A collection of single-header C++ libraries that extend or provide alternatives to the C++ standard library.
itlib is a collection of single-header C++ libraries that extend or provide alternatives to the C++ standard library. It offers backports of modern C++ features (like std::span and std::expected) for older standards, along with performance-optimized containers and utility extensions. The project solves the need for lightweight, modular libraries that fill gaps in the standard library without heavy dependencies.
C++ developers working with C++11 or later who need modern standard library features, performance-optimized containers, or lightweight utility libraries in a single-header format.
Developers choose itlib for its ease of integration (each library is standalone), compatibility with multiple C++ standards, and performance-focused alternatives to standard containers like flat_map and small_vector. It’s a practical alternative to larger libraries like Boost for specific use cases.
A collection of std-like single-header C++ libraries
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Each library is a standalone single-header file with no dependencies beyond the standard library, allowing easy copy-paste into any C++ project without build system complexity.
Provides implementations of C++17/20/23 features like std::any, std::span, and std::expected for C++11 and later, enabling use of modern utilities in legacy codebases.
Includes containers such as flat_map, small_vector, and static_vector designed for better cache locality and stack allocation, offering tangible performance gains in specific scenarios.
Forked from the abandoned chobo-shl project, itlib has continuous integration testing on multiple platforms via GitHub Actions, ensuring ongoing updates and reliability.
Documentation is limited to comments in source files, lacking comprehensive examples, tutorials, or external guides, which can hinder learning and rapid adoption.
Some libraries, like dynamic_bitset, have admitted shortcomings (e.g., limited modification capabilities compared to std::vector<bool>), reducing their utility in complex cases.
As a collection of standalone headers, there is no unified API design or integrated testing framework, potentially leading to inconsistencies and subtle bugs across libraries.