Multidimensional Arrays of Objects

[jcottrell]

I'm interested in creating a large 2-dimensional array of (custom) objects. I'd like to call the constructor of each object with the x and y index of its array position. For a small 2D array, this would look something like:

Cell[,] cells = new Cell[2,2] {{new Cell(1,1), new Cell(2,1)}, {new Cell(2,1), new Cell(2,2)}};

(Where Cell is a custom class that accepts two int parameters to its constructor.)

That's all fine and well but what if I want to create a LARGE array of objects (say, 100 in each dimension) and I want to call the constructor on each array element? It would be impractical to use the above notation (i.e. explicitly declare each Cell) but I don't know how else to create the array. Moreover, that approach wouldn't work if I didn't know the exact size of the array at design time (which I don't).

ArrayList seems like it would work but it only handles single dimensions. I suppose an ArrayList of ArrayLists might work but it seems like a cleaner solution is out there...

[wallacej]

Have you thought of using Vectors?

A vector is dynamic and can store classes of your own creation

[MrPolite]

umm ok I wrote two examples. One is for regular arrays like you used, and one for jagged arrays, whichever that would be more useful in your case. I used the Button class, you can replaced that with your class. Also you can reaplce the array size, 100, with a variable

Button[,] btn= new Button[100,100];
			for (int i=0; i<100; i++)
				for (int j=0; j<100; j++)
				{
					btn[i,j]= new Button();
				}



			Button[][] btn2 = new Button[100][];
			for (int i=0; i<100; i++)
			{
				btn2[i] = new Button[100];
				for (int j=0; j<100; j++)
				{
					btn2[i][j]= new Button();
				}
			}