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# array (stdlib v7.3)

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Functional, extendible arrays.

Arrays can have fixed size, or can grow automatically as needed. A default value is used for entries that have not been explicitly set.

Arrays uses zero-based indexing. This is a deliberate design choice and differs from other Erlang data structures, for example, tuples.

Unless specified by the user when the array is created, the default value is the atom `undefined`. There is no difference between an unset entry and an entry that has been explicitly set to the same value as the default one (compare `reset/2`). If you need to differentiate between unset and set entries, ensure that the default value cannot be confused with the values of set entries.

The array never shrinks automatically. If an index `I` has been used to set an entry successfully, all indices in the range `[0,I]` stay accessible unless the array size is explicitly changed by calling `resize/2`.

Examples:

Create a fixed-size array with entries 0-9 set to `undefined`:

    A0 = array:new(10).
    10 = array:size(A0).

Create an extendible array and set entry 17 to `true`, causing the array to grow automatically:

    A1 = array:set(17, true, array:new()).
    18 = array:size(A1).

Read back a stored value:

    true = array:get(17, A1).

Accessing an unset entry returns default value:

    undefined = array:get(3, A1)

Accessing an entry beyond the last set entry also returns the default value, if the array does not have fixed size:

    undefined = array:get(18, A1).

"Sparse" functions ignore default-valued entries:

    A2 = array:set(4, false, A1).
    [{4, false}, {17, true}] = array:sparse_to_orddict(A2).

An extendible array can be made fixed-size later:

    A3 = array:fix(A2).

A fixed-size array does not grow automatically and does not allow accesses beyond the last set entry:

    {'EXIT',{badarg,_}} = (catch array:set(18, true, A3)).
    {'EXIT',{badarg,_}} = (catch array:get(18, A3)).

# Summary

## Types

array()
array(Type)

A functional, extendible array. The representation is not documented and is subject to change without notice. Notice that arrays cannot be directly compared for equality.

array_indx()
array_opt()
array_opts()
indx_pair(Type)
indx_pairs(Type)

## Functions

default(Array)

Gets the value used for uninitialized entries.

fix(Array)

Fixes the array size. This prevents it from growing automatically upon insertion.

foldl(Function, InitialAcc, Array)

Folds the array elements using the specified function and initial accumulator value. The elements are visited in order from the lowest index to the highest.

foldr(Function, InitialAcc, Array)

Folds the array elements right-to-left using the specified function and initial accumulator value. The elements are visited in order from the highest index to the lowest.

from_list(List)

Equivalent to `from_list(List, undefined)`.

from_list(List, Default)

Converts a list to an extendible array. `Default` is used as the value for uninitialized entries of the array.

from_orddict(Orddict)

Equivalent to `from_orddict(Orddict, undefined)`.

from_orddict(Orddict, Default)

Converts an ordered list of pairs `{Index, Value}` to a corresponding extendible array. `Default` is used as the value for uninitialized entries of the array.

get(I, Array)

Gets the value of entry `I`.

is_array(X)

Returns `true` if `X` is an array, otherwise `false`.

is_fix(Array)

Checks if the array has fixed size. Returns `true` if the array is fixed, otherwise `false`.

map(Function, Array)

Maps the specified function onto each array element. The elements are visited in order from the lowest index to the highest.

new()

Creates a new, extendible array with initial size zero.

new(Options)

Creates a new array according to the specified options. By default, the array is extendible and has initial size zero. Array indices start at `0`.

new(Size, Options)

Creates a new array according to the specified size and options.

relax(Array)

Makes the array resizable. (Reverses the effects of `fix/1`.)

reset(I, Array)

Resets entry `I` to the default value for the array. If the value of entry `I` is the default value, the array is returned unchanged.

resize(Array)

Changes the array size to that reported by `sparse_size/1`. If the specified array has fixed size, also the resulting array has fixed size.

resize(Size, Array)

Change the array size.

set(I, Value, Array)

Sets entry `I` of the array to `Value`.

size(Array)

