# std::istream_iterator

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Defined in header `<iterator>` |  |
template< class T, class CharT = char, class Traits = std::char_traits<CharT>, class Distance = std::ptrdiff_t > class istream_iterator : public std::iterator<std::input_iterator_tag, T, Distance, const T*, const T&> |  | (until C++17)
template< class T, class CharT = char, class Traits = std::char_traits<CharT>, class Distance = std::ptrdiff_t > class istream_iterator; |  | (since C++17)

`std::istream_iterator` is a single-pass input iterator that reads successive objects of type `T` from the std::basic_istream object for which it was constructed, by calling the appropriate operator>>. The actual read operation is performed when the iterator is incremented, not when it is dereferenced. The first object is read when the iterator is constructed. Dereferencing only returns a copy of the most recently read object.

The default-constructed `std::istream_iterator` is known as the end-of-stream iterator. When a valid `std::istream_iterator` reaches the end of the underlying stream, it becomes equal to the end-of-stream iterator. Dereferencing or incrementing it further invokes undefined behavior. An end-of-stream iterator remains in the end-of-stream state even if the underlying stream changes state. Absent a reassignment, it cannot become a non-end-of-stream iterator anymore.

A typical implementation of `std::istream_iterator` holds two data members: a pointer to the associated std::basic_istream object and the most recently read value of type `T`.

`T` must meet the DefaultConstructible, CopyConstructible, and CopyAssignable requirements.

### Member types

Member type | Definition
`iterator_category` | std::input_iterator_tag
`value_type` | T
`difference_type` | Distance
`pointer` | const T*
`reference` | const T&
`char_type` | `CharT`
`traits_type` | `Traits`
`istream_type` | std::basic_istream<CharT, Traits>

Member types `iterator_category`, `value_type`, `difference_type`, `pointer` and `reference` are required to be obtained by inheriting from std::iterator<std::input_iterator_tag, T, Distance, const T*, const T&>. | (until C++17)

### Member functions

(constructor) | constructs a new `istream_iterator` (public member function)
(destructor) | destructs an `istream_iterator`, including the cached value (public member function)
operator*operator-> | returns the current element (public member function)
operator++operator++(int) | advances the iterator (public member function)

### Non-member functions

operator==operator!= (removed in C++20) | compares two `istream_iterator`s (function template)

### Notes

When reading characters, `std::istream_iterator` skips whitespace by default (unless disabled with std::noskipws or equivalent), while std::istreambuf_iterator does not. In addition, std::istreambuf_iterator is more efficient, since it avoids the overhead of constructing and destructing the sentry object once per character.

### Example

Run this code

    #include <algorithm>
    #include <iostream>
    #include <iterator>
    #include <numeric>
    #include <sstream>

    int main()
    {
        std::istringstream str("0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4");
        std::partial_sum(std::istream_iterator<double>(str),
                         std::istream_iterator<double>(),
                         std::ostream_iterator<double>(std::cout, " "));

        std::istringstream str2("1 3 5 7 8 9 10");
        auto it = std::find_if(std::istream_iterator<int>(str2),
                          std::istream_iterator<int>(),
                          [](int i){ return i % 2 == 0; });

        if (it != std::istream_iterator<int>())
            std::cout << "\nThe first even number is " << *it << ".\n";
        //" 9 10" left in the stream
    }

Output:

    0.1 0.3 0.6 1
    The first even number is 8.

### Defect reports

The following behavior-changing defect reports were applied retroactively to previously published C++ standards.

DR | Applied to | Behavior as published | Correct behavior
--- | --- | --- | ---
P0738R2 | C++98 | the first read might be deferred to the first dereference | always performed in the constructor

### See also

ostream_iterator | output iterator that writes to std::basic_ostream (class template)
istreambuf_iterator | input iterator that reads from std::basic_streambuf (class template)

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