From C to C++ - the C++ Standard Library
January 29, 2025, by Slobodan Dmitrovic
Both C and C++ have their standard libraries. When moving from C to C++, the existence of C++ Standard Library containers, and functions operating on those containers, is one of the biggest novelties we encounter.
C++ Standard Library - overview
The C++ Standard Library is a collection of ready-made containers, algorithms, and other useful facilities we use in our C++ programs. Every C++ compiler is accompanied by the C++ Standard Library. The C++ Standard Library also encompasses the C standard library. The ported C header files carry the c prefix: <stdio.h>
becomes <cstdio>
, <math.h>
becomes <cmath>
etc.
What to learn in the beginning?
Start with these C++ Standard Library topics:
- Widely used containers (
std::array
,std::vector
,std::list
,std::set
,std::map
…) - Iterators
- Widely used functions (
std::sort
,std::find
,std::find_if
,std::count
,std::count_if
,std::reverse
…)
What to learn next?
Explore the following widely-used facilities from the C++ Standard Library:
- Algorithms defined inside the
<algorithm>
header file - File I/O tools defined inside the
<fstream>
header file - Smart pointers defined inside the
<memory>
header file - Other facilities
Please note that the entire C++ Standard Library is implemented through templates.

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