Gets the number of entries in the array. Entries are numbered from `0` to `size(Array)-1`. Hence, this is also the index of the first entry that is guaranteed to not have been previously set.

sparse_foldl(Function, InitialAcc, Array)

Folds the array elements using the specified function and initial accumulator value, skipping default-valued entries. The elements are visited in order from the lowest index to the highest.

sparse_foldr(Function, InitialAcc, Array)

Folds the array elements right-to-left using the specified function and initial accumulator value, skipping default-valued entries. The elements are visited in order from the highest index to the lowest.

sparse_map(Function, Array)

Maps the specified function onto each array element, skipping default-valued entries. The elements are visited in order from the lowest index to the highest.

sparse_size(Array)

Gets the number of entries in the array up until the last non-default-valued entry. That is, returns `I+1` if `I` is the last non-default-valued entry in the array, or zero if no such entry exists.

sparse_to_list(Array)

Converts the array to a list, skipping default-valued entries.

sparse_to_orddict(Array)

Converts the array to an ordered list of pairs `{Index, Value}`, skipping default-valued entries.

to_list(Array)

Converts the array to a list.

to_orddict(Array)

Converts the array to an ordered list of pairs `{Index, Value}`.

# Types

# array()

    -type array() :: array(term()).

# array(Type)

    -opaque array(Type)

A functional, extendible array. The representation is not documented and is subject to change without notice. Notice that arrays cannot be directly compared for equality.

# array_indx()

(not exported)

    -type array_indx() :: non_neg_integer().

# array_opt()

(not exported)

    -type array_opt() ::
              {fixed, boolean()} |
              fixed |
              {default, Type :: term()} |
              {size, N :: non_neg_integer()} |
              (N :: non_neg_integer()).

# array_opts()

(not exported)

    -type array_opts() :: array_opt() | [array_opt()].

# indx_pair(Type)

(not exported)

    -type indx_pair(Type) :: {Index :: array_indx(), Type}.

# indx_pairs(Type)

(not exported)

    -type indx_pairs(Type) :: [indx_pair(Type)].

# Functions

# default(Array)

    -spec default(Array :: array(Type)) -> Value :: Type.

Gets the value used for uninitialized entries.

See also `new/2`.

# fix(Array)

    -spec fix(Array :: array(Type)) -> array(Type).

Fixes the array size. This prevents it from growing automatically upon insertion.

See also `set/3` and `relax/1`.

# foldl(Function, InitialAcc, Array)

    -spec foldl(Function, InitialAcc :: A, Array :: array(Type)) -> B
                   when Function :: fun((Index :: array_indx(), Value :: Type, Acc :: A) -> B).

Folds the array elements using the specified function and initial accumulator value. The elements are visited in order from the lowest index to the highest.

If `Function` is not a function, the call fails with reason `badarg`.

See also `foldr/3`, `map/2`, `sparse_foldl/3`.

# foldr(Function, InitialAcc, Array)

    -spec foldr(Function, InitialAcc :: A, Array :: array(Type)) -> B
                   when Function :: fun((Index :: array_indx(), Value :: Type, Acc :: A) -> B).

Folds the array elements right-to-left using the specified function and initial accumulator value. The elements are visited in order from the highest index to the lowest.

If `Function` is not a function, the call fails with reason `badarg`.

See also `foldl/3`, `map/2`.

# from_list(List)

    -spec from_list(List :: [Value :: Type]) -> array(Type).

Equivalent to `from_list(List, undefined)`.

# from_list(List, Default)

    -spec from_list(List :: [Value :: Type], Default :: term()) -> array(Type).

Converts a list to an extendible array. `Default` is used as the value for uninitialized entries of the array.

If `List` is not a proper list, the call fails with reason `badarg`.

See also `new/2`, `to_list/1`.

# from_orddict(Orddict)

    -spec from_orddict(Orddict :: indx_pairs(Value :: Type)) -> array(Type).

Equivalent to `from_orddict(Orddict, undefined)`.

# from_orddict(Orddict, Default)

    -spec from_orddict(Orddict :: indx_pairs(Value :: Type), Default :: Type) -> array(Type).

