How does this do what it does (C++ classes, use of colon)

don't know what this means (could you provide an example)

from my perspective i want the advantages of an index which is a disadvantage for non-indexed variables. (a linked list would be a similar example)

i'm puzzled by the example show in std::array. it seems the assumption is a need to sequentially access each array element.

i often use arrays of structs. not sure what the benefit of std::array would be in that case (although i have no doubts it could be used)

does it need to be "the best" solution? (is there one "right" way)?

since i often write in different languages, i prefer common concepts. i recognize languages have different advantages and try to take advantage of them (often reason for using a particular language)

maybe i missed it, but do you know in which edition of stroustrups books it was described?

i see it was C11 (2011)