
    cout << "nSize : " << a.dimension(); 
  
    // checks if the vector is empty or not 
    if (a.empty() == false) 
        cout << "nVector shouldn't be empty"; 
    else
        cout << "nVector is empty"; 
  
  
    return 0; 
} 

Output:

Modifiers:

  • assign() – It assigns a brand new worth to the prevailing components of the vector.
  • push_back() – It pushes the aspect from again within the vector.
  • pop_back() – It removes components from the again of the vector.
  • insert() – It inserts a component earlier than a specified aspect within the vector.
  • erase() – It is used to take away components from a specified aspect or a spread within the vector.
  • swap() – It is used to swap the contents of two vectors of the identical datatype. The sizes of vectors could differ.
  • clear() – It is used to take away all the weather from the vector.

 Example code to Visualize the Modifiers Function in vector:

//C++ code to visualise the Modifiers operate in vectors
#embody <bits/stdc++.h> 
#embody <vector> 
utilizing namespace std; 
  
int predominant() 
{ 
    // Declaring Vector ‘a’ of integer sort
    vector<int> a; 
  
    // filling vector ‘a’ with 7 in repetition of 4 instances
    a.assign(4, 7); 
    
    //Printing the vector ‘a’ contents
    cout << "The vector accommodates: "; 
    for (int i = 0; i < a.dimension(); i++) 
        cout << a[i] << " "; 
  
    // inserting 10 to the final place of vector ‘a’
    a.push_back(10); 
    int n = a.dimension(); 
    cout << "nThe final aspect is: " << a[n - 1]; 
  
    // eradicating the final aspect from vector ‘a’
    a.pop_back(); 
  
    // printing the vector ‘a’ contents
    cout << "nThe vector accommodates: "; 
    for (int i = 0; i < a.dimension(); i++) 
        cout << a[i] << " "; 
  
    // inserting 3 at the start of vector ‘a’
    a.insert(a.start(), 3); 
   
   //Printing the primary aspect of vector ‘a’
    cout << "nThe first aspect is: " << a[0]; 
  
    // eradicating the primary aspect 
    a.erase(a.start()); 
    
   //Printing the brand new first aspect of vector ‘a’
    cout << "nThe first aspect is: " << a[0]; 
  
   
    // erasing the vector 
    a.clear(); 
   
    //printing the vector ‘a’ after erasing it
    cout << "nVector dimension after erase(): " << a.dimension(); 
  
    // Creating two vectors ‘a1’ and ‘a2’ of integer sort
    vector<int> a1, a2; 
   

    //Pushing values in vector ‘a1’ and ‘a2’
    a1.push_back(3); 
    a1.push_back(4); 
    a2.push_back(5); 
    a2.push_back(6); 
  
   //printing vector ‘a1’
    cout << "nnVector 1 is: "; 
    for (int i = 0; i < a1.dimension(); i++) 
        cout << a1[i] << " "; 
  
    //printing vector ‘a2’
    cout << "nVector 2 is: "; 
    for (int i = 0; i < a2.dimension(); i++) 
        cout << a2[i] << " "; 
  
    // Swaping vectors ‘a1’ and ‘a2’ 
    a1.swap(a2); 
  
   //Printing vector ‘a1’ after swapping with ‘a2’
    cout << "nAfter Swap nVector 1 is: "; 
    for (int i = 0; i < a1.dimension(); i++) 
        cout << a1[i] << " "; 
  
    //printing vector ‘a2’ after swapping with ‘a1’
    cout << "nVector 2 is: "; 
    for (int i = 0; i < a2.dimension(); i++) 
        cout << a2[i] << " "; 
    return 0;
} 

Output:

Element entry:

  • reference_operator[g]: It returns a reference to the ‘g’ aspect within the vetor.
  • at(g): It returns a reference to the aspect at place ‘g’ within the vector.
  • entrance(): It returns a reference to the primary aspect within the vector.
  • again(): It returns a reference to the final aspect within the vector.
  • information(): It returns a direct pointer to the reminiscence array which is used internally by the vector to retailer its owned components.

Example code to visualise the Element entry operate in C++:

#embody <bits/stdc++.h> 
utilizing namespace std; 
  
int predominant() 
{ 
   //Declaring vector ‘a’ of integer sort 
   vector<int> a; 
    
    //pushing values fn vector ‘a’ from 10 to 100
    for (int i = 1; i <= 10; i++) 
        a.push_back(i * 10); 
  
   //Using reference operator to print vector ‘a’ third aspect
    cout << "nReference operator [g] : a[2] = " << a[2]; 
   
   //printing aspect at index 4 of the vector ‘a’
    cout << "nat : a.at(4) = " << a.at(4); 
   
   //printing the entrance aspect of vector ‘a’
    cout << "nfront() : a.entrance() = " << a.entrance(); 
  
   //printing the again aspect of vector ‘a’
    cout << "nback() : a.again() = " << a.again(); 
  
    // pointer to the primary aspect 
    int* pos = a.information(); 
    
   //printing the primary aspect of vector utilizing pointer ‘pos’
    cout << "nThe first aspect is " << *pos; 
    return 0; 
} 

Output:

Allocators Function in Vector C++

  • An allocator is an object that dynamically allocates and deallocates reminiscence.
  • In C++ vectors, there is just one operate which can be utilized as an allocator. This operate is named the get_allocator() operate. We mainly use the get_allocator() to allocate chunks of reminiscence which in return a replica of the allocator object related to the vector.

