C++ Primer, Fifth Edition

10.5.2. Algorithm Parameter Patterns

Superimposed on any other classification of the algorithms is a set of parameter conventions. Understanding these parameter conventions can aid in learning new algorithms—by knowing what the parameters mean, you can concentrate on understanding the operation the algorithm performs. Most of the algorithms have one of the following four forms:

alg(beg, end, other args);alg(beg, end, dest, other args);alg(beg, end, beg2, other args);alg(beg, end, beg2, end2, other args);

where alg is the name of the algorithm, and beg and end denote the input range on which the algorithm operates. Although nearly all algorithms ...