Matrix Operations Program

This project is a Python program that performs basic matrix operations using input from a text file. The program reads matrix data and an operation from input.txt, processes the matrices using a separate matrix library (matrix.py), and writes the result to output.txt.

The implementation separates input/output handling from matrix computation, keeping the matrix algorithms in a dedicated module.

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Project Context

This program was originally developed as part of a programming exercise focused on learning how to:

• read data from text files
• write results to output files
• validate structured input
• organize code using a separate module

Because of this requirement, the program uses file-based input (input.txt) and output (output.txt) instead of user input.

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Supported Operations

The program supports the following matrix operations:

Operation	Description
add	Adds two matrices of the same dimensions
multiply	Performs matrix multiplication
scalMultiply	Multiplies a matrix by a scalar constant
transpose	Computes the transpose of a matrix

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Project Structure

matrix-operations/
 ├─ main.py        # main program handling file input/output
 ├─ matrix.py      # matrix operations library
 ├─ input.txt      # input file containing operation and matrices
 ├─ output.txt     # file where results are written
 └─ README.md

main.py

Handles:

• reading input from file
• validating matrix dimensions
• constructing matrix data structures
• calling functions from matrix.py
• writing results to output.txt

matrix.py

Contains the implementations of:

• matrix addition
• scalar multiplication
• matrix multiplication
• matrix transpose

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Input Format

All input is provided through the file:

input.txt

The first line specifies the operation.

operation

The next line specifies the dimensions of matrix A:

rows cols

The following lines contain the rows of matrix A.

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Example: Matrix Addition

input.txt

add
2 2
1 2
3 4
2 2
5 6
7 8

output.txt

6 8
10 12

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Example: Matrix Multiplication

input.txt

multiply
2 3
1 2 3
4 5 6
3 2
7 8
9 10
11 12

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Example: Scalar Multiplication

scalMultiply
2 2
1 2
3 4
5

Result multiplies the matrix by 5.

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Example: Transpose

transpose
2 3
1 2 3
4 5 6

Output becomes a 3 × 2 matrix.

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Input Validation

The program checks for invalid input conditions such as:

• incorrect matrix dimensions
• mismatched sizes for addition
• invalid sizes for multiplication
• non-positive matrix dimensions
• incorrect row lengths

If invalid input is detected, the program:

1. Clears output.txt
2. Terminates with the message:

Invalid input

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How to Run

1. Place your matrix data in input.txt
2. Run the program:

python main.py

3. Check the result in:

output.txt

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Implementation Notes

Some design decisions used in this implementation:

• Dictionary-based matrix storage instead of lists
• Separate matrix computation module
• File-based I/O instead of console input
• Explicit input validation

These choices make the matrix operations reusable and easier to maintain.

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Possible Improvements

Future improvements could include:

• Command-line input instead of file input
• Support for floating-point matrices
• Additional operations (determinant, inverse, etc.)
• Unit tests for matrix functions
• More efficient data structures (NumPy)

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License

MIT License