Explore the full potential of C++ by mastering the standard library.

Become a C++ Programmer

The C++ standard library is a collection of all the tools and utilities available in C++. It received its latest update in 2017, known as C++17. The update introduces many new features that further optimize our code. This module will help us fully grasp C++ and use it to its full potential.

C++ Standard Library

Iterators define the range of the container on which the algorithms work. They describe a *half-open* range. In a *half-open* range the begin iterator points to the beginning, and the end iterator points to one position after the range. 

The iterators can be categorized based on their capabilities. See the [Categories section of the chapter on Iterators](https://www.educative.io/courses/cpp-standard-library-including-cpp-14-and-cpp-17/categories). The algorithms provide conditions to the iterators. Like in the case of `std::rotate`, most of the times a [forward iterator](https://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/named_req/ForwardIterator) is sufficient. But that doesn't hold for `std::reverse`. `std::reverse` requires a [bidirectional iterator](https://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/named_req/BidirectionalIterator). 

Without iterators, there would be no way for us to move through the container and alter it according the algorithm. Hence, the iterator forms the backbone of this is process.

Iterators are the glue