Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Fixed size refers to a data structure or container whose size cannot be changed once it is created. Once initialized with a specific capacity or length, no additional elements can be added or removed from it.
A fixed-size data structure in many programming languages that stores elements of the same type in contiguous memory locations.
Stack: A data structure that follows the Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) principle, where elements can only be added or removed from one end called the top.
Queue: A data structure that follows the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) principle, where elements can only be added at one end called the rear and removed from the other end called the front.