C++ How to Program, 10/e

16.2 Minimum Iterator Requirements

With few exceptions, the Standard Library separates algorithms from containers. This makes it much easier to add new algorithms and to use them with multiple containers. An important part of every container is the type of iterator it supports (Fig. 15.7). This determines which algorithms can be applied to the container. For example, both vectors and arrays support random-access iterators that provide all of the iterator operations shown in Fig. 15.9. All Standard Library algorithms can operate on vectors and those that do not modify a container’s size can also operate on arrays. Each Standard Library algorithm that takes iterator arguments requires those iterators to provide a minimum level of functionality. ...