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# ndarray

> Create a multidimensional array.

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<section class="intro">

</section>

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<!-- Package usage documentation. -->

<section class="usage">

## Usage

```javascript
var ndarray = require( '@stdlib/ndarray/base/ctor' );
```

<a name="main"></a>

#### ndarray( dtype, buffer, shape, strides, offset, order )

Returns an `ndarray` instance.

```javascript
// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ];
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ 2, 1 ];
var offset = 0;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'generic', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );
// returns <ndarray>
```

The constructor has the following parameters:

-   **dtype**: underlying [data type][@stdlib/ndarray/dtypes].
-   **buffer**: data buffer.
-   **shape**: array shape (dimensions).
-   **strides**: array strides which are index offsets specifying how to access along corresponding dimensions.
-   **offset**: index offset specifying the location of the first indexed element in the data buffer.
-   **order**: array order, which is either `row-major` (C-style) or `column-major` (Fortran-style).

To create a zero-dimensional array, provide an empty `shape` and a single `strides` element equal to `0`. The `order` can be either `row-major` or `column-major` and has no effect on data storage or access.

```javascript
var buffer = [ 1 ];
var shape = [];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ 0 ];
var offset = 0;

// Create a new zero-dimensional array:
var arr = ndarray( 'generic', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );
// returns <ndarray>
```

* * *

### Properties

<a name="static-prop-name"></a>

#### ndarray.name

String value of the ndarray constructor name.

```javascript
var str = ndarray.name;
// returns 'ndarray'
```

<a name="prop-byte-length"></a>

#### ndarray.prototype.byteLength

Size (in bytes) of the array (if known).

```javascript
var Float64Array = require( '@stdlib/array/float64' );

// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = new Float64Array( [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ] );
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ 2, 1 ];
var offset = 0;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'float64', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Get the byte length:
var nbytes = arr.byteLength;
// returns 32
```

If unable to determine the size of the array, the property value is `null`.

```javascript
// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ];
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ 2, 1 ];
var offset = 0;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'generic', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Get the byte length:
var nbytes = arr.byteLength;
// returns null
```

<a name="prop-bytes-per-element"></a>

#### ndarray.prototype.BYTES_PER_ELEMENT

Size (in bytes) of each array element (if known).

```javascript
var Float32Array = require( '@stdlib/array/float32' );

// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = new Float32Array( [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ] );
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ 2, 1 ];
var offset = 0;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'float32', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Get the number of bytes per element:
var nbytes = arr.BYTES_PER_ELEMENT;
// returns 4
```

If size of each array element is unknown, the property value is `null`.

```javascript
// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ];
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ 2, 1 ];
var offset = 0;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'generic', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Get the number of bytes per element:
var nbytes = arr.BYTES_PER_ELEMENT;
// returns null
```

<a name="prop-data"></a>

#### ndarray.prototype.data

A reference to the underlying data buffer.

```javascript
var Int8Array = require( '@stdlib/array/int8' );

// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = new Int8Array( [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ] );
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ 2, 1 ];
var offset = 0;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'int8', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Get the buffer reference:
var d = arr.data;
// returns <Int8Array>[ 1, 2, 3, 4 ]

var bool = ( d === buffer );
// returns true
```

<a name="prop-dtype"></a>

#### ndarray.prototype.dtype

Underlying [data type][@stdlib/ndarray/dtypes].

```javascript
var Uint8Array = require( '@stdlib/array/uint8' );

// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = new Uint8Array( [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ] );
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ -2, 1 ];
var offset = 2;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'uint8', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Get the underlying data type:
var dtype = arr.dtype;
// returns 'uint8'
```

<a name="prop-flags"></a>

#### ndarray.prototype.flags

Meta information, such as information concerning the memory layout of the array. The returned `object` has the following properties:

-   **ROW_MAJOR_CONTIGUOUS**: `boolean` indicating if an array is row-major contiguous.
-   **COLUMN_MAJOR_CONTIGUOUS**: `boolean` indicating if an array is column-major contiguous.
-   **READONLY**: `boolean` indicating if an array is **read-only**.

