基本语法：

vector <type> variable (elements)

For example:

vector <int> rooms (9);

Let's break it down:

• type defines a data type stored in a vector (e.g., <int>, <double> or <string>)
• variable is a name that you choose for the data
• elements specified the number of elements for the data

It is mandatory to determine the type and variable name. However, the number of elements is optional.

Basically, all the data elements are stored in contiguous storage. Whenever you want to access or move through the data, you can use iterators.

The data elements in C++ vectors are inserted at the end. Use modifiers to insert new elements or delete existing ones.

Theory is great, but we recommend digging deeper!

C++ for Beginners: The Ultimate Bootcamp

Iterators

An iterator allows you to access the data elements stored within the C++ vector. It is an object that functions as a pointer. There are five types of iterators in C++: input, output, forward, bidirectional, and random access.

C++ vectors support random access iterators. Here are a few function you may use with iterators for C++ vectors:

• vector::begin() returns an iterator to point at the first element of a C++ vector.
• vector::end() returns an iterator to point at past-the-end element of a C++ vector.
• vector::cbegin() is similar to vector::begin(), but without the ability to modify the content.
• vector::cend() issimilar to vector::end() but can’t modify the content.

Modifiers

As its name suggests, you can use a modifier to change the meaning of a specified type of data. Here are some modifiers you can use in C++ vectors:

• vector::push_back() pushes elements from the back.
• vector::insert() inserts new elements to a specified location.
• vector::pop_back() removes elements from the back.
• vector::erase() removes a range of elements from a specified location.
• vector::clear() removes all elements.

Breaking It Down With Examples

There are many ways to initialize C++ vectors. You can use them depending on your preferences or the size of your data.

Start with default value

Example

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <vector>

int main() {
    // Vector with 5 integers
    // Default value of integers will be 0.
    std::vector < int >
        vecOfInts(5);
    for (int x: vecOfInts)
        std::cout << x << std::endl;
}

Start with an array

Example

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <vector>

int main() {
    // Array of string objects
    std::string arr[] = {
        "first",
        "sec",
        "third",
        "fourth"
    };

    // Vector with a string array
    std::vector < std::string > vecOfStr(arr,
        arr +
        sizeof(arr) / sizeof(std::string));
    for (std::string str: vecOfStr)
        std::cout << str << std::endl;
}

Start with a list

Example

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <vector>
#include <list>

int main() {
    // std::list of 5 string objects
    std::list < std::string > listOfStr;
    listOfStr.push_back("first");
    listOfStr.push_back("sec");
    listOfStr.push_back("third");
    listOfStr.push_back("fouth");
    // Vector with std::list
    std::vector < std::string > vecOfStr(listOfStr.begin(), listOfStr.end());
    for (std::string str: vecOfStr)
        std::cout << str << std::endl;
}

Start by copying from another vector

Example

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <vector>

int main() {
    std::vector < std::string > vecOfStr;
    vecOfStr.push_back("first");
    vecOfStr.push_back("sec");
    vecOfStr.push_back("third");
    // Vector with other string object
    std::vector < std::string > vecOfStr3(vecOfStr);
}

When using certain initialization, you might need to set the size of the vector. Size refers to the number of elements a vector contains. It is not the same as capacity, which is the maximum number of elements a vector can contain.

To manage it, you can use size() function:

Example

#include<iostream>
#include<vector>

using namespace std;

int main() {
    vector <int> v {
        1,
        2,
        3,
        4,
        5
    };
    int n = v.size();
    cout << "Size of the vector is :" << n;
}

You can also use the max_size() function like this:

Example

#include <iostream>
#include<vector>

using namespace std;

int main() {
    vector <int> v {
        1,
        2,
        3,
        4,
        5
    };
    std::cout << v.max_size() << std::endl;
}

Most of the time, you will need to access a specified element in a C++ vector. To do that, you can use the [] selector function as shown below:

Example

#include<iostream>
#include<vector>

using namespace std;

int main() {
    vector <int> v {
        1,
        2,
        3,
        4,
        5
    };
    for (int i = 0; i < v.size(); i++)
        cout << v.operator[](i) << " ";
}

If you want to replace a certain value with a new one, you can use = operator:

Example

#include<iostream>
#include<vector>

using namespace std;
int main() {
    vector <char> v {
        'C',
        '#'
    };
    vector <char> v1;
    v1.operator = (v);
    for (int i = 0; i < v.size(); i++)
        std::cout << v[i];
}

C++ Vector: Useful Tips

• It is recommended to use C++ vector if your data elements are not predetermined.
• As a template class, C++ vectors offer better efficiency and reusability.
• Compared to arrays, there are more ways to copy vectors in C++.