How to use a vector erase in C++

A vector is a dynamic array which is already implemented in the standard C++ library. This vector class has the ability to grow and shrink dynamically. The elements are placed in a contiguous fashion so that they can be traversed by iterators.

vector::erase()

The vector::erase() function is a function that is implemented in the vector class and used to remove elements one-by-one.This function erases the element from a desired position.

Syntax

  • erase( position )

  • erase( starting_position , ending_position )

These positions are the iterators.

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Examples

  1. The code below is a sample using erase(position)
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
// including vector library.
#include <vector>
// main function.
int main() {
  // vector object.
  vector < int > temp { 5, 4, 8, 9};
  // iterator for temp.
  vector<int> :: iterator it;
  it = temp.begin();
  // increments iterator so it
  // points at index = 1
  it++;
  // printing temp before erasing
  for(auto it = temp.begin(); it != temp.end() ; it++)
    cout << *it << " ";
  
  cout << "\n";
  
  // erasing.
  temp.erase(it);
  // printing after erasing.
  for(auto it = temp.begin(); it != temp.end() ; it++)
      cout << *it << " ";
      
  return 0;
}
  1. The code below is a sample using erase(starting_position , ending_position)
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
// including vector library.
#include <vector>
// main function.
int main() {
  // vector object.
  vector < int > temp { 5, 4, 8, 9,7};
  // iterator for temp.
  vector<int> :: iterator starting_it, ending_it;
  starting_it = temp.begin();
  // increments iterator so it
  // points at index = 1
  starting_it++;
  ending_it = temp.end();
  // decrements iterator so it
  // points at index = 4
  ending_it--;
  // printing temp before erasing
  for(auto it = temp.begin(); it != temp.end() ; it++)
    cout << *it << " ";
  
  cout << "\n";
  
  // erasing.
  temp.erase(starting_it, ending_it);
  // printing after erasing.
  for(auto it = temp.begin(); it != temp.end() ; it++)
      cout << *it << " ";
      
  return 0;
}
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