I am converting code from python 2 into python 3. The array was originally saved in python 2. As part of some of my code I load an array of strings that I have saved. In python 2, I can simply load it as
arr = np.load("path_to_string.npy")
and it gives me
arr = ['str1','str2' etc...]
however, when i do the same in python 3, it doesn't work and I get instead.
arr = [b'str1',b'str2' etc...]
which I take it means that the strings are stored as a different data type. I have tried to convert them using:
arr = [str(i) for i in arr]
but this just compounds the problem. Can someone explain why this happens and how to fix it? I'm sure its trivial, but am just drawing a blank?
To be clear, if they were strs in Python 2, then bytes in Python 3 is the "correct" type, in the sense that both of them store byte data; if you wanted arbitrary text data, you would use unicode in Python 2.
For numpy, this is really the correct behavior; numpy doesn't want to silently convert from bytes-oriented data to text-oriented data (among other issues, doing so will bloat the memory usage by a factor of 4x, since fixed width representations of all Unicode characters use four bytes per character). If you really want to change from bytes to str, you can explicitly cast it, though it's a little bit hacky:
>>> arr # Original version
array([[b'abc', b'123'],
[b'foo', b'bar']], dtype='|S3')
>>> arr = arr.astype('U') # Cast from "[S]tring" to "[U]nicode" equivalent
>>> arr
array([['abc', '123'],
['foo', 'bar']], dtype='<U3')
How does one assign to numpy structured arrays?
import numpy as np
baz_dtype = np.dtype([("baz1", "str"),
("baz2", "uint16"),
("baz3", np.float32)])
dtype = np.dtype([("foo", "str"),
("bar", "uint16"),
("baz", baz_dtype)])
xx = np.zeros(2, dtype=dtype)
xx["foo"][0] = "A"
Here xx remains unchanged. The docs https://docs.scipy.org/doc/numpy/user/basics.rec.html are a little vague on this.
On a related note, is it possible to make one or more of the subtypes be lists or numpy arrays of the specified dtype?
Any tips welcome.
You're performing the assignment correctly. The part you've screwed up is the dtypes. NumPy string dtypes are fixed-size, and if you try to use "str" as a dtype, it's treated as size 0 - the empty string is the only possible value! Your "A" gets truncated to 0 characters to fit.
Specify a size - for example, 'S10' is 10-byte bytestrings, or 'U10' is 10-code-point unicode strings - or use object to store ordinary Python string objects and avoid the length restrictions and treatment of '\0' as a null terminator.
Consider numpy arrays of the object dtype. I can shove anything I want in there.
A common use case for me is to put strings in them. However, for very large arrays, this may use up a lot of memory, depending on how the array is constructed. For example, if you assign a long string (e.g. "1234567890123456789012345678901234567890") to a variable, and then assign that variable to each element in the array, everything is fine:
arr = np.zeros((100000,), dtype=object)
arr[:] = "1234567890123456789012345678901234567890"
The interpreter now has one large string in memory, and an array full of pointers to this one object.
However, we can also do it wrong:
arr2 = np.zeros((100000,), dtype=object)
for idx in range(100000):
arr2[idx] = str(1234567890123456789012345678901234567890)
Now, the interpreter has a hundred thousand copies of my long string in memory. Not so great.
(Naturally, in the above example, the generation of a new string each time is stunted - in real life, imagine reading a string from each line in a file.)
What I want to do is, instead of assigning each element to the string, first check if it's already in the array, and if it is, use the same object as the previous entry, rather than the new object.
Something like:
arr = np.zeros((100000,), dtype=object)
seen = []
for idx, string in enumerate(file): # Length of file is exactly 100000
if string in seen:
arr[idx] = seen[seen.index(string)]
else:
arr[idx] = string
seen.append(string)
(Apologies for not posting fully running code. Hopefully you get the idea.)
Unfortunately this requires a large number of superfluous operations on the seen list. I can't figure out how to make it work with sets either.
Suggestions?
Here's one way to do it, using a dictionary whose values are equal to its keys:
seen = {}
for idx, string in enumerate(file):
arr[idx] = seen.setdefault(string, string)
I am having some seemingly trivial trouble with numpy when the array contains string data. I have the following code:
my_array = numpy.empty([1, 2], dtype = str)
my_array[0, 0] = "Cat"
my_array[0, 1] = "Apple"
Now, when I print it with print my_array[0, :], the response I get is ['C', 'A'], which is clearly not the expected output of Cat and Apple. Why is that, and how can I get the right output?
Thanks!
Numpy requires string arrays to have a fixed maximum length. When you create an empty array with dtype=str, it sets this maximum length to 1 by default. You can see if you do my_array.dtype; it will show "|S1", meaning "one-character string". Subsequent assignments into the array are truncated to fit this structure.
