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How to use arrays
and collections
C8, Slide 1
Objectives
Applied
1. Given the specifications for an app that requires the use of a one-
dimensional or rectangular array, write the code that works with
the array.
2. Given the specifications for an app that requires the use of one of
the collection classes presented in this chapter, write the code that
works with the collection.
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Objectives (continued)
Knowledge
1. Distinguish between a for loop and a foreach loop.
2. Explain how the Array class can be used with an array.
3. Describe how the null-conditional operator works and when you
would use it.
4. Describe how you use a list pattern to match a sequence of patterns
against the elements in an array or list.
5. Distinguish between an untyped and a typed collection class.
6. Describe the differences between these collection classes: list,
sorted list, queue, stack, and array list.
C8, Slide 3
Examples that create an array of decimal types
With two statements
decimal[] totals;
totals = new decimal[4];
With one statement
decimal[] totals = new decimal[4];
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An array of strings
string[] description = new string[3];
C8, Slide 5
Two arrays in one statement
const int MaxCount = 100;
decimal[] prices = new decimal[MaxCount],
discountPercentages = new decimal[MaxCount];
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Assign values by accessing each element
Code that assigns values to an array of decimal types
decimal[] totals = new decimal[4];
totals[0] = 14.95m;
totals[1] = 12.95m;
totals[2] = 11.95m;
totals[3] = 9.95m;
//totals[4] = 8.95m; // an IndexOutOfRangeException
Code that assigns objects to an array of strings
string[] names = new string[3];
names[0] = "Ted Lewis";
names[1] = "Sue Jones";
names[2] = "Ray Thomas";
C8, Slide 7
Examples that create an array and assign values
in one statement
decimal[] totals =
new decimal[4] {14.95m, 12.95m, 11.95m, 9.95m};
decimal[] totals = {14.95m, 12.95m, 11.95m, 9.95m};
string[] names = {"Ted Lewis", "Sue Jones", "Ray Thomas"};
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Infer the type of an array from its values
var grades = new[] {95, 89, 91, 98};
C8, Slide 9
Code that computes the average
of an array of totals
decimal[] totals = {14.95m, 12.95m, 11.95m, 9.95m};
decimal sum =
totals[0] + totals[1] + totals[2] + totals[3];
decimal average = sum/totals.Length;
C8, Slide 10
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Code that puts the numbers 0 through 9
into an array
int[] numbers = new int[10];
for (int i = 0; i < numbers.Length; i++)
numbers[i] = i;
C8, Slide 11
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Code that uses a for loop
to display the numbers array
string numbersString = "";
for (int i = 0; i < numbers.Length; i++)
numbersString += numbers[i] + " ";
MessageBox.Show(numbersString, "Numbers Test");
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A for loop that computes the average
of the totals array
decimal sum = 0.0m;
for (int i = 0; i < totals.Length; i++)
sum += totals[i];
decimal average = sum/totals.Length;
C8, Slide 13
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Code that uses a for loop
to display the totals array
string totalsString = "";
for (int i = 0; i < totals.Length; i++)
totalsString += totals[i] + "\n";
MessageBox.Show("The totals are:\n" +
totalsString + "\n" +
"Sum: " + sum + "\n" +
"Average: " + average, "Totals Test");
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Code that uses a foreach loop
to display the numbers array
string numbersString = "";
foreach (int number in numbers)
{
numbersString += number + " ";
}
MessageBox.Show(numbersString, "Numbers Test");
C8, Slide 15
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Code that uses a foreach loop
to compute the average of the totals array
decimal sum = 0.0m;
foreach (decimal total in totals)
sum += total;
decimal average = sum/totals.Length;
C8, Slide 16
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Code that uses a foreach loop
to display the totals array
string totalsString = "";
foreach (decimal total in totals)
totalsString += total + "\n";
MessageBox.Show("The totals are:\n" +
totalsString + "\n" +
"Sum: " + sum + "\n" +
"Average: " + average,
"Totals Test");
C8, Slide 17
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About arrays
A statement that creates a 3x2 array
int[,] numbers = new int[3,2];
The index values for the elements
of a 4x4 rectangular array
0,0 0,1 0,2 0,3
1,0 1,1 1,2 1,3
2,0 2,1 2,2 2,3
3,0 3,1 3,2 3,3
Code that assigns values to the numbers array
numbers[0,0] = 1;
numbers[0,1] = 2;
