std::stack::top

      value_type& top();const value_type& top() const;

      reference top();const_reference top() const;

Access next element

Returns a reference to the top element in the stack.

Since stacks are last-in first-out containers, the top element is the last element inserted into the stack.

This member function effectively calls member back of the underlying container object.

Parameters

none

Return value

A reference to the top element in the stack.

Member type value_type is the type of the elements in the container (defined as an alias of the first class template parameter, T).

Member types reference and const_reference are aliases of the underlying container's types with the same name.

Example

// stack::top
#include <iostream>       // std::cout
#include <stack>          // std::stack

int main ()
{
  std::stack<int> mystack;

  mystack.push(10);
  mystack.push(20);

  mystack.top() -= 5;

  std::cout << "mystack.top() is now " << mystack.top() << '\n';

  return 0;
}

Output:

Complexity

Constant (calling back on the underlying container).

Data races

The container is accessed (neither the const nor the non-const versions modify the container).
The reference returned can be used to access or modify the top element.

Exception safety

Provides the same level of guarantees as the operation performed on the container (no-throw guarantee for standard non-empty containers).