Matrix dimensions being symbolic

Is there any way to define a matrix in sage that has variables in place for the dimensions?

For instance, I want M with dimension n by p. I try the code below to illustrate

sage: var('n p')

sage: matrix(nrows=n,ncols=p)

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What sort of things do you want to do with these matrices? Maybe there are other options.

( 2022-07-29 00:49:21 +0200 )edit

One idea is to do matrix manipulations knowing a common dimension. For instance, if I have an M matrix that is n x n, then one idea is to be able to do matrix manipulation that is available for square matrices (i.e. eigenvalue analysis, inversion, etc.)

( 2022-07-30 14:29:44 +0200 )edit

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This is not shiny but works

    var('n p')
n = 2
p = 5

vars1 = [var('a_%d%d' %(i,j)) for i in [1..n] for j in [1..p]]
matrix(SR, n, p, vars1)


adapt for n, p > 9

more

Nope. After :

sage: var("n, p")
(n, p)


the Python variable n is indeed bound to a symbolic variable (element of SR) :

sage: n.parent()
Symbolic Ring


But after :

sage: n=2 ; p=5


n is bound to an integer :

sage: n.parent()
Integer Ring


and the rest of your code uses the fixed, integer values of n (and p).

There is currently no way to define a symbolic-dimensioned matrix in Sage (and, unless I'm mistaken (which is possible...), neither in Sympy, Mathematica, Giac or Fricas...).

( 2022-07-29 00:07:30 +0200 )edit