1 2The MPL provides a broad range of fundamental algorithms aimed to 3satisfy the majority of sequential compile-time data processing 4needs. The algorithms include compile-time counterparts 5of many of the STL algorithms, iteration algorithms borrowed from 6functional programming languages, and more. 7 8Unlike the algorithms in the C++ Standard Library, which operate on 9implict *iterator ranges*, the majority of MPL counterparts take 10and return *sequences*. This derivation is not dictated by the 11functional nature of C++ compile-time computations per se, but 12rather by a desire to improve general usability of the library, 13making programming with compile-time data structures as enjoyable 14as possible. 15 16.. This can be seen as a further generalization and extension of 17 the STL's conceptual framework. 18 19In the spirit of the STL, MPL algorithms are *generic*, meaning 20that they are not tied to particular sequence class 21implementations, and can operate on a wide range of arguments as 22long as they satisfy the documented requirements. The requirements 23are formulated in terms of concepts. Under the hood, 24algorithms are decoupled from concrete sequence 25implementations by operating on |iterators|. 26 27All MPL algorithms can be sorted into three 28major categories: iteration algorithms, querying algorithms, and 29transformation algorithms. The transformation algorithms introduce 30an associated |Inserter| concept, a rough equivalent for the notion of 31|Output Iterator| in the Standard Library. Moreover, every 32transformation algorithm provides a ``reverse_`` counterpart, 33allowing for a wider range of efficient transformations |--| a 34common functionality documented by the |Reversible Algorithm| 35concept. 36 37 38.. |Output Iterator| replace:: `Output Iterator <https://boost.org/sgi/stl/OutputIterator.html>`__ 39.. |sequence algorithms| replace:: `sequence algorithms`_ 40.. _`sequence algorithms`: `Algorithms`_ 41 42 43.. copyright:: Copyright � 2001-2009 Aleksey Gurtovoy and David Abrahams 44 Distributed under the Boost Software License, Version 1.0. (See accompanying 45 file LICENSE_1_0.txt or copy at http://www.boost.org/LICENSE_1_0.txt) 46