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Tech Tip: Arrays vs collections for optimal performance in 4D
PRODUCT: 4D | VERSION: 20 R | PLATFORM: Mac & Win
Published On: February 18, 2025

When designing your 4D applications, you’ll often need to choose between using arrays and collections. Although both structures store references to data, arrays typically offer better performance in terms of speed and memory management—especially when handling homogeneous data. Collections, however, provide greater flexibility by accommodating heterogeneous data types, which can be invaluable in more complex scenarios.

Key Points:


  • Arrays are ideal for simple, homogeneous data sets. Their optimized memory layout and 1-based indexing in 4D make them a great choice for operations involving numeric or uniformly typed data.

  • Collections allow you to mix different data types (text, numbers, booleans, objects, etc.), and are perfect for when your data requirements demand more flexibility, even if this comes with a slight performance overhead.

  • Adapt your choice based on the volume and type of data you need to process. For high-performance tasks involving thousands of similar elements, arrays can offer a significant advantage.