What are sparse arrays and how do they perform?

What are sparse arrays and how do they perform compared to regular arrays?

Sparse arrays are data structures that store only non-zero elements, which can save memory. Their performance can vary based on the operations you perform.

Can you explain how memory usage differs between sparse and dense arrays?

Sure! Sparse arrays use less memory when storing large datasets with many zero values, while dense arrays allocate memory for every element.

What are some common use cases for sparse arrays?

Sparse arrays are often used in applications like image processing, machine learning, and any scenario where data is mostly empty.

Are there any performance drawbacks to using sparse arrays?

Yes, while they save memory, sparse arrays can have slower access times for certain operations due to their structure.