Arrays in Data Structures
An array is one of the most basic and widely used linear data structures. It stores multiple elements of the same data type in contiguous memory locations, making data access fast and efficient.
Arrays are commonly used as the foundation for many other data structures.
What is an Array?
An array is a collection of similar data elements stored under a single name and accessed using an index.
Key Characteristics:
- Fixed size
- Same data type
- Contiguous memory allocation
- Index-based access
Array Representation in Memory
- Array elements are stored in continuous memory locations
- Each element occupies equal memory size
- Index starts from 0 in most programming languages
Example:
If A[5], indices are 0 to 4.
Types of Arrays
1. One-Dimensional Array
Stores elements in a single row.
Example:
- Marks of students
- List of numbers
2. Two-Dimensional Array
Stores data in rows and columns (matrix form).
Example:
- Tables
- Matrices
3. Multidimensional Array
Array with more than two dimensions.
Used in:
- Image processing
- Scientific calculations
Operations on Arrays
1. Traversal
Accessing each element of the array.
2. Insertion
Adding an element at a specific position.
3. Deletion
Removing an element from a specific position.
4. Searching
Finding an element by value or index.
5. Sorting
Arranging elements in ascending or descending order.
Advantages of Arrays
- Fast data access
- Simple implementation
- Efficient memory usage
- Useful for fixed-size data
Disadvantages of Arrays
- Fixed size
- Memory wastage or overflow
- Insertion and deletion are costly
- Not suitable for dynamic data
Real-World Applications of Arrays
- Student records
- Employee salary lists
- Image pixels
- Game boards
- Sensor data storage
Arrays vs Linked Lists
| Arrays | Linked Lists |
|---|---|
| Fixed size | Dynamic size |
| Fast access | Slower access |
| Contiguous memory | Non-contiguous memory |
| Less flexible | More flexible |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Array index out of bounds
- Incorrect size declaration
- Ignoring memory limitations
Conclusion
Arrays are a fundamental data structure used to store and manage collections of data efficiently. Although they have limitations, arrays are extremely useful when working with fixed-size data and form the basis for many advanced data structures.