When should you prefer arrays and when should you avoid it?

In Java, choosing between arrays and other data structures depends on your specific use case and requirements. Below are some situations when to prefer arrays and when to avoid them:

When to Prefer Arrays:

• Fixed Size: Use arrays when you know the exact number of elements in advance. Arrays have a fixed size, making them efficient in terms of memory allocation and access speed.
• Performance: Arrays provide constant-time access to elements, which is ideal for performance-sensitive applications.
• Simplicity: If your data structure needs are simple (like holding primitive data types), arrays are straightforward to implement and use.

When to Avoid Arrays:

• Dynamic Size: Avoid arrays if you do not know the size of your collection at compile time. Consider using ArrayLists or other collection classes instead.
• Complex Data Management: When you need complex data manipulation (insertion, deletion), use data structures like LinkedLists.
• Type Safety: If you are working with different types of objects, collections like HashMap or ArrayList provide better type safety using generics.