What are some practical use cases for associative arrays?

What are some practical use cases for associative arrays?

Associative arrays are great for storing key-value pairs. For example, you can use them to manage user data, like usernames and their corresponding email addresses.

Can you give me more examples?

Sure! They can be used in configuration settings, where keys are setting names and values are their corresponding values. Also, they are useful in counting occurrences of items, like counting words in a text.

How do they differ from regular arrays?

Regular arrays use numeric indices, while associative arrays use named keys. This allows for more intuitive data retrieval.

Are there any performance considerations?

Yes, associative arrays can be slower than regular arrays for large datasets due to the overhead of managing keys. However, they offer more flexibility.