Array Data Structures and Algorithms in Java

An array is a very powerful data structure that stores lists of elements, including objects. With endless applications, arrays are one of the most used data structures in Java. To better understand what an array is, we can look at simple examples of real-life arrays, like a collection of books on your table, clothes in a wardrobe, and pens in your pen stand.

Array structures in real life

This box of macarons is very similar to array data structures in Java. If we look at this box very carefully, we can easily see point out its main properties.

• It is a box designed to hold macarons in it, and this means that this box is produced for macarons. You cannot store cream puffs in it.
• All macarons in this box are next to each other. There is no gap between them, meaning they are contiguous. 
• Each macaron here can be identified uniquely based on its location. If someone asked if they could try the third macaroon, you would know that they were referring to the pink macaron placed third in the box.
• We cannot change the size of the box, which is fixed. This means that this box is produced by some standard manufacturer and assumes that there will be only 10 macarons in it. So we cannot change the size of this box.

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