6. Confusing Arrays with Slices

Arrays and slices behave differently, and confusing the two can cause problems.

Example:

Modifying the slice also modifies the underlying array, which may not be expected.

Differences between Arrays and Slices

1. Arrays:
2. Slices:

Modifying Slices Affects the Underlying Array

When modifying a slice, the underlying array is also affected because both share the same data storage. This can lead to unexpected behaviors if misunderstood.

Example:

Output:

CopyEdit

Array before: [1 2 3] Array after: [10 2 3]

Explanation

• slice[0] = 10 affects not only the slice but also the array arr, as both share the same underlying data.
• Being aware of this relationship is crucial to prevent unintended changes.

How to Avoid Issues?

1. If you need an independent copy, use the copy function:

Now, modifying newSlice won't affect the original array.

2. Always review the scope of changes made to a slice to understand where they will have an impact.

This distinction between arrays and slices is powerful but requires caution to avoid surprises!