vector vs string for binary data

Question

Which is a better c++ container for holding and accessing binary data?

std::vector

or

std::string
         


        

Answer 1

Personally I prefer std::string because string::data() is much more intuitive for me when I want my binary buffer back in C-compatible form. I know that vector elements are guaranteed to be stored contiguously exercising this in code feels a little bit unsettling.

This is a style decision that individual developer or a team should make for themselves.