Using std:: vector functions in Stan

Modeling
1

Is it possible to use C++ vector functions in Stan?

2

We need more information to answer questions such as this. Technically, any time you declare an array in the Stan language such as

data {
  int N;
  int J;
  int y[N, J]; // uses std::vector<std::vector<int> >
}

it utilizes a std::vector in C++. Likewise anytime you declare a vector[N] it uses the Eigen library, which is also C++.

But I would guess your question is actually whether you can call a C++ function (perhaps involving a vector) from the Stan language, in which case the answer is yes. To do so using RStan, see

https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/rstan/vignettes/external.html

3

Correct, I’m interested in calling std vector functions like erase() and begin()

4

Then, yes you need to declare but not define a function the the correct signature in the functions block of your Stan program, define a C++ function that does whatever, and then when you go to compile it, specify the full path to the C++ file as a #include. All of that is briefly explained in the linked vignette.