In C programming, how are arrays stored in memory?

In C programming, arrays are stored in contiguous memory locations. This means that all elements of the array are allocated in a sequence, one after the other, in adjacent memory spaces. This arrangement allows for efficient access to elements using an index.

When you declare an array in C, the compiler allocates a block of memory that is large enough to hold all the elements of the array. For example, if you have an array of integers with 10 elements, the memory allocated will be a single continuous block that can store all 10 integers. This contiguous allocation is advantageous because it enables the program to calculate the address of any element directly using its index.

For instance, the address of the nth element can be determined by the formula: base address + (n * size of element), where the base address is the address of the first element of the array. This mathematical calculation allows for quick and direct access to any element within the array, boosting performance and efficiency in operation.

Other options imply incorrect memory arrangements: separate memory locations would not allow for such direct indexing, random memory locations would disrupt the ease of access, and indexed locations do not clarify the physical arrangement of data in memory. The key concept here is the organization of array elements in