NumPy zeros() Method in Python

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NumPy Zeroes() Method In Python

Introduction

NumPy is a vastly implemented module in Python. Today we’re going to learn the Numpy zeros() method is one of the defined methods in NumPy.

So, let us get right into it!

The Numpy zeros() method in Python

The Numpy zeros() method in Python creates a new array of the specified shape and type, with all of its elements initialized to 0. The function returns the same array wherever called upon.

The basic syntax of the zeros() method can be given by,

import numpy as np

arr = np.zeros( shape , dtype , order )

Here,

  • arr stores the resultant array returned by the zeros() method,
  • The shape is an integer of sequence, which decides the size as well as the shape of the array. When the shape is provided as an integer number, the array generated would be a 1D array. Whereas, if we give an integer tuple with different integer values, we are going to get a multi-dimensional array,
  • dtype or data type specifies the data type of the array elements. By default, it is set to float.
  • Order decides whether the array is stored according to row-major(C) or column-major(F) pattern/order in the memory location.

How to use Numpy zeros() in Python?

Now that we know what the Nump zeros() method in Python does, let us learn the usage.

1D array using Numpy zeros()

We can create one-dimensional arrays in Python with all of its elements being zero(0) using this method. Let us take an example into consideration for better understanding.

import numpy as np

arr1 = np.zeros(5)
print("The created array is: ",arr1) #generated array
print("It is of type:",type(arr1)) #type of array

Output:

1 D Array Using Zeroes
1 D Array Using Zeros

Here, in the code above,

  • arr1 is the new array created. As we can see, we have just passed ‘5‘ to the Numpy zeros() function, with no data type and order.
  • By default, the values of the dtype and order is considered as float and ‘C‘ respectively. That means the generated array is going to have float type elements and be stored in a row-major form.
  • Finally, when we print out the array, we get a 1D array with all of its float elements having a value 0. And the type() of arr1 tells us that it is a member of the ndarray class.

Array with Different Data Types Using Numpy zeros()

So, we created an array with default type float. What if we need an array that has integer values or elements? We can easily do that by specifying the dtype parameter as our desired type. Let us see how

import numpy as np

int_array = np.zeros(4, dtype=int)  #data type set as int
print("Array: ",int_array) #the final int array
print("Datatype: ", int_array.dtype) # the data types

Output:

Data Types Using Zeroes
Data Types Using Zeros

Here,

  • int_array is the new array created by using the zeros() method.
  • As we can see from the output, we create an array of size 4 as integer type. Again the data type of the elements is given as int32.(integer).

Multi-Dimensional Array Using Numpy zeros()

We created a 1D array previously in this tutorial, so what about multi-dimensional ones? Let us try to create a 2D array to illustrate how we can create multi-dimensional arrays having elements as 0.

import numpy as np

arr2 = np.zeros((3, 3), int) #2D integer array
print("2D array created is: ",arr2)
print("Type of the array: ",type(arr2)) #type of the array

Output:

Multidimensional Array Using Zeroes
Multidimensional Array Using Zeros

In the code above:

  • We pass a tuple of integers to the Numpy zeros() method instead of a single one. This allows us to create a multi-dimensional array of int type(specified).
  • As we can see from the output, we get a 2D array with all of the elements as 0.

Arrays of Heterogeneous Data Type Using Numpy zeros()

We can also create arrays with heterogeneous data type using the zeros() function in Python. We just need to pass a tuple containing the required information.

import numpy as np

# creating array with heterogeneous data types
arr = np.zeros((2,2), dtype=[('x', 'int'), ('y', 'float')])
print("The array created:",arr)
print("Type of the array: ",type(arr)) #type of the array
print("Datatype: ", arr.dtype) # the data types

Output:

Heterogeneous Data Type Array Using Zeroes
Heterogeneous Data Type Array Using Zeros

Here,

  • We create a two-dimensional array by passing shape as a tuple (2,2),
  • In the case of the data type, we use a tuple, specifying both integer and float types,
  • This results in the creation of a 2D array having tuple elements. Each tuple has two data, one of int type and the other of float type,
  • Lastly, we print the data type of the member elements as shown in the out.

Conclusion

So in this tutorial, we discussed the Numpy zeros() method in Python. Hope it was understood well. For any questions feel free to use the comments below.

References