Array of Arrays

Question

How do you create an array of arrays in C#? I have read about creating jagged arrays but I'm not sure if thats the best way of going about it. I was wanting to achieve something like this:

string[] myArray = {string[] myArray2, string[] myArray3}

Then I can access it like myArray.myArray2[0];

I know that code won't work but just as an example to explain what I mean.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Simple example of array of arrays or multidimensional array is as follows:

int[] a1 = { 1, 2, 3 };
int[] a2 = { 4, 5, 6 };
int[] a3 = { 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 };
int[] a4 = { 50, 58, 90, 91 };

int[][] arr = {a1, a2, a3, a4};

To test the array:

for (int i = 0; i < arr.Length; i++)
{
    for (int j = 0; j < arr[i].Length; j++)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("\t" +  arr[i][j].ToString());
    }
}

Answer 2

you need a jagged array, that is the best solution here

int[][] j = new int[][] 

or:

string[][] jaggedArray = new string[3][];

jaggedArray[0] = new string[5];
jaggedArray[1] = new string[4];
jaggedArray[2] = new string[2]

then:

jaggedArray[0][3] = "An Apple"
jaggedArray[2][1] = "A Banana"

etc...

note:

Before you can use jaggedArray, its elements must be initialized.

in your case you could wrap the array in another class but that seems highly redundant imho

Answer 3

You can use List of List. List - it is just dynamic array:

        var list = new List<List<int>>();
        list.Add(new List<int>());
        list[0].Add(1);
        Console.WriteLine(list[0][0]);

Answer 4

The way to do this is through jagged arrays:

string[][] myArray;

Your way doesnt really make sense:

myArray.myArray2[20] // what element is the first array pointing to?

It should be at least (if possible)

myArray[1].myArray2[20];

This is clearly worse than the standard way you would do things with jagged arrays: myArray[1][20];

Answer 5

I cant understand your real aim. But as option you can use dynamic type to create dynamic dictionary as decribed here (see examples section).
But its more likely that you need multidimentional array as described in others answers