what is the difference between list<> and dictionary<> in c#

Question

I have a strange doubt regarding list and dictionary in c#

In a list we add items to list by using the following method

using System.Collections.Gen         


        

Answer 1

• Dictionary is an associative array, or map. It is a container that can be indexed by values of any type.
• List is an integer indexed array. It is a container that is indexed by contiguous integers.

The essential difference therefore is in how the containers are indexed.

Don't fall into the trap of believing that Dictionary is semantically equivalent to List. The difference is that the indexing of List is contiguous whereas there can be gaps in the indexing for Dictionary.