Array

An array is a systematic arrangement of objects, usually in rows and columns. Specifically, it may refer to several things.

In computer science

Generally, a collection of data items that can be selected by indices computed at run-time, including:

• Array data structure, an arrangement of items at equally spaced addresses in computer memory
• Array data type, used in a programming language to specify a variable that can be indexed
• Associative array, an abstract data structure model that generalizes arrays to arbitrary indices

or various kinds of the above, such as

• Bit array or bit vector
• Dynamic array, allocated at run time
• Parallel array of records, with each field stored as a separate array
• Sparse array, with most elements omitted, to store a sparse matrix
• Variable-length array
• Ragged (jagged) array, where the rows have different lengths individually

or various related concepts:

• Array processor, a computer to process arrays of data (not to be confused with a processor array)
• Array programming, using matrix algebra notation in programs (not the same as array processing)
• Array slicing, the extraction of sub-arrays of an array
• APL (programming language)

or also:

• Video Graphics Array (VGA), a display adapter and video format, and many variants thereof (EVGA, FWVGA, QVGA, QXGA, SVGA, SXGA, SXGA+, TXGA, UVGA, XGA, XGA+, ...)

In mathematics and statistics

• An array or matrix (mathematics) e.g. a Monge array, a Costas array
• A standard array in coding theory
• In statistics, arrays are a name for some kinds of Category:Experimental design
• Intersection array a concept of category theory
• The thinned array curse or sparse array curse, a theorem about elecromagnetic waves

In technology

Various arrangements of multiple individual components to create a single system, such as:

• An antenna array, such as a phased array, a tower array, etc.
• A speaker array, used to produce directional Sound
• Asynchronous array of simple processors
• Ball grid array, pin grid array, and land grid array, ways to connect integrated circuits
• Cache Array Routing Protocol (CARP)
• Color filter array, placed over an imaging array
• Disk array, such as the RAID
• Field emitter array, an electron source
• Gate array, including a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)
• Halbach array, an arrangement of magnets
• Linear diode array used in image scanners
• Microphone array, such as a line array
• Microelectronic array for biological monitoring
• Parametric array of transducers
• Phased-array optics
• Photovoltaic array
• Processor array (not to be confused with an array processor)
• Programmable Array Logic (PAL), a systematic way to implement boolean functions.
• Reconfigurable datapath array, a flexible data processing architecture
• Staring array, an imaging sensor
• Systolic array, a hardware architecture
• Towed array sonar
• Wi-Fi array, a wireless networking device
• etc.

and also

• Array gain, a telecommunications parameter
• Array processing of multichannel signals (not to be confused with array programming)

In astronomy

A telescope array, also called astronomical interferometer, such as the:

• Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, USA
• Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA)
• Telescope Array Project
• Submillimeter Array (SMA)
• Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA)
• CHARA array
• Square Kilometre Array (SKA)
• Allen Telescope Array (ATA), formerly known as the One Hectare Telescope (1hT)
• Very Small Array
• Interplanetary Scintillation Array (IPS array) also called the Pulsar Array
• Infrared Optical Telescope Array (IOTA)
• Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Array (SZA)
• Australia Telescope Compact Array
• Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA)
• Akeno Giant Air Shower Array (AGASA)
• Murchison Widefield Array (MWA)
• Chicago Air Shower Array (CASA)
• Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR)
• 4C Array
• Antarctic Muon And Neutrino Detector Array (AMANDA)
• LOFAR (LOw Frequency ARray)
• Modular Neutron Array (MoNa the Vampire)

In biology

• Various kinds of multiple biological assays called microarrays
• Visual feature array, a model for the visual cortex
• A group of certain types of animals, such as hedgehogs and eels

In music

• Array, is a succession of aggregates in the twelve-tone technique and serialism
• Array system layout, in music theory
• Array mbira, a musical instrument
• Spiral array model, a music pitch space

Other

• A Commission of Array, a commission for mustering a militia
• Array DVD magazine, focused on black actors and actresses
• ARRAY Magazine, about interior design
• Array Networks, a computer networking company