Algorithm Design Questions
A dynamic array is a data structure that can dynamically resize itself during runtime. It is similar to a regular array but with the ability to grow or shrink in size as needed.
The operations of a dynamic array include:
1. Initialization: The dynamic array is created with an initial size and capacity.
2. Access: Elements in the dynamic array can be accessed using their index, similar to a regular array.
3. Insertion: New elements can be inserted at a specific index or at the end of the array. If the array is full, it is resized to accommodate the new element.
4. Deletion: Elements can be removed from the array by specifying their index. The array may need to be resized if the removal causes it to become too empty.
5. Resize: The dynamic array can be resized to increase or decrease its capacity. When resizing, the elements are copied to a new array with the desired capacity.
6. Size: The size of the dynamic array represents the number of elements currently stored in it.
7. Capacity: The capacity of the dynamic array represents the maximum number of elements it can hold without resizing.
Dynamic arrays provide flexibility in terms of memory usage as they can allocate more or less memory as needed. However, resizing the array can be an expensive operation in terms of time complexity, as it involves copying elements to a new array.