[/license

Boost.Bimap

Copyright (c) 2006-2007 Matias Capeletto

Distributed under the Boost Software License, Version 1.0.
(See accompanying file LICENSE_1_0.txt or copy at
http://www.boost.org/LICENSE_1_0.txt)

]

[/ QuickBook Document version 1.4 ]

[section vector_of Reference]

[section Header "boost/bimap/vector_of.hpp" synopsis]

    namespace boost {
    namespace bimaps {


    template< class KeyType >
    struct vector_of;

    struct vector_of_relation;


    } // namespace bimap
    } // namespace boost


[endsect]

[section vector_of views]

vector_of views are free-order sequences with constant time positional
access and random access iterators. Elements in a vector_of view are by
default sorted according to their order of insertion: this means that new elements
inserted through a different view of the `bimap` are appended to
the end of the vector_of view; additionally, facilities are provided for
further rearrangement of the elements. The public interface of vector_of views
includes that of list_of views, with differences in the complexity
of the operations, plus extra operations for positional access
(`operator[]` and `at()`) and for capacity handling. Validity of iterators and
references to elements is preserved in all operations, regardless of the
capacity status.

As is the case with list_of views, vector_of views have the following
limitations with respect to STL sequence containers:

* vector_of views
are not __SGI_ASSIGNABLE__ (like any other view.)
* Insertions into a vector_of view may fail due to clashings with other views.
This alters the semantics of the operations provided with respect to their analogues
in STL sequence containers.
* Elements in a vector_of view are not mutable, and can only be changed by
means of replace and modify member functions.

Having these restrictions into account, vector of views are models of
__SGI_RANDOM_ACCESS_CONTAINER__ and __SGI_BACK_INSERTION_SEQUENCE__. Although these views
do not model __SGI_FRONT_INSERTION_SEQUENCE__, because front insertion and deletion
take linear time, front operations are nonetheless provided to match the interface
of list_of views. We only describe those types and operations that are either
not present in the concepts modeled or do not exactly conform to the requirements
for these types of containers.


    namespace boost {
    namespace bimaps {
    namespace views {

    template< ``['-implementation defined parameter list-]`` >
    class ``['-implementation defined view name-]``
    {
        public:

        // types

        typedef ``['-unspecified-]`` value_type;
        typedef ``['-unspecified-]`` allocator_type;
        typedef ``['-unspecified-]`` reference;
        typedef ``['-unspecified-]`` const_reference;
        typedef ``['-unspecified-]`` iterator;
        typedef ``['-unspecified-]`` const_iterator;
        typedef ``['-unspecified-]`` size_type;
        typedef ``['-unspecified-]`` difference_type;
        typedef ``['-unspecified-]`` pointer;
        typedef ``['-unspecified-]`` const_pointer;
        typedef ``['-unspecified-]`` reverse_iterator;
        typedef ``['-unspecified-]`` const_reverse_iterator;

        typedef ``['-unspecified-]`` info_type;

        // construct / copy / destroy

        this_type & operator=(this_type & x);

        template< class InputIterator >
        void ``[link reference_vector_of_assign_iterator_iterator assign]``(InputIterator first, InputIterator last);

        void ``[link reference_vector_of_assign_size_value assign]``(size_type n, const value_type & value);

        allocator_type get_allocator() const;

        // iterators

        iterator               begin();
        const_iterator         begin() const;

        iterator               end();
        const_iterator         end() const;

        reverse_iterator       rbegin();
        const_reverse_iterator rbegin() const;

        reverse_iterator       rend();
        const_reverse_iterator rend() const;

        // capacity

        bool      empty() const;

        size_type size() const;

        size_type max_size() const;

        size_type ``[link reference_vector_of_capacity capacity]``() const;

        void ``[link reference_vector_of_reserve_size reserve]``(size_type m);

        void ``[link reference_vector_of_resize_size_value resize]``(size_type n, const value_type & x = value_type());

        // access

        const_reference operator[](size_type n) const;

        const_reference at(size_type n) const;

        const_reference front() const;

        const_reference back() const;

