📊 Multidimensional Array (2D Array)

📖 What Is a Multidimensional Array?

A multidimensional array stores data in rows and columns, like a spreadsheet or game grid. A 2D array is an "array of arrays" — each row is itself an array.

🐍 2D Array in Python

🐍 A game grid as a 2D array

# A 2D array: a list of lists
grid = [
    [0, 0, "P", 0],    # Row 0
    [0, "E", 0,  0],    # Row 1
    [0, 0,  0, "X"],    # Row 2
]

# Access: grid[row][column]
print("Player position [0][2]:", grid[0][2])
print("Enemy position  [1][1]:", grid[1][1])
print("Treasure at     [2][3]:", grid[2][3])

# Print the whole grid
print()
for row in grid:
    for cell in row:
        print(f" {str(cell):3s}", end="")
    print()  # new line after each row

# Move the player down one row
grid[0][2] = 0       # clear old position
grid[1][2] = "P"     # place in new position
print()
print("After moving player down:")
for row in grid:
    for cell in row:
        print(f" {str(cell):3s}", end="")
    print()

🎯 Key Point

Access a 2D array with two indexes: grid[row][col]. The first index picks the row, the second picks the column. Game grids, seating charts, spreadsheets, and pixel images all use 2D arrays.