[Numpy-discussion] Bug or feature?

[Travis Oliphant]

This goes into the category of "feature".  Structured arrays use tuples to indicate a record.   So, (only) when using structured arrays as a dtype, there is a difference between lists and tuples.    In this case, array sees the tuple and expects it to have 2 elements to match the number of fields in 2. 

Best, 

-Travis


On Aug 22, 2011, at 2:36 AM, Konrad Hinsen wrote:

> Hi everyone,
> 
> I just stumbled on a behavior in NumPy for which I can't find an  
> explanation in the documentation. I wonder whether this is a bug or an  
> undocumented (or badly documented) feature:
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> import numpy
> 
> t = numpy.dtype([("rotation", numpy.float64, (3, 3)),
>                  ("translation", numpy.float64, (3,))])
> 
> # works
> a1 = numpy.array([], dtype=t)
> 
> # doesn't work
> a2 = numpy.array((), dtype=t)
> # -> ValueError: size of tuple must match number of fields.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> According to my understanding of how numpy.array should work, it  
> shouldn't make a difference if the first argument is a list or a  
> tuple, but in this case there is a difference.
> 
> Konrad.
> 
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---
Travis Oliphant
Enthought, Inc.
oliphant@enthought.com
1-512-536-1057
http://www.enthought.com