# std::forward_iterator

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< cpp‎ | iterator

Defined in header `<iterator>` |  |
template< class I > concept forward_iterator = std::input_iterator<I> && std::derived_from</*ITER_CONCEPT*/<I>, std::forward_iterator_tag> && std::incrementable<I> && std::sentinel_for<I, I>; |  | (since C++20)

This concept refines std::input_iterator by requiring that `I` also model std::incrementable (thereby making it suitable for multi-pass algorithms), and guaranteeing that two iterators to the same range can be compared against each other.

### Iterator concept determination

Definition of this concept is specified via an exposition-only alias template /*ITER_CONCEPT*/.

In order to determine /*ITER_CONCEPT*/<I>, let ITER_TRAITS<I> denote I if the specialization std::iterator_traits<I> is generated from the primary template, or std::iterator_traits<I> otherwise:

- If ITER_TRAITS<I>::iterator_concept is valid and names a type, /*ITER_CONCEPT*/<I> denotes the type.
- Otherwise, if ITER_TRAITS<I>::iterator_category is valid and names a type, /*ITER_CONCEPT*/<I> denotes the type.
- Otherwise, if std::iterator_traits<I> is generated from the primary template, /*ITER_CONCEPT*/<I> denotes std::random_access_iterator_tag.
- Otherwise, /*ITER_CONCEPT*/<I> does not denote a type and results in a substitution failure.

### Semantic requirements

`I` models `std::forward_iterator` if, and only if `I` models all the concepts it subsumes, and given objects i and j of type `I`:

- Comparison between iterators i and j has a defined result if

  - i and j are iterators to the same underlying sequence, or
  - both i and j are value-initialized, in which case they compare equal.

- Pointers and references obtained from a forward iterator into a range remain valid while the range exists.
- If i and j are dereferenceable, they offer the multi-pass guarantee, that is:

  - i == j implies ++i == ++j, and
  - ((void)[](auto x){ ++x; }(i), *i) is equivalent to *i.

### Notes

Unlike the LegacyForwardIterator requirements, the `forward_iterator` concept does not require dereference to return a reference.

### See also

input_iterator (C++20) | specifies that a type is an input iterator, that is, its referenced values can be read and it can be both pre- and post-incremented (concept)
bidirectional_iterator (C++20) | specifies that a `forward_iterator` is a bidirectional iterator, supporting movement backwards (concept)

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