        // modifiers

        std::pair<iterator,bool> ``[link reference_vector_of_push_front_value push_front]``(const value_type & x);
        void                     pop_front();

        std::pair<iterator,bool> ``[link reference_vector_of_push_back_value push_back]``(const value_type & x);
        void                     pop_back();

        std::pair<iterator,bool> ``[link reference_vector_of_insert_iterator_value insert]``(iterator position, const value_type & x);

        void ``[link reference_vector_of_insert_iterator_size_value insert]``(iterator position, size_type m, const value_type & x);

        template< class InputIterator>
        void ``[link reference_vector_of_insert_iterator_iterator_iterator insert]``(iterator position, InputIterator first, InputIterator last);

        iterator ``[link reference_vector_of_erase_iterator erase]``(iterator position);
        iterator ``[link reference_vector_of_erase_iterator_iterator erase]``(iterator first, iterator last);

        bool ``[link reference_vector_of_replace_iterator_value replace]``(iterator position, const value_type & x);

        // Only in map views
        // {

          template< class CompatibleKey >
          bool ``[link reference_vector_of_replace_key_iterator_key replace_key]``(iterator position, const CompatibleKey & x);

          template< class CompatibleData >
          bool ``[link reference_vector_of_replace_data_iterator_data replace_data]``(iterator position, const CompatibleData & x);

          template< class KeyModifier >
          bool ``[link reference_vector_of_modify_key_iterator_modifier modify_key]``(iterator position, KeyModifier mod);

          template< class DataModifier >
          bool ``[link reference_vector_of_modify_data_iterator_modifier modify_data]``(iterator position, DataModifier mod);

        // }


        void clear();

        // list operations

        void ``[link reference_vector_of_splice_iterator_this splice]``(iterator position, this_type & x);
        void ``[link reference_vector_of_splice_iterator_this_iterator splice]``(iterator position, this_type & x, iterator i);
        void ``[link reference_vector_of_splice_iterator_this_iterator_iterator splice]``(
            iterator position, this_type & x, iterator first, iterator last);

        void ``[link reference_vector_of_remove_value remove]``(const value_type & value);

        template< class Predicate >
        void ``[link reference_vector_of_remove_if_predicate remove_if]``(Predicate pred);

        void ``[link reference_vector_of_unique unique]``();

        template< class BinaryPredicate >
        void ``[link reference_vector_of_unique_predicate unique]``(BinaryPredicate binary_pred);

        void ``[link reference_vector_of_merge_this merge]``(this_type & x);

        template< typename Compare >
        void ``[link reference_vector_of_merge_this_compare merge]``(this_type & x, Compare comp);

        void ``[link reference_vector_of_sort sort]``();

        template< typename Compare >
        void ``[link reference_vector_of_sort_compare sort]``(Compare comp);

        void ``[link reference_vector_of_reverse reverse]``();

        // rearrange operations

        void ``[link reference_vector_of_relocate_iterator_iterator relocate]``(iterator position, iterator i);
        void ``[link reference_vector_of_relocate_iterator_iterator_iterator relocate]``(iterator position, iterator first, iterator last);
    };

    // view comparison

    bool operator==(const this_type & v1, const this_type & v2 );
    bool operator< (const this_type & v1, const this_type & v2 );
    bool operator!=(const this_type & v1, const this_type & v2 );
    bool operator> (const this_type & v1, const this_type & v2 );
    bool operator>=(const this_type & v1, const this_type & v2 );
    bool operator<=(const this_type & v1, const this_type & v2 );

    } // namespace views
    } // namespace bimap
    } // namespace boost


In the case of a `bimap< vector_of<Left>, ... >`

In the set view:

    typedef signature-compatible with relation< Left, ... > key_type;
    typedef signature-compatible with relation< Left, ... > value_type;

In the left map view:

    typedef  Left  key_type;
    typedef  ...   data_type;

    typedef signature-compatible with std::pair< Left, ... > value_type;

In the right map view:

    typedef  ...  key_type;
    typedef  Left data_type;

    typedef signature-compatible with std::pair< ... , Left > value_type;


[#vector_of_complexity_signature]

[section Complexity signature]

Here and in the descriptions of operations of `vector_of` views, we adopt
the scheme outlined in the
[link complexity_signature_explanation complexity signature section].
The complexity signature of `vector_of` view is:

* copying: `c(n) = n * log(n)`,
* insertion: `i(n) = 1` (amortized constant),
* hinted insertion: `h(n) = 1` (amortized constant),
* deletion: `d(n) = m`, where m is the distance from the deleted element to the
end of the sequence,
* replacement: `r(n) = 1` (constant),
* modifying: `m(n) = 1` (constant).

