What is the key difference between a structure and an array?

A structure can hold members of different types; an array holds one type

An array holds different types; a structure the same type

A structure can hold only integers

How are array elements stored compared with structure members?

Array elements are consecutive without gaps; structures may have padding bytes

Structure members are stored in random places

Arrays have padding, structures never do

Why is a structure preferred for a student record (name, roll, marks)?

The record mixes char, int and float data, which an array cannot hold

Structures use less memory always

Asked 4/16
2072 Chaitra · 2 marks
2073 Shrawan · 2 marks
2069 Asar · 2 marks
2068 Chaitra · 2 marks

Structure versus array

Short answer

A structure groups variables of different types under one name; an array holds elements of a single type. Structures are preferred when a record (e.g., student with name, roll, marks) mixes types, because they keep all fields of an entity together, allowing the whole record to be assigned, passed to functions, or returned as a unit.

How does a structure differ from an array? Why do we prefer structure over array?

A structure is a user-defined type that groups variables of different types under one name. An array is a collection of variables of the same type.

Basis	Structure	Array
Data types	Members may have different types	All elements have the same type
Keyword	Declared with `struct`	No keyword
Access	By member name: `s.roll`	By index: `a[2]`
Memory	Members stored in order, may have padding bytes	Elements stored in consecutive memory without gaps
Type	User-defined data type	Derived data type
Pointer to element	Arrow operator `p->x`	Pointer arithmetic `*(p+i)`

Why structure is preferred over an array

A record such as a student (name, roll, marks) mixes character, integer and float data, which an array cannot hold. A structure keeps all details of one entity together under one name, so they can be copied, passed to functions and returned as a unit. An array of structures can then store many records.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

Structure vs array; accessing members · Computer Programming, chapter 8
Pass student array; display passed students · Computer Programming, chapter 7
Standard deviation and mean of array · Computer Programming, chapter 7
Prefer O(n) or O(log n) algorithm · Data Structure and Algorithm, chapter 9
Array representation vs dynamic list · Data Structure and Algorithm, chapter 3
ADT versus data structure · Data Structure and Algorithm, chapter 1
R-2R ladder DAC versus weighted resistor · Instrumentation I, chapter 5

All Computer Programming chapter 8 questions →

Structure versus array

Why structure is preferred over an array

Related questions