When Should You Use `std::begin` and `std::end` Over Member Functions?

Using Non-Member begin and end Functions in C 11

Despite the existence of member functions begin and end in standard containers, C 11 introduced non-member functions with the same names. While these free functions perform similarly to their member counterparts, they offer several advantages:

Generic Programming:

The non-member versions enable generic programming by allowing the manipulation of iterators across different data structures. For example, you can use them to process both standard containers and C-arrays, which do not have member begin and end functions.

Decoupling from Object Type:

By using the free functions, you decouple your code from the specific object type. This can be beneficial when working with containers that have alternative or non-standard implementations of begin and end, allowing you to handle these containers consistently without knowing their exact type.

Improved Readability:

The free functions can improve code readability by removing unnecessary object names. Instead of writing:

<code class="cpp">auto i = v.begin();
auto e = v.end();</code>

You can write:

<code class="cpp">auto i = std::begin(v);
auto e = std::end(v);</code>

This can be particularly helpful when handling multiple containers in a loop or complex expression.

Extensibility:

Free functions can be easily extended to support custom containers. As mentioned by Herb Sutter, this can be advantageous for non-standard containers that may not have member begin and end functions.

When to Use Non-Member Functions:

In general, it is recommended to use the non-member std::begin and std::end functions when:

• You need to work with non-standard containers or C-arrays.
• You want to decouple your code from specific container types.
• You prioritize code readability and extensibility.

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