fixed and dynamic data structures

Question

how to demonstrate programming for fixed and dynamic data structures?

Vulpes · Answer

This example contrasts the use of a fixed data structure (an array) with a dynamic data structure (a List(Of T)). Once it has been initialized an array is fixed in size whereas a List(Of T) increases its capacity automatically as new items are added. It is still possible to increase an array's size using the Array.Resize method but what this does internally is to create a new array of the required size and then copy the previous array's elements to the new array. Internally a List Imports System Imports System.Collections.Generic Module Test Sub Main() Dim a() As String = {A B C D} Array.Resize(a 6) a(4) = E a(5) = F Console.Write(The elements of the array are : ) For Each s As String in a Console.Write({0}  s) Next Console.WriteLine() ' now do same thing using a List(Of String) Dim l As New List(Of String) From {A B C D} Console.WriteLine(The initial capacity of the list is {0} l.Capacity) l.Add(E) l.Add(F) Console.Write(The elements of the list are : ) For Each s As String in a Console.Write({0}  s) Next Console.WriteLine() Console.WriteLine(The capacity of the list has now been doubled to {0} l.Capacity) Console.ReadKey() End Sub End Module