C++: What is the difference between std::array and C-style array?

std::array — safer, has methods. C-style — raw array.

std::array (C++11):

• Knows its size.
• Has methods (size, begin, end).
• Can be copied/assigned.
• Bounds checking with at().

1std::array<int, 3> arr = {1, 2, 3};
2arr.size();  // 3
3arr.at(1);   // Bounds checking
4arr.begin(); // Iterator

C-style array:

• No size information.
• No methods.
• Cannot be copied.
• No bounds checking.

1int arr[] = {1, 2, 3};
2// arr.size();  // Error!
3// arr = {4, 5, 6};  // Error!

Advantages of std::array:

• Type-safe.
• Works with STL algorithms.
• Can be returned from functions.