How does #include ‹bits/stdc++.h› work in C++?

how bits/stdc++.h work

The #include <bits/stdc++.h> is a preprocessor directive commonly used in C++ programming to include a large set of standard library headers in a single line. It is not a standard header provided by the C++ Standard Library, but rather a non-standard header specific to certain compilers, such as the GNU C++ compiler (g++).


When you include <bits/stdc++.h>, it includes a collection of commonly used standard library headers, such as <iostream>, <vector>, <algorithm>, <string>, and more. It saves you from manually including multiple individual headers that you might need for your program.


Here's an example of how to use #include <bits/stdc++.h> in a C++ program:

//C++ code Implementation
#include <bits/stdc++.h>

int main() {
    std::vector<int> numbers = {3, 1, 4, 1, 5, 9, 2, 6, 5};
    //sorting the array
    std::sort(numbers.begin(), numbers.end());

    for (const auto& num : numbers) {
        std::cout << num << " ";
    }
    std::cout << std::endl;

    return 0;
}
Output
1 1 2 3 4 5 5 6 9

In this example, we use #include <bits/stdc++.h> at the beginning of the program. This single line effectively includes all the necessary standard library headers for our program. We then proceed to use various standard library features, such as std::vector, std::sort, and std::cout, without explicitly including their individual headers.

Advantages of using <bits/stdc++.h>:

Including <bits/stdc++.h> allows you to include a large set of commonly used standard library headers in a single line. It saves you from the hassle of including multiple individual headers manually. (alert-success)

With <bits/stdc++.h>, you don't need to spend time figuring out and including the specific headers you need for your program. It provides a quick way to get started with coding and prototyping. (alert-success)

<bits/stdc++.h> is supported by some popular compilers, such as the GNU C++ compiler (g++). If you are using a compiler that supports it, you can rely on the convenience of including a comprehensive set of headers without worrying about portability issues. (alert-success)

 

Disadvantages of using <bits/stdc++.h>:

<bits/stdc++.h> is not a standard C++ header. It is a non-standard header specific to certain compilers. This means that it may not be available or supported by all compilers. Using non-standard headers can make your code less portable and dependent on specific compiler implementations. (alert-error)
Including <bits/stdc++.h> pulls in a large number of headers, many of which you may not need for your specific program. This can increase the compilation time of your code unnecessarily, as the compiler needs to process and parse all the included headers. (alert-error) 
<bits/stdc++.h> includes a wide range of headers, potentially introducing a lot of names into the global namespace. This can lead to naming conflicts and make the code less readable. It is generally considered good practice to explicitly include only the headers you need to avoid polluting the namespace. (alert-error)

It is worth noting that the use of #includes <bits/stdc++.h> is not recommended in professional or production code because it is not a standardized header and may not be supported by all compilers. It is more common to include the specific headers you need for your program, as it provides better control over the dependencies and improves code portability.

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