Does STL library differ on different platforms?

Question

Is C++ Standard Template Library (STL) on Windows different than the one on Linux OR any other Platform? Are the headers of STL differ with platform as well OR is STL just a header library and its implementation in CRT?

We know that compiler differ with platform and also the C Runtime Library differ with Platform. Going by this is it true that even Standard Template Library (STL) differ with platform?

Please clarify this doubt.

Also, what is the name of the C++ STL on windows and whats on Linux?

I have been trying to understand this by going various articles online and trying to frame a single workflow in my mind to understand the terms better.

Answer 1

The specification of the C++ Standard Library is not contingent on any particular platform or compiler, although it does depend on the target C++ standard, and its behaviour is dependent function on various properties of a platform.

But the implementation of the C++ Standard Library is extremely dependent on the compiler and operating system. Some of the C++ Standard Library can even hardcoded into compilers.

But you use it in the same way. E.g. for std::cout and std::cin you should always write #include <iostream> as that's what the documentation says you're supposed to do. The names of header files can vary between implementations, but the ones you are supposed to use directly never differ.

This is why it's a good idea not to rely on #includes being available implicitly via other headers, or by using fancy non-standard #includes like <bits/...>. If you do so then you are not writing portable C++.

Answer 2

C++ was designed for abstract hardware but Standard C++ Library implementations differ, yes. Library vendors are required to follow the C++ Standard rules but are free to provide their implementation where allowed (the implementation defined wording in the standard). Headers also differ.