check if a std::vector contains a certain object? [duplicate]

Is there something in <algorithm> which allows you to check if a std:: container contains something? Or, a way to make one, for example:

if(a.x == b.x && a.y == b.y) return true; return false; 

Can this only be done with std::map since it uses keys?

Thanks

3 Answers

Checking if v contains the element x:

#include <algorithm> if(std::find(v.begin(), v.end(), x) != v.end()) { /* v contains x */ } else { /* v does not contain x */ } 

Checking if v contains elements (is non-empty):

if(!v.empty()){ /* v is non-empty */ } else { /* v is empty */ } 

If searching for an element is important, I'd recommend std::set instead of std::vector. Using this:

std::find(vec.begin(), vec.end(), x) runs in O(n) time, but std::set has its own find() member (ie. myset.find(x)) which runs in O(log n) time - that's much more efficient with large numbers of elements

std::set also guarantees all the added elements are unique, which saves you from having to do anything like if not contained then push_back()....

See question: How to find an item in a std::vector?

You'll also need to ensure you've implemented a suitable operator==() for your object, if the default one isn't sufficient for a "deep" equality test.