Matrix

Ruby
1

Hi all,
a) Is there a way to create a non-square matrix in ruby?
b) How does one set any arbitrary element of an array?

I searched for these bu there was a post about 3 years back, if
anything has been done it would be better to use that rather than
something i should write!
Thanks
krishnan

2

Hi –

On Mon, 11 Sep 2006, [email protected] wrote:

Hi all,
a) Is there a way to create a non-square matrix in ruby?
b) How does one set any arbitrary element of an array?

I searched for these bu there was a post about 3 years back, if
anything has been done it would be better to use that rather than
something i should write!

Check out the Matrix class – look for matrix.rb in the Ruby
distribution.

David

3

[email protected] wrote:

Hi all,
a) Is there a way to create a non-square matrix in ruby?

Another poster has answered this one.

b) How does one set any arbitrary element of an array?

Like this:

#! /usr/bin/ruby

size = 9

create, preset value

array = Array.new(size) { Array.new(size) {"."} }

change one value

array[4][4] = ‘*’

show it

array.each do |b|
b.each do |i|
print b[i]
end
puts “”
end

Output:

…
…
…
…
…*…
…
…
…
…

4

“M. Edward (Ed) Borasky” [email protected] wrote in message
news:[email protected]…

anything has been done it would be better to use that rather than
something i should write!

Check out the Matrix class – look for matrix.rb in the Ruby
distribution.

You can only set an arbitrary element of a Matrix when it is created.
Once created, you can’t change any of the entries.

The []= operator does seem conspicuously missing.  If anyone knows

why
this was (obviously) deliberately left out, please say something!

Of course, if this is useful to you, you can always add it,

yourself!
I think it would go something like this…

require ‘matrix’

class Matrix # are for kids!
def []= (i, j, v)
@rows[i][j] = v
end
end

5

Just Another Victim of the Ambient M. wrote:

“M. Edward (Ed) Borasky” [email protected] wrote

You can only set an arbitrary element of a Matrix when it is created.
Once created, you can’t change any of the entries.

The []= operator does seem conspicuously missing.  If anyone knows why

this was (obviously) deliberately left out, please say something!

It’s by design. A Matrix is immutable, like Ruby’s other numbers
(Fixnum, Rational, Complex…)

Consider subclassing rather than modifying the base class for this
reason.

class MutableMatrix < Matrix
def []= …

Cheers,
Dave

6

Just Another Victim of the Ambient M. wrote:

/ …

You can only set an arbitrary element of a Matrix when it is created.
Once created, you can’t change any of the entries.

The []= operator does seem conspicuously missing.  If anyone knows why

this was (obviously) deliberately left out, please say something!

Matrices are meant to be operated on as units, not by manipulating the
contents of individual cells. Think of a matrix as a datatype, a
complete,
self-contained entity, one you can create or destroy in its entirety.

BTW, in answer to an earlier question:

a) Is there a way to create a non-square matrix in ruby?

#! /usr/bin/ruby

require ‘matrix’

m = Matrix[[1,2,3],[4,5,6],[7,8,9]]

nsqm = Matrix[[1,2,3],[7,8,9]]

puts m,nsqm

Matrix[[1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6], [7, 8, 9]]
Matrix[[1, 2, 3], [7, 8, 9]]

end

end

Yes, this works as expected. Easy enough to add if you really want it.
:slight_smile:

7

[email protected] wrote:

something i should write!

Check out the Matrix class – look for matrix.rb in the Ruby
distribution.

David

You can only set an arbitrary element of a Matrix when it is created.
Once created, you can’t change any of the entries.

8

Dave B. wrote:

It’s by design. A Matrix is immutable, like Ruby’s other numbers
(Fixnum, Rational, Complex…)

Why should a Matrix be immutable? It’s not a type like a Fixnum, it’s a
data structure, like an Array or Hash. What is gained by creating a new
Matrix from a changing data stream, rather than updating an existing
one?

Regards,
Jordan

9

MonkeeSage wrote:

Dave B. wrote:

It’s by design. A Matrix is immutable, like Ruby’s other numbers
(Fixnum, Rational, Complex…)

Why should a Matrix be immutable? It’s not a type like a Fixnum, it’s a
data structure, like an Array or Hash. What is gained by creating a new
Matrix from a changing data stream, rather than updating an existing
one?

