What's the Most Efficient Way to Initialize a 2D Array in Python?

Efficient Array Initialization in Python

When attempting to populate a two-dimensional array with a constant value, developers commonly employ intricate methods like list appending and nested iteration. However, there exists a more elegant and concise approach for this task.

The standardized syntax for initializing a two-dimensional array in Python is:

t = [ [0]*3 for i in range(3)]

This code initializes a 3x3 matrix of zeros. Each inner list represents a row of the matrix, and the enclosing list combines these rows into the desired two-dimensional structure.

It's crucial to avoid using the following code:

a = [[0]*3]*3

While this code appears to produce a 3x3 matrix of zeros, it creates a subtle trap. By referencing the same inner list in each row, any modifications to one row will be reflected in all the others. This lack of independent rows can lead to unexpected behavior and is best avoided.

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