passagemath-meataxe

10.8.4 verified Fri May 01 auth: no python

Matrix arithmetic over small finite fields, implementing the meataxe algorithm for modular representation theory. Part of the passagemath ecosystem. Current version 10.8.4, requires Python >=3.11 and <3.15. Release cadence follows passagemath releases.

pip install passagemath-meataxe

Common errors

error ImportError: No module named 'sage' ↓

cause Trying to import from the old SageMath package, not supported in standalone passagemath-meataxe

fix

Use 'from passagemath.meataxe import ...' instead of 'from sage.all import ...'

error TypeError: no conversion of this ring to a meataxe field ↓

cause Using a finite field that is not one of the small characteristic fields (2,3,5,7,11,13) or providing a non-field ring

fix

Ensure the field characteristic is in {2,3,5,7,11,13} and that you pass an integer modulus, not a ring object.

error ValueError: matrix entries must be integers in the range 0..q-1 ↓

cause Passed non-integer entries (e.g., SageMath's FiniteFieldElement) or integers out of range

fix

Convert all entries to plain ints with 'int(entry)' before constructing the matrix.

error AttributeError: module 'passagemath.meataxe' has no attribute 'Meataxe' ↓

cause Incorrect import; common when using 'import passagemath' then 'passagemath.meataxe.Meataxe' but missing the explicit import

fix

Use 'from passagemath.meataxe import Meataxe'

Warnings

breaking passagemath-meataxe 10.x is a standalone package, not part of SageMath. Import paths changed from sage.* to passagemath.* ↓

fix Use 'from passagemath.meataxe import ...' instead of 'from sage.all import ...'

gotcha The meataxe algorithm only works over small finite fields (characteristic 2,3,5,7,11,13). Attempting with other fields raises an error. ↓

fix Check your field is in the supported list before calling meataxe operations.

deprecated Functions named 'new_random_matrix' and 'new_irreducible_matrix' are deprecated in favor of 'random_matrix' and 'irreducible_matrix'. ↓

fix Use 'random_matrix' and 'irreducible_matrix'.

gotcha Matrix elements must be integers (0 to q-1) within the field; using Python ints is mandatory. Passing elements from other packages (e.g., SageMath's FiniteField elements) may cause silent conversion errors. ↓

fix Convert field elements to plain ints before constructing a meataxe matrix.

Imports

Meataxe
wrong
```
from sage.all import *
```
correct
```
from passagemath.meataxe import Meataxe
```
SageMath style globals may not work; passagemath uses explicit namespaces

Quickstart

Basic usage: create a matrix over GF(2) and compute its rank.

from passagemath.meataxe import Meataxe
# Create a matrix over GF(2)
m = Meataxe(2, [[1,0],[0,1]])
print(m.rank())