Final answer:
Arrays are indexed collections of data, available in both built-in and user-defined types, used to efficiently store and manage data.
Step-by-step explanation:
Arrays are indexed collections of data. The data can be of either a built-in type or a user-defined type. Arrays organize data so that related values can be easily accessed or manipulated using an index, typically numerical, offering a way to store and manage large amounts of data efficiently. For example, a simple integer array in many programming languages can be declared and initialized as follows:
int[] myArray = {10, 20, 30, 40, 50};
Here, myArray is an array that stores integers. Arrays can also be multidimensional, allowing for the storage of data in multiple dimensions, similar to a grid or table. This feature is particularly useful in scientific computing, graphics, and database management.