How do C++ collections perform in terms of speed and memory usage?

How do C++ collections perform in terms of speed and memory usage?

C++ collections, like vectors and lists, have different performance characteristics. Vectors are generally faster for access and iteration, while lists excel in insertions and deletions.

What about the memory overhead of these collections?

Vectors have a contiguous memory layout, which can be more memory-efficient, but they may require resizing. Lists use more memory due to node overhead.

Are there specific scenarios where one is preferred over the other?

Yes, if you need fast random access, use vectors. For frequent insertions and deletions, lists are better.

Can you give an example of when to use a set instead?

Use a set when you need to maintain unique elements and require fast lookups, as it provides logarithmic time complexity for searches.