Should I Use Array.Resize() or Lists for Dynamically Resizing Arrays in C#?

Dynamically Resizing Arrays: Array.Resize() vs. Lists

In programming, arrays are fixed-size data structures, meaning their size cannot be changed after declaration. However, there are situations when the array size is unknown beforehand and needs to be adjusted dynamically. This raises the question: is it possible to resize an array in C#?

The answer is both "yes" and "no." While C# provides the Array.Resize() method, it's important to note that Array.Resize() does not technically resize the original array. Instead, it creates a new array with the specified size and copies the elements from the old array into the new one. The original array reference is then replaced with the reference to the new array.

Example:

int[] array1 = new int[10];
int[] array2 = array1;
Array.Resize<int>(ref array1, 20);

// Now:
// array1.Length is 20
// array2.Length is 10
// Two different arrays.

In this example, after calling Array.Resize(), array1 references a new array with a length of 20, while array2 still points to the original array with a length of 10. This means that the two arrays are now independent and any changes made to one will not affect the other.

Alternative: Using Lists

If the need for dynamic resizing is frequent, it's recommended to use lists instead of arrays. Lists are dynamic data structures that can automatically adjust their size as needed. Unlike arrays, lists can be easily expanded or shrunk by adding or removing elements.

Example:

List<int> list = new List<int>();
list.Add(1);
list.Add(2);

// Get the current size of the list
int size = list.Count;

Dynamic resizing with lists is much more convenient and efficient than using Array.Resize(). However, arrays still have their own advantages, such as better performance for certain operations and the ability to access elements directly using indexes. The choice between arrays and lists depends on the specific requirements of the application.

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