The following expressions are also used as a convenience for writing down some
of the complexity formulas:

[blurb
`shl(a,b) = a+b` if a is nonzero, 0 otherwise.
`rel(a,b,c) =` if `a<b`, `c-a`, else `a-b`,
]

(`shl` and `rel` stand for ['shift left] and ['relocate], respectively.)

[endsect]

[section Instantiation types]

`vector_of` views are instantiated internally to `bimap` and specified
by means of the collection type specifiers and the bimap itself.
Instantiations are dependent on the following types:

* `Value` from `vector_of`,
* `Allocator` from `bimap`,

[endsect]

[section Constructors, copy and assignment]

As explained in the views concepts section,
views do not have public constructors or destructors.
Assignment, on the other hand, is provided.

    this_type & operator=(const this_type & x);

* [*Effects: ] `a=b;`
where a and b are the `bimap` objects to which `*this` and
`x` belong, respectively.
* [*Returns: ] `*this`.


[#reference_vector_of_assign_iterator_iterator]

    template< class InputIterator >
    void assign(InputIterator first, InputIterator last);

* [*Requires: ] `InputIterator` is a model of __SGI_INPUT_ITERATOR__ over elements
of type `value_type` or a type convertible to `value_type`. `first` and `last` are
not iterators into any view of the `bimap` to which this
view belongs. `last` is reachable from `first`.
* [*Effects: ] `clear(); insert(end(),first,last);`


[#reference_vector_of_assign_size_value]

    void assign(size_type n, const value_type & value);

* [*Effects: ] `clear(); for(size_type i = 0; i < n; ++n) push_back(v);`

[endsect]

[section Capacity operations]

[#reference_vector_of_capacity]

    size_type capacity() const;

* [*Returns:] The total number of elements `c` such that, when `size() < c`,
back insertions happen in constant time (the general case as described by
i(n) is ['amortized] constant time.) 
* [*Note:] Validity of iterators and references to elements is preserved
in all insertions, regardless of the capacity status.


[#reference_vector_of_reserve_size]

    void reserve(size_type m);

* [*Effects:] If the previous value of `capacity()` was greater than or equal
to `m`, nothing is done; otherwise, the internal capacity is changed so that
`capacity()>=m`.
* [*Complexity:] If the capacity is not changed, constant; otherwise O(n).
* [*Exception safety:] If the capacity is not changed, nothrow; otherwise, strong.


[#reference_vector_of_resize_size_value]

    void resize(size_type n, const value_type & x = value_type());

* [*Effects: ] `if( n > size() ) insert(end(), n-size(), x);`
`else if( n<size() ) erase(begin()+n,end());`
* [*Note:] If an expansion is requested, the size of the view is not guaranteed
to be n after this operation (other views may ban insertions.)


[endsect]

[section Modifiers]

[#reference_vector_of_push_front_value]

    std::pair<iterator,bool> push_front(const value_type & x);

* [*Effects:] Inserts x at the beginning of the sequence if no other view
of the `bimap` bans the insertion.
* [*Returns:] The return value is a pair `p`. `p.second` is `true` if and only if
insertion took place. On successful insertion, `p.first` points to the element
inserted; otherwise, `p.first` points to an element that caused the insertion
to be banned. Note that more than one element can be causing insertion not
to be allowed.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature [*Complexity:]] O(n+I(n)).
* [*Exception safety:] Strong.


[#reference_vector_of_push_back_value]

    std::pair<iterator,bool> push_back(const value_type & x);

* [*Effects:] Inserts `x` at the end of the sequence if no other view of
the `bimap` bans the insertion.
* [*Returns:] The return value is a pair `p`. `p.second` is `true` if and only
if insertion took place. On successful insertion, `p.first` points to the
element inserted; otherwise, `p.first` points to an element that caused
the insertion to be banned. Note that more than one element can be
causing insertion not to be allowed.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature [*Complexity:]] O(I(n)).
* [*Exception safety:] Strong.


