SortedList

SortedList is a data structure that maintains its elements in a sorted order. It is often implemented using an array or a similar contiguous memory structure where elements are automatically kept in ascending or descending order. When a new element is added, the SortedList finds its correct position and inserts it, shifting existing elements as needed to preserve the sorted property. Similarly, removing an element involves locating it and then closing the gap left behind.

The primary advantage of a SortedList is efficient searching. Because the elements are ordered, algorithms like binary search can be used to find a specific element in logarithmic time, significantly faster than linear search in an unsorted list. This makes SortedList ideal for scenarios where frequent lookups are required.

However, insertion and deletion operations can be less efficient than in unsorted lists. Depending on the implementation, adding or removing an element might require shifting a substantial portion of the underlying array, leading to linear time complexity in the worst case. This trade-off between search speed and modification speed is a key consideration when choosing whether to use a SortedList. In some contexts, SortedList might also refer to specialized implementations that combine features of both lists and dictionaries, allowing for key-value pair storage with sorted keys.