Can multiple data types be stored in System.Array?
So whats an array all about? An array is a collection of items of the same type, that is
grouped together and encompassed within an array object. The array object, or the System.Array
object to be precise, is derived from the System.Object class. It is thus, stored in the form of
a heap in the memory.
An array may be of single dimensional, multi-dimensional or jagged (a jagged array means an array within an
array).
A group of items when assigned values within braces implicitly derive from System.Array class. See example below
written in C#...
C# Example
int[] testIntArray = new int[4] { 2, 3, 4, 5 };
Object[] testObjArray = new Object[5] { 32, 22, 23, 69, 75 };
Ideally an array should contain a single data type. But still in case there is a requirement to
place data of different data types in a specific array, then in such a scenario, the data elements
should be declared as an object type. When this is done, then each element may point ultimately
to a different data type. See code example below written in VB.NET...
VB.NET Example
Dim allTypes As Object() = New Object() {}
'In this kind of scenario, the performance may tend to slow down, as data conversions may take place.
'In case a value type is converted to reference type, then boxing and unboxing occurs
'To know more on Value Types & Reference Types,
Click Here
Dim studentTable(2) As Object
studendTable(0) = "Vishal Khanna"
studentTable(1) = 28
studentTable(2) = #9/1/1978#
'To get these values of these varying datatypes, their values are converted to their original data type
Dim myAge As Integer = CInt(studentTable(1))
Dim myBirthDay as Date = CDate(studentTable(2))
Protected Internal
Array
Sort Array
Throw
Multiple Catch
Polymorphism
Inheritance
Session Viewstate
Autogenerate
ReadOnly
Sealed Class
Sealed Method
Multiple Interfaces
Overloading
Overloaded Constructors
Generics
Main
Case Sensitive
Console
Specifier
Return Type
SetCommandLineArgs
System Environment
New
Default Values of Types
Compiler Error
Constant Variable
Const
Const - ReadOnly
Parameter Modifier
Out Ref
Interface
Interface Reference, is, as
System.Collection
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