When to make use of Vectors?

We can use Vectors within the following circumstances:

It is advisable to make use of vectors when information are constantly altering.

If the dimensions of knowledge is unknown then it’s advisable to make use of vectors.

It is advisable to make use of vectors when components will not be predefined.

Compared to arrays there are extra methods to repeat vectors.

Vectors and Array in C++

  • Vector is a sequential container.
  • Vector shouldn’t be index primarily based.
  • Array is a fixed-size sequential assortment of components of the identical sort.
  • Array is index primarily based.
  • Vectors are dynamic in nature.
  • Once the array is initialized it’s dimension can’t be modified.
  • Vector occupies extra reminiscence as in comparison with array.
  • Array is reminiscence environment friendly information construction.
  • Accessing time in vectors is extra.
  • Array components are organized in contiguous reminiscence allocation so it accesses components in fixed time.
  • Vectors might be solely declared in C++.
  • Arrays might be declared in any programming language like C, Java, Python, and many others.

Vector of Vectors in C++ STL

  • Vector of Vectors is a two-dimensional vector with a variable variety of rows the place every row is taken into account as a vector. 
  • Each index of vector shops a vector in it. It might be accessed or traversed utilizing iterators.
  • Basically, it may be thought of because the array of vectors with dynamic properties.
  • Syntax:

     

- vector<vector<data_type>> vector_name;

Example code to visualise Vector of Vectors in C++:

//C++ program to visualise Vector of Vectors 
#embody <iostream> 
#embody <vector> 
utilizing namespace std; 
  
// Defining the rows and columns of 
// vector of vectors 
#outline row 3
#outline col 3
  
int predominant() 
{ 
    // Initializing the vector of vectors 
    vector<vector<int> > a; 
  
    // Elements to insert in column 
    int num = 10; 
  
    // Inserting components into vector 
    for (int i = 0; i < row; i++) { 
        // Vector to retailer column components 
        vector<int> a1; 
       
       //pushing values in vector ‘a1’
        for (int j = 0; j < col; j++) { 
            a1.push_back(num); 
            num += 5; 
        } 
  
        // for making a 2D vector ‘a’ pushing 1D vector ‘a1’ into it
        a.push_back(a1); 
    } 
  
    // Displaying the 2D vector ‘a’
    cout<<"2D vector accommodates:"<<"n";
    for (int i = 0; i < a.dimension(); i++) { 
        for (int j = 0; j < a[i].dimension(); j++) 
            cout << a[i][j] << " "; 
        cout << endl; 
    } 
    //Deleting in 2D vector ‘a’
    a[2].pop_back(); 
    a[1].pop_back(); 
    
    cout<<"2D vector traversal after deletion:"<<"n";
    //Traversing in 2D vector ‘a’  utilizing iterator after deletion
    for (int i = 0; i < a.dimension(); i++) { 
        for ( 
            auto it = a[i].start(); 
            it != a[i].finish(); it++) 
            cout << *it << " "; 
        cout << endl; 
    } 
    return 0; 
}

Output:

Advantages of Vectors

  • It is dynamic in nature.
  • Elements might be inserted, deleted simply.
  • Multiple objects might be saved.
  • It may be very simple to repeat vectors from one to a different by simply utilizing task operator.

Disadvantages of Vectors

  • Memory consumption is extra.
  • It shouldn’t be listed.
  • It doesn’t use contiguous reminiscence.

Advantages of Arrays

  • It helps random entry to it’s  members.
  • It is extra applicable in storing a hard and fast variety of components.
  • Uses contiguous reminiscence. 
  • It is listed.
  • It is straightforward to kind in arrays.

Disadvantages of Arrays

  • Dynamic creation of arrays shouldn’t be attainable.
  • It can’t retailer a number of information varieties.
  • Deletion of components shouldn’t be simple.

Summary

As we’ve realized about C++ vectors, it’s clear that it’s a information construction that not solely acts as a dynamic array but in addition ensures fast and random entry of components pertaining to that vector. Now, you may simply insert, delete, traverse, and modify components in vectors in addition to handle pc reminiscence in an environment friendly method.We can now perceive the place to use vectors and the place to use arrays in a program.Vectors are an vital idea for each C++ skilled.

With this, we come to the top of this text on Vectors in C++. I hope you bought an thought of find out how to use and the place to make use of vectors in C++ applications. I hope you all acquired an thought of how arrays differ from vectors.

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