How do different data structures in C# affect performance?

How do different data structures in C# affect performance?

The performance of data structures in C# can vary significantly based on their implementation. For example, arrays provide fast access times but have a fixed size, while lists offer dynamic sizing but may have slower access times.

Can you explain the performance differences between List<T> and LinkedList<T>?

Certainly! List<T> provides O(1) time complexity for accessing elements by index, while LinkedList<T> allows for O(1) insertions and deletions at both ends but O(n) for accessing elements by index.

What about dictionaries? How do they compare?

Dictionaries in C# are implemented as hash tables, offering average O(1) time complexity for lookups, insertions, and deletions. This makes them very efficient for key-value pair storage compared to lists or linked lists.

Are there any scenarios where I should avoid using a Dictionary?

Yes, if you have a small number of elements or need ordered data, a List<T> or SortedList might be more appropriate. Dictionaries also have overhead due to hashing.