Developer’s Guide to Collections in Microsoft® .NET

Chapter 1. Understanding Collections: Arrays and Linked Lists

After completing this chapter, you will be able to

• Identify arrays and singly and doubly linked lists.

• Design and implement arrays and singly and doubly linked lists.

• Understand when and when not to use arrays and singly and doubly linked lists.

Array Overview

An array is a collection of elements stored so that you can access each element through an index. Each element is accessed through a simple mathematical formula (index * element length).

Uses of Arrays

You can use arrays to create other data types. In Chapter 3, you’ll use an array to create a stack, a queue, and a circular buffer, but you can also use an array to create lists and other collection types, as well as strings and noncollection ...