JAVA : Question about arrays

[DirtyKeyboard]

So in my textbook, it shows array initialization as: int[] arrayName = new int[x]; but I have been doing it like this: int arrayName[] = new int[x]; is there a difference, does it matter?

Also it shows copying an array reference without using []. this is exactly as it shows in my book

int[] scores = {10, 9, 7, 4, 5};

int[] values = scores; //copying array reference

 

i thought you had to use [] when referencing an array, like this:

int values[] = scores[];

 

Can someone clarify for me? I'm a learner for java.

[juley]

You don't need a [] because it's the variable name of the array and it's referencing the array.

If you still use it, your program won't compile anyways.

You only need an [] after the variable name if you want to get a specific value with an index in your array.

int value = scores[index];

 

[Umberto]

int arrayName[] = new int[x]; 

is a syntax used in C and works for whatever historical reason. I would advise to only use

int[] arrayName = new int[x];

as it makes more sense from a java perspective. 

[reniat]

Keep in mind, you should almost always avoid using arrays like that and instead use some collection like List or Set.

[Madgemade]

Also remember that when you want to copy without using a reference you have to use the function clone or a for loop.

5 minutes ago, reniat said:

Keep in mind, you should almost always avoid using arrays like that and instead use some collection like List or Set.

This is good advise, use the simple array type is ok for learning but to actually make something real it's a pain because for example you can't easily find the length. Collection are much nicer to use and have all sorts of useful functions that will same you a lot of time.