Different classifications of iterators

Lecture 6 - Slide 4 : 40

C++ iterators are classified in a number of different dimensions - not always completely orthogonal

Despite being heavily classified, the iterator types are not organized in a class hierarchy

Const and non-const iterators
- A const iterator cannot be used for modification of the designated element
Checked and non-checked iterators
- A checked iterator enforces range checking
Reverse and 'normal non-reverse' iterators
- For a reverse iterator, ++ moves backward
Insert iterators
- Inserting - instead of overwriting - elements in a container
Input, output, forward, bidirectional, random-access iterators
- Input and output iterators have relative few operators defined
- Random access iterators have many operators defined
- Next slide