What are jagged arrays and how do they work?

What are jagged arrays and how do they work?

Jagged arrays are arrays of arrays where each sub-array can have a different length. They are useful for storing data in a non-uniform structure.

Can you give me an example of a jagged array in Python?

Sure! In Python, a jagged array can be created like this: jagged_array = [[1, 2, 3], [4, 5], [6]]. Here, the first sub-array has 3 elements, the second has 2, and the last has 1.

How do I access elements in a jagged array?

You can access elements using two indices: the first for the sub-array and the second for the element within that sub-array. For example, jagged_array[0][1] would give you 2.

Are there any performance considerations when using jagged arrays?

Yes, jagged arrays can be less memory efficient than rectangular arrays due to the overhead of storing pointers to each sub-array. However, they offer flexibility in data structure.