Initializing a C# array with multiple copies of the same element

Question

In the C++ Standard Template Library (STL), it is possible for example to create a vector consisting of multiple copies of the same element, using this constructor:

Answer 1

double[] theSameValues = Enumerable.Repeat(2.0, 10).ToArray();

Answer 2

What about this?

double[] v = Enumerable.Repeat(x, n).ToArray();

EDIT: I just did a small benchmark; to create 1000 arrays of 100000 elements each, using a loop is about 3 times faster that Enumerable.Repeat.

Repeat 
00:00:18.6875488 

Loop 
00:00:06.1628806 

So if performance is critical, you should prefer the loop.

Answer 3

var arr = Enumerable.Repeat(x, n).ToArray();

Personally, I'd just use a regular array loop, though:

var arr = new double[n];
for(int i = 0 ; i < arr.Length ; i++) arr[i] = x;

More characters, but the array is demonstrably the right size from the outset - no iterative growth List<T>-style and final copy back. Also; simply more direct - and the JIT can do a lot to optimise the for(int i = 0 ; i < arr.Length ; i++) pattern (for arrays).

Answer 4

the for each (or better the classic for) is always much faster than using Linq. You should use the Linq expression only if it makes the code more readable

Answer 5

In VB.NET

Imports System.Linq

Dim n As Integer = 10

Dim colorArray = New Color(n - 1) {}.[Select](Function(item) Color.White).ToArray()