std::min in C++

Versions of std::min in C++

Now, let us see the three versions of std::min in C++.

• template <class T> const T& min(const T&a, const T&b);
  It returns the smallest element of the two elements passed into it. Let us understand this by the code below:

EXAMPLE

• C++

C++

EXAMPLE
#include<iostream>
#include<algorithm>
using namespace std;

int main(){
    cout<<std::min(5, 9)<<endl;
    cout<<std::min('a', 'z')<<endl;
    cout<<std::min(5.9, 9.0)<<endl;    
    return 0;
}

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OUTPUT

We can see that the minimum of the two elements in each case is displayed.
 

• template <class T, class Compare> const T& min(const T&a, const T&b, Compare comp);
  In this, we create a comparison function and then define the rules. Let us understand this with the code below:

EXAMPLE

• C++

C++

#include<iostream>
#include<algorithm>
using namespace std;
bool comparison(int a, int b){
    return a<b;
}
int main(){
    cout<<std::min(8, 9, comparison);
    return 0;
}

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OUTPUT

EXAMPLE

• C++

C++

#include<iostream>
#include<algorithm>
using namespace std;

bool cmp(const string &a, const string &b){
    return a.size()<b.size();
}
int main(){
    cout<<min({"hello", "coders"}, cmp);
    return 0;
}

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OUTPUT

We have created a function named comparison for returning the minimum value of both elements. 

• template constexpr T min(initializer_list il, Compare comp);
  In this version, std::min in C++ returns the smallest element in the list. Let us understand this by the code below.

EXAMPLE

• C++

C++

#include<iostream>
#include<algorithm>
using namespace std;

bool cmp(int a, int b){
    return a<b;
}
int main(){
    cout<<std::min({1,4,7,0,-9}, cmp);
    return 0;
}

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OUTPUT

Frequently Asked Questions

What is C++?

C++ is a programming language that helps in building high-performance applications. It was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup. It was first released in 1985. It is a high-level language and has a general purpose too.

What is std::min in C++?

std::min in C++ finds the smallest number from the given parameters passed into it. It is defined in the <algorithm> header file. It can find the smallest element from the two passed parameters or a list of elements.

Can std::min in C++ be applied to more than two elements?

Yes, std::min in C++ can be applied to more than two elements. It can be applied to a list of elements and will return the smallest element. Also, we can write a comparison function for it too.

Conclusion

C++ is a high-level language for general purposes and for creating applications of high standards. In this article, we studied std::min in C++. We looked at its definition, its different versions, and its implementations.

If you wish to learn more about this concept, read the following articles:

• Priority Queue of Pairs In C++ with Ordering
   
• Min and Max functions in C++
   
• Implement min heap in C++.
   
• Abstract Data Types in C++
   
• abs in C++
   
• cpp abstract class

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