How to convert vector to array

Question

How do I convert a std::vector to a double array[]?

Answer 1

As to std::vector vec, vec to get int*, you can use two method:

1. int* arr = &vec[0];

2. int* arr = vec.data();

If you want to convert any type T vector to T* array, just replace the above int to T.

I will show you why does the above two works, for good understanding?

std::vector is a dynamic array essentially.

Main data member as below:

template >
class vector{
    public:
        typedef T          value_type;
        typedef T*         iterator;
        typedef T*         pointer;
        //.......
    private:
        pointer start_;
        pointer finish_;
        pointer end_of_storage_;

    public:
        vector():start_(0), finish_(0), end_of_storage_(0){}
    //......
}

The range (start_, end_of_storage_) is all the array memory the vector allocate;

The range(start_, finish_) is all the array memory the vector used;

The range(finish_, end_of_storage_) is the backup array memory.

For example, as to a vector vec. which has {9, 9, 1, 2, 3, 4} is pointer may like the below.

So &vec[0] = start_ (address.) (start_ is equivalent to int* array head)

In c++11 the data() member function just return start_

pointer data()
{ 
     return start_; //(equivalent to `value_type*`, array head)
}