What is an array in computer science?

An array in computer science is defined as a fixed-size sequence of elements that are all of the same type. This means that once an array is created, its size cannot be changed, and every element stored within it must be of the same data type, such as integers, characters, or floating-point numbers. This homogeneity allows for efficient indexing, as all elements can be accessed using a single index value, which corresponds to their position in the sequence.

Arrays are useful in many programming scenarios because they enable organized storage and manipulation of multiple pieces of data. For example, if a program needs to store the scores of multiple students in a class, an array can be used to hold all these scores in a structured manner, facilitating easy access and modification.

In contrast to this, other answers describe concepts that do not fit the definition of an array. A dynamic list of variable types suggests a structure that can change in size and support mixed data types—characteristics of collections such as linked lists or dynamic arrays, but not fixed arrays. The mention of cloud services relates to external storage and computing resources rather than data structures. Lastly, error handling refers to approaches taken when encountering runtime or logical errors in a program, which is completely separate from how data is organized