Add array to jagged array

Question

I want to create a dynamic jagged array with dynamic data. The problem is that a part of the jagged array is only a two column type and the rest of it is a 4 column type. Code is in C#.

public static Object[][] my_array = new Object[20][];
public static void LoadData()
{
     for(int i = 0; i < 20; i++)
     {
         my_array[i]    = new Object[20];
         my_array[i][0] = "Data1";
         my_array[i][1] = "Data2";
         my_array[i][2] = "Data3";
         my_array[i][3] = "Data4";
         my_array[i][4] = new Object[100];

         for(int j = 0; j < 100; j++)
         {
             my_array[i][4][j] = new Object[200];
             my_array[i][4][j][0] = "SubData1";
         }
         my_array[i][5] = "Data6";
     }
 }

I get following error:

Severity Code Description Project File Line Suppression State Error CS0021 Cannot apply indexing with [] to an expression of type 'object'

Is this even possible to do this in C#?

Rather than arrays, I suggest you use List<T> structures, they will give you dynamic flexibility. If you have elements of different types, then maybe you should use a class with typed and named members. — Dragonthoughts
– Dragonthoughts, Commented Jun 25, 2018 at 8:30
The compiler does not know that my_array[i][4] is an Object[] instance, you have to cast it — vc 74
– vc 74, Commented Jun 25, 2018 at 8:31
This seems more like a XY problem. What problem are you actually trying to solve? What you are trying seems pretty dangerous because sometimes at my_array[i][j] is a string and sometimes there is another object[]. Do you want to parse some kind of JSON or XML? Because there are parsers for that. — Freggar
– Freggar, Commented Jun 25, 2018 at 8:32
I love the smell of xy when i get home from work, as @bommelding said just define some concrete classes uses list<T> where its needed, and make your life easier — TheGeneral
– TheGeneral, Commented Jun 25, 2018 at 8:40

Alex Riabov · Accepted Answer · 2018-06-25 08:30:43Z

2

You should cast it to Array before applying indexing, like:

var array = (Object[]) my_array[i][4];

answered Jun 25, 2018 at 8:30

Alex Riabov

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2 Comments

JonZ Over a year ago

Using my example where I should put this?

Alex Riabov Over a year ago

@JonZ

for(int j = 0; j < 100; j++)          {              var array = (Object[]) my_array[i][4];              array[j] = new Object[200];              var mySecondArray = (Object[])array[j];              mySecondArray[0] = "SubData1";          }

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