Choosing design method for ladder-like word game

Question

I\'m trying to build a simple application, with the finished program looking like this :

ladder-like game http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6859/lab9a.jpg

I wil

Answer 1

Your grid is your internal data model (i.e. none except for you will use it). That's why you can choose the one which is the most convinient for you.

I would prefer the first solution with arrays because the code will be a little more readable (at least for me). Just compare:

grid[3][4] = element;

and

grid.get(3).add(4, element);

Moreover, if you want to use collections, then you probably need to use

Map<Integer, List<Element>> grid

where Integer-key represents row index. With list of lists it's very difficult to insert new words (just think, how would you implement that with lists only).