You can pass an explicit datatype with your maximum length by doing, e.g.:
my_array = numpy.empty([1, 2], dtype="S10")
The "S10" will create an array of length-10 strings. You have to decide how big will be big enough to hold all the data you want to hold.
I got a "codec error" when I tried to use a non-ascii character with dtype="S10"
You also get an array with binary strings, which confused me.
I think it is better to use:
my_array = numpy.empty([1, 2], dtype="<U10")
Here 'U10' translates to "Unicode string of length 10; little endian format"
The numpy string array is limited by its fixed length (length 1 by default). If you're unsure what length you'll need for your strings in advance, you can use dtype=object and get arbitrary length strings for your data elements:
my_array = numpy.empty([1, 2], dtype=object)
I understand there may be efficiency drawbacks to this approach, but I don't have a good reference to support that.
in case of anyone who's new here, I guess there's another way to do this job for now, just need a little work:
my_array = np.full([1, 2], "", dtype=np.object)
Use np.full instead of np.empty, and create the array with a empty string (type is object).
Another alternative is to initialize as follows:
my_array = np.array([["CAT","APPLE"],['','']], dtype=str)
In other words, first you write a regular array with what you want, then you turn it into a numpy array. However, this will fix your max string length to the length of the longest string at initialization. So if you were to add
my_array[1,0] = 'PINEAPPLE'
then the string stored would be 'PINEA'.
What works best if you are doing a for loop is to start a list comprehension, which will allow you to allocate the right memory.
data = ['CAT', 'APPLE', 'CARROT']
my_array = [name for name in data]
How do I declare an array in Python?
variable = []
Now variable refers to an empty list*.
Of course this is an assignment, not a declaration. There's no way to say in Python "this variable should never refer to anything other than a list", since Python is dynamically typed.
*The default built-in Python type is called a list, not an array. It is an ordered container of arbitrary length that can hold a heterogenous collection of objects (their types do not matter and can be freely mixed). This should not be confused with the array module, which offers a type closer to the C array type; the contents must be homogenous (all of the same type), but the length is still dynamic.
This is surprisingly complex topic in Python.
Practical answer
Arrays are represented by class list (see reference and do not mix them with generators).
Check out usage examples:
# empty array
arr = []
# init with values (can contain mixed types)
arr = [1, "eels"]
# get item by index (can be negative to access end of array)
arr = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
arr[0] # 1
arr[-1] # 6
# get length
length = len(arr)
# supports append and insert
arr.append(8)
arr.insert(6, 7)
Theoretical answer
Under the hood Python's list is a wrapper for a real array which contains references to items. Also, underlying array is created with some extra space.
Consequences of this are:
random access is really cheap (arr[6653] is same to arr[0])
append operation is 'for free' while some extra space
insert operation is expensive
Check this awesome table of operations complexity.
Also, please see this picture, where I've tried to show most important differences between array, array of references and linked list:
You don't actually declare things, but this is how you create an array in Python:
from array import array
intarray = array('i')
For more info see the array module: http://docs.python.org/library/array.html
Now possible you don't want an array, but a list, but others have answered that already. :)
I think you (meant)want an list with the first 30 cells already filled.
So
f = []
for i in range(30):
f.append(0)
An example to where this could be used is in Fibonacci sequence.
See problem 2 in Project Euler
This is how:
my_array = [1, 'rebecca', 'allard', 15]
For calculations, use numpy arrays like this:
import numpy as np
a = np.ones((3,2)) # a 2D array with 3 rows, 2 columns, filled with ones
b = np.array([1,2,3]) # a 1D array initialised using a list [1,2,3]
c = np.linspace(2,3,100) # an array with 100 points beteen (and including) 2 and 3
print(a*1.5) # all elements of a times 1.5
print(a.T+b) # b added to the transpose of a
these numpy arrays can be saved and loaded from disk (even compressed) and complex calculations with large amounts of elements are C-like fast.
Much used in scientific environments. See here for more.
JohnMachin's comment should be the real answer.
All the other answers are just workarounds in my opinion!
So:
array=[0]*element_count
A couple of contributions suggested that arrays in python are represented by lists. This is incorrect. Python has an independent implementation of array() in the standard library module array "array.array()" hence it is incorrect to confuse the two. Lists are lists in python so be careful with the nomenclature used.
list_01 = [4, 6.2, 7-2j, 'flo', 'cro']
list_01
Out[85]: [4, 6.2, (7-2j), 'flo', 'cro']
There is one very important difference between list and array.array(). While both of these objects are ordered sequences, array.array() is an ordered homogeneous sequences whereas a list is a non-homogeneous sequence.
You don't declare anything in Python. You just use it. I recommend you start out with something like http://diveintopython.net.
