When should I use jagged arrays instead of multidimensional arrays?

When should I use jagged arrays instead of multidimensional arrays?

Jagged arrays are useful when you need rows of varying lengths, while multidimensional arrays are better for fixed-size data.

Can you give me an example of when a jagged array would be more efficient?

Sure! If you're storing data for a list of students where each student has a different number of grades, a jagged array is ideal.

What are the performance implications of using one over the other?

Jagged arrays can save memory when the data is sparse, but multidimensional arrays can be faster for fixed-size data due to better cache locality.

Are there any programming languages that favor one type over the other?

Yes, languages like C# and Java have strong support for both, but Python often uses lists (which can act like jagged arrays) for flexibility.