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(Created page with "'''Array''' is a fundamental data structure in computer programming that stores a fixed-size, ordered sequence of elements of the same type. Arrays provide a simple and efficient way to store, access, and manipulate data. == Characteristics == - '''Fixed size:''' Arrays have a fixed size, determined at the time of their creation. The size cannot be changed after creation. - '''Homogeneous elements:''' All elements in an array must be of the same type. - '''Contiguous m...")
 
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== Characteristics ==
== Characteristics ==


- '''Fixed size:''' Arrays have a fixed size, determined at the time of their creation. The size cannot be changed after creation.
* '''Fixed size:''' Arrays have a fixed size, determined at the time of their creation. The size cannot be changed after creation.
- '''Homogeneous elements:''' All elements in an array must be of the same type.
* '''Homogeneous elements:''' All elements in an array must be of the same type.
- '''Contiguous memory:''' Array elements are stored in contiguous memory locations, making it easy to calculate the memory address of each element.
* '''Contiguous memory:''' Array elements are stored in contiguous memory locations, making it easy to calculate the memory address of each element.
- '''Random access:''' Array elements can be accessed directly using their index in constant time.
* '''Random access:''' Array elements can be accessed directly using their index in constant time.


== Operations ==
== Operations ==
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To access an element in an array, its index is used. Indices typically start at 0 and go up to the size of the array minus one.
To access an element in an array, its index is used. Indices typically start at 0 and go up to the size of the array minus one.


- Time complexity: O(1)
* Time complexity: O(1)


=== Insertion ===
=== Insertion ===
To insert an element into an array, all elements after the insertion point must be shifted to make room for the new element. In the worst case, when inserting at the beginning of the array, all elements must be shifted.
To insert an element into an array, all elements after the insertion point must be shifted to make room for the new element. In the worst case, when inserting at the beginning of the array, all elements must be shifted.


- Time complexity: O(n)
* Time complexity: O(n)


=== Deletion ===
=== Deletion ===
To delete an element from an array, all elements after the deletion point must be shifted to fill the gap. In the worst case, when deleting the first element of the array, all remaining elements must be shifted.
To delete an element from an array, all elements after the deletion point must be shifted to fill the gap. In the worst case, when deleting the first element of the array, all remaining elements must be shifted.


- Time complexity: O(n)
* Time complexity: O(n)


=== Search ===
=== Search ===
To search for an element in an array, a linear search can be performed by iterating through each element until the desired element is found.
To search for an element in an array, a linear search can be performed by iterating through each element until the desired element is found.


- Time complexity: O(n)
* Time complexity: O(n)


== Advantages and Disadvantages ==
== Advantages and Disadvantages ==
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Advantages:
Advantages:


- Fast random access
* Fast random access
- Simple implementation and usage
* Simple implementation and usage


Disadvantages:
Disadvantages:

Latest revision as of 00:37, 13 May 2023

Array is a fundamental data structure in computer programming that stores a fixed-size, ordered sequence of elements of the same type. Arrays provide a simple and efficient way to store, access, and manipulate data.

Characteristics[edit]

  • Fixed size: Arrays have a fixed size, determined at the time of their creation. The size cannot be changed after creation.
  • Homogeneous elements: All elements in an array must be of the same type.
  • Contiguous memory: Array elements are stored in contiguous memory locations, making it easy to calculate the memory address of each element.
  • Random access: Array elements can be accessed directly using their index in constant time.

Operations[edit]

Access[edit]

To access an element in an array, its index is used. Indices typically start at 0 and go up to the size of the array minus one.

  • Time complexity: O(1)

Insertion[edit]

To insert an element into an array, all elements after the insertion point must be shifted to make room for the new element. In the worst case, when inserting at the beginning of the array, all elements must be shifted.

  • Time complexity: O(n)

Deletion[edit]

To delete an element from an array, all elements after the deletion point must be shifted to fill the gap. In the worst case, when deleting the first element of the array, all remaining elements must be shifted.

  • Time complexity: O(n)

Search[edit]

To search for an element in an array, a linear search can be performed by iterating through each element until the desired element is found.

  • Time complexity: O(n)

Advantages and Disadvantages[edit]

Advantages:

  • Fast random access
  • Simple implementation and usage

Disadvantages:

  • Fixed size
  • Inefficient insertion and deletion operations

Example Array Problems[edit]

  • Searching for a target element in an array
  • Reversing the elements of an array
  • Rotating an array
  • Calculating the sum of elements in an array

See Also[edit]