Correct way to remove matrix columns?

Question

I start off with m = 1000 x 5 matrix, and I would like to remove first column to get 1000 x 4 matrix and repeat again for 1000 x 3 and so on. Is there an efficient way to do this? I see Insert to add columns or rows but don't see command for removing? I see maybe use the extract but is this only for a single vector extraction?

Answer 1

Here is a way to do it with Table:

mat = RandomReal[{0, 1}, {3, 5}]
Table[mat = mat[[All, 2 ;; -1]], {Dimensions[mat][[2]] - 1}];

MatrixForm /@ %

Answer 2

As has been shown there are a number of ways to do this. To summarize:

m = RandomInteger[9, {6, 4}]

All of these:

Drop[m, 0, 1]

Rest /@ m

m[[All, 2 ;;]]

{##2} & @@@ m

Produce:

Each has a place. For the specific operation Rest is especially clear. Drop can easily drop columns besides the first, e.g. Drop[m, 0, {3}], and it is very fast. Part is also usually very fast, and allows assignments which is both flexible and efficient (when applicable). SlotSequence is simply fun and can be quite useful when you also want to do something with the elements.

Timings with larger matrix:

m = RandomInteger[9, {15000, 100}];

Drop[m, 0, 1]  // timeAvg
Rest /@ m      // timeAvg
m[[All, 2 ;;]] // timeAvg
{##2} & @@@ m  // timeAvg

0.0010224

0.004496

0.0011728

0.03992

(The timeAvg function has been repeatedly posted before. Use Search.)

Answer 3

I am not sure this deserves a full blown answer but...

 a = RandomVariate[NormalDistribution[], {15, 5}];

 Rest /@ a // Dimensions


 (* {15,4} *)

And to operate recursively

 Dimensions /@ NestList[Rest /@ # &, a, 3]

 (* 
  15    5
  15    4
  15    3
  15    2
  *)

EDIT

Replaced Most by Rest since as noticed by Mr Wizard this was actually the OP question!