Which of the following best describes an associative array?

An associative array is best described as a data structure that pairs keys with values. This concept is foundational to understanding how data can be organized and accessed in programming. In an associative array, each key uniquely identifies a value, allowing for efficient retrieval of that value when the key is known.

For instance, in many programming languages, associative arrays are commonly referred to as dictionaries or maps. They enable developers to store and manage data in a way that simplifies access using descriptive keys instead of relying solely on numeric indices, as found in traditional arrays.

The other descriptions do not accurately capture the nature of associative arrays. Storing values in sequential order pertains to conventional arrays, which use indexed positions rather than keys. Organizing data using trees references a different data structure, such as binary trees or heaps, which utilize hierarchical relationships rather than key-value pairs. Finally, the statement about arrays that only accept numeric values is misleading, as associative arrays can store values of any data type, not just numbers, making this option incorrect as well.