Arrays

Arrays are data structures that allow us to store collections of elements of the same data type using a single name, perhaps someInts, myFloats, or zombieHorde. Arrays provide a convenient way to organize and manipulate data, enabling more efficient and structured programming. Arrays are especially useful for repetitive data, like lists of numbers, characters, or game objects. This introduction will explore the basics of arrays and, as we proceed through the book, we will see more advanced uses.

A comparison with a regular variable might help. If a variable is a box in which we can store a value of a specific type, like int, float, or char, then we can think of an array as a row of boxes. The row of boxes can be of almost any size and type, including objects made from classes. However, all the boxes must be of the same type.

The limitation of having to use the same type in each box can be circumvented to an extent once we learn some more advanced C++ in the final...