[SOLVED] Vectors

[porchrat]

Hi all

It has been a while since my last post, moved onto HTML at university now so that is occupying most of my attention these days.

However there is something I have been wondering about. I have been reading up on vectors, but I don't know if I have properly understood what they are all about.

From what I understand, a vector is basically an expandable 2D array?

What sort of situations would call for this and is there a limit to how large this vector can be or is it only dependent on the heap size?

[Mr.Beans]

a vector is basically an expandable 2D array

A Vector is an expandable one dimensional array. However, you can have a Vector of Vectors making it like an expandable two dimensional array.

What sort of situations would call for this

When you are going to need an array of x amount of objects but do not know what x will be.

is there a limit to how large this vector can be or is it only dependent on the heap size?

It is dependent only on the amount of heap available.

Mr.Beans

[Steve11235]

I suggest using ArrayList instead. Vector has built-in synchronization, which adds a lot of overhead.

[porchrat]

thanks guys that has helped me out a lot :)

are vectors generally used for objects only or can vectors be used, like arrays, for primitive types as well?

[hawaiian robots]

Only for objects. So for primitives use there wrapper classes (Integer, Character etc)

[porchrat]

Only for objects. So for primitives use there wrapper classes (Integer, Character etc)

OK, that makes sense, thank you :D