In mathematics, matrices of various kinds are regarded as a unit,
usually
indivisible. For example, they’re used a lot in computer graphics
processing to hold rotation matrices.

The rotation matrices are loaded with specific values that accomplish
rotations and translations, and until the computed viewpoint changes,
the
entire matrix is used to process all the image vertices.

Then, when the viewpoint changes, the entire matrix is recomputed, and a
new
immutable matrix is created. The point I am making is that the matrix
can’t
function if it is thought of as nine scalar values rather than a 3x3
square
matrix.

10

Paul L. wrote:

The point I am making is that the matrix
can’t
function if it is thought of as nine scalar values rather than a 3x3
square
matrix.

I think the point they are making is that not everyone uses matrixes for
the same thing. I agree that for most applications, they should be
treated as immutable. But they are saying that they not only think they
should be modifyable, but that they need them to be modifyable to be
useful to them under their circumstances.

11

Paul L. wrote:

In mathematics, matrices of various kinds are regarded as a unit, usually
matrix.
The immutability of a Matrix violates Whoever’s Law, which states

It is possible to write Fortran programs in any language.

Seriously, though, I agree with the poster who said some mathematicians
want to be able to compute and change elements of a matrix. I happen to
be one of those, and the subclass trick someone posted is one I’ll need
to use if I use the “Matrix” concept in my Ruby code. Given how slow it
is, though, that seems unlikely.

12

William C. wrote:

should be modifyable, but that they need them to be modifyable to be
useful to them under their circumstances.

If you want a matrix-like data structure (rather than a mathematical
matrix), why not use an array of arrays?

Cheers, Dave

13

Dave B. wrote:

If you want a matrix-like data structure (rather than a mathematical
matrix), why not use an array of arrays?

A mathematical matrix is just a dimensional arrangement of data into
“rows” and “columns”, thus allowing for certain algorithmic
relationships to be defined and applied (e.g., canonical
decompositions). Every matrix (i.e., the actual matrix considered as a
complex value) is immutable and has a unique identity, just like every
number – that’s true – but they can also be permuted or otherwise
transformed into different matrices. Why should one have to do that
constructively (i.e., construct a new matrix “from scratch”), rather
than destructively (i.e., change the existing matrix “in place”). Think
of it like this: n = 1; n = n + 1 – even though the number 1 is
immutable and has a unique identity, the reference to it is not, and
can thus be destructively altered by assignment with the result that it
refers to new identity. It would be a pain to have to do o = n + 1, p =
n + 2 (i.e., creating new references every time the data changes), just
because 1 is immutable. Why should a matrix be any different? Mabye I’m
missing something…

14

Thanks everyone. I had seen the same answers in the post i mentioned
(2-3 yrs now i think). i was wondering why these small things had not
been added. In my humble opinion having these small things in the basic
Matrix class would be helpful to beginners. I do not say that the basic
class should have numerical stuff like SVD, LU decomposition or other
linear algebra stuff etc. but these things would help. Also,if someone
wants to “freeze” a matrix i think ruby has an operation for it(am
learning ruby).

Thanks again
krishnan

15

On 9/11/06, MonkeeSage [email protected] wrote:

transformed into different matrices. Why should one have to do that
constructively (i.e., construct a new matrix “from scratch”), rather
than destructively (i.e., change the existing matrix “in place”). Think
of it like this: n = 1; n = n + 1 – even though the number 1 is
immutable and has a unique identity, the reference to it is not, and
can thus be destructively altered by assignment with the result that it
refers to new identity. It would be a pain to have to do o = n + 1, p =
n + 2 (i.e., creating new references every time the data changes), just
because 1 is immutable. Why should a matrix be any different? Mabye I’m
missing something…

Yes, you’re missing the distinction between a variable which
references a sequence of objects over time, and the objects it
references.

a = 1
a = 2

Does NOT change 1 to 2.

Fortran II used to let you change 1 to 2:

subroutine a(arg)
arg = 2
end subroutine a

call a(1)

But this was considered a bug and was changed in Fortran IV.

