C# Array vs ArrayList

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C# - Array vs ArrayList

'Array' and 'ArrayList' are both data structures used in programming, but they have some key differences.

Type: An 'array' is a fixed-size data structure that holds elements of the same type. Once an 'array' is created, its size cannot be changed. An 'ArrayList' is a dynamic 'array' implementation provided by some programming languages (like C#) as part of their standard libraries. It can dynamically resize itself to accommodate a varying number of elements.
Size: The size of an 'array' is fixed when it is created and cannot be changed without creating a new 'array'. An 'ArrayList' can grow or shrink dynamically as elements are added or removed.
Memory Allocation: In many programming languages, memory for an 'array' is allocated in a contiguous block, which can sometimes lead to memory fragmentation issues. An 'ArrayList' typically allocates more memory than it currently needs, allowing for efficient resizing operations.
Insertion and Deletion: Inserting or deleting elements in an 'array' might require shifting elements to accommodate the change, which can be inefficient for large arrays. An 'ArrayList' can efficiently handle insertions and deletions because it can dynamically adjust its size.
Performance: Accessing elements in an 'array' is generally faster than accessing elements in an 'ArrayList' since arrays use constant-time indexing. In an 'ArrayList', indexing requires following references, which can introduce a slight overhead.
Usage: Arrays are suitable when the size of the collection is known beforehand and won't change. ArrayLists are suitable when the size of the collection might change frequently or when you need more advanced features like automatic resizing.
Language Dependency: Arrays are available in most programming languages as a basic data structure. ArrayLists are specific to languages that provide them as part of their standard libraries, like C#, java. Other languages might have similar dynamic array implementations with different names.

Here's a simple C# example to illustrate the difference:


// Using an array
int[] array = new int[5]; // Fixed size
array[0] = 10;
array[1] = 20;

// Using List
using System.Collections.Generic;

List list = new List(); // Dynamic size
list.Add(10);
list.Add(20);

In summary, array is a fixed-size collection, while 'ArrayList' is a dynamic-size collection that provides more flexibility for managing elements but might have slightly higher overhead due to its dynamic nature.