Converts an ordered list of pairs `{Index, Value}` to a corresponding extendible array. `Default` is used as the value for uninitialized entries of the array.

If `Orddict` is not a proper, ordered list of pairs whose first elements are non-negative integers, the call fails with reason `badarg`.

See also `new/2`, `to_orddict/1`.

# get(I, Array)

    -spec get(I :: array_indx(), Array :: array(Type)) -> Value :: Type.

Gets the value of entry `I`.

If `I` is not a non-negative integer, or if the array has fixed size and `I` is larger than the maximum index, the call fails with reason `badarg`.

If the array does not have fixed size, the default value for any index `I` greater than `size(Array)-1` is returned.

See also `set/3`.

# is_array(X)

    -spec is_array(X :: term()) -> boolean().

Returns `true` if `X` is an array, otherwise `false`.

Notice that the check is only shallow, as there is no guarantee that `X` is a well-formed array representation even if this function returns `true`.

# is_fix(Array)

    -spec is_fix(Array :: array()) -> boolean().

Checks if the array has fixed size. Returns `true` if the array is fixed, otherwise `false`.

See also `fix/1`.

# map(Function, Array)

    -spec map(Function, Array :: array(Type1)) -> array(Type2)
                 when Function :: fun((Index :: array_indx(), Type1) -> Type2).

Maps the specified function onto each array element. The elements are visited in order from the lowest index to the highest.

If `Function` is not a function, the call fails with reason `badarg`.

See also `foldl/3`, `foldr/3`, `sparse_map/2`.

# new()

    -spec new() -> array().

Creates a new, extendible array with initial size zero.

See also `new/1`, `new/2`.

# new(Options)

    -spec new(Options :: array_opts()) -> array().

Creates a new array according to the specified options. By default, the array is extendible and has initial size zero. Array indices start at `0`.

`Options` is a single term or a list of terms, selected from the following:

- `N::integer() >= 0` or `{size, N::integer() >= 0}` - Specifies the initial array size; this also implies `{fixed, true}`. If `N` is not a non-negative integer, the call fails with reason `badarg`.

- `fixed` or `{fixed, true}` - Creates a fixed-size array. See also `fix/1`.

- `{fixed, false}` - Creates an extendible (non-fixed-size) array.

- `{default, Value}` - Sets the default value for the array to `Value`.

Options are processed in the order they occur in the list, that is, later options have higher precedence.

The default value is used as the value of uninitialized entries, and cannot be changed once the array has been created.

Examples:

    array:new(100)

creates a fixed-size array of size 100.

    array:new({default,0})

creates an empty, extendible array whose default value is `0`.

    array:new([{size,10},{fixed,false},{default,-1}])

creates an extendible array with initial size 10 whose default value is `-1`.

See also `fix/1`, `from_list/2`, `get/2`, `new/0`, `new/2`, `set/3`.

# new(Size, Options)

    -spec new(Size :: non_neg_integer(), Options :: array_opts()) -> array().

Creates a new array according to the specified size and options.

If `Size` is not a non-negative integer, the call fails with reason `badarg`. By default, the array has fixed size. Notice that any size specifications in `Options` override parameter `Size`.

If `Options` is a list, this is equivalent to `new([{size, Size} | Options])`, otherwise it is equivalent to `new([{size, Size} | [Options]])`. However, using this function directly is more efficient.

Example:

    array:new(100, {default,0})

creates a fixed-size array of size 100, whose default value is `0`.

See also `new/1`.

# relax(Array)

    -spec relax(Array :: array(Type)) -> array(Type).

Makes the array resizable. (Reverses the effects of `fix/1`.)

See also `fix/1`.

# reset(I, Array)

    -spec reset(I :: array_indx(), Array :: array(Type)) -> array(Type).

Resets entry `I` to the default value for the array. If the value of entry `I` is the default value, the array is returned unchanged.

Reset never changes the array size. Shrinking can be done explicitly by calling `resize/2`.