numbers[1,0] = 3;
numbers[1,1] = 4;
numbers[2,0] = 5;
numbers[2,1] = 6;
C8, Slide 18
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Array examples
Code that creates a 3x2 array
and assigns values with one statement
int[,] numbers = { {1,2}, {3,4}, {5,6} };
Code that creates and assigns values
to a 3x2 array of strings
string[,] products =
{{"C#", "Murach's C#"},
{"JAVA", "Murach's Java Programming"},
{"ASPMVC", "Murach's ASP.NET MVC"}};
Another way to create the array of strings
var products = new[,]
{{"C#", "Murach's C#"},
{"JAVA", "Murach's Java Programming"},
{"ASPMVC", "Murach's ASP.NET MVC"}};
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Code that works with the numbers array
int numberOfRows = numbers.GetLength(0);
int numberOfColumns = numbers.GetLength(1);
int sumOfFirstRow = numbers[0,0] + numbers[0,1];
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Code that displays the rectangular numbers array
string numbersString = "";
for (int i = 0; i < numbers.GetLength(0); i++)
{
for (int j = 0; j < numbers.GetLength(1); j++)
numbersString += numbers[i,j] + " ";
numbersString += "\n";
}
MessageBox.Show(numbersString, "Numbers Test");
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Code that displays the rectangular products array
string productsString = "";
for (int i = 0; i < products.GetLength(0); i++)
{
for (int j = 0; j < products.GetLength(1); j++)
productsString += products[i,j] + "\t\t";
productsString += "\n";
}
MessageBox.Show(productsString, "Products Test");
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Statements that use the GetLength()
and GetUpperBound() methods
int[] numbers = new int[4] {1, 2, 3, 4};
int length = numbers.GetLength(0);
int upperBound = numbers.GetUpperBound(0);
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Code that uses the Sort() method
string[] lastNames = {"Boehm", "Taylor", "Murach"};
Array.Sort(lastNames);
string message = "";
foreach (string lastName in lastNames)
message += lastName + "\n";
MessageBox.Show(message, "Sorted Last Names");
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Code that uses the BinarySearch() method
string[] employees =
{"AdamsA", "FinkleP", "LewisJ", "PotterE"};
decimal[] salesAmounts =
{3275.68m, 4298.55m, 5289.57m, 1933.98m};
int index = Array.BinarySearch(employees, "FinkleP");
decimal salesAmount = salesAmounts[index];
// salesAmount = 4298.55
C8, Slide 25
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Code that creates a reference to another array
double[] inches1 = new double[3] {1,2,3};
double[] inches2 = inches1;
inches2[2] = 4; // changes the third element
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Code that reuses an array variable
inches1 = new double[20];
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Code that copies all the elements of an array
double[] inches = new double[3] {1,2,3};
double[] centimeters = new double[3];
Array.Copy(inches, centimeters, inches.Length);
for (int i = 0; i < centimeters.Length; i++)
centimeters[i] *= 2.54; // set new values
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Code that copies some of the elements of an array
string[] names = {"Murach", "Boehm", "Delamater"};
string[] lastTwoNames = new string[2];
Array.Copy(names, 1, lastTwoNames, 0, 2);
C8, Slide 29
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The code for a method that returns an array
private decimal[] GetRateArray(int elementCount)
{
decimal[] rates = new decimal[elementCount];
for (int i = 0; i < rates.Length; i++)
rates[i] = (decimal) (i + 1) / 100;
return rates;
}
A statement that calls the method
decimal[] rates = this.GetRateArray(4);
C8, Slide 30
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A method that accepts an array argument
private void ToCentimeters(double[] measurements)
{
for (int i = 0; i < measurements.Length; i++)
measurements[i] *= 2.54;
}
Statements that declare the array
and call the method
double[] measurements = {1,2,3};
ToCentimeters(measurements);
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A method that returns an array
private double[] ToCentimeters(
params double[] measurements)
{
for (int i = 0; i < measurements.Length; i++)
measurements[i] *= 2.54;
return measurements;
}
A statement that calls the method
double[] measurements = ToCentimeters(1,2,3);
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A statement that creates a null array
string[] initials = null;
A statement that throws NullReferenceException
string firstInitial = initials[0].ToUpper();
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Code that uses if statements
to prevent a NullReferenceException
if (initials != null)
{
if (initials[0] != null)
{
string firstInitial = initials[0].ToUpper();
