matrix algebra

[Al Kabaila]

Hi,

My OS is Linux (openSUSE 10.3) and my interest in retirement is Python
applications to Structural Analysis of  Civil Engineering structures,
currently in 2 dimensions only (under GPL). Modern Structural Analysis is
highly matrix oriented, but requires only a few basic matrix operations,
namely matrix creation, transposition, multiplication, invertion and 
linear equation solution. For stability analysis one would require
Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors. In 3 dimensions, additionally highly
desirable would be vector algebra. The packages do have all these
functions, but currently only the basic functions are in the wrapper.

There are several packages for matrix algebra. I tried Numeric, numpy and
numarray. All three are very good, but each uses different syntax. Not a
good thing for teaching...  So I wrote a little python wrapper (under GPL)
to unify all packages with the same simple and transparent syntax.
Currently it deals with the Numeric, numpy and numarray and covers creation
of zero filled matrices, transposition, matrix multiplication, solution of
equations and inversion.

This is a very active newsgroup that incudes such giants as Frederik Lundh
and countless others. I wonder:

1. Is there any interest in matrix algebra "for the masses" (I mean interest
in a wrapper for a subset of functions of the packages with a unified
simple syntax)?
2. What other matrix operations would be required for your area of interest?
3. What other matrix packages, if any, should one include in the wrapper?

A copy of the wrapper is stored in a small, public svn repository. If you
would like to download it, please contact me by email at. Of course, if
there is interest, I would be delighted to upload it to a generally
accessible repository.  Finally, if this is a re-invention of the wheel
(which it may well be), would you kindly let me know?

akabaila [at] pcug [dot] org [dot] au.

I would be very happy to send you the checkout instructions, but I should 
discuss that with the people who run the repository. My home page that I
quote with my signature is not a repository nor does it have the current
programs.

OldAl.

-- 
Al Kabaila (Dr)
http://akabaila.pcug.org.au/StructuralAnalysis