–
Rick DeNatale

My blog on Ruby
http://talklikeaduck.denhaven2.com/

16

On Tue, 12 Sep 2006, MonkeeSage wrote:

transformed into different matrices. Why should one have to do that
constructively (i.e., construct a new matrix “from scratch”), rather
than destructively (i.e., change the existing matrix “in place”). Think
of it like this: n = 1; n = n + 1 – even though the number 1 is
immutable and has a unique identity, the reference to it is not, and
can thus be destructively altered by assignment with the result that it
refers to new identity. It would be a pain to have to do o = n + 1, p =
n + 2 (i.e., creating new references every time the data changes), just
because 1 is immutable. Why should a matrix be any different? Mabye I’m
missing something…

http://narray.rubyforge.org/

and it even dovetails with

http://rb-gsl.rubyforge.org/

you can go back and forth.

-a

17

On Tue, 12 Sep 2006, Rick DeNatale wrote:

subroutine a(arg)
arg = 2
end subroutine a

call a(1)

But this was considered a bug and was changed in Fortran IV.

but wouldn’t it make to days go quickly! nothing beats debuggin to burn
up
the clock… perhaps and RCR?

-a

18

“MonkeeSage” [email protected] wrote in message
news:[email protected]…

transformed into different matrices. Why should one have to do that
constructively (i.e., construct a new matrix “from scratch”), rather
than destructively (i.e., change the existing matrix “in place”). Think
of it like this: n = 1; n = n + 1 – even though the number 1 is
immutable and has a unique identity, the reference to it is not, and
can thus be destructively altered by assignment with the result that it
refers to new identity. It would be a pain to have to do o = n + 1, p =
n + 2 (i.e., creating new references every time the data changes), just
because 1 is immutable. Why should a matrix be any different? Mabye I’m
missing something…

As far as I can tell, matrices are no different.  Your example shows

that 1 is immutable but references to it can be re-assigned, so you can
do:

n = 3
n = n + 1

Matrices are no different and, so, you can do:

n = Matrix.scalar(2, 3)
n = n + Matrix.I(2)

In both cases, the "number" types are immutable but the references

to
them are not, as you say. They both work exactly the same way. What
are
you trying to say?

19

Rick DeNatale wrote:

Yes, you’re missing the distinction between a variable which
references a sequence of objects over time, and the objects it
references.

a = 1
a = 2

Does NOT change 1 to 2.

Hmm, I guess I wasn’t clear, because that was my point (and another
person also didn’t understand me). My point was that n can be
destructively altered by assignment, but its value (1) cannot be. So
even though a particular matrix (as a value) is immutible and unique, a
matrix (as a concept, viz., the data structure, it’s reference) need
not be. Given matrix r, represented simply as a dimensional array:

r = [
[1, 1, 1],
[1, 1, 1],
[1, 1, 1]
]

What would be the difference between:

n = 1
n = n + 1

And:

r[1][1] = r[1][1] + 1

You have a new matrix (as a value), so you’re not violating identity,
but you keep the same data structure by destructive assignment ([]=),
rather than creating a new one with the new value in row 1, column 1.

That can easily be added, as was mentioned above, but the rationale for
it not being there is what doesn’t make sense to me. The rationale is
that a matrix (as a value) is immutable and unique; but so are regular
integers and that doesn’t hinder their “container” (i.e., a reference)
from being mutable. We don’t have to construct a new variable every
time we transform an integer to a different integer; why should a
member of matrix be any different and require a new matrix to be
constructed rather than allowing the reference to the member to be
destructively modified?

Anyhow, I don’t really care if []= is there by default, I can add it if
I want it; but I just don’t understand why “a matrix [as a value] is
immutable” means that []= shouldn’t be there regarding the data
structure.

Regards,
Jordan

20

Paul L. wrote:

You might as well ask why there is no formal method to change the third
digit of an integer in class Fixnum. The reply would be that integers are
ordinarily dealt with in their entirety, and for special needs, the user of
the class can write custom code to deal with the border cases, but there’s
no point in trying to include all the marginal utilities in the formal
class definition.

Most matrix operations operate on matrices as units. Here’s an example, a
matrix from my library, responsible for rotating objects in three-space:

–snip–

Then they would have been wrong. The lack of the []= operator has been a
major PITA for me, as I often need matrix functions (FWIW I’m a
mathematician, working on applications of artificial inteligence).
The implementations of many higher level matrix operations needs the
assignment operator. Try implementing a SVD algorithm without it.

Regards,

Michael

–
Michael U.
R&D Team
ISIS Information Systems Austria
tel: +43 2236 27551-219, fax: +43 2236 21081
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