If `I` is not a non-negative integer, or if the array has fixed size and `I` is larger than the maximum index, the call fails with reason `badarg`; compare `set/3`

See also `new/2`, `set/3`.

# resize(Array)

    -spec resize(Array :: array(Type)) -> array(Type).

Changes the array size to that reported by `sparse_size/1`. If the specified array has fixed size, also the resulting array has fixed size.

See also `resize/2`, `sparse_size/1`.

# resize(Size, Array)

    -spec resize(Size :: non_neg_integer(), Array :: array(Type)) -> array(Type).

Change the array size.

If `Size` is not a non-negative integer, the call fails with reason `badarg`. If the specified array has fixed size, also the resulting array has fixed size.

# set(I, Value, Array)

    -spec set(I :: array_indx(), Value :: Type, Array :: array(Type)) -> array(Type).

Sets entry `I` of the array to `Value`.

If `I` is not a non-negative integer, or if the array has fixed size and `I` is larger than the maximum index, the call fails with reason `badarg`.

If the array does not have fixed size, and `I` is greater than `size(Array)-1`, the array grows to size `I+1`.

See also `get/2`, `reset/2`.

# size(Array)

    -spec size(Array :: array()) -> non_neg_integer().

Gets the number of entries in the array. Entries are numbered from `0` to `size(Array)-1`. Hence, this is also the index of the first entry that is guaranteed to not have been previously set.

See also `set/3`, `sparse_size/1`.

# sparse_foldl(Function, InitialAcc, Array)

    -spec sparse_foldl(Function, InitialAcc :: A, Array :: array(Type)) -> B
                          when Function :: fun((Index :: array_indx(), Value :: Type, Acc :: A) -> B).

Folds the array elements using the specified function and initial accumulator value, skipping default-valued entries. The elements are visited in order from the lowest index to the highest.

If `Function` is not a function, the call fails with reason `badarg`.

See also `foldl/3`, `sparse_foldr/3`.

# sparse_foldr(Function, InitialAcc, Array)

    -spec sparse_foldr(Function, InitialAcc :: A, Array :: array(Type)) -> B
                          when Function :: fun((Index :: array_indx(), Value :: Type, Acc :: A) -> B).

Folds the array elements right-to-left using the specified function and initial accumulator value, skipping default-valued entries. The elements are visited in order from the highest index to the lowest.

If `Function` is not a function, the call fails with reason `badarg`.

See also `foldr/3`, `sparse_foldl/3`.

# sparse_map(Function, Array)

    -spec sparse_map(Function, Array :: array(Type1)) -> array(Type2)
                        when Function :: fun((Index :: array_indx(), Type1) -> Type2).

Maps the specified function onto each array element, skipping default-valued entries. The elements are visited in order from the lowest index to the highest.

If `Function` is not a function, the call fails with reason `badarg`.

See also `map/2`.

# sparse_size(Array)

    -spec sparse_size(Array :: array()) -> non_neg_integer().

Gets the number of entries in the array up until the last non-default-valued entry. That is, returns `I+1` if `I` is the last non-default-valued entry in the array, or zero if no such entry exists.

See also `resize/1`, `size/1`.

# sparse_to_list(Array)

    -spec sparse_to_list(Array :: array(Type)) -> [Value :: Type].

Converts the array to a list, skipping default-valued entries.

See also `to_list/1`.

# sparse_to_orddict(Array)

    -spec sparse_to_orddict(Array :: array(Type)) -> indx_pairs(Value :: Type).

Converts the array to an ordered list of pairs `{Index, Value}`, skipping default-valued entries.

See also `to_orddict/1`.

# to_list(Array)

    -spec to_list(Array :: array(Type)) -> [Value :: Type].

Converts the array to a list.

See also `from_list/2`, `sparse_to_list/1`.

# to_orddict(Array)

    -spec to_orddict(Array :: array(Type)) -> indx_pairs(Value :: Type).

Converts the array to an ordered list of pairs `{Index, Value}`.

See also `from_orddict/2`, `sparse_to_orddict/1`.