Topic: STL User's Guide
Author: mcorcora@ix.netcom.com (Marian Corcoran)
Date: 1995/11/30 Raw View
In <49d5q9$1q7q@ausnews.austin.ibm.com> r2d2@austin.ibm.com writes:
>
> Can anyone recommend an STL user's guide? What's available in
>the standard, and in "The Standard Template Library" by
>Alexander Stepanov and Meng Lee, isn't really user information.
>I've seen some helpful user info on the WWW, but I really want a book.
>STL's been out a year, you would think there would be a user's
>guide available by now.
>---
This may help
C++ STL FAQ
This FAQ deals with the containers, iterators,
and algorithms sections of the C++ Standard,
Clauses 23, 24 and 25.
If you have any questions you had while working with the
STL and answers you received or worked out, please
submit them to me for inclusion.
Thanks,
Marian Corcoran
mcorcora@ix.netcom.com
Copyright (c) 1995, Marian Corcoran
update 11/29/95
Book: Nelson, Mark. C++ Programmer's Guide to
Standard Template LIbrary Programming
IDG Books
Article: Plauger, P.J. Dec issue of C/C++ Users Journal
update 9/2/75
Two excellent articles have appeared on the STL
Dawes, Beman. "You Can Count On It." C/C++ Users
Journal, July, 1995. Excellent intro material.
Zigmond, Dan. "Generic Programming and the C++ STL."
Dr. Dobb's Journal, August, 1995. Another good
sample program.
Rogue-Wave will be providing the STL to the following
vendors: HP, SGI, SunSoft, Siemens-Nixdorf
update 7/3/95
Started adding new sections on questions
Of special note: A major complaint about libraries that
programmers have is that you don't get the source. Well,
with STL, you get the source. STL source is
also excellent code to study. It is very well written code.
CONTENTS
I have put together four articles for the STL FAQ:
I. Sources
II. Questions
III. References of STL (M. Corcoran).
IV. Report from Lockheed on their first experiences
with STL.
V. On using MODENA by Edgar Crisostomo (along with some
needs in education that he sees for STL)
VI. Comparison of Modena and ObjectSpace by Mike Lindner.
REQUEST FOR OTHER MATERIAL If someone has other material
or experiences to include you may e-mail them to me and
I will add them. Especially of interest would be
examples of STD LIB that you may have developed as you
learn STD LIB or industrial applications or porting
instructions for different platforms. Please state
whether I may use your article in the FAQ and whether
I may use your name.
Marian
===============================================================
PART I SOURCES
1. Where does one get the STD LIB?
A. anonymous ftp via butler.hpl.hp.com
works with Borland 4.5 and IBM
also includes something on hash tables
not in STL by Bob Fraley bfhash.zip
and David Musser dmhash.zip
no support included
to use the public domain version
of STL with BC4.5
Projects|Defines and type __MINMAX_DEFINED
or use #define __MINMAX_DEFINED before
#include <iostream.h>
B. STL++: Modena Software at 1-800-MODENA-1
works with Borland, IBM C Set++, Apogee,
Visual C++ 2.0 (this last has some limitations.)
comes with tutorial, you can get the tutorial
separately (read this tutorial after A. Stevens
and after playing with ObjectSpace examples.)
C. STL<ToolKit>:ObjectSpace at 1-800-OBJECT-1
most C++ compilers
code is well documented
comes with tutorial with over 200 elementary
examples that have just been placed in the
public domain available
via anonymous ftp via butler.hpl.hp.com at
/STL/examples.Z or .zip for PC
These examples are a good place to start.
D. libstdc++ (part of libg++): Free Software Foundation
anonymous ftp via prep.ai.mit.edu and many other
machines only some containers exist, but works with GNU
C++,
and probably many other C++ compilers
E. RogueWave to include STL, coming out in Sept.
===============================================================
PART II QUESTIONS
1. What are the iterators, containers, and algorithms
sections of the STL (Standard Library)?
A. The STL has a is a data structures or container class
library that has been adopted into the language. It
consists of three major components:
Containers or data structures
Iterators
Algorithms
Containers include such things as vectors, lists, queues,
priority queues, stacks, maps, and sets. In STL,
containers (data structures) are templatized. For
example, the stack class may be used with integers,
doubles, and user defined types.
Iterators may be thought of as the key to STL, acting
as an intermediary between the algorithms and the
containers. You are already familiar with the concept
of an iterator when you think of the pointer used to
traverse an array. Iterators are objects in STL.
