// can arrays have zero length in any dimension?
// (inspired by a student's question -- thanks Stella)

public class array_zero {
    public static void main(String[] args) {

	int[] a = new int[0];         // this compiles and runs
	System.out.println(a.length); // yes, the size is zero

	// but this is kind of pointless...why?
	// System.out.println(a[0]);  // won't work

	int[][] b = new int[0][];     // yes, this compiles and runs
	// this is even more pointless, since you can't access
	// the first index of b

	int[] c = new int[] {};       // works for anon arrays, too
	System.out.println(c.length); // yes, the size is zero
	
	// so, a thought exercise...what kind of situation might you need
	// a zero-length array? (Hint: think of situations requiring 
	// ragged arrays)

    }

}

/* output:
0
0
*/