Best way to create an array of objects in Illustrator?

Question

I often find myself needing to create an array of objects, either in a straight line, rotated around a centre point, or angled along a path. At the moment I'm using all sorts of different and no-doubt stupid ways to do it, usually one at a time with a little head-math and the transform palette- And I *know* it's the dumb way to do it. Can anybody point me to the correct way, or to a plugin if it's not possible in Illustrator?

Answer 1

(on a mac)

Make a shape

make a copy of that shape (option command drag)

to duplicate (command D)

keep pressing (D) to duplicate the same shape and distance.