Lecture 78:-Static vs Dynamic Arrays

Static Arrays:

• Static arrays have a fixed size determined at the time of declaration.
• The size of a static array cannot be changed once it is declared.
• Memory for a static array is allocated at compile-time and is typically located on the stack.
• Accessing elements in a static array is fast, as it involves simple indexing calculations.
• Examples of programming languages with static arrays include C, C++, and Java (for arrays defined within a method).

Dynamic Arrays:

• Dynamic arrays have a flexible size that can be changed during runtime.
• The size of a dynamic array can be increased or decreased as needed.
• Memory for a dynamic array is allocated at runtime, typically from the heap.
• Accessing elements in a dynamic array is also done through indexing, similar to static arrays.
• Dynamic arrays allow for more flexibility in terms of resizing and managing memory.
• Examples of programming languages with built-in dynamic arrays include Python (lists) and Java (ArrayList).

Key Differences:

1. Size: Static arrays have a fixed size, while dynamic arrays can be resized as needed.
2. Flexibility: Dynamic arrays provide more flexibility in terms of resizing and managing memory.
3. Memory Allocation: Static arrays allocate memory at compile-time, while dynamic arrays allocate memory at runtime.
4. Location: Static arrays are often located on the stack, while dynamic arrays are typically located on the heap.
5. Resizing: Dynamic arrays allow for resizing, while static arrays require a new array to be created if a different size is needed.
6. Performance: Accessing elements in both static and dynamic arrays is done through indexing, but dynamic arrays may have a slight performance overhead due to additional memory management.

Choosing between static and dynamic arrays depends on the specific requirements of the program. Static arrays are useful when the size is fixed and known in advance, providing efficiency and simplicity. Dynamic arrays are suitable when the size may change during runtime or when flexibility in resizing is required.