NumPy Arrays: The Foundation of Numerical Computing in Python

NumPy arrays are the cornerstone of numerical computing in Python. They provide efficient storage and manipulation of numerical data, making them a powerful tool for data scientists, machine learning engineers, and researchers.

Creating NumPy Arrays

There are several ways to create NumPy arrays:

1. From Python Lists

python
import numpy as np

# Create a 1D array
arr1 = np.array([1, 2, 3, 4, 5])

# Create a 2D array
arr2 = np.array([[1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6]])
    

2. Using NumPy’s Array Creation Functions

NumPy provides several functions for creating arrays:

  • np.zeros(): Creates an array filled with zeros:
  • np.ones(): Creates an array filled with ones:
  • np.full(): Creates an array filled with a specific value:
  • np.random.rand(): Creates an array with random values between 0 and 1:
  • np.linspace(): Creates an array with evenly spaced numbers within a given interval:

Key Attributes of NumPy Arrays

NumPy arrays have key attributes that define their structure:

  • Shape: The dimensions of the array.
  • Data Type: The data type of the elements in the array.
  • Size: The total number of elements in the array.

Basic Array Operations

NumPy provides a rich set of operations for working with arrays:

Arithmetic Operations

python
arr1 = np.array([1, 2, 3])
arr2 = np.array([4, 5, 6])

# Addition
print(arr1 + arr2)

# Subtraction
print(arr1 - arr2)

# Multiplication
print(arr1 * arr2)

# Division
print(arr1 / arr2)
    

Array Indexing and Slicing

python
arr = np.array([[1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6]])

# Accessing elements
print(arr[0, 1])  # Access the element at the first row, second column

# Slicing
print(arr[1:, 1:])  # Slice the array from the second row and second column onwards
    

Reshaping Arrays

python
arr = np.array([1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6])
new_arr = arr.reshape(2, 3)  # Reshape into a 2x3 array
    

By understanding the fundamentals of NumPy arrays, you can effectively leverage their power for a wide range of numerical computing tasks.

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