[#reference_vector_of_insert_iterator_value]

    std::pair<iterator,bool> insert(iterator position, const value_type & x);

* [*Requires: ] `position` is a valid iterator of the view.
* [*Effects:] Inserts `x` before position if insertion is allowed by all
other views of the `bimap`.
* [*Returns:] The return value is a pair `p`. `p.second` is `true` if and only
if insertion took place. On successful insertion, `p.first` points to the
element inserted; otherwise, `p.first` points to an element that caused the
insertion to be banned. Note that more than one element can be causing
insertion not to be allowed.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature [*Complexity:]] O(shl(end()-position,1) + I(n)).
* [*Exception safety:] Strong.


[#reference_vector_of_insert_iterator_size_value]

    void insert(iterator position, size_type m, const value_type & x);

* [*Requires: ] `position` is a valid iterator of the view.
* [*Effects: ] `for(size_type i = 0; i < m; ++i) insert(position, x);`
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature
[*Complexity:]] O(shl(end()-position,m) + m*I(n+m)).


[#reference_vector_of_insert_iterator_iterator_iterator]

    template< class InputIterator >
    void insert(iterator position, InputIterator first, InputIterator last);

* [*Requires: ] `position` is a valid iterator of the view. `InputIterator`
is a model of __SGI_INPUT_ITERATOR__ over elements of type `value_type` or a type
convertible to `value_type`. `first` and `last` are not iterators into any view
of the `bimap` to which this view belongs. `last` is reachable
from `first`.
* [*Effects: ] `while(first!=last)insert(position,*first++);`
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature
[*Complexity:]] O(shl(end()-position,m) + m*I(n+m)), where m is the number
of elements in `[first,last)`.
* [*Exception safety:] Basic.


[#reference_vector_of_erase_iterator]

    iterator erase(iterator position);

* [*Requires: ] `position` is a valid dereferenceable iterator of the view.
* [*Effects:] Deletes the element pointed to by `position`.
* [*Returns:] An iterator pointing to the element immediately following the
one that was deleted, or `end()` if no such element exists.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature [*Complexity:]] O(D(n)).
* [*Exception safety:] nothrow.


[#reference_vector_of_erase_iterator_iterator]

    iterator erase(iterator first, iterator last);

* [*Requires: ] `[first,last)` is a valid range of the view.
* [*Effects:] Deletes the elements in `[first,last)`.
* [*Returns:] last.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature
[*Complexity:]] O(m*D(n)), where m is the number of elements in `[first,last)`.
* [*Exception safety:] nothrow.


[#reference_vector_of_replace_iterator_value]

    bool replace(iterator position, const value_type & x);

* [*Requires: ] `position` is a valid dereferenceable iterator of the view.
* [*Effects:] Assigns the value x to the element pointed to by position into
the `bimap` to which the view belongs if replacing is allowed
by all other views of the `bimap`.
* [*Postconditions:] Validity of position is preserved in all cases.
* [*Returns: ] `true` if the replacement took place, `false` otherwise.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature
[*Complexity:]] O(R(n)).
* [*Exception safety:] Strong. If an exception is thrown by some user-provided
operation the `bimap` to which the view belongs remains in its
original state.


[#reference_vector_of_replace_key_iterator_key]

    template< class CompatibleKey >
    bool replace_key(iterator position, const CompatibleKey & x);

* [*Requires: ] `position` is a valid dereferenceable iterator of the set view.
`CompatibleKey` can be assigned to `key_type`.
* [*Effects:] Assigns the value `x` to `e.first`, where `e` is the element pointed 
to by `position` into the `bimap` to which the set view belongs if replacing is allowed by
all other views of the `bimap`.
* [*Postconditions:] Validity of position is preserved in all cases.
* [*Returns: ] `true` if the replacement took place, `false` otherwise.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature
[*Complexity:]] O(R(n)).
* [*Exception safety:] Strong. If an exception is thrown by some user-provided
operation, the `bimap` to which the set view belongs remains in
its original state.


[#reference_vector_of_replace_data_iterator_data]

    template< class CompatibleData >
    bool replace_data(iterator position, const CompatibleData & x);

* [*Requires: ] `position` is a valid dereferenceable iterator of the set view.
`CompatibleKey` can be assigned to `data_type`.
* [*Effects:] Assigns the value `x` to `e.second`, where `e` is the element pointed 
to by `position` into the `bimap` to which the set view belongs if replacing is allowed by
all other views of the `bimap`.
* [*Postconditions:] Validity of position is preserved in all cases.
* [*Returns: ] `true` if the replacement took place, `false` otherwise.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature
[*Complexity:]] O(R(n)).
* [*Exception safety:] Strong. If an exception is thrown by some user-provided
operation, the `bimap` to which the set view belongs remains in
its original state.


