Final answer:
A dynamic array is an array that can grow in size dynamically to accommodate more elements as needed, offering advantages like efficient resource use and easier data management in programming.
Step-by-step explanation:
An array is an array that grows dynamically as more space is needed. This type of array is commonly referred to as a dynamic array or sometimes as an expandable array. Unlike a static array, which has a fixed size determined at the time of allocation, a dynamic array can resize itself automatically during runtime to accommodate additional elements beyond its initial capacity.
In programming languages like Java and Python, dynamic arrays are provided as part of the standard library, through classes like ArrayList or high-level data structures like list, respectively. The ability to resize is a significant advantage, as it allows for more efficient use of resources by minimizing the need for manual array resizing and copying of elements to a new larger array.
Dynamic arrays are often implemented using an underlying static array. When the static array becomes full, a new, larger array is allocated, and all elements are copied from the old to the new array. To provide ample space for additional elements and minimize the frequency of reallocations, the size is typically increased by a certain factor, commonly twice the size of the old array.