What type of array consists of a single linear list of elements?

A one-dimensional array is a type of array that stores elements in a single straight line, allowing for easy access and manipulation of each element using an index. In programming, this structure enables you to hold a sequence of values of the same data type, making it simple to perform operations such as iteration, searching, and sorting on the linear list of elements.

Multi-dimensional arrays, on the other hand, consist of rows and columns (or higher dimensions), which make them more complex and suited for different types of data organization. Two-dimensional arrays are a specific case of multi-dimensional arrays that consist of two indices to access elements, such as in a grid or matrix format. An array list, while able to function similarly to a one-dimensional array, is typically a dynamic data structure that can grow or shrink in size and may offer additional features not present in a standard one-dimensional array.

The one-dimensional array is foundational in programming, making it a crucial concept to grasp for data manipulation and algorithm implementation.