What is an array?
An array is a list of data item inmemory that all have the same name
and whose elements are differentiated by a subscript.
In simple terms, an array can be anything that is a group of related
numbers such as prices, phone numbers, catalog order numbers and the
list goes on and on.
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Why do we need them?
From the beginning of the computer, programmers like to "cheat". This
means that they try to make the computer do as much as possible, which
makes the code for a program much shorter.
Arrays can be huge, and what person wants to input each individual
variable. This is why we need to "cheat" and use arrays to our
advantage.
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Sample code:
this is a sample for the variable (avar)
CLS
PRINT "DEMO FOR ARRAYS"
FOR avar=1 to 100
INPUT "What is the product number?"; prodnum(avar):PRINT
INPUT "What is the product desciption(name)?"; prodscr$(avar):PRINT
INPUT "are there any more products:(Y/N)"; ans$
ans$ = UCASE$(LEFT$(ans$,1))
IF (ans$ <> "Y") THEN
EXIT FOR
END IF
NEXT avar
PRINT "hey, you made it"
PRINT prodscr$(1); tab(20); prodnum(1)
PRINT prodscr$(2); tab(20); prodnum(2)
END
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What is the ARRAY ELEMENT in the above code?
avar is the array variable. This is simply a name that is given to the
array. The important information is held in the array number or element.
1 to 100 signifies how many prodnum and prodscr there are. Towards the end
of the program, we used this number to take out the 1st and 2nd inputs and
print them on the screen.
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What is a PARALLEL ARRAY?
A parallel array is an array that has two or more shared informations. The
program uses a parallel array between prodnum and prodscr$. For example
prodnum(1) = 409 and prodscr$(1)= Huffy Bike. These two correspond to each
other. In your product database or ordering form, the Huffy bike is ordered
as number 409. Do you see how they are parallel. As a final statement, the
parallel arrays must have the same number of elements(1 to x) and must have
related value(depending on the users need."
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What is a DYNAMIC ARRAY?
A dynamic array is used for constantly changing data. This is handled in
a different format. Dynamic arrays are another section. Do not ask me
how to use them, because I don't do anything with graphics.
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submitted by ANTHRAX
contact him at http://ddi.digital.net/~triplej/calcpage.htm
or e-mail me at triplej@digital.ne
(
geocities.com/siliconvalley/pines) (
geocities.com/siliconvalley)