On 5 November 2013 12:45, MM <finjulhich@gmail.com> wrote:

I can store a container of indices that are invalid,

Or you can store a container of indices that are valid.  Unless you are on a very constrained platform, an extra 4M (assuming 1 million elements and 4-byte indices) for that container just isn't all that much space.
 
and get max and min,

Why not just store their indices when you build the vector?
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 Nevin ":-)" Liber  <mailto:nevin@eviloverlord.com>  (847) 691-1404