Byte Arrays
Byte arrays are data structures that store sequences of bytes (8-bit units) in contiguous memory, commonly used in programming for handling raw binary data, such as files, network packets, or low-level system operations. They provide a fundamental way to manipulate data at the byte level, enabling tasks like encryption, compression, and serialization. In many programming languages, byte arrays are implemented as built-in types or libraries, offering efficient storage and access for binary information.
Developers should learn and use byte arrays when working with binary data formats, such as reading/writing files (e.g., images, videos), implementing network protocols, or performing cryptographic operations, as they allow precise control over data at the lowest level. This is essential in systems programming, embedded development, and applications requiring high performance or interoperability with hardware. For example, in Python, the `bytes` and `bytearray` types are used for handling binary data in web frameworks or data processing pipelines.