Basic Data Types in NumPy Arrays
NumPy arrays are foundational structures in numerical computing, providing efficient storage and manipulation of homogeneous data. In NumPy, each element within an array shares the same data type, ensuring consistency and enabling optimized operations.
Here's a breakdown of the basic data types supported in NumPy:
Signed Integer (int):
int8, int16, int32, int64: Represent signed integers with 8, 16, 32, or 64 bits respectively.
Alternatively, shorthand notations like int1, int2, int4, int8 may be used.
Unsigned Integer (uint):
uint8, uint16, uint32, uint64: Denote unsigned integers with 8, 16, 32, or 64 bits respectively.
Floating-Point (float):
float16, float32, float64: Define floating-point numbers with 16, 32, or 64 bits of precision.
Boolean (bool):
Represented by ?, boolean data types store either True or False values, internally stored as a byte.
Complex Number (complex):
complex64, complex128: Enable the representation of complex numbers, comprising real and imaginary components. complex64 uses 64 bits, while complex128 uses 128 bits for higher precision.
String (string):
Used for storing sequences of characters, typically ASCII encoded.
Unicode String (Unicode):
Similar to regular strings, but supports a wider range of characters, facilitating internationalization and localization.
Datetime (datetime):
Represents dates and times, allowing for operations like addition and subtraction with time deltas.
Timedelta (timedelta):
Represents the difference between two datetime instances, useful for calculating durations or intervals.
In NumPy, choosing an appropriate data type is crucial for memory efficiency and numerical accuracy. By ensuring all elements within an array share the same data type, NumPy optimizes memory usage and enables efficient computation across large datasets.
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