Custom comparators and predicates
When working with std::vector and STL algorithms, you’ll often encounter scenarios where the default behavior doesn’t fit the bill. Sometimes, the way two elements are compared or the criteria for selecting elements must deviate from the norm. Here’s where custom comparators and predicates come into play. They are a testament to the power and flexibility of the C++ STL, allowing you to inject your logic seamlessly into established algorithms.
Understanding comparators
A comparator is essentially a callable object that returns a bool. It’s used to dictate the order of elements, especially in sorting or searching operations. By default, operations such as std::sort use the (<) operator to compare elements, but with a custom comparator, you can redefine this.
Imagine a std::vector of integers, and you want to sort them in descending order. Instead of writing another algorithm, you can use std::sort with a comparator...
