Templates and Iterators

Overview

• Templates are a mechanism for writing algorithmic patterns that can be applied to a wide variety of different data types.

• Iterators are a data abstraction for the notion of a position within a container of data. Iterators allow us to express many simple algorithms in a simple form, regardless of whether the underlying container is an array, a linked list, a tree, or some other data structure.

Templates and iterators are often used together to provide patterns for code that can be applied to a wide range of underlying data structures.

1.  Read: Algorithms as Patterns for Code

2.  Read: Function Templates

3.  Read: Class Templates

4.  Read: The Standard Library: Overview

5.  Read: Iterators: an ADT for Positions

6.  Watch Working with Iterators 

7.  Do: Lab: Working with Iterators & Templates