[#reference_vector_of_modify_key_iterator_modifier]

    template< class KeyModifier >
    bool modify_key(iterator position, KeyModifier mod);

* [*Requires: ] `KeyModifier` is a model of __SGI_UNARY_FUNCTION__ accepting arguments of
type: `key_type&`; `position` is a valid dereferenceable iterator of the view.
* [*Effects:] Calls `mod(e.first)` where e is the element pointed to by position and 
rearranges `*position` into all the views of the `bimap`.
If the rearrangement fails, the element is erased.
It is successful if the rearrangement is allowed by all other views of the `bimap`.
* [*Postconditions:] Validity of `position` is preserved if the operation succeeds.
* [*Returns: ] `true` if the operation succeeded, `false` otherwise.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature
[*Complexity:]] O(M(n)).
* [*Exception safety:] Basic. If an exception is thrown by some user-provided
operation (except possibly mod), then the element pointed to by position is erased.
* [*Note:] Only provided for map views. 


[#reference_vector_of_modify_data_iterator_modifier]

    template< class DataModifier >
    bool modify_data(iterator position, DataModifier mod);

* [*Requires: ] `DataModifier` is a model of __SGI_UNARY_FUNCTION__ accepting arguments of
type: `data_type&`; `position` is a valid dereferenceable iterator of the view.
* [*Effects:] Calls `mod(e.second)` where e is the element pointed to by position and 
rearranges `*position` into all the views of the `bimap`.
If the rearrangement fails, the element is erased.
It is successful if the rearrangement is allowed by all other views of the `bimap`.
* [*Postconditions:] Validity of `position` is preserved if the operation succeeds.
* [*Returns: ] `true` if the operation succeeded, `false` otherwise.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature
[*Complexity:]] O(M(n)).
* [*Exception safety:] Basic. If an exception is thrown by some user-provided
operation (except possibly mod), then the element pointed to by position is erased.
* [*Note:] Only provided for map views. 

[/
[#reference_vector_of_modify_iterator_modifier]

    template< class Modifier >
    bool modify(iterator position, Modifier mod);

* [*Requires: ] `Modifier` is a model of __SGI_BINARY_FUNCTION__ accepting arguments of
type: `first_type&` and `second_type&` for ['Map View] or `left_type&` and `right_type&`
for ['Set View]; `position` is a valid dereferenceable iterator of the view.
* [*Effects:] Calls `mod(e.first,e.second)` for ['Map View:] or calls `mod(e.left,e.right)`
for ['Set View] where e is the element pointed to by `position` and
rearranges `*position` into all the views of the `bimap`.
Rearrangement on `vector_of` views does not change the position of the
element with respect to the view; rearrangement on other views may or
might not suceed. If the rearrangement fails, the element is erased.
* [*Postconditions:] Validity of `position` is preserved if the operation succeeds.
* [*Returns: ] `true` if the operation succeeded, `false` otherwise.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature [*Complexity:]] O(M(n)).
* [*Exception safety:] Basic. If an exception is thrown by some user-provided
operation (except possibly `mod`), then the element pointed to by position
is erased.
]


[endsect]

[section List operations]

`vector_of` views replicate the interface of `list_of` views, which
in turn includes the list operations provided by `std::list`. The syntax and
behavior of these operations exactly matches those of `list_of` views, but
the associated complexity bounds differ in general.


[#reference_vector_of_splice_iterator_this]

    void splice(iterator position, this_type & x);

* [*Requires: ] `position` is a valid iterator of the view. `&x!=this`.
* [*Effects:] Inserts the contents of `x` before position, in the same order
as they were in `x`. Those elements successfully inserted are erased from `x`.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature
[*Complexity:]] O(shl(end()-position,x.size()) + x.size()*I(n+x.size()) + x.size()*D(x.size())).
* [*Exception safety:] Basic.


