std::string_view rbegin() method

since C++17

// Const version only
constexpr const iterator rbegin() const noexcept;

// Const version only
constexpr const_iterator crbegin() const noexcept;

Returns a reverse iterator

to the first element of the reversed view.

It corresponds to the last element of the original view.

note

This method doesn't actually reverse the view, it returns an iterator that points to the last element of the view, and which +, -, --, ++ operators have slightly changed implementations.

For example it++ decrements the internal pointer and it-- increments it (so that traversing the container in a reverse order actually works).

If the container is empty, the returned iterator will be equal to rend().

Parameters

(none)

Return value

Reverse iterator to the first element.

Complexity

Constant - O(1).

Difference between rbegin and crbegin

Unlike for other containers, like std::string or std::vector, rbegin and crbegin both return the same iterator.

Non const container

rbegin

#include <string_view>

int main()
{
    std::string_view str = "Hello";
    auto it = str.crbegin(); // Type: std::string_view::reverse_const_iterator
    *it = 'J'; // ❌ Error!
}

crbegin

#include <string_view>

int main()
{
    std::string_view str = "Hello";
    auto it = str.crbegin(); // Type: std::string_view::reverse_const_iterator
    *it = 'J'; // ❌ Error! 
}

Const container

rbegin

#include <string_view>

int main()
{
    const std::string_view str = "Hello";
    auto it = str.rbegin(); // Type: std::string_view::reverse_const_iterator
    *it = 'J'; // ❌ Error! 
}

crbegin

#include <string_view>

int main()
{
    const std::string_view str = "Hello";
    auto it = str.crbegin(); // Type: std::string_view::reverse_const_iterator
    *it = 'J'; // ❌ Error! 
}

Example

Main.cpp

#include <algorithm>
#include <iostream>
#include <iterator>
#include <string_view>
 
int main()
{
    std::ostream_iterator<char> out_it(std::cout);
    std::string_view str_view("abcdef");
 
    std::copy(str_view.rbegin(), std::next(str_view.rbegin(), 3), out_it);
    *out_it = '\n';
 
    std::copy(str_view.crbegin(), std::next(str_view.crbegin(), 3), out_it);
    *out_i
}

Output

fed
fed