Importing array with complex numbers

Question

This is probably an easy question: I am exporting the results from a longer calculation into a dat-File, then I set the cell to non-evaluatable and put an Import in front, so I can later work with the results, even after closing and reopening the notebook:

results = Import["results.dat"]

(non-evaluatable) results = makeLongCalculation[parameters]
(non-evaluatable) Export["results.dat",results]

doSomethingwithResults[results]

(Is there a more elegant way?)

Now, I have the problem that complex numbers are imported as strings. My results are typically of the form {{0.01,3*10^-6+5*10^-4*I},...}. Is there any more straightforward way than to apply something like ToExpression to the Import? I feel that native Mathemat

Answer 1

Or in concise notation:

results >>   "results.dat";
results = << "results.dat";

You can automate the process slightly, by reading the data in if the file exists and results isn't defined or writing it out otherwise.

If[Head@results === Symbol && FileExistsQ["complex.dat"], 
 results = << "complex.dat", results >> "complex.dat"]

Answer 2

You could use Put and Get instead of Export and Import.

Put[results,"results.dat"]
results = Get["results.dat"];