Arrays

An array is a collection of data items of the same type, whereas a linked list is a collection of the same data type stored sequentially and connected through pointers. In the case of lists, the data elements are stored in different memory locations, whereas the array elements are stored in contiguous memory locations.

An array stores the data of the same data type and each data element in the array is stored in contiguous memory locations. Storing multiple data values of the same type makes it easier and faster to compute the position of any element in the array using offset and base address. The term base address refers to the address of memory location where the first element is stored, and offset refers to an integer indicating the displacement between the first element and a given element.

Figure 4.1 demonstrates an array holding a sequence of seven integer values that are stored sequentially in contiguous memory locations. The first element (data value 3) is stored...