C++: What is the difference between an ARRAY and a LIST?

Question

I know that list is used in C++ as we use linked list in C lang. Now, I want to know when forward list is used ?

Answer 1

Array: For Array memory allocated is static and continuous.
List: For List memory allocated is dynamic and Random.

Array: User need not have to keep in track of next memory allocation.
List: User has to keep in Track of next location where memory is allocated.

Array: Size of the Array is fixed:
List: Size is not fixed, virtually infinite.

Comments

In case of array we can allocate memory dynamically too and do it realloc.
But if required continuous memory is not available then realloc will fail while we have memory.
So if we do not know the size of data better to use Link List.

Answer 2

Array uses direct access of stored members, list uses sequencial access for members.

//With Array you have direct access to memory position 5
Object x = a[5]; // x takes directly a reference to 5th element of array

//With the list you have to cross all previous nodes in order to get the 5th node:
list mylist;
list::iterator it;

for( it = list.begin() ; it != list.end() ; it++ )
{
if( i==5)
{
x = *it;
break;
}
i++;
}