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Vectors (one dimensional arrays) are particularly useful, since in
addition to their obvious array-like applications, they are also well
suited to representing sequences. In comparison to a list
representation, vectors are faster to access and take up between two
and sixty-four times less space (depending on the element type.) As
with arbitrary arrays, the compiler needs to know that vectors are not
complex, so you should use simple-string in preference to
string, etc.
The only advantage that lists have over vectors for representing
sequences is that it is easy to change the length of a list, add to it
and remove items from it. Likely signs of archaic, slow lisp code are
nth and nthcdr. If you are using these functions you
should probably be using a vector.