Iterators are a generalization of pointers that allow a C++ program to work with different data structures (containers) in a uniform manner [ISO/IEC 14882-2014]. Pointers, references, and iterators share a close relationship in which it is required that referencing values be done through a valid iterator, pointer or reference. Storing an iterator, reference, or pointer to an element within a container for any length of time comes with a risk that the underlying container may be modified such that the stored iterator, pointer, or reference becomes invalid. For instance, when a sequence container such as std::vector requires an underlying reallocation, outstanding iterators, pointers, and references will be invalidated [Kalev 99]. Use only a valid pointerspointer, referencesreference, or iterators iterator to refer to an element of a container.
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