An array is collection of items stored at contiguous memory locations.
A structure is a user defined data type in C/C++. A structure creates a data type that can be used to group items of possibly different types into a single type.
Difference between Structure and Array
| ARRAY | STRUCTURE |
|---|
| Array refers to a collection consisting of elements of homogeneous data type. | Structure refers to a collection consisting of elements of heterogeneous data type. |
| Array uses subscripts or “[ ]” (square bracket) for element access | Structure uses “.” (Dot operator) for element access |
| Array is pointer as it points to the first element of the collection. | Structure is not a pointer |
| Instantiation of Array objects is not possible. | Instantiation of Structure objects is possible. |
| Array size is fixed and is basically the number of elements multiplied by the size of an element. | Structure size is not fixed as each element of Structure can be of different type and size. |
| Bit field is not possible in an Array. | Bit field is possible in an Structure. |
| Array declaration is done simply using [] and not any keyword. | Structure declaration is done with the help of “struct” keyword. |
| Arrays is a non-primitive datatype | Structure is a user-defined datatype. |
| Array traversal and searching is easy and fast. | Structure traversal and searching is complex and slow. |
| data_type array_name[size]; | struct sruct_name{ data_type1 ele1; data_type2 ele2; }; |
| Array elements are stored in contiguous memory locations. | Structure elements may or may not be stored in a contiguous memory location. |
| Array elements are accessed by their index number using subscripts. | Structure elements are accessed by their names using dot operator. |