Is there any difference between int[] a and int a[] in Java?

Last Updated : 17 Jul, 2026

In Java, arrays are objects that store multiple values of the same data type. Java allows two syntaxes to declare an array:An array in Java is an object that stores multiple values of the same data type under a single name. Unlike C/C++, Java arrays are objects and follow strict type rules.

In Java, arrays can be declared using two syntaxes:

type[] variable;
type variable[];

For single array declarations, there is no difference between the two syntaxes.

int[] arr1 = new int[5];
int arr2[] = new int[5];

Both statements:

  • Declare an integer array
  • Behave identically at compile time and runtime
  • Produce the same result

Example:

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

        int[] arr1 = {10, 20, 30, 40, 50};
        int arr2[] = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};

        for (int x : arr1)
            System.out.println(x);

        for (int x : arr2)
            System.out.println(x);
    }
}

Output
10
20
30
40
50
1
2
3
4
5

Explanation:

  • arr1 is declared using the Java-recommended syntax int[] arr1, while arr2 uses the C/C++-style syntax int arr2[]; both create integer arrays with no functional difference.
  • The enhanced for loop iterates over each array and prints all elements one by one.
  • Difference in Multiple Array Declarations

The difference appears only when declaring multiple variables in one statement.

Declaration:

int[] a, b; // Both Variable a and b are arrays. (Correct)
int a[], b; // a is an integer array, while b is an integer variable. (Valid but not recommended)

Example:

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

        int[] a, b;   // both are arrays
        int c[], d;   // c is array, d is int

        a = new int[3];
        b = new int[5];
        c = new int[2];

        d = 10;

        System.out.println(d);
    }
}

Output
10

Explanation:

  • In int[] a, b;, the [] is associated with the data type, so both a and b are integer arrays.
  • In int c[], d;, the [] is associated only with c, so c is an array while d is a normal int variable.

Multidimensional Arrays

For multidimensional arrays, both syntaxes behave the same.

int[][] a;
int a[][];

There is no functional or behavioral difference.

int[] a;

Explanation:

  • Clearly associates [] with the data type
  • Avoids mistakes in multiple declarations
  • Follows Java coding conventions
  • Improves readability and maintainability

The int a[] syntax exists mainly for C/C++ compatibility.

Note: Always attach [] to the type, not the variable.

Comment

Explore