What is the difference between flattening and deep flattening in data structures?

What is the difference between flattening and deep flattening in data structures?

Flattening refers to converting a multi-dimensional array into a one-dimensional array, while deep flattening goes further by recursively flattening nested arrays.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! For flattening, if you have [1, [2, 3], 4], it becomes [1, 2, 3, 4]. For deep flattening, if you have [1, [2, [3, 4]], 5], it becomes [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].

When would I use deep flattening instead of just flattening?

You would use deep flattening when dealing with arrays that have multiple levels of nested arrays, ensuring all elements are accessible in a single array.

Are there performance considerations when using deep flattening?

Yes, deep flattening can be more computationally intensive than simple flattening, especially with large and deeply nested structures.