Where can I learn about the C++ Standard Template Library (STL)?

This question is a lot like Good book for learning the C++ standard template library? but aimed at the cash-strapped student type. I remember searching for some reference material about the STL a while back, but I couldn't find any good links.

Are there any worthwile free tutorials / references / best-practises available?

From stackoverflow fluffels

• I suggest "Effective STL" by Scott Meyers.

  Also here is free online STL guide.

  Good luck!

  twokats : I definitely recommend Meyer's book, but not necessarily as a first way to learn about the STL. Josuttis' book recommended by Pat Notz is probably a better reference for learning overall STL. Meyer's book is a must have for continued usage.

  twokats : Oops - I see others have recommended Josuttis' book as well - didn't mean to exclude them. It's a very good reference.
  From Serge

• CPlusPlus.com has a pretty readable, though incomplete, STL reference.

  The Dinkumware Compleat Reference is complete and detailed, but possibly tough for a beginner.

  See also the Best C++ Resource question.

  Robert Gould : +1 for the less well known, but good links
  From Sam Stokes

• I very often find Wikipedia External Links very helpful.

  • Official guide from SGI
  • cplusplus.com STL reference - lists STL containers and their members
  • cppreference.com - includes a section on the STL
  • Rogue Wave C++ Standard Library Class Reference
  • Rogue Wave C++ Standard Library User Guide
  From kklobucki

• Volume 2 of Bruce Eckel's Thinking in C++ is a good place to start. It's also free!

  From Firas Assaad

• A modest STL tutorial

  jk : But #include and other Standard Library files with .h-suffixes aren't modern anymore...
  From Ismael

• For quick references, I often go turn myself to cppreference.com.

  I always find what I need there...

  From skinp

• I know that you mentioned "free" but I believe that learning to use the STL, particularly mastering the concepts behind it, is useful enough to warrant the purchase of, and the time spent reading, a book. To that end, I would highly recommend "The C++ Standard Library" by Nicolai Josuttis.

  From Jon Trauntvein

• The C++ Standard Library: A Tutorial and Reference is an excellent book for both learning and reference. Perhaps you can barrow it from a friend or library.

  From Pat Notz

• STL Tutorial and Reference Guide: C++ Programming with the Standard Template Library is a good book, but personally when developing and I need to know anything about the STL I keep the libstdc++ API documentation open next to me, but this won't teach you anything about generic programming though.

  From amo-ej1

• This book helped me a lot understanding the "STL way":

  Generic Programming and the STL: Using and Extending the C++ Standard Template Library

  And it is also a really great reference once you learned how to use the STL.

  camh : This is the only book I use for the STL

  Matt Price : If you're cash strapped, find this book in a library and read the first section. It's not that long and gives a great intro to how the STL is put together. For reference use SGI's website that has the same reference material as this book, www.sgi.com\tech\stl
  From Fionn