I would normally just do a = [1,2,3] which is actually a list but for arrays look at this formal definition
To add to Lennart's answer, an array may be created like this:
from array import array
float_array = array("f",values)
where values can take the form of a tuple, list, or np.array, but not array:
values = [1,2,3]
values = (1,2,3)
values = np.array([1,2,3],'f')
# 'i' will work here too, but if array is 'i' then values have to be int
wrong_values = array('f',[1,2,3])
# TypeError: 'array.array' object is not callable
and the output will still be the same:
print(float_array)
print(float_array[1])
print(isinstance(float_array[1],float))
# array('f', [1.0, 2.0, 3.0])
# 2.0
# True
Most methods for list work with array as well, common
ones being pop(), extend(), and append().
Judging from the answers and comments, it appears that the array
data structure isn't that popular. I like it though, the same
way as one might prefer a tuple over a list.
The array structure has stricter rules than a list or np.array, and this can
reduce errors and make debugging easier, especially when working with numerical
data.
Attempts to insert/append a float to an int array will throw a TypeError:
values = [1,2,3]
int_array = array("i",values)
int_array.append(float(1))
# or int_array.extend([float(1)])
# TypeError: integer argument expected, got float
Keeping values which are meant to be integers (e.g. list of indices) in the array
form may therefore prevent a "TypeError: list indices must be integers, not float", since arrays can be iterated over, similar to np.array and lists:
int_array = array('i',[1,2,3])
data = [11,22,33,44,55]
sample = []
for i in int_array:
sample.append(data[i])
Annoyingly, appending an int to a float array will cause the int to become a float, without throwing an exception.
np.array retain the same data type for its entries too, but instead of giving an error it will change its data type to fit new entries (usually to double or str):
import numpy as np
numpy_int_array = np.array([1,2,3],'i')
for i in numpy_int_array:
print(type(i))
# <class 'numpy.int32'>
numpy_int_array_2 = np.append(numpy_int_array,int(1))
# still <class 'numpy.int32'>
numpy_float_array = np.append(numpy_int_array,float(1))
# <class 'numpy.float64'> for all values
numpy_str_array = np.append(numpy_int_array,"1")
# <class 'numpy.str_'> for all values
data = [11,22,33,44,55]
sample = []
for i in numpy_int_array_2:
sample.append(data[i])
# no problem here, but TypeError for the other two
This is true during assignment as well. If the data type is specified, np.array will, wherever possible, transform the entries to that data type:
int_numpy_array = np.array([1,2,float(3)],'i')
# 3 becomes an int
int_numpy_array_2 = np.array([1,2,3.9],'i')
# 3.9 gets truncated to 3 (same as int(3.9))
invalid_array = np.array([1,2,"string"],'i')
# ValueError: invalid literal for int() with base 10: 'string'
# Same error as int('string')
str_numpy_array = np.array([1,2,3],'str')
print(str_numpy_array)
print([type(i) for i in str_numpy_array])
# ['1' '2' '3']
# <class 'numpy.str_'>
or, in essence:
data = [1.2,3.4,5.6]
list_1 = np.array(data,'i').tolist()
list_2 = [int(i) for i in data]
print(list_1 == list_2)
# True
while array will simply give:
invalid_array = array([1,2,3.9],'i')
# TypeError: integer argument expected, got float
Because of this, it is not a good idea to use np.array for type-specific commands. The array structure is useful here. list preserves the data type of the values.
And for something I find rather pesky: the data type is specified as the first argument in array(), but (usually) the second in np.array(). :|
The relation to C is referred to here:
Python List vs. Array - when to use?
Have fun exploring!
Note: The typed and rather strict nature of array leans more towards C rather than Python, and by design Python does not have many type-specific constraints in its functions. Its unpopularity also creates a positive feedback in collaborative work, and replacing it mostly involves an additional [int(x) for x in file]. It is therefore entirely viable and reasonable to ignore the existence of array. It shouldn't hinder most of us in any way. :D
How about this...
>>> a = range(12)
>>> a
[0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]
>>> a[7]
6
Following on from Lennart, there's also numpy which implements homogeneous multi-dimensional arrays.
Python calls them lists. You can write a list literal with square brackets and commas:
>>> [6,28,496,8128]
[6, 28, 496, 8128]
I had an array of strings and needed an array of the same length of booleans initiated to True. This is what I did
strs = ["Hi","Bye"]
bools = [ True for s in strs ]
You can create lists and convert them into arrays or you can create array using numpy module. Below are few examples to illustrate the same. Numpy also makes it easier to work with multi-dimensional arrays.
import numpy as np
a = np.array([1, 2, 3, 4])
#For custom inputs
a = np.array([int(x) for x in input().split()])
You can also reshape this array into a 2X2 matrix using reshape function which takes in input as the dimensions of the matrix.
mat = a.reshape(2, 2)
# This creates a list of 5000 zeros
a = [0] * 5000
You can read and write to any element in this list with a[n] notation in the same as you would with an array.
It does seem to have the same random access performance as an array. I cannot say how it allocates memory because it also supports a mix of different types including strings and objects if you need it to.