API (JDK 1.1) documentation: http://java.sun.com/products/jdk/1.1/docs/api/java.lang.reflect.Array.html.

One-dimensional

1 2 7 6 3 34 2 87

When accessing values from the array, it is usual to provide a) the variable name of the array (one of the main advantages of an array is to allow you to access multiple values from the same variable name, allowing you to group data together) and b) the memory offset from the start of the array. The first value is usually accessed by providing the offset 0, because this will read from the first block of memory (the offset 1 will read the second value, because it will move inwards 1 block).

Multi-dimensional

 | 0  1
-|--------------
0| 1 34
1| 2 12
2| 5 37

Things get really complicated with three or four dimensional arrays, which are hard to conceptualise. You can imagine a three dimensional array to be a cube of values, and if anyone can conceptualise a four-dimensional one, I'd like to know.

Three dimensional arrays are used in graphics programs to store 3D co-ordinates, but anything above that is usually of little use to the programmer.

Ar*ray" (#), n. [OE. arai, arrai, OF. arrai, arrei, arroi, order, arrangement, dress, F. arroi; a (L. ad) + OF. rai, rei, roi, order, arrangement, fr. G. or Scand.; cf. Goth. raidjan, garaidjan, to arrange, MHG. gereiten, Icel. rei[eth]i rigging, harness; akin to E. ready. Cf. Ready, Greith, Curry.]

1.

Order; a regular and imposing arrangement; disposition in regular lines; hence, order of battle; as, drawn up in battle array.

Wedged together in the closest array. Gibbon.

2.

The whole body of persons thus placed in order; an orderly collection; hence, a body of soldiers.

A gallant array of nobles and cavaliers. Prescott.

3.

An imposing series of things.

Their long array of sapphire and of gold. Byron.

4.

Dress; garments disposed in order upon the person; rich or beautiful apparel.

Dryden.

5. Law (a)

A ranking or setting forth in order, by the proper officer, of a jury as impaneled in a cause.

The panel itself.

The whole body of jurors summoned to attend the court.

To challenge the array Law, to except to the whole panel. Cowell. Tomlins. Blount. -- Commission of array Eng. Hist., a commission given by the prince to officers in every county, to muster and array the inhabitants, or see them in a condition for war. Blackstone.

© Webster 1913.