title: Where is the standard library?
body: <p>I have searched Google but haven't found quite a direct answer to my queries. </p>
  
  <p>I have been reading C++ Primer and I'm still quite new to the language, but despite how good the book is it discusses the use of the standard library but doesn't really describe where it is or where it comes from (it hasn't yet anyway). So, where is the standard library? Where are the header files that let me access it? When I downloaded CodeBlocks, did the STL come with it? Or does it automatically come with my OS? </p>
  
  <p>Somewhat related, but what exactly is MinGW that came with Cobeblocks? <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/771756/what-is-the-difference-between-cygwin-and-mingw" title="here">Here</a> it says </p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>MinGW is a C/C++ compiler suite which allows you to create Windows executables without dependency on such DLLs</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>So at the most basic level is it just a collection of "things" needed to let me make C++ programs?</p>
  
  <p>Apologies for the quite basic question. </p>