An inventory system is a lot more than just an array. You need functions to recognize what the items are and make them act accordingly. You need functions for them to be moved around and stored in other arrays. You need ways to interact with the items as well.
So with all of those things in mind, I seek the most optimal way to work with data tables to create the most elegant work flow possible. A system that can allow me to easily work with thousands of unique objects with as little headach as possible while having them all work within the framework of an inventory system.
I have an inventory system right now that works but it is based on parent child relations and heavy use of structs. From what I am experiencing this system works great on paper but the engine itself has a lot of problems with it.