Thread: Arrays vs Vectors vs Lists for particle rendering?

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    Arrays vs Vectors vs Lists for particle rendering?

    I was just wondering is there was a significant tradeoff to using a vector or list rather than an array for holding things like small sized particle structures and calling them each frame. I'm simulating a simple rain rain simulation that changes the attributes of the raindrop structure each frame as it falls. Would there be a tradeoff.

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    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
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    I think slists should do the trick since I will simply be going through each particle in order each frame and since the number of particles is set at the beginning, then I won't have to worry about insertions or deletions. Though I think a vector or a list would do the same if insertions or deletions are not involved after the instantiation right?

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    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    When in doubt, pick a meaningful abstraction which allows you to mess about with the implementation without affecting the rest of the code.

    Or pick the data structure which makes most logical sense for the problem - ie, easiest to implement your solution, given a set of plausible alternatives. Trying to second-guess actual performance trade-offs in advance is a waste of time.

    When the program is done, then you profile it to find out where the real issues are.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

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    Registered User VirtualAce's Avatar
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    When it comes to particles I would use a vector but it all depends on how your system works. If the particles are a member of the class that handles an explosion and it is responsible for rendering itself then an array would suffice. The array would be populated as soon as the explosion was created and since no new particles would ever be added there would be no need for adding, insertion, searching, etc, etc.

    But if your particle system is one in which the particles are added to a master particle list and then the list manager class either renders them or hands off the rendering to a master render class then a vector would make life much easier.

    In short: use the right tool for the job.

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