Using std::tuple correctly?

Question

I recently learned how to use std::tuple (I had never needed it before then), and was curious as to when it is the proper time to use it over a container? I only ask because std::tuple doesnt feel like a container, since it requires things such as std::get and std::make_tuple.

Answer 1

It's more of a replacement for a struct than for a container. However, in most cases you are better off actually defining a struct for readability reasons. Tuples are best used in templates with variable number of arguments.

Answer 2

std::tuple s contain a fixed number of elements of varying types. You use it when you want to group together a few objects of different types. I would use it over a struct when the grouping doesn't have any particularly useful semantics. For example, a std::tuple is useful when a function needs to return multiple objects. A container, on the other hand, contains multiple elements of the same type (perhaps a varying amount).