[Numpy-discussion] Assigning complex value to real array

[Andrew P. Mullhaupt]

I came across this gem yesterday


      > >> from numpy import *
      > >> R = ones((2))
      > >> R[0] = R[0] * 1j
      > >> R
      ...array([ 0., 1.])
      > >> R = ones((2), 'complex')
      > >> R[0] = R[0] * 1j
      > >> R
      array([ 0.+1.j, 1.+0.j])"

and I read that this behavior is actually intended for some reason about 
how Python wants relations between types to be such that this mistake is 
unavoidable.

So can we have a new abstract floating type which is a complex, but is 
implemented so that the numbers where the imaginary part is zero 
represent and operate on that imaginary part implicitly? By containing 
all these semantics within one type, then presumably we avoid problems 
with ideas relationships between types.

Best regards,
Andrew Mullhaupt
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mail.python.org/pipermail/numpy-discussion/attachments/20101007/9216f075/attachment.html>