numpy array bigger than python list

Question

In this question Why NumPy instead of Python lists? [closed] every one seems to agree than numpy array are a more compact structure. I try to replicate this and I found than is only true when the list become huge. I am on python3.5 ubuntu 12.04

import sys
from numpy getsizeof

a = [1.0,2.0,3.0,4.0]
print(getsizeof(a))  # 96
print(getsizeof(numpy.array(a)))  # 128

a = list(range(1000))
print(getsizeof(a))  # 9112
print(getsizeof(numpy.array(a)))  # 8096

Could someone explain me why?

getsizeof only measures the buffer of pointers of the list, not all the objects pointed to. This isn't a good tool for comparing the 2. — hpaulj
– hpaulj, Commented Nov 21, 2016 at 10:02

cco · Accepted Answer · 2016-11-21 08:35:02Z

3

Fixed overhead. Both lists and numpy arrays have a fixed-size data structure that is used to manage the data in the container. Numpy has a slightly larger structure, which the more compact value storage doesn't immediately overcome.

answered Nov 21, 2016 at 8:35

cco

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