Iterate keys in a C++ map

If you really need to hide the value that the "real" iterator returns (for example because you want to use your key-iterator with standard algorithms, so that they operate on the keys instead of the pairs), then take a look at Boost's transform_iterator.

[Tip: when looking at Boost documentation for a new class, read the "examples" at the end first. You then have a sporting chance of figuring out what on earth the rest of it is talking about :-)]

With C++11 the iteration syntax is simple. You still iterate over pairs, but accessing just the key is easy.

#include <iostream>
#include <map>

int main()
{
    std::map<std::string, int> myMap;

    myMap["one"] = 1;
    myMap["two"] = 2;
    myMap["three"] = 3;

    for ( const auto &myPair : myMap ) {
        std::cout << myPair.first << "\n";
    }
}

map is associative container. Hence, iterator is a pair of key,val. IF you need only keys, you can ignore the value part from the pair.

for(std::map<Key,Val>::iterator iter = myMap.begin(); iter != myMap.end(); ++iter)
{
Key k =  iter->first;
//ignore value
//Value v = iter->second;
}

EDIT:: In case you want to expose only the keys to outside then you can convert the map to vector or keys and expose.