NumPy empty()

The empty() method creates a new array of given shape and type, without initializing entries.

Example

import numpy as np

# create an array of uninitialized values array1 = np.empty(5)
print(array1) # Output: [2.23196843e-316 0.00000000e+000 6.94042595e-310 6.94042589e-310 6.94042589e-310]

The resultant array has uninitialized or arbitrary data that remained in the current memory location.


empty() Syntax

The syntax of empty() is:

numpy.empty(shape, dtype = float, order = 'C', like = None)

empty() Arguments

The empty() method takes the following arguments:

  • shape - desired new shape of the array (can be integer or tuple of integers)
  • dtype (optional) - datatype of the returned array
  • order (optional) - specifies the order in which the uninitialized values are filled
  • like (optional)- reference object to create arrays that are not NumPy arrays

empty() Return Value

The empty() method returns the array of given shape, order, and datatype filled with arbitrary data.


Example 1: Create Array With empty()

import numpy as np

# create a float array of uninitialized entries array1 = np.empty(5)
print('Float Array: ',array1)
# create an int array of arbitrary entries array2 = np.empty(5, dtype = int)
print('Int Array: ',array2)

Output

Float Array:  [7.37149303e-317 0.00000000e+000 9.06092203e-312 2.47218893e-253
 1.55872313e-307]
Int Array:  [          14920068                  0      1833951035814
 827817906506039296  16894426102696828]

If unspecified, the default dtype is float.


Example 2: Create ndArray With empty()

import numpy as np

# create a 2D array of uninitialized entries array1 = np.empty((2, 3))
print(2D Array: \n',array1)

Output

2D Array: 
[[4.66087120e-310 0.00000000e+000 3.46735270e-320]
 [8.49832615e-268 5.55753018e-263 6.93340407e-310]]

The values inside the array are uninitialized values and they will differ every time.


Using Optional Order Argument in empty()

The order argument specifies the order in which the uninitialized values are filled.

The order can be:

  • 'C' - elements are stored row-wise (default)
  • 'F' - elements are stored column-wise

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