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zeros

Create array of all zeros

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Syntax

X = zeros
X = zeros(n)
X = zeros(sz1,...,szN)
X = zeros(sz)
X = zeros(___,typename)
X = zeros(___,'like',p)

Description

X = zeros returns the scalar 0.

X = zeros(n) returns an n-by-n matrix of zeros.

example

X = zeros(sz1,...,szN) returns an sz1-by-...-by-szN array of zeros where sz1,...,szN indicate the size of each dimension. For example, zeros(2,3) returns a 2-by-3 matrix.

example

X = zeros(sz) returns an array of zeros where size vector sz defines size(X). For example, zeros([2 3]) returns a 2-by-3 matrix.

example

X = zeros(___,typename) returns an array of zeros of data type typename. For example, zeros('int8') returns a scalar, 8-bit integer 0. You can use any of the input arguments in the previous syntaxes.

example

X = zeros(___,'like',p) returns an array of zeros like p; that is, of the same data type (class), sparsity, and complexity (real or complex) as p. You can specify typename or 'like', but not both.

example

Examples

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Open Live Script

Create a 4-by-4 matrix of zeros. 

X = zeros(4)
X = 4×4

     0     0     0     0
     0     0     0     0
     0     0     0     0
     0     0     0     0
Open Live Script

Create a 2-by-3-by-4 array of zeros. 

X = zeros(2,3,4);
size(X)
ans = 1×3

     2     3     4
Open Live Script

Create an array of zeros that is the same size as an existing array. 

A = [1 4; 2 5; 3 6];
sz = size(A);
X = zeros(sz)
X = 3×2

     0     0
     0     0
     0     0

It is a common pattern to combine the previous two lines of code into a single line: 

X = zeros(size(A));
Open Live Script

Create a 1-by-3 vector of zeros whose elements are 32-bit unsigned integers. 

X = zeros(1,3,'uint32')
X = 1x3 uint32 row vector

   0   0   0


class(X)
ans = 
'uint32'
Open Live Script

Create a scalar 0 that is complex like an existing array instead of real valued.

First, create a complex vector. 

p = [1+2i 3i];

Create a scalar 0 that is complex like p. 

X = zeros('like',p)
X = 
0.0000 + 0.0000i
Open Live Script

Create a 10-by-10 sparse matrix. 

p = sparse(10,10,pi);

Create a 2-by-3 matrix of zeros that is sparse like p. 

X = zeros(2,3,'like',p)
X = 2x3 sparse double matrix
   All zero
Open Live Script

Create a 2-by-3 array of 8-bit unsigned integers. 

p = uint8([1 3 5; 2 4 6]);

Create an array of zeros that is the same size and data type as p. 

X = zeros(size(p),'like',p)
X = 2x3 uint8 matrix

   0   0   0
   0   0   0


class(X)
ans = 
'uint8'

If you have Parallel Computing Toolbox™, create a 1000-by-1000 distributed array of zeros with underlying data type int8. For the distributed data type, the 'like' syntax clones the underlying data type in addition to the primary data type.

p = zeros(1000,'int8','distributed');
Starting parallel pool (parpool) using the 'local' profile ...
connected to 6 workers.

Create an array of zeros that is the same size, primary data type, and underlying data type as p.

X = zeros(size(p),'like',p);
class(X)
ans =

    'distributed'
underlyingType(X)
ans =

    'int8'

Input Arguments

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Size of square matrix, specified as an integer value.

  • If n is 0, then X is an empty matrix.

  • If n is negative, then it is treated as 0.

Data Types: double | single | int8 | int16 | int32 | int64 | uint8 | uint16 | uint32 | uint64

Size of each dimension, specified as separate arguments of integer values.

  • If the size of any dimension is 0, then X is an empty array.

  • If the size of any dimension is negative, then it is treated as 0.

  • Beyond the second dimension, zeros ignores trailing dimensions with a size of 1. For example, zeros(3,1,1,1) produces a 3-by-1 vector of zeros.

Data Types: double | single | int8 | int16 | int32 | int64 | uint8 | uint16 | uint32 | uint64

Size of each dimension, specified as a row vector of integer values. Each element of this vector indicates the size of the corresponding dimension:

  • If the size of any dimension is 0, then X is an empty array.

  • If the size of any dimension is negative, then it is treated as 0.

  • Beyond the second dimension, zeros ignores trailing dimensions with a size of 1. For example, zeros([3 1 1 1]) produces a 3-by-1 vector of zeros.

Example: sz = [2 3 4] creates a 2-by-3-by-4 array.

Data Types: double | single | int8 | int16 | int32 | int64 | uint8 | uint16 | uint32 | uint64

Data type (class) to create, specified as 'double', 'single', 'logical','int8', 'uint8', 'int16', 'uint16', 'int32', 'uint32', 'int64', 'uint64', or the name of another class that provides zeros support.

Prototype of array to create, specified as an array.

Data Types: double | single | logical | int8 | int16 | int32 | int64 | uint8 | uint16 | uint32 | uint64
Complex Number Support: Yes

Extended Capabilities

Version History

Introduced before R2006a

See Also

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