One may think of them as a finger moving across the
elements of a container. The five categories of
iterators are:
Random Access -> Bidirectional-> Forward -> Input
-> Output
One may think of each container and each algorithm as
being associated with a certain iterator. A vector has
a random access iterator, therefore it may use a random
access algorithms such as a sort. A container may use
any algorithm associated with its iterator or any
algorithm associated with an iterator to the right of
it in the above diagram. Therefore a vector (random
access iterator) may use algorithms associated with
bidirectional, forward, input or output iterators.
Can a vector be used with the binary_search algorithm
(takes a forward iterator) ? If we look at the diagram
above, forward is to the right of random access,
therefore we may use binary_search with a vector
container. Can a vector be used with copy (takes an
input and an output iterator)? Since input and output
are to the right of random access, vector may used
with copy.
There are quite a number of algorithms in STL,
including count(), copy(), replace( ), reverse( ), ...
Just as each container is associated with a certain
iterator, each algorithm is also associated with a
certain iterator(s).
count( ) - input iterator
copy ( ) - input and output iterator
replace( ) - forward iterator
reverse( ) - bidirectional iterator
2. I got the ObjectSpace examples and they don't work
with the HP STL. I get an error message that there
is no Stl.h file.
A. ObjectSpace compiled all the different files of the
STL together. This is helpful when first learning
it. However, later you will probably want to include
just the files you need.
A rule of thumb here is to always include the algo.h
or algorith.h (latter for ObjectSpace) file and then
nclude the file with the container you are using:
list - list.h
stack, queue, priority_queue - stack.h
deque - deque.h
vector - vector.h
map - map.h
multimap - multimap.h
set - set.h
multiset - multiset.h
3. When I try to use HP STL with Borland 4.5,
I get an error function min and max already
defined. Why?
The functions min( ) and max( ) are already defined
in the stdlib.h file. However, there is #ifdef to
compile them only if they are already not defined.
Therefore, you may place a __MINMAX_DEFINED line in your
Project|Defines window of put the line
#define __MINMAX_DEFINE before the
#include <iostream.h>
==============================================================
PART III REFERENCES
A. PERIODICALS
D. Jordan. ODMG Update: Collections in ODMG-93
Discusses ODMG and STD LIB. C++ Report, June 1995
A. Koenig. File iterators. Journal of Object-oriented
Programming (JOOPS), Nov/Dec 1994
A. Koenig. Generic iterators. JOOPS, Sept. 1994
A. Koenig. Templates and generic iterators.
JOOPS, June 1994
A. Koenig. ? . January , 1995
D.R. Musser and A.A. Stepanov. Algorithm-oriented
generic libraries. Software-Practice and Experience,
July 1994
N. Meyers. A New and Useful Template Technique:
"Traits" C++ Report, June 1995
A.A. Stepanov and M.Lee. The Standard Template
Library. ISO Programming Language C++ Project.
Doc. No. X3J16/94-0095, WG21/N0482, May 1994.
(Look in HP's ftp for stl.doc, I believe).
Although it is the
"definitive" STL, it is not intro material.
A. Stevens. He has an interview with Stepanov in
Dr. Dobb's Journal, March 1995. This is an
excellent conceptual introduction to the STL,
also a good place to start.
A. Stevens. The Standard Template Library
(with some code) in his column, Dr. Dobb's Journal,
April 1995. Also good intro material.
B. Stroustrup. Making a vector fit for a standard.
C++ Report, Oct. 1994. intermediate level
material. Stroustrup made some important
contributions to the design of STL, discussed
here.
M.J. Vilot. An introduction to the standard template
library. C++ Report, Oct 1994. You might want to read
Stevens and Dawes first.
Also see
http://www.cs.rpi.edu/~musser/STL.html
This material is also available via anonymous ftp
ftp.cs.rpi.edu in directory pub/STL the file
STL-info.ps.Z
includes STD LIB Online Algorithm Reference
by R. Cook,
D. Musser, and K Zalewski with examples.
See ObjectSpace examples first.
