Throughout this article, we will be looking at some Simple Methods To Initialize A Python Array.
The Python array data structure is a data structure that stores data values that are similar across contiguous memory locations. When compared to a List(dynamic Arrays), Python Arrays stores elements of the same type in a more compact manner.
A Python List, on the other hand, can contain elements of different data types. Now, let’s take a look at the various methods for initializing an array in the Python programming language.
1. Direct Method To Initialize A Python Array
The following command can be used to initialize the data values of the array while it is being declared.
Syntax:
Syntax:
nameOfArray = [Default Value]*size
Where,
Default Value = It is optional Parameter and If you do not want size then you can keep it empty.
size = It is also an Optional Parameter, used when you want to specify a size of array during initialization.
#Initializing the Python Array Directly newArray = [1]*5 newArrayChar = ['Code']*3 #Printing the Above Python Array print(newArray) print(newArrayChar)
Output:
[1, 1, 1, 1, 1]
['Code', 'Code', 'Code']According to the preceding example, we have created two arrays with default values of 1 and ‘Code’, respectively, as well as the specified size for each of them.
2. Using List Comprehension Method
To initialize an array with a default value, the for loop and range() functions in Python can be used in conjunction with one another.
With a single argument, the range() function in Python returns a sequence of numbers that begins with 0 and ends with the specified number, each of which is increased by one.
The for loop in Python would assign the value 0(default-value) to every element in the array that fell within the range specified by the range() function.
Syntax:
nameOfArray = [n for i in range(x)]
where,
n = can be any number you want as default value.
x = is the size of the array you want.#Initializing the Empty Python Array newArray = [] #Using the List Comprehension Method newArray = [5 for i in range(5)] #Printing the Above Python Array print(newArray)
As you can see in the code above, I first created an empty array in Python and then used the list comprehension method to set the array’s default value and size.
3. Using NumPy Array To Initialize A Python Array
The NumPy module in Python can be used to efficiently create arrays and manipulate the data contained within them. The numpy.empty() function creates an array of a specified size with a default value of ‘None’, which is the default value for the array.
Syntax:
nameOfArray = numpy.empty(size,dtype=object)
where,
size = Size of the Array
dtype = Data Type Of the Elements in Array#Importing NumPy import numpy as np #Initializing A Python Array newArray = np.empty(5, dtype=object) #Printing The Array Initialized Above print(newArray)
Output:]
[None None None None None]
Wrap Up
I hope you have gained an understanding of the three different ways you can initialize a Python array. Although the first method discussed above is the most recommended and is considered best practice, there are other methods that can be used.
As a result, we have come to a conclusion on this topic. Please feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions or concerns.
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