Python data types

To create variables called i and j that refer to integer objects, type the following at the Python prompt:

>>> i = 20
>>> j = 64

An integer is based on a C long and can be compared to a Fortran integer*4 or *8. For extremely large integer values, you should declare a long integer. The size of a long integer is essentially unlimited. The L at the end of the number indicates that it is a long integer.

>>> nodes = 2000000L
>>> bigNumber = 120L**21

Use int(n) to convert a variable to an integer; use long(n) to convert a variable to a long integer.

>>> load  = 279.86
>>> iLoad = int(load)
>>> iLoad
279

>>> a = 2
>>> b = 64
>>> bigNumber = long(a)**b
>>> print 'bigNumber = ', bigNumber
bigNumber = 18446744073709551616

Note:

All Abaqus Scripting Interface object types begin with an uppercase character; for example, a Part or a Viewport. An integer is another kind of object and follows the same convention. The Abaqus Scripting Interface refers to an integer object as an Int. Similarly, the Abaqus Scripting Interface refers to a floating-point object as a Float.

Floats represent floating-point numbers or real numbers. You can use exponential notation for floats.

>>> pi   = 22.0/7.0
>>> r    = 2.345e-6
>>> area = pi * r * r
>>> print 'Area = ', area
Area =  1.728265e-11

A float is based on a C double and can be compared to a Fortran real*8. Use float(n) to convert a variable to a float.

Complex numbers use the j notation to indicate the imaginary part of the number. Python provides methods to manipulate complex numbers. The conjugate method calculates the conjugate of a complex number.

>>> a = 2 + 4j
>>> a.conjugate()
(2-4j)

A complex number has two members, the real member and the imaginary member.

>>> a = 2 + 4j
>>> a.real
2.0
>>> a.imag
4.0

Python provides complex math functions to operate on complex variables. You need to import the cmath module to use the complex square root function.

>>> import cmath
>>> y = 3 + 4j
>>> print cmath.sqrt(y)
(2+1j)

Remember, functions of a type are called methods; data of a type are called members. In our example conjugate is a method of a complex type; a.real refers to the real member of a complex type.

Sequences include strings, lists, tuples, and arrays. Sequences are described in Sequences, and Sequence operations.