B. STL Web Pages - "Newbie" guide
http://weber.u.washington.edu/~bytewave/STL.html
1. Intro material including Stepanov Speaks on
STD LIB in C++ (M. Corcoran),
2. Dr. Dobbs article (A. Stevens), STD LIB newbie
notes (M. Khan),
3. STD LIB by Stepanov & Lee, STD LIB files, and
ANSI C++ Draft (HTML version)
==============================================================
PART IV. EXPERIENCES FROM LOCKHEED
We've just obtained STL<ToolKit> for use with our HP
cfront compiler and the Softbench development
environment. Here are the first impressions & observations:
Apparently ObjectSpace doesn't routinely deliver 4mm DAT
tapes and added $25 to do it. The tape we recieved was
DOA (unreadable) but the ObjectSpace support folks quickly
e-mailed the TAR-file and we were in bussiness. We did
not experience the problems reported by Mike Linder
contacting the ObjectSpace people. The above problem w
as solved within two hours.
Our experience with installing and building the
libraries supports Mike Linder's observations.
Good job here by the vendor.
Compiling with the debug option (-g) resulted in many
warnings similar **to the following:
CC: "release1.C", line 28: warning:
debug.emit_type_entry:typedef node has no
symid_ptr: vector <X*> ::size_type (187)
CC: "release1.C", line 28: warning:
debug.emit_type_entry:typedef node
**has no symid_ptr: vector <X*> ::const_reference (187)
The executable does run and the debugger still works,
however.
Note that the person evaluating STL<ToolKit> is
not an experienced C++ programmer and is proceding
on the strength of a C++ class. His first impressions
of the ObjectSpace documentation are favorable and
he was able to write a simple program from a
standing-start in a few hours. We also have the
documentation from HPs public-domain STD LIB.
I'll keep you posted.
===============================================================
PART V. ON USING MODENA at SIEMENS-ROLM
We use Modena STL++ v2.0 - they respond fairly
quickly to our needs, they add bug fixes or compiler
support for our Unixware 2.0 SDK C++ compiler, and
they answer our many technical questions.
The STD LIB++ Manual has a "Files" Heading at the top
of each component description, and that is all that
should be explicitly #included to use that component
(mutual independence).
When I #include <vector.h>, it pulls in all the other
dependent includes. It is not explicitly stated, but
for C-like arrays, you #include <algobase.h>.
There are minor problems, I will report to Modena
(example: hashfun.h has non-template function
_definitions_, so you get multiply defined, when
used over several translation units. To improve
the ability (for us) to specify manual template
instantiation, it would be nice if they factor out
the non-inline template definitions into another file.
EDUCATIONAL HINTS
A discussion of build issues would be useful. Especially
since STL template code can have really obscure
compiler messages with todays compiler technology.
There are also issues with debugging template code.
A discussion of when to pass container by reference,
versus passing iterators would be useful.
Edgar Crisostomo 408-492-6528,
edgar@clipper.robadome.com
Systems Software,
Siemens Rolm Communications, Inc. FAX 408-492-3305
=============================================================
PART VI
COMPARISON OF MODENA AND OBJECTSPACE
I just bought STL++ from Modena and
STL<toolkit> from ObjectSpace, for purposes of
comparison. So far I have not had a chance to use
either extensively, but I have the following observations:
Modena was very helpful on the phone, and responded
quickly to whatever I called about. The initial
floppy they sent me was bad, and they replaced it
overnight. In every case but one technical question,
the person who answered the phone was able to do
everything I needed. In the remaining case, I
received a call back within hours of my question.
I like their service.
ObjectSpace had an operator, who directed me to the
one salesperson, who was always "out of the office"
when I called, and who was the only one who could
sell me the product (it took 5 days just to order
the product, because I couldn't get in touch with her).
Both products come as source, and you must build the
libraries yourself. The documentation for doing this
from Modena was sketchy, and it wasn't until I called
tech support that I discovered I had to change some
files by hand to make them compile with my compiler
(which is one of the one's they advertise as working with).
ObjectSpace, on the other hand, has a neat little
config package that tests what your compiler can do,
and writes a header file which configures the code
to be correct for your compiler (lots of preprocessor
magic in them there header files). It was a joy to use.
So far, the test programs I have compiled are much
smaller when I use the ObjectSpace libraries than
with the Modena libraries. As I said, I have not
stressed either product, so these numbers may not
reflect use in an actual application.
As for conformance, ObjecSpace doesn't necessarily support
everything in STL, but only as much as they can
squeeze out of the compiler you give them to work
with. Is that good or bad?
The ObjectSpace library claims to be "thread safe",
although I haven't tried that our yet. Apparently
they have a wrapper class that behaves like a smart
pointer, but can be locked for reading or writing.
