What are some common mistakes when using C++ STL vectors?

What are some common mistakes when using C++ STL vectors?

Some common mistakes include not reserving space, accessing out-of-bounds elements, and not using the right iterator.

Can you explain why reserving space is important?

Reserving space helps to avoid multiple reallocations, which can be costly in terms of performance.

What happens if I access an out-of-bounds element?

Accessing an out-of-bounds element can lead to undefined behavior, which may cause crashes or incorrect results.

How can I safely check the size of a vector?

You can use the size() method to check the number of elements in a vector before accessing it.

Are there any best practices for using vectors?

Yes, always prefer using emplace_back over push_back for efficiency, and consider using std::vector::reserve.