A difference array can be used to update an array that is being modified using range queries in constant time.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Katiyar |first=Ishank |date=Jul, 2021-07-30, 2021 |title=Understanding Difference Array: The Underrated Constant Time Range Update Algorithm (Part 1) |url=https://medium.com/@ishankkatiyar162/understanding-difference-array-the-underrated-constant-time-range-update-algorithm-part-1-e432ada7f1f5 |url-status=live |access-date=May, 2025-05-20, 2025 |website=Medium}}</ref> Here a query <math>(l, r, x)</math> with <math>l, r</math> as the left and right indices of the array to edit and <math>x</math> as the value to add to the elements within <math>[l,r]</math>.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nadaf |first=Aman |date=Feb / 2023-02-28 / 2023 |title=Difference Array Technique |url=https://teckbakers.hashnode.dev/difference-array-technique |url-status=live |access-date=May, 2025-05-20, 2025 |website=TeckBakers}}</ref> Difference arrays exhibit a unique property where when modified with a range query only the bounds of said query are modify. So given the range <math>[l,r]</math> the elements of <math>D(A)</math> will remain unchanged except for <math>D(A)[l], D(A)[r]</math> which will be <math>x</math> more than before the query. This allows for a range query to be expressed by <math>D(A)[l]+1</math> and <math> D(A)[r+1]-1</math>.
To obtain the final array a prefix sum can be performed on <math>D(A)</math>, then when the prefix sum of <math>D(A)</math> is added to <math>A</math> all the queries that were to being applied to <math>A</math> will be performed through a single iteration.<ref name=":1" />
