C++ Primer, Fifth Edition

Deciding Which Sequential Container to Use

Tip

Ordinarily, it is best to use vector unless there is a good reason to prefer another container.

There are a few rules of thumb that apply to selecting which container to use:

• Unless you have a reason to use another container, use a vector.

• If your program has lots of small elements and space overhead matters, don’t use list or forward_list.

• If the program requires random access to elements, use a vector or a deque.

• If the program needs to insert or delete elements in the middle of the container, use a list or forward_list.

• If the program needs to insert or delete elements at the front ...