Describe the difference between a dynamic array and a static array.

Describe the difference between a dynamic array and a static array.

• A. Dynamic array has fixed size determined at compile time.
• B. Dynamic array cannot resize.
• C. Dynamic array can resize at runtime and may allocate new memory and copy elements; static array has fixed size.
• D. Static arrays automatically manage memory.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is how size and memory handling differ between dynamic and static arrays. A dynamic array is designed to grow or shrink during program execution. When more space is needed, it allocates a larger block of memory, copies the existing elements into the new block, and updates its internal counters. This resizing can happen at runtime and is often done by allocating a new, bigger array (sometimes doubling capacity) and migrating data, so you can keep adding elements without manually creating a new container. A static array, on the other hand, has a fixed number of slots determined when it is created, so you can’t add more elements than its size without creating a new array and copying data yourself. This explains why the correct description fits: the dynamic array can resize at runtime and may allocate new memory and copy elements, while the static array has a fixed size. The other statements conflict with this behavior—static-sized at compile time and cannot resize, or claims about automatic memory management for static arrays don’t capture the typical distinction.

The main idea is how size and memory handling differ between dynamic and static arrays. A dynamic array is designed to grow or shrink during program execution. When more space is needed, it allocates a larger block of memory, copies the existing elements into the new block, and updates its internal counters. This resizing can happen at runtime and is often done by allocating a new, bigger array (sometimes doubling capacity) and migrating data, so you can keep adding elements without manually creating a new container. A static array, on the other hand, has a fixed number of slots determined when it is created, so you can’t add more elements than its size without creating a new array and copying data yourself.

This explains why the correct description fits: the dynamic array can resize at runtime and may allocate new memory and copy elements, while the static array has a fixed size. The other statements conflict with this behavior—static-sized at compile time and cannot resize, or claims about automatic memory management for static arrays don’t capture the typical distinction.