How do I choose the right container with std::span?

Choosing the right container in C++ is essential for optimizing performance and usability. The std::span standard library feature allows you to create a view over a contiguous sequence of elements, making it easier to manage array-like data. This guide will help you understand how to select the appropriate container for your needs, leveraging the power of std::span.

containers, std::span, C++, performance, memory management, programming


#include <iostream>
#include <span>
#include <vector>

void processData(std::span data) {
    for (int value : data) {
        std::cout << value << " ";
    }
}

int main() {
    std::vector vec = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};
    std::span span(vec.data(), vec.size());
    
    processData(span); // Output: 1 2 3 4 5 
    return 0;
}
    

containers std::span C++ performance memory management programming