[#reference_vector_of_splice_iterator_this_iterator]

    void splice(iterator position, this_type & x,iterator i);

* [*Requires: ] `position` is a valid iterator of the view. `i` is a valid
dereferenceable iterator `x`.
* [*Effects:] Inserts the element pointed to by `i` before `position`: if
insertion is successful, the element is erased from `x`. In the special
case `&x==this`, no copy or deletion is performed, and the operation is
always successful. If `position==i`, no operation is performed.
* [*Postconditions:] If `&x==this`, no iterator or reference is invalidated.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature
[*Complexity:]] If `&x==this`, O(rel(position,i,i+1));
otherwise O(shl(end()-position,1) + I(n) + D(n)).
* [*Exception safety:] If `&x==this`, nothrow; otherwise, strong.


[#reference_vector_of_splice_iterator_this_iterator_iterator]

    void splice(iterator position, this_type & x, iterator first, iterator last);

* [*Requires: ] `position` is a valid iterator of the view. `first` and
`last` are valid iterators of `x`. `last` is reachable from `first`. `position` is
not in the range `[first,last)`.
* [*Effects:] For each element in the range `[first,last)`, insertion is
tried before `position`; if the operation is successful, the element is
erased from `x`. In the special case `&x==this`, no copy or deletion is
performed, and insertions are always successful.
* [*Postconditions:] If `&x==this`, no iterator or reference is invalidated.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature
[*Complexity:]] If `&x==this`, O(rel(position,first,last));
otherwise O(shl(end()-position,m) + m*I(n+m) + m*D(x.size()))
where m is the number of elements in `[first,last)`.
* [*Exception safety:] If `&x==this`, nothrow; otherwise, basic.


[#reference_vector_of_remove_value]

    void remove(const value_type & value);

* [*Effects:] Erases all elements of the view which compare equal to `value`.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature
[*Complexity:]] O(n + m*D(n)), where m is the number of elements erased.
* [*Exception safety:] Basic.


[#reference_vector_of_remove_if_predicate]

    template< class Predicate >
    void remove_if(Predicate pred);

* [*Effects:] Erases all elements `x` of the view for which `pred(x)` holds.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature
[*Complexity:]] O(n + m*D(n)), where m is the number of elements erased.
* [*Exception safety:] Basic.


[#reference_vector_of_unique]

    void unique();

* [*Effects:] Eliminates all but the first element from every consecutive
group of equal elements referred to by the iterator `i` in the range
`[first+1,last)` for which `*i==*(i-1)`.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature
[*Complexity:]] O(n + m*D(n)), where m is the number of elements erased.
* [*Exception safety:] Basic.


[#reference_vector_of_unique_predicate]

    template< class BinaryPredicate >
    void unique(BinaryPredicate binary_pred); 

* [*Effects:] Eliminates all but the first element from every consecutive
group of elements referred to by the iterator i in the range `[first+1,last)`
for which `binary_pred(*i, *(i-1))` holds.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature
[*Complexity:]] O(n + m*D(n)), where m is the number of elements erased.
* [*Exception safety:] Basic.


[#reference_vector_of_merge_this]

    void merge(this_type & x);

* [*Requires: ] `std::less<value_type>` is a __SGI_STRICT_WEAK_ORDERING__ over
`value_type`. Both the view and `x` are sorted according to `std::less<value_type>`.
* [*Effects:] Attempts to insert every element of x into the corresponding
position of the view (according to the order). Elements successfully
inserted are erased from `x`. The resulting sequence is stable, i.e. equivalent
elements of either container preserve their relative position. In the special
case `&x==this`, no operation is performed.
* [*Postconditions:] Elements in the view and remaining elements in `x` are
sorted. Validity of iterators to the view and of non-erased elements of `x`
references is preserved.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature
[*Complexity:]] If `&x==this`, constant;
otherwise O(n + x.size()*I(n+x.size()) + x.size()*D(x.size())).
* [*Exception safety:] If `&x==this`, nothrow; otherwise, basic.


[#reference_vector_of_merge_this_compare]

    template< class Compare >
    void merge(this_type & x, Compare comp);

* [*Requires: ] `Compare` is a __SGI_STRICT_WEAK_ORDERING__ over `value_type`.
Both the view and `x` are sorted according to comp.
* [*Effects:] Attempts to insert every element of `x` into the corresponding
position of the view (according to `comp`). Elements successfully inserted
are erased from `x`. The resulting sequence is stable, i.e. equivalent
elements of either container preserve their relative position. In the
special case `&x==this`, no operation is performed.
* [*Postconditions:] Elements in the view and remaining elements in `x` are
sorted according to `comp`. Validity of iterators to the view and of
non-erased elements of `x` references is preserved.
* [link vector_of_complexity_signature
[*Complexity:]] If `&x==this`, constant;
otherwise O(n + x.size()*I(n+x.size()) + x.size()*D(x.size())).
* [*Exception safety:] If `&x==this`, nothrow; otherwise, basic.


