PyArmadillo: a streamlined linear algebra library for Python

While the Python language has extension frameworks such as NumPy and SciPy for providing functionality involving numerical arrays and scientific computing, these frameworks can be cumbersome to use in contrast to the well-established Matlab language. The issues include: a focus on operations involving multi-dimensional arrays rather than matrices, nested organisation of functions which increases code verbosity (leading to reduced user productivity), and syntax that significantly differs from Matlab. To address these shortcomings, we propose PyArmadillo, a streamlined linear algebra library for Python, with an emphasis on ease of use. PyArmadillo aims to provide a high-level syntax and functionality deliberately similar to Matlab/Octave, allowing mathematical operations to be expressed in a familiar and natural manner. Objects for matrices and cubes are provided, as well as over 200 associated functions for manipulating data stored in the objects. Integer, floating point and complex numbers are supported. Various matrix factorisations are provided through integration with LAPACK, or one of its high performance drop-in replacements such as Intel MKL or OpenBLAS. PyArmadillo is open-source software, distributed under the Apache 2.0 license; it can be obtained at https://pyarma.sourceforge.io or via the Python Package Index in precompiled form.