What is Numpy?

NumPy, short for "numerical Python", is a free, open-source library for the Python programming language that adds support for large, multi-dimensional arrays and matrices: 

• What it does
• NumPy provides a collection of mathematical functions that can be used with these arrays, including:
• Linear algebra 
• Random simulation 
• Fourier transforms 
• Trigonometric operations 
• Statistical operations 
• Shape manipulation 
• Sorting 
• Selection

How it's used

NumPy is used to perform optimized mathematical operations on large arrays. It's the core library for scientific computing and is the base for libraries such as Pandas, Scikit-learn, and SciPy.

How it works

NumPy can be added to an existing Python installation, and programmers can write Python code that makes calls and exchanges data with NumPy features and functions.

How it was created

NumPy was created in 2005 by Travis Oliphant by incorporating features of the competing Numarray into Numeric.

You can learn more about NumPy in these resources:

• Python.org: Python.org tutorial on NumPy 
• Coursera: Coursera article on NumPy 
• TechTarget: TechTarget article on NumPy 
• ActiveState: ActiveState article on NumPy 
• NumPy: NumPy documentation