Kumar Anil
Kumar Anil

Reputation: 69

How to initialize a multi-dimensional array of unknown array length

I am getting problems when generating a multi-dimensional array with unknown size. How can I fix it?

Upvotes: 4

Views: 16319

Answers (2)

RMT
RMT

Reputation: 7070

To generate a multi-dimensional array with unknown size is called a jagged array.

For example:

String[][] array = new String[5][];

Java uses arrays of arrays for multi-dimensional arrays. I think you have to specify the first size. Otherwise, use list of lists.

ArrayList<ArrayList<String>> list = new ArrayList<ArrayList<String>>();

Upvotes: 8

Sunil Kumar Sahoo
Sunil Kumar Sahoo

Reputation: 53657

Array is static. ArrayList is dynamic.

Before creating an array you should be aware of the size of the array. To create a multidimensional array without knowing array size is not possible.

Better you have to use a nested ArrayList or nested Vector:

ArrayList<ArrayList<String>> list = new ArrayList<ArrayList<String>>();

Upvotes: 2

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