numpy provides three handy routines to turn an array into at least a 1D, 2D, or 3D array, e.g. through numpy.atleast_3d
I need the equivalent for one more dimension: atleast_4d. I can think of various ways using nested if statements but I was wondering whether there is a more efficient and faster method of returning the array in question. In you answer, I would be interested to see an estimate (O(n)) of the speed of execution if you can.
The np.array method has an optional ndmin keyword argument that:
Specifies the minimum number of dimensions that the resulting array should have. Ones will be pre-pended to the shape as needed to meet this requirement.
If you also set copy=False you should get close to what you are after.
As a do-it-yourself alternative, if you want extra dimensions trailing rather than leading:
arr.shape += (1,) * (4 - arr.ndim)
(1,) * (4 - arr.ndim) creates a tuple of ones. The tuple is either empty if arr.ndim is larger than 4 or of the appropriate length. Those dimension just get tagged on to the array. Beautiful.Why couldn't it just be something as simple as this:
import numpy as np
def atleast_4d(x):
if x.ndim < 4:
y = np.expand_dims(np.atleast_3d(x), axis=3)
else:
y = x
return y
ie. if the number of dimensions is less than four, call atleast_3d and append an extra dimension on the end, otherwise just return the array unchanged.
expand_dims -> np.expand_dims
else => else:.