[C++] size_t vs. size_type vs. unsiged int

[meesa]

What's the difference?
Why use one over the other?

Such as why would I do:
for(vector<int>::size_type i=0; i<vInt.size(); ++i)

When I could just do:

for(int i=0; i<vInt.size(); ++i)
//OR
for(unsiged int i=0; i<vInt.size(); ++i)

Thanks!

[jsmith]

http://www.cplusplus.com/forum/beginner/15959/

[meesa]

So

the STL is reserving the right to make size_type any type they like.

is why?

[Duthomhas]

So that the same code compiles and runs properly on other/future hardware.

[meesa]

Thanks to both of you.