Explain the concept of dynamic arrays and their advantages over static arrays.

Dynamic arrays are a type of data structure that allows for the allocation of memory at runtime, enabling the creation of arrays whose size can be determined during program execution. Unlike static arrays, which have a fixed size determined at compile-time, dynamic arrays can be resized as needed.

The advantages of dynamic arrays over static arrays are as follows:

1. Flexibility: Dynamic arrays provide flexibility in terms of size. They can be resized to accommodate changing data requirements during program execution. This allows for more efficient memory utilization as the array can grow or shrink based on the actual data size.

2. Efficient memory allocation: Dynamic arrays allocate memory on the heap, which allows for efficient memory management. Memory is allocated only when needed, reducing wastage of memory resources. In contrast, static arrays allocate memory on the stack, which has a fixed size and can lead to memory wastage if the array size is larger than required.

3. Dynamic memory management: Dynamic arrays allow for dynamic memory management, as memory can be allocated and deallocated as needed. This enables efficient memory usage and prevents memory leaks. In contrast, static arrays have a fixed size and cannot be resized or deallocated during program execution.

4. Improved performance: Dynamic arrays offer improved performance compared to static arrays in scenarios where the size of the array is not known in advance. With dynamic arrays, the memory allocation can be adjusted based on the actual data size, resulting in better memory utilization and reduced overhead.

5. Enhanced functionality: Dynamic arrays provide additional functionality such as resizing, appending, and inserting elements at runtime. This flexibility allows for more complex data manipulation operations, making dynamic arrays suitable for a wide range of applications.

In summary, dynamic arrays offer flexibility, efficient memory allocation, dynamic memory management, improved performance, and enhanced functionality compared to static arrays. These advantages make dynamic arrays a powerful tool for managing and manipulating data in various programming scenarios.