C# FAQ: What is the difference between CSharp and Java array declarations

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Category: CSharp FAQ

What is the difference between C# and Java array declarations?

In the Java language, there are two methods of declaring arrays. The first method is backwards compatible with C and C++ notation. The second is generally acknowleged as being more easily read and maintained.

C# uses only the second array declaration syntax. The following are examples in both the C# and Java languages:

// C# example
int[] intArray     = new int[10];   // intArray is a type int[] object
float floatArray[] = new float[10]; // compile error 

// Java example
int[] intArray     = new int[10];   // intArray is a type int[] object
float floatArray[] = new float[10]; // floatArray is a type float[] object 

See also

• C# for Java Developers
• Does C# check array bounds? (array bounds checking)
• Does C# support jagged arrays?
• Should calling Initialize() on a reference type array fill it with objects?