limit the growth of a vector in c++

Question

Is it possible to limit the vector.max_size() in order to limit the growth of a vector?

If not, is having a function to watch the vector.capacity() to ensure it doesn't go over a determined amount a viable substitute?

Answer 1

Sort of. You can write a custom allocator and use it in a std::vector (the second template argument of the vector). The allocator needs to satisfy these requirements. However, doing this properly isn't simple. And your vector wouldn't just ignore push_back after the max size was met, it would throw.

Answer 2

Not really. But you can define your own subclass of vector (or create completely new vector implementation of your own) which will permit to enforce this requirement if you really want to.