# Numerical simulation - getting slower the more data I have [closed]

I'm simulating the trajectory of a charged particle. I have the coordinates saved in the list $coor$ ({{0,0,0},{0.1,0.1,0.003}, etc}) as the time goes on this array is getting bigger and the computation slower. What is the usual way to solve this issue?

I guess that using

coor=Append[coor,r]


is't the best way to save data on the way. Do you have any sugesstions? Thanks

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## closed as off-topic by Michael E2, rasher, gpap, Oleksandr R., ÖskåJun 9 at 10:22

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Maybe Reap and Sow？ –  Chenminqi Jun 8 at 11:32
–  Yves Klett Jun 8 at 11:46
Perhaps NDSolve, Table, NestWhileList etc. There is not enough information to give a definitive answer. –  Michael E2 Jun 9 at 2:12

Define a list large enough to hold your coordinates:

coor = Table[Null, {100}];


Then, starting with

i = 1;


Let some program fill in the values

coor[[i++]] = {0., 0., 0.};
coor[[i++]] = {0.1, 0.1, 0.003};


Finally, delete the remaining Null-values:

DeleteCases[coor, Null]


{{0., 0., 0.}, {0.1, 0.1, 0.003}}

This should be significantly faster

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thank you, I don't know why I haven't thought of this option - I've already used it in other cases. however I've already implemented the Reap/Sow thing. How does it compare with your suggestion? –  Tom83B Jun 8 at 11:41
Actually ConstantArray[{0.,0.,0.},len] would probably be better to prealocate –  Ajasja Jun 8 at 11:57
@Tom83B Using limit = 0; Reap[While[limit < 10^5, r = RandomInteger[9]; limit += r; Sow[r]]] and comparing it with my answer I found that Reap/Sow is slightly faster. –  eldo Jun 8 at 12:32
@Ajasja Or even ConstantArray[0., {len, 3}]. –  Michael E2 Jun 9 at 2:08

I think using linked lists is usually the best way to proceed in cases like this.

coords = {};


Each time you generate a new point, r, add it with

coords = {coords, r};


This is very fast, but will generate a deeply nested list. When all the points have been generated, flatten and re-partition the list, which is also very fast.

coords = Partition[Flatten[coords], 3];

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