They also have some other platform independent thread
and mutex code.
The Modena folks said their library is not
"thread safe", but only in one place, and they would
gladly show me how to modify the source to add that
feature. One of my compiler vendors says they'll be
shipping Modena with their compiler soon, and their
version will be thread safe.
Modena includes some extra goodies, like hash tables
and an ANSI string class.
ObjectSpace has added some features recently as well.
Mike Lindner
mikel@attmail.com
mpl@cmprime.attpls.com
mpl@pegasus.att.com
>[ comp.std.c++ is moderated. Submission address:
std-c++@ncar.ucar.edu.
> Contact address: std-c++-request@ncar.ucar.edu. The moderation
policy
> is summarized in http://dogbert.lbl.gov/~matt/std-c++/policy.html. ]
---
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Author: John Max Skaller <maxtal@suphys.physics.su.oz.au>
Date: 1995/12/01 Raw View
r2d2@austin.ibm.com wrote:
> Can anyone recommend an STL user's guide? What's available in
>the standard, and in "The Standard Template Library" by
>Alexander Stepanov and Meng Lee, isn't really user information.
>I've seen some helpful user info on the WWW, but I really want a book.
>STL's been out a year, you would think there would be a user's
>guide available by now.
I'm currently writing a book called "Using and Extending STL"
to be published by Prentice Hall, but you'll have to wait
a bit longer for it on paper. (I'm collecting both reviewers
and contributions though)
I'm told Mark Nelson has a book available now, see his home page
http://www.airmail.net/~markn
for details -- I've not seen or read it.
I'm aware of at least one other book in preparation for
Prentice Hall (guess the author) and I'd suppose in a few
months there will be a veritable host of them.
One of the problems writing a book on STL is that
it places very high demands on compilers -- there
are NONE that I'm aware of that can run STL yet.
(Or even really come close)
Furthermore, the ISO C++ Standard is not yet in
place so the ISO C++ STL component is not yet well
specified ... which makes writing a book harder.
Books on C++ may be small, but books on the
full C++ system including STL are likely to be
bigger -- more work to write and more need not
to have to rewrite them 6 months later
when the WP changes or a new version of a compiler
comes out.
[The HP implementation of STL is NOT a conforming
STL implementation, just the best that it's authors
could do with the available compilers.
It's an STL _precursor_. So STL
hasn't, as claimed, "been out for a year now",
in fact, it isn't out at all yet]
--
John Max Skaller voice: 61-2-566-2189
81 Glebe Point Rd fax: 61-2-660-0850
GLEBE NSW 2037 email: maxtal@suphys.physics.oz.au
AUSTRALIA email: skaller@maxtal.com.au
---
[ comp.std.c++ is moderated. Submission address: std-c++@ncar.ucar.edu.
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Author: r2d2@austin.ibm.com
Date: 1995/11/28 Raw View
Can anyone recommend an STL user's guide? What's available in
the standard, and in "The Standard Template Library" by
Alexander Stepanov and Meng Lee, isn't really user information.
I've seen some helpful user info on the WWW, but I really want a book.
STL's been out a year, you would think there would be a user's
guide available by now.
---
[ comp.std.c++ is moderated. Submission address: std-c++@ncar.ucar.edu.
Contact address: std-c++-request@ncar.ucar.edu. The moderation policy
is summarized in http://dogbert.lbl.gov/~matt/std-c++/policy.html. ]
Author: Mark Nelson <markn@airmail.net>
Date: 1995/11/28 Raw View
r2d2@austin.ibm.com wrote:
>
> Can anyone recommend an STL user's guide? What's available in
> the standard, and in "The Standard Template Library" by
> Alexander Stepanov and Meng Lee, isn't really user information.
> I've seen some helpful user info on the WWW, but I really want a book.
> STL's been out a year, you would think there would be a user's
> guide available by now.
Hi,
My book, "C++ Programmmer's Guide to the Standard Template Library" is now
available. To get more information about the book, see
http://www.airmail.net/~markn. To order via net, see http://www.amazon.com.
Thanks for asking!
Mark Nelson
markn@airmail.net
---
[ comp.std.c++ is moderated. Submission address: std-c++@ncar.ucar.edu.
Contact address: std-c++-request@ncar.ucar.edu. The moderation policy
is summarized in http://dogbert.lbl.gov/~matt/std-c++/policy.html. ]