C++ In a Nutshell

Name

min_element function template — Finds the smallest value in a range

Synopsis

template<typename FwdIter> 
  FwdIter min_element(FwdIter first, FwdIter last);
template<typename FwdIter, typename Compare>
  FwdIter min_element(FwdIter first, FwdIter last, Compare comp);

The min_element function template returns an iterator that points to the smallest element in the range [first, last). If there are multiple instances of the smallest element, the iterator points to the first such instance.

The first form compares values using the < operator. The second form calls comp(*iter1, *iter2).

Technical Notes

The min_element function template returns first + n, in which n is the smallest value in [0, last - first) such that for all m in [0, last - first), *(first + m) < *(first + n) is false.

Complexity is linear: exactly max(last - first - 1, 0) comparisons are performed.

See Also

max_element function template, min function template