Article by Ayman Alheraki on January 11 2026 10:35 AM
Among the most advanced features introduced in C++20, and further enhanced in C++23, is the Ranges Library. This library provides a modern and powerful way to work with data collections through an interface integrated into the Standard Template Library (STL). The vision behind this development was led by Eric Niebler, one of the foremost experts in designing the Ranges library.
C++23 expanded the Ranges library with performance improvements and new functionalities, including:
views::chunk and views::slide: These views offer tools to divide collections into smaller slices or overlapping segments easily.
views::zip: Introduces the ability to merge elements from multiple collections simultaneously, enhancing data manipulation efficiency.
Better support for std::ranges::join_with: Simplifies merging collections with custom delimiters.
Improved execution speed of pipelines in the Ranges library, especially when utilizing new concepts.
Enhanced support for transforming traditional functions like std::transform and std::filter into Ranges-compatible views.
Instead of relying on traditional loops with complex structures, Ranges provides a high-level interface that simplifies collection management.
The Ranges library is fully compatible with traditional containers such as std::vector and std::list, enabling seamless integration of new features with existing projects.
With tools like views::filter and views::transform, developers can easily write code that adheres to functional programming principles.
Eric Niebler is a leading figure in the design of the Ranges library. He contributed through his original Range-v3 library, which served as the foundation for developing Ranges in C++20 and beyond.
Range-v3: This was the original library he developed, which became the model for the standard Ranges library.
His ongoing work with the ISO C++ Working Group has improved the library, making it more robust and versatile.
If you’re interested in learning more about Ranges and its updates, consider exploring:
Ranges Library Documentation
The book "Functional Programming with C++" that covers functional programming using the Ranges library.
With the Ranges library, data manipulation in C++ has become more efficient and elegant, making it an essential tool for every programmer looking to leverage the modern features of the language.