What are the differences between C++11 iterators and raw pointers?

What are the differences between C++11 iterators and raw pointers?

C++11 iterators provide a higher-level abstraction for traversing containers, while raw pointers are lower-level and less safe.

Can you explain why iterators are considered safer than raw pointers?

Iterators often include bounds checking and can prevent common errors like dereferencing null pointers, enhancing safety.

Are there performance differences between using iterators and raw pointers?

In most cases, iterators have similar performance to raw pointers, but they can introduce slight overhead due to abstraction.

When should I prefer using iterators over raw pointers?

You should prefer iterators when working with STL containers, as they provide better compatibility and safety features.