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Array Summary

Arrays are fundamental data structures that store collections of elements of the same data type, allowing for fast access and efficient implementation. They can be fixed or dynamic in size, support random access, and involve common operations such as accessing, inserting, deleting, searching, and sorting elements. While arrays offer advantages like fast access, they also have disadvantages, including fixed size limitations and potential memory waste.

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Bhavesh Bari
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6 views2 pages

Array Summary

Arrays are fundamental data structures that store collections of elements of the same data type, allowing for fast access and efficient implementation. They can be fixed or dynamic in size, support random access, and involve common operations such as accessing, inserting, deleting, searching, and sorting elements. While arrays offer advantages like fast access, they also have disadvantages, including fixed size limitations and potential memory waste.

Uploaded by

Bhavesh Bari
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LessonCraft AI 8/24/2025

Arrays: The Foundation of Data Structures


Arrays are fundamental data structures that store collections of elements of
the same data type. Think of them as numbered boxes, each holding a
single item. Understanding arrays is crucial for building more complex data
structures.
Key Characteristics of Arrays
Sequential Storage: Elements are stored contiguously in memory, meaning
one after another. This allows for fast access to elements using their index.
Fixed or Dynamic Size: Arrays can be fixed-size (their size is determined at
creation and cannot be changed) or dynamic (their size can grow or shrink
as needed). Dynamic arrays are often implemented using techniques like
resizing the underlying memory when necessary.
Random Access: Elements are accessed directly using their index
(position). Finding the element at index 5 is just as fast as finding the
element at index 0. This is referred to as O(1) time complexity.
Homogeneous Data Type: Typically, all elements within a single array must
be of the same data type (e.g., all integers, all strings). Some languages
allow for arrays of objects, but this is a different concept compared to
homogeneous arrays.
Common Array Operations
Accessing Elements: Retrieving a specific element using its index (e.g.,
myArray[2]).
Inserting Elements: Adding new elements to the array (which may involve
shifting existing elements, depending on the array type and insertion point).
Deleting Elements: Removing elements from the array (often resulting in
shifting remaining elements).
Searching Elements: Finding a specific element within the array (linear
search is a common, simple method).
Sorting Elements: Rearranging elements in a specific order (e.g., ascending
or descending).
Advantages of Arrays
Fast Access: Direct access to elements using indices is very efficient.
Simple Implementation: Arrays are relatively straightforward to implement
and understand.

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LessonCraft AI 8/24/2025

Disadvantages of Arrays
Fixed Size (in some implementations): Resizing a fixed-size array can be
expensive, requiring memory allocation and copying of existing elements.
Insertion and Deletion: Inserting or deleting elements in the middle of a
fixed-size array can be slow due to the need to shift other elements.
Memory Waste: If a fixed-size array is not completely filled, it can waste
memory.
Example (Python)
my_array = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50]
print(my_array[0]) # Output: 10
my_array.append(60) # Adding an element
print(my_array) # Output: [10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60]
Remember that the choice of data structure depends on the specific
needs of your application. Arrays excel in scenarios where fast access and
simple implementation are prioritized.

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