What are some use cases for std::map in C++?

What are some practical use cases for std::map in C++?

std::map is useful for implementing associative arrays, where you can store key-value pairs. Common use cases include counting occurrences of items, implementing caches, and managing configurations.

Can you give an example of using std::map for counting occurrences?

Sure! You can use std::map to count word occurrences in a text. For each word, you increment its count in the map.

What about using std::map for caching?

In caching, std::map can store results of expensive function calls. You use the function's input as the key and the result as the value.

Are there any performance considerations when using std::map?

Yes, std::map is implemented as a balanced tree, so operations like insertions and lookups are O(log n). If you need faster access, consider using std::unordered_map.