How to create a two dimensional array of two dimensional arrays?

Question

I it possible to create a two dimensional array of two dimensional arrays in Delphi; and if so how do you access the addresses in it?

My aim is to create something similar to a sudoku grid where you have smaller grids inside of a bigger one.

It would work much better in stead of ex. Declaring multiple 2D arrays of the same type or one big array.

On a side note, I don't know what you'd be using this for, but lets say you want to make a map with zooming. The more you zoom in, the finer the detail becomes, thus the smaller the grid lines are. Kinda like Google Maps/Earth. In this case, there isn't a grid within a grid, but rather a single scalable grid using, for example, a double type for Longitude/Latitude. Not sure if this may help depending on your intention. — Jerry Dodge
– Jerry Dodge, Commented Mar 18, 2016 at 13:28

Uli Gerhardt · Accepted Answer · 2016-03-18 12:10:50Z

5

Something like

type
  TSmallGrid = array[1..3, 1..3] of Integer;
  TBigGrid = array[1..3, 1..3] of TSmallGrid;

should work. Access to BigArray: TBigGrid would be with standard Pascal array syntax:

  MyInt := BigArray[1, 2, 1, 2]; // or even BigArray[1, 2][1, 2] to emphasize the nesting

or

  SmallArray := BigArray[1, 2];

answered Mar 18, 2016 at 9:42

Uli Gerhardt

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2 Comments

Actually, if you want to emphasize that these are nested twodimensional arrays, you can also do MyInt := BigArray[1, 2][1, 2];.;

Thanks, @Rudy, integrated.