What is an Array in C language ?

In C programming, an array is a collection of elements of the same data type, stored in contiguous memory locations under a common name. It allows you to efficiently manage and access multiple values using a single variable.

Key Concepts:

• Declaration:
  • Syntax: data_type array_name[size];
  • Example: int numbers[5]; declares an array named numbers capable of storing 5 integers.
• Accessing Elements:
  • Use the array name followed by the index of the element within square brackets: array_name[index].
  • Indices start from 0, so the first element is at index 0, the second at index 1, and so on.
• Initialization:
  • During declaration: int scores[3] = {85, 92, 78};
  • After declaration: numbers[2] = 10;
• Iteration:
  • Use loops to access elements sequentially:

for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
    printf("%d ", numbers[i]);
}

Important Points:

• Arrays are fixed in size: Once declared, their size cannot be changed.
• Out-of-bounds access: Attempting to access elements beyond the array’s bounds can lead to undefined behavior or program crashes.
• Arrays are passed by reference: When passed to functions, changes made within the function affect the original array.
• Arrays can be multidimensional: Arrays can have multiple dimensions to represent matrices, tables, etc.

Common Uses:

• Storing lists of values (e.g., student scores, product prices)
• Representing matrices for mathematical operations
• Implementing data structures like stacks and queues
• Handling strings (character arrays)

Arrays are fundamental data structures in C, providing a structured way to organize and manipulate collections of data.