Best way to handle array of arrays in C#

Question

I need to create an array of string arrays in C#. Basically, I want to do the following, kind of a hybrid C/C#:

private string[] revA = new string[] {"one", "two", "three" };
private string[] revB = new string[] {"four", "five", "six" };
private string[] revC = new string[] {"seven", "eight", "nine" };

string[,] list = {revA, revB, revC};

string outStr = list[0][0];  // outStr == "one"
string outStr = list[2][1];  // outStr == "eight"

But I know that won't work.

I've looked into ArrayList and List, but I'm not sure how to make it work. Any help would be appreciated.

string[,] is different than string[][], did you mean to use the latter? — Joe Sewell
– Joe Sewell, Commented Jun 24, 2021 at 2:25
This is an easy problem, you best course of action it to work out the difference between an multidimensional array and jagged array and you will have your solution. You can start here google.com/… — TheGeneral
– TheGeneral, Commented Jun 24, 2021 at 2:28
Could also use List<string>, I find lists easier to deal with in C#. To define it use: private var revA = new List<string>(); then you can add them using: revA.Add('item'); — Vuk
– Vuk, Commented Jun 24, 2021 at 2:33
ArrayList is very old. Prefer List<T> in all cases other than dealing with legacy code that cannot be upgraded. Upgrade legacy code that can — Caius Jard
– Caius Jard, Commented Jun 24, 2021 at 5:45

Caius Jard · Accepted Answer · 2021-06-24 05:45:11Z

3

You need to use Jagged Array string[][] instead of Multidimensional Array string[,]

This source can give you more detail about it Why we have both jagged array and multidimensional array?

edited Jun 24, 2021 at 5:45

Caius Jard

75k6 gold badges61 silver badges95 bronze badges

answered Jun 24, 2021 at 2:32

tontonsevilla

2,8691 gold badge16 silver badges19 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

Digilee Over a year ago

I had actually tried the string[][] syntax earlier, but the compiler did not let me initialize the list variable in the global space. "A field initializer cannot reference the non-static field, method or property 'revA'" When I moved 'list' inside a function, it worked.

Thomson Mixab · Accepted Answer · 2021-06-24 02:36:29Z

1

string[,] list = new string[3, 3] {{"one", "two", "three" },
                                  {"four", "five", "six" },
                                  {"seven", "eight", "nine" } };



string outStr = list[0, 0];  // outStr == "one"

answered Jun 24, 2021 at 2:36

Thomson Mixab

6425 silver badges8 bronze badges

1 Comment

Caius Jard Over a year ago

Though I would avoid doing this; multidim arrays are generally more of a pain in the ass to work with than jaggeds

MAG MS Programmer · Accepted Answer · 2021-06-24 06:58:28Z

0

This can be possible with ArrayList and with List in C#. I tried the following code you can check and explore more according to your requirements.

string[] reva = new string[] { "one", "two", "three" };
        string[] revb = new string[] { "four", "five", "six" };
        string[] revc = new string[] { "seven", "eight", "nine" };


        ArrayList arrayList = new ArrayList() { reva, revb, revc };

        List<string> nums = reva.Cast<string>().ToList();
        nums.ForEach(Console.WriteLine);
        Console.ReadLine();




        Console.ReadLine();

answered Jun 24, 2021 at 6:58

MAG MS Programmer

117 bronze badges

Comments

JonasH · Accepted Answer · 2021-06-24 08:08:05Z

While jagged and multidimensional arrays have been mentioned, a third option is a custom multidimensional array type. Something like

    public class My2DArray<T>
    {
        public T[] Array { get; }
        public int Width { get; }
        public int Height { get; }

        public My2DArray(int width, int height, params T[] initialItems)
        {
            Width = width;
            Height = height;
            Array = new T[width * height];
            initialItems.CopyTo(Array, 0);
        }
        public T this[int x, int y]
        {
            get => Array[y * Width + x];
            set => Array[y * Width + x] = value;
        }
    }

This has the advantage over multidimensional array in that the backing single dimensional array is directly accessible, and this can be good for interoperability, or if you just want to iterate over all items.

You can add constructors to initialize it however you want.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Best way to handle array of arrays in C#

4 Answers 4

1 Comment

1 Comment

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

4 Answers 4

1 Comment

1 Comment

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related