What are the differences between arrays, sets, and maps in programming?

What are the differences between arrays, sets, and maps in programming?

Arrays are ordered collections of elements, while sets are unordered and only store unique values. Maps, on the other hand, are key-value pairs.

Can you give me an example of when to use a set instead of an array?

Sure! Use a set when you need to ensure all elements are unique, like tracking unique user IDs.

What about maps? When should I use them?

Maps are great for situations where you need to associate keys with values, like storing user profiles with user IDs as keys.

Are there performance differences between these collection types?

Yes, performance can vary. Arrays are fast for indexed access, sets are efficient for uniqueness checks, and maps are optimized for key-value lookups.