Sometimes you will need to manipulate a SERIES of related objects within an array object. Arrays let your programs work conveniently with a group of related objects. In short, an array simply lets you store and access a set of objects of the same type within the same variable. For example, you can use an array to keep TRACK of grades for fifty students or to store a series of file names.

Even though JAVA arrays are similar in syntax to C/C++ arrays, they have subtle differences. In Java, an array is basically an object that POINTS to a set of other objects or primitive data types. The only visible DIFFERENCE between arrays and objects is that arrays have a special syntax to make them behave like the arrays found in other languages. Unlike C and C++, however, Java arrays cannot change in size, nor can a program use an out-of-bound index with a Java array. Also, you declare and create arrays in Java very differently than in C/C++.

Sometimes you will need to manipulate a series of related objects within an array object. Arrays let your programs work conveniently with a group of related objects. In short, an array simply lets you store and access a set of objects of the same type within the same variable. For example, you can use an array to keep track of grades for fifty students or to store a series of file names.

Even though Java arrays are similar in syntax to C/C++ arrays, they have subtle differences. In Java, an array is basically an object that points to a set of other objects or primitive data types. The only visible difference between arrays and objects is that arrays have a special syntax to make them behave like the arrays found in other languages. Unlike C and C++, however, Java arrays cannot change in size, nor can a program use an out-of-bound index with a Java array. Also, you declare and create arrays in Java very differently than in C/C++.