C# Arrays

Types of Arrays:

There are three main types of arrays:

  • Single-Dimensional Arrays
  • Multi-Dimensional Arrays
  • Jagged Arrays
Arrays Type Description Example
Single-dimensional Arrays A linear collection of elements of the same data type. int[] numbers = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};
Multi-Dimensional Arrays Elements arranged in a grid-like structure with multiple dimensions. int[,] matrix = {{1, 2, 3}, {4, 5, 6}};
Jagged Arrays An array that holds arrays of different sizes. string[][] jaggedArray = { new string[] {"A", "B"}, new string[] {"C", "D", "E"} };

Declaring arrays:

To declare an array in C#, you specify the data type of the elements followed by square brackets [] and the array name.

You can specify the size of the array within square brackets, or you can leave it empty for later initialization.

                                                    
                                                    int[] numbers; // declaration of an integer array
                                                    
                                                

Accessing Array Elements:

Array elements are accessed using zero-based indexing, where the index starts at 0 for the first element.

You access an element by specifying the array name followed by square brackets containing the index of the element you want to access.

                                                    
                                                    int[] numbers = { 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 };
int firstElement = numbers[0]; // accessing the first element (10)
                                                    
                                                

Array Initialization:

Arrays can be initialized when they are declared by providing a list of initial values enclosed in curly braces {}.

You can initialize the array elements individually after declaration.

                                                    
                                                    int[] numbers = { 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 }; // initialization during declaration
                                                    
                                                

Multidimensional Arrays:

Multidimensional arrays store elements in multiple rows and columns.

To declare a multidimensional array, you specify the data type of the elements followed by comma-separated lengths enclosed in square brackets [,].

Example:

                                                    
                                                    int[,] matrix = new int[3, 3]; // declaration of a 3x3 integer matrix
                                                    
                                                

Multidimensional arrays are accessed using multiple indices corresponding to the row and column positions.

Example:

                                                    
                                                    int[,] matrix = { { 1, 2, 3 }, { 4, 5, 6 }, { 7, 8, 9 } };
int element = matrix[1, 2]; // accessing element at row 1, column 2 (value: 6)