}
}
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A statement that uses null-conditional operators
to prevent a NullReferenceException
string? firstInitial = initials?[0]?.ToUpper();
C8, Slide 35
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The array that’s used in the examples that follow
decimal[] sales =
{ 22125.67m, 25362.35m, 21478.93m, 27495.72m,
26405.61m, 19476.29m, 31837.56m, 28649.01m };
How to refer to an element from the end
of an array
decimal previousMonthSales = sales[^2]; // 31837.56
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How to refer to a range of elements
By including starting and ending indexes
var firstQtrSales = sales[0..3]; // indexes 0 through 2
By including just an ending index
var firstQtrSales = sales[..3]; // indexes 0 through 2
By including just a starting index
var secondHalfSales = sales[6..]; // indexes 6 through 7
By including no starting or ending index
var YTDSales = sales[..]; // indexes 0 through 7
By including an index from the end of the array
var secondQtrSales = sales[3..^2];
// indexes 3 through 5
C8, Slide 37
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How to use a range in a foreach loop
totalSales = 0.0m;
foreach (decimal sale in sales[3..6])
{
totalSales += sale;
}
C8, Slide 38
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How to use the Index and Range types
(.NET Core 3.0 and later)
Index previousMonthIndex = ^2;
decimal previousMonthSales =
sales[previousMonthIndex]; // 31837.56
Range secondQtrRange = 3..6;
var secondQtrSales = sales[secondQtrRange];
// indexes 3 through 5
C8, Slide 39
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The list used by the List patterns
int[] quantity = { 100, 200, 300, 400 };
List patterns that test the values
if (quantity is [100, 200, 300, 400]) // true
if (quantity is [100, 200, 400, 400]) // false
if (quantity is [100, 200, 300]) // false
if (quantity is [100, 200, 300, _]) // true
if (quantity is
[< 200, 200 or 300, >= 300 and < 400, > 200])
// true
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Slice patterns within list patterns
if (quantity is [100, 200, ..]) // true
if (quantity is [.., 400]) // true
if (quantity is [> 0, .., > 500]) // false
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A var pattern within a list pattern
if (quantity is [100, 200, 300, var fourth])
// true
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A switch expression that uses list patterns
int index = quantity switch
{
[> 0, > 0, > 0, > 0] => -1,
[> 0, > 0, > 0, <= 0] => 3,
[> 0, > 0, <= 0, ..] => 2,
[> 0, <= 0, ..] => 1,
_ => 0
};
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Arrays vs. collections
Similarities
Both can store multiple elements, which can be value types or
reference types.
Differences
An array is a feature of the C# language. Collections are .NET
classes.
Collection classes provide methods to perform operations that
arrays don’t provide.
Arrays are fixed in size. Collections are variable in size.
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The using directive for untyped collections
using System.Collections;
Code that uses an untyped collection
ArrayList numbers = new ArrayList();
numbers.Add(3);
numbers.Add(7);
numbers.Add("Test"); // will compile--runtime error
int sum = 0;
for (int i = 0; i < numbers.Count; i++)
{
int number = (int)numbers[i]; // cast is required
sum += number;
}
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The using directive for typed collections
using System.Collections.Generic;
Code that uses a typed collection
List<int> numbers = new List<int>();
numbers.Add(3);
numbers.Add(7);
//numbers.Add("Test"); // won't compile
int sum = 0;
for (int i = 0; i < numbers.Count; i++)
{
int number = numbers[i]; // no cast needed
sum += number;
}
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Lists
A list of string elements
List<string> titles = new List<string>();
A list of decimal elements
List<decimal> prices = new List<decimal>();
A list of strings with a capacity of 3
List<string> lastNames = new List<string>(3);
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Code that causes the size of a list of names
to be increased
List<string> lastNames = new List<string>(3);
lastNames.Add("Boehm");
lastNames.Add("Delamater");
lastNames.Add("Murach");
lastNames.Add("Taylor"); //Capacity is doubled
lastNames.Add("Baylon");
lastNames.Add("McCoy");
lastNames.Add("Slivkoff"); //Capacity is doubled
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Code that creates a list that holds decimal values
List<decimal> salesTotals = new List<decimal>
{ 3275.68m, 4398.55m, 5289.75m, 1933.98m };
Code that retrieves the first value from the list
