What is the difference between a dynamic array and a static array in Python?

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Jayant Kumar · Accepted Answer

In Python, the terms "dynamic array" and "static array" are not commonly used, as the built-in list type in Python represents a dynamic array-like structure. However, in general computer science terminology, the concepts of dynamic arrays and static arrays exist. Let's discuss the differences between them:
Static Array:

A static array is a fixed-size data structure where the size is determined at the time of declaration and cannot be changed later.
Static arrays have a fixed number of elements and a pre-allocated block of memory to store those elements.
Elements are accessed using their indices, starting from 0.
In some programming languages, like C or C++, static arrays offer direct memory access and can be more efficient in terms of memory usage and performance.
Example (C++): int staticArray[5];

Dynamic Array:

A dynamic array is a resizable data structure that can grow or shrink in size during program execution.
Dynamic arrays are implemented as a wrapper over static arrays, where the array size is managed dynamically by the data structure itself.
Elements are accessed using their indices, starting from 0, similar to static arrays.
Dynamic arrays provide flexibility by allowing elements to be added or removed as needed, without the need to pre-allocate a fixed amount of memory.
In Python, the built-in list type represents a dynamic array that automatically resizes itself as elements are added or removed.
Example (Python): dynamicArray = [1, 2, 3]; dynamicArray.append(4);

In Python, the list type acts as a dynamic array and offers several methods for adding, removing, and manipulating elements. The dynamic nature of the list allows it to grow or shrink as elements are added or removed, without explicitly specifying a fixed size.
To summarize, the key difference between a dynamic array and a static array is that dynamic arrays can change their size dynamically during runtime, while static arrays have a fixed size determined at compile-time. Python's list type represents a dynamic array and provides the flexibility to work with resizable arrays without the constraints of a fixed-size static array.

What is the difference between a dynamic array and a static array in Python?

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What is the difference between a dynamic array and a static array in Python?

Jayant Kumar @jayantkumar314

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