Array

Arrays are used to store collection of values in a single variable, instead of declaring separate variables for each value. It stores a fixed-size sequential collection of elements of the same type. Each value present inside an array is known as element. To declare an array, define the variable with square brackets.

In an array depending on the total number of element present inside system will create that many consecutive memory spaces and each will be named with help of index numbers(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,....). We can access an array element by referring to the index numbers. string[] can only store collection of string values, int[] can only store collection of integer values, char[] can only store collection of character values.

Syntax
datatype arrayName[] = {value1, value2, value3,....} ;

CODE

EG 1 . Creating an array called musical instruments and printing out only one element of an array in console

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
    string musicalInstruments[] = {"piano","guitar","violin","drums" };
    cout << musicalInstruments[2] << endl; //Output : violin
}

Memory allocation in one dimensional array Musical instruments example

CODE EXPLANATION
In the above code, We declared an Array called musicalInstruments, where we stored 4 elements. In our RAM, 4 consecutive memory space will be alloted. Each will be named as musicalInstruments[0], musicalInstruments[1], musicalInstruments[2], musicalInstruments[3] and each element will be stored inside its respective memory space. We are trying to print out musicalInstruments[2]. The value stored inside 2nd index is nothing but violin so that will be printed out in console.


EG 2 . Creating an array called numbers and printing out all the elements in console using for loop

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
    int numbers[] = {56,987,65,32,78,6565,947,654};
    for (int i=0; i<8; i++) {
        cout << numbers[i] << endl;
    }
}

Memory allication in one dimensional array integer numbers example

OUTPUT
56
987
65
32
78
6565
947
654

CODE EXPLANATION
In the above code, We declared an Array called numbers, where we stored 8 elements. In our RAM, 8 consecutive memory space will be alloted. Each will be named with the help of index numbers as numbers[0], numbers[1], numbers[2],..., numbers[8] and each element will be stored inside its respective memory space. We created a For loop in order to loop all the element present inside that particular array using its index numbers and printing those values in console.


NOTE
We can initiate Array in multiple ways, the most commonly used way of declaring array is by declaring array memory spaces and assigning the values. In this way while declaring array we need to let system know how many consecutive memory spaces need to be created. In below case iam telling the system to create 3 consecutive memory spaces then assigning value to individual memory space by calling its individual index numbers.

char symbols[3]; //3 refers to total number of memory spaces
symbols[0] = '@';
symbols[1] = '$';
symbols[2] = '#';

Exercises
1. Create a char[] with 10 elements. Print out 7th index element in console.
2. Create a double[] with 20 elements and try to print out all the elements in the console using while loop.


(Click Here, For more exercises)