decimal sales1 = salesTotals[0];
// sales1 = 3275.68
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Code that inserts and removes an element
salesTotals.Insert(0, 2745.73m);
// insert new first element
sales1 = salesTotals[0]; // sales1 = 2745.73
decimal sales2 = salesTotals[1]; // sales2 = 3275.68
salesTotals.RemoveAt(1); // remove second element
sales2 = salesTotals[1]; // sales2 = 4398.55
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Code that displays the list in a dialog
string salesTotalsString = "";
foreach (decimal d in salesTotals)
salesTotalsString += d.ToString() + "\n";
MessageBox.Show(salesTotalsString, "Sales Totals");
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Code that checks for an element in the list
and removes it if it exists
decimal x = 2745.73m;
if (salesTotals.Contains(x))
salesTotals.Remove(x);
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Code that sorts and searches the list
salesTotals.Sort();
int sales2Index = salesTotals.BinarySearch(sales2);
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How to create and load a sorted list
with separate statements
SortedList<string, decimal> salesList =
new SortedList<string, decimal>(4);
salesList.Add("FinkleP", 4398.55m);
salesList.Add("AdamsA", 3275.68m);
salesList.Add("PotterE", 1933.98m);
salesList.Add("LewisJ", 5289.75m);
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How to create and load a sorted list
with a collection initializer
SortedList<string, decimal> salesList =
new SortedList<string, decimal>
{ { "FinkleP", 4398.55m }, { "AdamsA", 3275.68m },
{ "PotterE", 1933.98m }, { "LewisJ", 5289.75m } };
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How to create and load a sorted list with
an index initializer inside a collection initializer
SortedList<string, decimal> salesList =
new SortedList<string, decimal>
{ ["FinkleP"] = 4398.55m, ["AdamsA"] = 3275.68m,
["PotterE"] = 1933.98m, ["LewisJ"] = 5289.75m };
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Code that looks up a value in the sorted list
based on a key
string employeeKey = "LewisJ";
decimal salesTotal = salesList[employeeKey];
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Code that converts the sorted list
to a tab-delimited string
string salesTableString = "";
foreach (KeyValuePair<string, decimal> employeeSalesEntry
in salesList)
{
salesTableString += employeeSalesEntry.Key + "\t"
+ employeeSalesEntry.Value + "\n";
}
MessageBox.Show(salesTableString,"Employee Sales Totals");
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Code that uses a queue
Queue<string> nameQueue = new Queue<string>();
nameQueue.Enqueue("Boehm");
nameQueue.Enqueue("Taylor");
nameQueue.Enqueue("Murach");
string nameQueueString = "";
while (nameQueue.Count > 0)
nameQueueString += nameQueue.Dequeue() + "\n";
MessageBox.Show(nameQueueString, "Queue");
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Code that uses a stack
Stack<string> nameStack = new Stack<string>();
nameStack.Push("Boehm");
nameStack.Push("Taylor");
nameStack.Push("Murach");
string nameStackString = "";
while (nameStack.Count > 0)
nameStackString += nameStack.Pop() + "\n";
MessageBox.Show(nameStackString, "Stack");
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Code that creates an array list
that holds decimal values
decimal[] newSalesTotals =
{3275.68m, 4398.55m, 5289.75m, 1933.98m};
ArrayList salesTotals = new ArrayList();
foreach (decimal d in newSalesTotals)
salesTotals.Add(d);
Another way to create the array list
ArrayList salesTotals = new ArrayList
{ 3275.68m, 4398.55m, 5289.75m, 1933.98m };
Code that retrieves the first value
from the array list
decimal sales1 =
(decimal) salesTotals[0]; // sales1 = 3275.68
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Code that inserts and removes an element
from the array list
salesTotals.Insert(0, 2745.73m);
// insert a new first element
sales1 = (decimal) salesTotals[0];
// sales1 = 2745.73
decimal sales2 = (decimal) salesTotals[1];
// sales2 = 3275.68
salesTotals.RemoveAt(1); // remove the second element
sales2 = (decimal) salesTotals[1];
// sales2 = 4398.55
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Code that works with the salesTotals array list
Code that displays the array list in a dialog
string salesTotalsString = "";
foreach (decimal d in salesTotals)
salesTotalsString += d + "\n";
MessageBox.Show(salesTotalsString, "Sales Totals");
Code that checks for an element in the array list and
removes it if it exists
decimal x = 2745.73m;
if (salesTotals.Contains(x))
salesTotals.Remove(x);
Code that sorts and searches the array list
salesTotals.Sort();
int sales2Index = salesTotals.BinarySearch(sales2);
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