[#reference_vector_of_sort]

    void sort();

* [*Requires: ] `std::less<value_type>` is a __SGI_STRICT_WEAK_ORDERING__ over `value_type`.
* [*Effects:] Sorts the view according to `std::less<value_type>`.
The sorting is stable, i.e. equivalent elements preserve their relative position.
* [*Postconditions:] Validity of iterators and references is preserved.
* [*Complexity:] O(n*log(n)).
* [*Exception safety:] Basic.


[#reference_vector_of_sort_compare]

    template< class Compare >
    void sort(Compare comp);

* [*Requires:] Compare is a __SGI_STRICT_WEAK_ORDERING__ over `value_type`.
* [*Effects:] Sorts the view according to `comp`. The sorting is stable, i.e.
equivalent elements preserve their relative position.
* [*Postconditions:] Validity of iterators and references is preserved.
* [*Complexity:] O(n*log(n)).
* [*Exception safety:] Basic.


[#reference_vector_of_reverse]

    void reverse();

* [*Effects:] Reverses the order of the elements in the view.
* [*Postconditions:] Validity of iterators and references is preserved.
* [*Complexity:] O(n).
* [*Exception safety:] nothrow.


[endsect]

[section Rearrange operations]

These operations, without counterpart in `std::list` (although splice provides
partially overlapping functionality), perform individual and global repositioning
of elements inside the index.


[#reference_vector_of_relocate_iterator_iterator]

    void relocate(iterator position, iterator i);

* [*Requires: ] `position` is a valid iterator of the view. `i` is a valid
dereferenceable iterator of the view.
* [*Effects:] Inserts the element pointed to by `i` before `position`.
If `position==i`, no operation is performed.
* [*Postconditions:] No iterator or reference is invalidated.
* [*Complexity:] Constant.
* [*Exception safety:] nothrow.


[#reference_vector_of_relocate_iterator_iterator_iterator]

    void relocate(iterator position, iterator first, iterator last);

* [*Requires: ] `position` is a valid iterator of the view. `first` and `last` are
valid iterators of the view. `last` is reachable from `first`. `position` is not
in the range `[first,last)`.
* [*Effects:] The range of elements `[first,last)` is repositioned just before
`position`.
* [*Postconditions:] No iterator or reference is invalidated.
* [*Complexity:] Constant.
* [*Exception safety:] nothrow.


[endsect]


[section Serialization]

Views cannot be serialized on their own, but only as part of the `bimap`
into which they are embedded. In describing the additional preconditions and guarantees
associated to `vector_of` views with respect to serialization of their embedding
containers, we use the concepts defined in the `bimap` serialization section.

[blurb [*Operation:] saving of a `bimap` b to an output archive (XML archive) ar.]

* [*Requires:] No additional requirements to those imposed by the container.


[blurb [*Operation:] loading of a `bimap` b' from an input archive (XML archive) ar.]

* [*Requires:] No additional requirements to those imposed by the container.
* [*Postconditions:] On successful loading, each of the elements of `[begin(), end())` is a
restored copy of the corresponding element in `[m.get<i>().begin(), m.get<i>().end())`,
where `i` is the position of the `vector_of` view in the container.


[blurb [*Operation:] saving of an `iterator` or `const_iterator` `it` to an output archive (XML archive) ar.]

* [*Requires: ] `it` is a valid iterator of the view. The associated `bimap`
has been previously saved.


[blurb [*Operation:] loading of an `iterator` or `const_iterator` `it`' from an input archive (XML archive) ar.]

* [*Postconditions:] On successful loading, if it was dereferenceable then `*it`' is the
restored copy of `*it`, otherwise `it`'`==end()`.
* [*Note:] It is allowed that it be a `const_iterator` and the restored `it`' an `iterator`,
or viceversa.


[endsect]
[endsect]


[endsect]