C++ High Performance

STL algorithms versus handcrafted for-loops

We promote the use of algorithms over hand-written for-loops for a number of reasons. First, they are more readable, less error-prone, and future-proof in the sense that it is easier to revisit the code and modify or optimize it. We will try to illustrate this with a few examples.

Let's look at the advantages of STL algorithms over handcrafted for-loops:

• STL algorithms deliver performance. Even though some of the algorithms in STL may sometimes seem trivial, they are often optimally designed in ways that are not obvious at first glance.
• STL algorithms provide safety; even simpler algorithms may have corner cases which is easy to overlook.
• STL algorithms are future-proof; algorithms can be replaced ...