array indices must be positive integers or logical values.
Why Must Array Indices Be Positive Integers or Logical Values?
Answer: In programming, “array indices” refer to the positions used to access elements within an array. These indices must be positive integers or logical values for the following reasons:
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Positive Integers:
- Position Identification: Arrays are structured collections where each element has a specific position, starting from zero or one, depending on the programming language. Positive integers clearly define each position in an array.
- Sequential Access: Using integers allows programmers to access elements sequentially, loop through arrays, and perform various data manipulations efficiently.
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Logical Values:
- Conditional Access: Logical values (true or false) can be used to access elements conditionally. For instance, if you have a list of elements, you can use a logical array to select only those elements that meet certain criteria (e.g., all elements greater than a specific value).
- Masking and Selection: Logical indexing is particularly useful for filtering data or performing operations only on specific parts of an array.
Arrays must avoid negative indices or non-integer types (like strings) because they don’t naturally map to positions within the array, leading to errors or undefined behaviors in most programming languages.
Summary: Array indices need to be positive integers or logical values because they clearly define positions within the array, enabling efficient and logical data access and manipulation.
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