Chapter 12: Arrays and Collections

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Overview

In this chapter, you will learn how to:

• Implement arrays in C++

• Create single-dimensional and multidimensional arrays

• Create managed arrays

• Use the features of the System::Array class with managed arrays

• Use the collection classes provided in the System::Collections and System::Collections::Specialized namespaces

This chapter is concerned with data structures. You’ll learn about arrays and other collection classes, and you’ll learn how to use them in your programs. In the first part of the chapter, you’re going to learn about two sorts of arrays: the native arrays provided by the C++ language, and the .NET managed arrays, which use functionality inherited from the .NET Framework. You’ll find out how they all work and when one should be used rather than the other.

The second part of the chapter looks more widely at the range of collection classes provided by the .NET Framework, discussing their characteristics and showing you how and when to use them.