The following code example is taken from the book
 
  The C++ Standard Library - A Tutorial and Reference
 by Nicolai M. Josuttis, Addison-Wesley, 1999
 
  © Copyright Nicolai M. Josuttis 1999
#include "algostuff.hpp"
using namespace std;
int main()
{
    deque<int> coll;
    INSERT_ELEMENTS(coll,3,7);
    INSERT_ELEMENTS(coll,2,6);
    INSERT_ELEMENTS(coll,1,5);
    PRINT_ELEMENTS(coll);
    // sort until the first five elements are sorted
    partial_sort (coll.begin(),      // beginning of the range
                  coll.begin()+5,    // end of sorted range
                  coll.end());       // end of full range
    PRINT_ELEMENTS(coll);
    // sort inversely until the first five elements are sorted
    partial_sort (coll.begin(),      // beginning of the range
                  coll.begin()+5,    // end of sorted range
                  coll.end(),        // end of full range
                  greater<int>());   // sorting criterion
    PRINT_ELEMENTS(coll);
    // sort all elements
    partial_sort (coll.begin(),      // beginning of the range
                  coll.end(),        // end of sorted range
                  coll.end());       // end of full range
    PRINT_ELEMENTS(coll);
}