An array is contiguous if (1) an array is compatible with being stored in a single memory segment and (2) each array element is adjacent to the next array element. Note that an array can be both row-major contiguous and column-major contiguous at the same time (e.g., if an array is a 1-dimensional ndarray with `strides = [1]`).

```javascript
var Int32Array = require( '@stdlib/array/int32' );

// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = new Int32Array( [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ] );
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'column-major';
var strides = [ 1, 2 ];
var offset = 0;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'int32', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Get the array flags:
var flg = arr.flags;
// returns {...}
```

<a name="prop-length"></a>

#### ndarray.prototype.length

Number of array elements.

```javascript
var Uint16Array = require( '@stdlib/array/uint16' );

// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = new Uint16Array( [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ] );
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'column-major';
var strides = [ -1, -2 ];
var offset = 3;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'uint16', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Get the array length:
var len = arr.length;
// returns 4
```

<a name="prop-ndims"></a>

#### ndarray.prototype.ndims

Number of dimensions.

```javascript
var Uint8ClampedArray = require( '@stdlib/array/uint8c' );

// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = new Uint8ClampedArray( [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ] );
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ -2, -1 ];
var offset = 3;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'uint8c', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Get the number of dimensions:
var ndims = arr.ndims;
// returns 2
```

<a name="prop-offset"></a>

#### ndarray.prototype.offset

Index offset which specifies the `buffer` index at which to start iterating over array elements.

```javascript
var Int16Array = require( '@stdlib/array/int16' );

// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = new Int16Array( [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 ] );
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ -2, -1 ];
var offset = 10;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'int16', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Get the index offset:
var o = arr.offset;
// returns 10
```

<a name="prop-order"></a>

#### ndarray.prototype.order

Array order. The array order is either row-major (C-style) or column-major (Fortran-style).

```javascript
var Uint32Array = require( '@stdlib/array/uint32' );

// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = new Uint32Array( [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ] );
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ 2, 1 ];
var offset = 0;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'uint32', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Get the array order:
var ord = arr.order;
// returns 'row-major'
```

<a name="prop-shape"></a>

#### ndarray.prototype.shape

Returns a copy of the array shape.

```javascript
// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ];
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ 2, 1 ];
var offset = 2;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'generic', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Get the array shape:
var dims = arr.shape;
// returns [ 2, 2 ]
```

<a name="prop-strides"></a>

#### ndarray.prototype.strides

Returns a copy of the array strides which specify how to access data along corresponding array dimensions.

```javascript
// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ];
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'column-major';
var strides = [ -1, 2 ];
var offset = 1;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'generic', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Get the array strides:
var s = arr.strides;
// returns [ -1, 2 ]
```

* * *

### Methods

<a name="method-get"></a>

#### ndarray.prototype.get( i, j, k, ... )

Returns an array element specified according to provided subscripts. The number of provided subscripts should **equal** the number of dimensions.

```javascript
// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ];
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ 2, 1 ];
var offset = 2;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'generic', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Get the element located at (1,1):
var v = arr.get( 1, 1 );
// returns 6
```

<a name="method-iget"></a>

#### ndarray.prototype.iget( idx )

Returns an array element located at a specified linear index.

```javascript
// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ];
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ 2, 1 ];
var offset = 2;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'generic', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Get the element located at index 3:
var v = arr.iget( 3 );
// returns 6
```

For zero-dimensional arrays, the input argument is ignored and, for clarity, should **not** be provided.

<a name="method-set"></a>

#### ndarray.prototype.set( i, j, k, ..., v )

Sets an array element specified according to provided subscripts. The number of provided subscripts should **equal** the number of dimensions.

```javascript
// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ];
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ 2, 1 ];
var offset = 0;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'generic', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Set the element located at (1,1):
arr.set( 1, 1, 40 );
var v = arr.get( 1, 1 );
// returns 40

// Get the underlying buffer:
var d = arr.data;
// returns [ 1, 2, 3, 40 ]
```

The method returns the `ndarray` instance.

<a name="method-iset"></a>

#### ndarray.prototype.iset( idx, v )

Sets an array element located at a specified linear index.

```javascript
// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ];
var shape = [ 2, 2 ];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ 2, 1 ];
var offset = 0;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'generic', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Set the element located at index 3:
arr.iset( 3, 40 );
var v = arr.iget( 3 );
// returns 40

// Get the underlying buffer:
var d = arr.data;
// returns [ 1, 2, 3, 40 ]
```

For zero-dimensional arrays, the first, and **only**, argument should be the value `v` to set. The method returns the `ndarray` instance.

<a name="method-to-string"></a>

#### ndarray.prototype.toString()

Serializes an `ndarray` as a `string`.

```javascript
// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ];
var shape = [ 3, 2 ];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ 2, 1 ];
var offset = 2;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'generic', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Serialize to a string:
var str = arr.toString();
// returns "ndarray( 'generic', [ 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ], [ 3, 2 ], [ 2, 1 ], 0, 'row-major' )"
```

The method does **not** serialize data outside of the buffer region defined by the array configuration.

