array
1. <programming> A collection of identically typed data items
distinguished by their indices (or "subscripts"). The number of dimensions an
array can have depends on the language but is usually unlimited.
An array is a kind of aggregate data type. A single ordinary variable (a
"scalar") could be considered as a zero-dimensional array. A one-dimensional
array is also known as a "vector".
A reference to an array element is written something like A[i,j,k] where A is
the array name and i, j and k are the indices. The C language is peculiar in
that each index is written in separate brackets, e.g. A[i][j][k]. This expresses
the fact that, in C, an N-dimensional array is actually a vector, each of whose
elements is an N-1 dimensional array.
Elements of an array are usually stored contiguously. Languages differ as to
whether the leftmost or rightmost index varies most rapidly, i.e. whether each
row is stored contiguously or each column (for a 2D array).
Arrays are appropriate for storing data which must be accessed in an
unpredictable order, in contrast to lists which are best when accessed
sequentially.
See also associative array.
2. <architecture> A processor array, not to be confused with an array
processor.
(1995-01-25)
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Array Theory
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