Question

I’d like to use std::find_if to search for the first element in my map that has a certain value in a specific element of its value structure. I’m a little confused though. I think I need to use bind1st or bind2nd, but I’m not positive that’s the right way to go.

Here’s some pseudo-code:

struct ValueType { int x, int y, int z };

std::map<int, ValueType> myMap;

... {populate map}

std::map<int, ValueType>::iterator pos = std::find_if(myMap.begin(), myMap.end(), <?>); 

So, let’s say that I wanted to find the first element of the map where the .x member of the ValueType was equal to a certain integer value (which can change each call).

What would be the best way to write a function or function object to achieve this? I understand that the <?> has to be a unary predicate which makes me think I’ll need bind1st or bind2nd to provide the integer value I’m checking for, but I’m not sure how to go about it. It’s been way too long since I looked at this stuff! >.<

Answer 1

Elements in the map are not sorted by value, they are sorted according to the key. So the phrase “the first element” has not much sense.

To find some element (not the first) that has x equal to some value you can write the functor as follows:

struct check_x
{
  check_x( int x ) : x_(x) {}
  bool operator()( const std::pair<int, ValueType>& v ) const 
  { 
    return v.second.x == x_; 
  }
private:
  int x_;
};

Then use it as follows:

// find any element where x equal to 10
std::find_if( myMap.begin(), myMap.end(), check_x(10) );