<a name="method-to-json"></a>

#### ndarray.prototype.toJSON()

Serializes an `ndarray` as a [JSON][json] `object`. `JSON.stringify()` implicitly calls this method when stringifying an `ndarray` instance.

```javascript
// Specify the array configuration:
var buffer = [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ];
var shape = [ 3, 2 ];
var order = 'row-major';
var strides = [ 2, 1 ];
var offset = 2;

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'generic', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Serialize to JSON:
var o = arr.toJSON();
// returns { 'type': 'ndarray', 'dtype': 'generic', 'flags': {...}, 'offset': 0, 'order': 'row-major', 'shape': [ 3, 2 ], 'strides': [ 2, 1 ], 'data': [ 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ] }
```

The method does **not** serialize data outside of the buffer region defined by the array configuration.

</section>

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<!-- Package usage notes. Make sure to keep an empty line after the `section` element and another before the `/section` close. -->

* * *

<section class="notes">

## Notes

-   A data buffer must be an array-like object (i.e., have a `length` property). For data buffers which are not indexed collections (i.e., collections which cannot support direct index access, such as `buffer[ index ]`; e.g., [`Complex64Array`][@stdlib/array/complex64], [`Complex128Array`][@stdlib/array/complex128], etc), a data buffer should provide `#.get( idx )` and `#.set( v[, idx] )` methods. Note that, for `set` methods, the value to set should be the first argument, followed by the linear index, similar to the native typed array `set` method.

</section>

<!-- /.notes -->

<!-- Package usage examples. -->

<section class="examples">

* * *

## Examples

<!-- eslint no-undef: "error" -->

```javascript
var Float32Array = require( '@stdlib/array/float32' );
var ndarray = require( '@stdlib/ndarray/base/ctor' );

// Create a data buffer:
var buffer = new Float32Array( (3*3*3*3) + 100 );

// Specify the array shape:
var shape = [ 3, 3, 3, 3 ];

// Specify the array strides:
var strides = [ 27, 9, 3, 1 ];

// Specify the index offset:
var offset = 4;

// Specify the order:
var order = 'row-major'; // C-style

// Create a new ndarray:
var arr = ndarray( 'float32', buffer, shape, strides, offset, order );

// Retrieve an array value:
var v = arr.get( 1, 2, 1, 2 );
// returns 0.0

// Set an array value:
arr.set( 1, 2, 1, 2, 10.0 );

// Retrieve the array value:
v = arr.get( 1, 2, 1, 2 );
// returns 10.0

// Serialize the array as a string:
var str = arr.toString();
// returns "ndarray( 'float32', new Float32Array( [ 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 10, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 ] ), [ 3, 3, 3, 3 ], [ 27, 9, 3, 1 ], 0, 'row-major' )"

// Serialize the array as JSON:
str = JSON.stringify( arr.toJSON() );
// e.g., returns '{"type":"ndarray","dtype":"float32","flags":{"READONLY":false},"order":"row-major","shape":[3,3,3,3],"strides":[27,9,3,1],"data":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,10,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]}'
```

</section>

<!-- /.examples -->

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</section>

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<section class="related">

* * *

## See Also

-   <span class="package-name">[`@stdlib/ndarray/array`][@stdlib/ndarray/array]</span><span class="delimiter">: </span><span class="description">multidimensional arrays.</span>
-   <span class="package-name">[`@stdlib/ndarray/ctor`][@stdlib/ndarray/ctor]</span><span class="delimiter">: </span><span class="description">multidimensional array constructor.</span>

</section>

<!-- /.related -->

<!-- Section for all links. Make sure to keep an empty line after the `section` element and another before the `/section` close. -->

<section class="links">

[json]: http://www.json.org/

[@stdlib/ndarray/dtypes]: https://github.com/stdlib-js/ndarray/tree/main/dtypes

[@stdlib/array/complex64]: https://www.npmjs.com/package/@stdlib/array-complex64

[@stdlib/array/complex128]: https://www.npmjs.com/package/@stdlib/array-complex128

<!-- <related-links> -->

[@stdlib/ndarray/array]: https://github.com/stdlib-js/ndarray/tree/main/array

[@stdlib/ndarray/ctor]: https://github.com/stdlib-js/ndarray/tree/main/ctor

<!-- </related-links> -->

</section>

<!-- /.links -->
