[Numpy-discussion] comparison between arrays of strings and numerical types

[Keith Goodman]

2010/8/31 Ernest Adrogué <eadrogue@gmx.net>:
> Hi,
>
> I find this a bit odd:
>
> In [18]: np.array(['a','b','c','d']) > 'a'
> Out[18]: array([False,  True,  True,  True], dtype=bool)
>
> In [19]: np.array(['a','b','c','d']) > 4
> Out[19]: True
>
> In [20]: np.array(['a','b','c','d']) > 4.5
> Out[20]: True
>
> Is that right? I was expecting an element-wise comparison,
> but it returns a single truth value.

Here's a recent discussion of the issue:
http://www.mail-archive.com/numpy-discussion@scipy.org/msg27051.html