[Matrix-SIG] First official release of (general purpose) Sparse matrix packagefor Python

[Travis Oliphant]

I've finally released Version 0.1 of a general purpose Sparse matrix
package.  It is available at
http://oliphant.netpedia.net/packages/SparsePy.tgz

RPMS for Linux may be available soon.

The package requires a FORTRAN compiler, a C compiler, and a copy of the
BLAS for your system. 

Currently the makefiles only work for a UNIX system using gcc and g77,
they can be modified to work for any compiler.

Features:
	* Initialization of Sparse Matrices using diagonal or coordinate 
		convention.

	* Matrix-vector multiplies

	* Matrix-Matrix add, subtract, multiply, conjugate, transpose

	* Direct inversion of Sparse Linear Systems.

The first three features are due Yousef Saad's SPARSEKIT2 package while
the last feature is due to SuperLU by Demmel, Gilbert, and Li. 

The implementation is a Python class which has methods that call on
wrapped versions of these libraries.

There are other Sparse Matrix implementations available but this one is
trying to be general purpose.  Any suggestions and improvements are
appreciated.

Travis Oliphant
Oliphant.Travis@altavista.net