Difference Between Array and Structure
In C programming language, developers use both data structures, array, and structure, to store and manage data. However, these data structures are defined and used in different ways. Are you aware of the difference between array and structure in C programming?
The main difference between array and structure in C programming is that developers can use arrays to store a fixed number of elements of the same data type. In contrast, developers can use structure to store a collection of elements of different data types.
Now, before proceeding further and diving deeper into the difference between array and structure, let’s go over the list of topics listed under the table of contents (TOC) that we will cover in this article.
Difference Between Array and Structure
For a better understanding, let’s cover the difference between array and structure in a tabular format:
| Benchmark | Array | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | It is a collection of elements of the same (homogeneous) data types. | It is a collection of elements of different (heterogeneous) data types. |
| For element access, it uses | “[ ]” (square bracket) or subscripts. | “.” (Dot operator) |
| Datatype | Non-primitive. | User-defined. |
| Is it a pointer? | Yes. It is a pointer as it points to the first element of the collection. | No. |
| Instantiation of objects is possible? | No. | Yes. |
| Is the size fixed? | Yes. | No. |
| Is bit field possible? | No. | Yes. |
| In this datatype, searching and traversal are | Easy and Fast. | Slow and complex. |
| Keyword | No keyword is present to declare an array. | The “Struct” keyword is used to define a structure. |
| Syntax | data_type array_name[size]; | struct sruct_name{ data_type1 element1; data_type2 element2; }; |
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What is an Array in C Programming?
Definition: In C programming, an array is a collection of elements of the same data type stored in contiguous memory locations.
In layman’s terms, programmers, developers, etc., use an array in order to store a fixed number of elements. Once these elements are stored, they are accessed by using an index. In order to understand what an array is, let’s go through an example.
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Array example:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() { int numbers[5]; // Declare an array of 5 integers int i;
// Store values in the array for (i = 0; i < 5; i++) { numbers[i] = i * 2; }
// Print the values of the array printf("The values of the array are: "); for (i = 0; i < 5; i++) { printf("%d ", numbers[i]); }
return 0;}
Output:
The values of the array are: 0 2 4 6 8
What is a Structure in C Programming?
Definition: In C programming, a structure is a user-defined data type that allows you to store a collection of elements of different data types.
In layman’s terms, each item/element in a structure is known as a member. And each of these members can have different data types. In object-oriented programming (OOPs), the structure can declare both variables and functions. In order to understand what a structure is, let’s go through an example.
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Structure example:
#include <stdio.h>
struct student { char name[50]; int age; float grade;};
int main() { struct student s1; // Declare a structure variable
// Store values in the structure printf("Enter student name: "); scanf("%s", s1.name); printf("Enter student age: "); scanf("%d", &s1.age); printf("Enter student grade: "); scanf("%f", &s1.grade);
// Print the values of the structure printf("The student information is:"); printf("Name: %s", s1.name); printf("Age: %d", s1.age); printf("Grade: %.2f", s1.grade);
return 0;}
Key Differences Between Array and Structure
Here are the key differences between array and structure:
- The array size is fixed, but it’s not the case with structures.
- In an array, a bit field is not possible, but it is possible in the case of structures.
- A structure is a user-defined datatype, whereas an array is a non-primitive datatype.
- Instantiation of array objects is not possible, but the instantiation of structure objects is possible.
- An array is a pointer, as it points to the first element of the collection, whereas a structure is not a pointer.
- In array, searching, and traversal is easy and fast. But, in structure, searching and traversal are complex and slow.
- An array uses “[ ]” (square brackets) for element access, but a structure uses “.” (dot operator) for element access.
- An array consists of elements of the same (homogeneous) data types. In contrast, a structure is a collection of elements of different (heterogeneous) data types.
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Conclusion
In this article, we have explored what array and structure are in the C programming language. We have also explored the difference between array and structure in great detail. If you have any queries related to the topic, please feel free to send your queries to us in the form of a comment. We will be happy to help.
Happy Learning!!
FAQs Related to Difference Between Array and Structure
What is an array?
An array is a collection of elements of the same type. It allows you to store multiple values in a single variable. Arrays are indexed, meaning you can access elements using their index number. They are useful for managing lists of data efficiently.
What is a structure?
A structure is a user-defined data type that allows you to group different data types together. Each element in a structure is called a member. Structures represent complex data types, such as records with various attributes.
How do arrays and structures differ in memory allocation?
Arrays allocate memory in a contiguous block, i.e., all elements are stored next to each other. Structures, however, may have non-contiguous memory allocation. Each member can be of different types, leading to varying sizes in memory.
Can arrays store different data types?
No, arrays can only store elements of the same data type. This limitation ensures that all elements can be accessed uniformly. In contrast, structures can hold multiple data types, making them more flexible for complex data representation.
How do you access elements in arrays and structures?
In arrays, elements are accessed using their index, like array[0]. For structures, you access members using the dot operator, like structure.member. This difference highlights how data is organized and retrieved in each type.
Are arrays and structures mutable?
Yes. Both arrays and structures are mutable in most programming languages. You can change the values of elements in an array or modify the members of a structure after they have been created, allowing for dynamic data manipulation.
When should you use an array over a structure?
Use an array when you need to store multiple values of the same type and perform operations on them. Choose a structure when you need to represent a complex entity with different attributes requiring varied data types.
Can you nest arrays and structures?
Yes, you can nest arrays within structures and vice versa. Doing so allows the creation of more complex data models. For example, a structure can contain an array as one of its members, enabling the representation of multi-dimensional data.
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