C++ Algorithm Library - copy() Function

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Description

The C++ function std::algorithm::copy() copies a range of elements to a new location.

Declaration

Following is the declaration for std::algorithm::copy() function form std::algorithm header.

C++98

template <class InputIterator, class OutputIterator>
OutputIterator copy (InputIterator first, InputIterator last, OutputIterator result);

Parameters

• first − Input iterators to the initial positions in a sequence.

• last − Input iterators to the final positions in a sequence.

• result − Output iterator to the initial position in the new sequence.

Return value

Returns an iterator to the end of the destination range where elements have been copied.

Exceptions

Throws an exception if either element assignment or an operation on an iterator throws exception.

Please note that invalid parameters cause undefined behavior.

Time complexity

Linear in the distance between first to last.

Example

The following example shows the usage of std::algorithm::copy() function.

#include <iostream>
#include <vector>
#include <algorithm>

using namespace std;

int main(void) {
   vector<int> v1 = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};
   vector<int> v2(5);

   copy(v1.begin(), v1.end(), v2.begin());

   cout << "Vector v2 contains following elements" << endl;

   for (auto it = v2.begin(); it != v2.end(); ++it)
      cout << *it << endl;

   return 0;
}

Let us compile and run the above program, this will produce the following result −

Vector v2 contains following elements
1
2
3
4
5