C++ Academy · Lesson

Custom Comparators

Control ordering.

Custom Comparators is a free C++ Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 4 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the C++ Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

Why Custom Comparators?

By default, ordered containers sort with std::less (ascending). A custom comparator lets you change that order, for example descending or by a specific field.

#include <iostream>
#include <set>

int main() {
    std::set<int> ascending{3, 1, 2};
    for (int x : ascending) std::cout << x << ' ';
    std::cout << '\n';
    return 0;
}

Descending with std::greater

The simplest custom comparator is the standard functor std::greater, which sorts in descending order.

#include <iostream>
#include <set>
#include <functional>

int main() {
    std::set<int, std::greater<int>> s{3, 1, 2};
    for (int x : s) std::cout << x << ' ';
    std::cout << '\n';
    return 0;
}

Comparator on a map

The comparator is the third template parameter of std::map. Here keys sort from high to low.

#include <iostream>
#include <map>
#include <functional>

int main() {
    std::map<int, std::string, std::greater<int>> m{
        {1, "one"}, {3, "three"}, {2, "two"}
    };
    for (const auto& [k, v] : m) std::cout << k << ':' << v << ' ';
    std::cout << '\n';
    return 0;
}

How Comparators Work

A comparator is a callable taking two arguments returning true if the first should come before the second. It must define a strict weak ordering.

#include <iostream>

struct Less {
    bool operator()(int a, int b) const { return a < b; }
};

int main() {
    Less cmp;
    std::cout << std::boolalpha << cmp(2, 5) << '\n';
    std::cout << cmp(5, 2) << '\n';
    return 0;
}

A Custom Struct Comparator

Define your own functor struct with operator() and pass its type as the comparator.

#include <iostream>
#include <set>

struct ByAbs {
    bool operator()(int a, int b) const {
        return (a < 0 ? -a : a) < (b < 0 ? -b : b);
    }
};

int main() {
    std::set<int, ByAbs> s{-5, 3, -1, 4};
    for (int x : s) std::cout << x << ' ';
    std::cout << '\n';
    return 0;
}

Sorting Strings by Length

Comparators can compare any property. Here strings order by length, then alphabetically as a tiebreaker.

#include <iostream>
#include <set>
#include <string>

struct ByLen {
    bool operator()(const std::string& a, const std::string& b) const {
        if (a.size() != b.size()) return a.size() < b.size();
        return a < b;
    }
};

int main() {
    std::set<std::string, ByLen> s{"bbb", "a", "cc", "dd"};
    for (const auto& x : s) std::cout << x << ' ';
    std::cout << '\n';
    return 0;
}

Why Tiebreakers Matter

If your comparator says neither element comes before the other, the container treats them as equal. In a set that means one gets dropped as a duplicate.

#include <iostream>
#include <set>
#include <string>

struct LenOnly {
    bool operator()(const std::string& a, const std::string& b) const {
        return a.size() < b.size();
    }
};

int main() {
    std::set<std::string, LenOnly> s{"ab", "cd", "x"};
    std::cout << s.size() << " elements\n";
    return 0;
}

Lambdas as Comparators

You can use a lambda by passing its type via decltype and the lambda itself to the constructor.

#include <iostream>
#include <set>

int main() {
    auto cmp = [](int a, int b) { return a > b; };
    std::set<int, decltype(cmp)> s(cmp);
    s.insert(1);
    s.insert(3);
    s.insert(2);
    for (int x : s) std::cout << x << ' ';
    std::cout << '\n';
    return 0;
}

Comparators in priority_queue

Comparators also configure std::priority_queue. With std::greater it becomes a min-heap.

#include <iostream>
#include <queue>
#include <vector>
#include <functional>

int main() {
    std::priority_queue<int, std::vector<int>, std::greater<int>> pq;
    pq.push(5); pq.push(1); pq.push(3);
    while (!pq.empty()) { std::cout << pq.top() << ' '; pq.pop(); }
    std::cout << '\n';
    return 0;
}

Comparing Pairs

To sort a set of pairs by the second element, write a comparator that inspects .second.

#include <iostream>
#include <set>
#include <utility>

struct BySecond {
    bool operator()(const std::pair<int,int>& a, const std::pair<int,int>& b) const {
        return a.second < b.second;
    }
};

int main() {
    std::set<std::pair<int,int>, BySecond> s{{1, 9}, {2, 3}, {3, 6}};
    for (const auto& p : s) std::cout << p.first << ':' << p.second << ' ';
    std::cout << '\n';
    return 0;
}

Transparent Comparators

Using std::less<> (with empty angle brackets) enables heterogeneous lookup in C++14, avoiding temporary key conversions.

#include <iostream>
#include <set>
#include <functional>

int main() {
    std::set<int, std::less<>> s{1, 2, 3};
    std::cout << (s.find(2) != s.end() ? "found" : "no") << '\n';
    return 0;
}

Quick Check

Test your understanding of how comparators define equality.

Recap

You learned that custom comparators:

change ordering via the container's comparator template parameter
can be std::greater, a functor struct, or a lambda (via decltype)
define equality by equivalence, so always include a tiebreaker to avoid losing distinct elements

Next course: fast hash-based lookup with std::unordered_map.

Frequently asked questions

Is the “Custom Comparators” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Custom Comparators” is free to read here on the web, and the C++ Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the C++ Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “Custom Comparators”?

Control ordering. You practise C++ Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start C++ Academy?

No prior experience is required. C++ Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 4 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “Custom Comparators” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this C++ Academy lesson?

Yes. Every C++ Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

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