What is the most effective way to get the index of an iterator of an std::vector?

I would prefer it - vec.begin() precisely for the opposite reason given by Naveen: so it wouldn't compile if you change the vector into a list. If you do this during every iteration, you could easily end up turning an O(n) algorithm into an O(n^2) algorithm.

Another option, if you don't jump around in the container during iteration, would be to keep the index as a second loop counter.

Note: it is a common name for a container iterator,std::container_type::iterator it;.

I would prefer std::distance(vec.begin(), it) as it will allow me to change the container without any code changes. For example, if you decide to use std::list instead of std::vector which doesn't provide a random access iterator your code will still compile. Since std::distance picks up the optimal method depending on iterator traits you'll not have any performance degradation either.

As UncleBens and Naveen have shown, there are good reasons for both. Which one is "better" depends on what behavior you want: Do you want to guarantee constant-time behavior, or do you want it to fall back to linear time when necessary?

it - vec.begin() takes constant time, but the operator - is only defined on random access iterators, so the code won't compile at all with list iterators, for example.

std::distance(vec.begin(), it) works for all iterator types, but will only be a constant-time operation if used on random access iterators.

Neither one is "better". Use the one that does what you need.