Boost vectors versus STL vectors

c++ boost stl vector ublas
Rafael S. Calsaverini picture Rafael S. Calsaverini · Jun 9, 2011 · Viewed 8.8k times · Source

How do boost::numeric::ublas::vector and std::vector compare in runtime efficiency?

Is it safe to assume that I can convert an entire program from using std::vector to use boost::numeric::ublas::vector just by writing:

#include <boost/numeric/ublas/vector.hpp>
using namespace boost::numeric::ublas;

instead of #include<vector>? Can I just use boost vectors as if they were STL vectors in all aspects?

Do functions from <algorithm> work with boost vectors? Do they use the same iterators?

Do they work in C++0x? Do they work for range based loops?

Answer

ildjarn picture ildjarn · Jun 9, 2011

These are completely orthogonal data types: the former represents the algebraic definition of 'vector' (a one-dimensional matrix), while the latter represents the computer science definition of 'vector' (a one-dimensional array).

They don't compare.

Related questions

How do I sort a std::vector by the values of a different std::vector?

I have several std::vector, all of the same length. I want to sort one of these vectors, and apply the same transformation to all of the other vectors. Is there a neat way of doing this? (preferably using the …

Read More
Is std::vector or boost::vector thread safe?

I have multiple threads simultaneously calling push_back() on a shared object of std::vector. Is std::vector thread safe? Or do I need to implement the mechanism myself to make it thread safe? I want to avoid doing extra "…

Read More
Should I switch from using boost::shared_ptr to std::shared_ptr?

I would like to enable support for C++0x in GCC with -std=c++0x. I don't absolutely necessarily need any of the currently supported C++11 features in GCC 4.5 (and soon 4.6), but I would like to start getting used to …

Read More