Questions on safe use of std containers

[Jayden Shui]

Hi All,

As I know, it is not safe to reference the elements in a std::vector
by pointers, since their address may change such as with the expansion
of vector.

My questions is that: how about std::set, map, and list? Are they safe
or not by referencing their elements?

Thanks a lot!

Jayden

 

[Juha Nieminen]

As I know, it is not safe to reference the elements in a std::vector
by pointers, since their address may change such as with the expansion
of vector.

It's unsafe only if you add new elements to the vector while there are
pointers/references pointing to existing elements. Otherwise it's safe
(well, except for the case where you remove an element to which a
pointer/reference was pointing, but that should be obvious).

My questions is that: how about std::set, map, and list? Are they safe
or not by referencing their elements?

It's safe, except of course if you remove the element being pointed.

 

[Goran]

Hi All,

As I know, it is not safe to reference the elements in a std::vector
by pointers, since their address may change such as with the expansion
of vector.

My questions is that: how about std::set, map, and list? Are they safe
or not by referencing their elements?

Yes.

Standard C++ of 2003 says: "The insert members shall not affect the
validity of iterators and references to the container, and the erase
members shall invalidate only iterators and references to the erased
elements" (that's for associative containers, 23.1.2/8).

For a list, it says: "Does not affect the validity of iterators and
references. If an exception is thrown there are no effects." (23.2.2.3
list modifiers).

Goran.

 

[Fred Zwarts \(KVI\)]

"Juha Nieminen" wrote in message

It's unsafe only if you add new elements to the vector while there are
pointers/references pointing to existing elements. Otherwise it's safe
(well, except for the case where you remove an element to which a
pointer/reference was pointing, but that should be obvious).

My understanding is that also the use of "reserve" invalidates pointers and
references.

 

[Juha Nieminen]

My understanding is that also the use of "reserve" invalidates pointers and
references.

Only if the amount reserved exceeds the current capacity, but in that
case yes, definitely.

 

[Jorgen Grahn]

Yes.

Standard C++ of 2003 says: "The insert members shall not affect the
validity of iterators and references to the container, and the erase
members shall invalidate only iterators and references to the erased
elements" (that's for associative containers, 23.1.2/8).

For a list, it says: "Does not affect the validity of iterators and
references. If an exception is thrown there are no effects." (23.2.2.3
list modifiers).

It is also mentioning noting that these things are often called "the
iterator invalidation rules" of the container, and that you /do/ need
documentation which covers this for the containers you're using.

/Jorgen