array of bits?

[MM]

Hi,

What is the best structure/way to create an array of bits (actually
true/false flags) of an arbitrary length ranging from about 20 upto
about 500. Speed of access more of an issue than compactness.

eg:
[0] 0
[1] 0
[2] 1
[3] 0
[4] 1
....
[n] 0
etc.

Thanks for your input and advice. matthew.

[Paul Rubin]

Re: array of bits?

MM <mm@newsgroups. com> writes:[color=blue]
> What is the best structure/way to create an array of bits (actually
> true/false flags) of an arbitrary length ranging from about 20 upto
> about 500. Speed of access more of an issue than compactness.[/color]

Use a normal list: [False, False, True, False, True, ... ] .

[Fredrik Lundh]

Re: array of bits?

"MM" wrote:
[color=blue]
> What is the best structure/way to create an array of bits (actually true/false flags) of an
> arbitrary length ranging from about 20 upto about 500. Speed of access more of an issue than
> compactness.
>
> eg:
> [0] 0
> [1] 0
> [2] 1
> [3] 0
> [4] 1
> ...
> [n] 0
> etc.[/color]

if you need a list of flags, use a list of flags:

[False] * 500

(compared to a bit array, you'll waste a whopping 31 bits per flag, but
unless you plan to use tens of thousands of lists, that shouldn't be much
of a problem)

</F>

[MM]

Re: array of bits?

Thanks people. List it is. matthew.