When you're working with arrays (which are like lists) in programming, there are some common mistakes you should watch out for. I’ve learned about these the hard way, and here are my main tips:
This is a very common mistake. In most programming languages, arrays start counting from zero. This means if you have an array that has 5 items, the valid positions you can use are 0 to 4. If you try to get the item at position 5, it won’t work and will cause an error. Remember: the last position is always the size of the array minus one.
If you’re going through a list and decide to add or remove items while doing so, things can get confusing. You might accidentally skip some items or even get errors. A good tip is to make a copy of the list to work with while changing it.
Some arrays can be changed after they are created. These are called mutable arrays. However, some types of lists, like Python’s tuples, cannot be changed. They are called immutable. It’s important to know which ones are which so you don’t accidentally create a new item instead of changing the one you have!
Always think about situations where your list might be empty or have just one item. These are called edge cases. If you test these situations, it can help you avoid problems later on.
Arrays have a set size. If you think you might need to add more items than what you originally planned for, consider using lists or vectors that can grow in size. Planning for more items can help you save time later.
By being aware of these common mistakes, you can make working with arrays and lists a lot easier!
When you're working with arrays (which are like lists) in programming, there are some common mistakes you should watch out for. I’ve learned about these the hard way, and here are my main tips:
This is a very common mistake. In most programming languages, arrays start counting from zero. This means if you have an array that has 5 items, the valid positions you can use are 0 to 4. If you try to get the item at position 5, it won’t work and will cause an error. Remember: the last position is always the size of the array minus one.
If you’re going through a list and decide to add or remove items while doing so, things can get confusing. You might accidentally skip some items or even get errors. A good tip is to make a copy of the list to work with while changing it.
Some arrays can be changed after they are created. These are called mutable arrays. However, some types of lists, like Python’s tuples, cannot be changed. They are called immutable. It’s important to know which ones are which so you don’t accidentally create a new item instead of changing the one you have!
Always think about situations where your list might be empty or have just one item. These are called edge cases. If you test these situations, it can help you avoid problems later on.
Arrays have a set size. If you think you might need to add more items than what you originally planned for, consider using lists or vectors that can grow in size. Planning for more items can help you save time later.
By being aware of these common mistakes, you can make working with arrays and lists a lot easier!