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PyTorch is a machine learning library based on the Torch library,[4][5][6] used for applications such as computer vision and natural language processing,[7] originally developed by Meta AI and now part of the Linux Foundation umbrella.[8][9][10][11] It is one of the most popular deep learning frameworks, alongside others such as TensorFlow and PaddlePaddle[12][13], offering free and open-source software released under the modified BSD license. Although the Python interface is more polished and the primary focus of development, PyTorch also has a C++ interface.[14]
 | |
| Original author(s) |
|
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Meta AI |
| Initial release | September 2016[1] |
| Stable release | |
| Repository | github |
| Written in | |
| Operating system | |
| Platform | IA-32, x86-64, ARM64 |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Library for machine learning and deep learning |
| License | BSD-3[3] |
| Website | pytorch |
A number of pieces of deep learning software are built on top of PyTorch, including Tesla Autopilot,[15] Uber's Pyro,[16] Hugging Face's Transformers,[17] PyTorch Lightning,[18][19] and Catalyst.[20][21]
PyTorch provides two high-level features:[22]
- Tensor computing (like NumPy) with strong acceleration via graphics processing units (GPU)
- Deep neural networks built on a tape-based automatic differentiation system
Meta (formerly known as Facebook) operates both PyTorch and Convolutional Architecture for Fast Feature Embedding (Caffe2), but models defined by the two frameworks were mutually incompatible. The Open Neural Network Exchange (ONNX) project was created by Meta and Microsoft in September 2017 for converting models between frameworks. Caffe2 was merged into PyTorch at the end of March 2018.[23] In September 2022, Meta announced that PyTorch would be governed by the independent PyTorch Foundation, a newly created subsidiary of the Linux Foundation.[24]
PyTorch 2.0 was released on 15 March 2023, introducing TorchDynamo, a Python-level compiler that makes code run up to 2x faster, along with significant improvements in training and inference performance across major cloud platforms.[25][26]
PyTorch defines a class called Tensor (torch.Tensor) to store and operate on homogeneous multidimensional rectangular arrays of numbers. PyTorch Tensors are similar to NumPy Arrays, but can also be operated on a CUDA-capable NVIDIA GPU. PyTorch has also been developing support for other GPU platforms, for example, AMD's ROCm[27] and Apple's Metal Framework.[28]
PyTorch supports various sub-types of Tensors.[29]
Note that the term "tensor" here does not carry the same meaning as tensor in mathematics or physics. The meaning of the word in machine learning is only superficially related to its original meaning as a certain kind of object in linear algebra. Tensors in PyTorch are simply multi-dimensional arrays.
PyTorch defines a module called nn (torch.nn) to describe neural networks and to support training. This module offers a comprehensive collection of building blocks for neural networks, including various layers and activation functions, enabling the construction of complex models. Networks are built by inheriting from the torch.nn module and defining the sequence of operations in the forward() function.
The following program shows the low-level functionality of the library with a simple example.
import torch
dtype = torch.float
device = torch.device("cpu") # Execute all calculations on the CPU
# device = torch.device("cuda:0") # Executes all calculations on the GPU
# Create a tensor and fill it with random numbers
a = torch.randn(2, 3, device=device, dtype=dtype)
print(a)
# Output: tensor([[-1.1884, 0.8498, -1.7129],
# [-0.8816, 0.1944, 0.5847]])
b = torch.randn(2, 3, device=device, dtype=dtype)
print(b)
# Output: tensor([[ 0.7178, -0.8453, -1.3403],
# [ 1.3262, 1.1512, -1.7070]])
print(a * b)
# Output: tensor([[-0.8530, -0.7183, 2.58],
# [-1.1692, 0.2238, -0.9981]])
print(a.sum())
# Output: tensor(-2.1540)
print(a[1,2]) # Output of the element in the third column of the second row (zero based)
# Output: tensor(0.5847)
print(a.max())
# Output: tensor(0.8498)
The following code-block defines a neural network with linear layers using the nn module.
import torch
from torch import nn # Import the nn sub-module from PyTorch
class NeuralNetwork(nn.Module): # Neural networks are defined as classes
def __init__(self): # Layers and variables are defined in the __init__ method
super().__init__() # Must be in every network.
self.flatten = nn.Flatten() # Construct a flattening layer.
self.linear_relu_stack = nn.Sequential( # Construct a stack of layers.
nn.Linear(28*28, 512), # Linear Layers have an input and output shape
nn.ReLU(), # ReLU is one of many activation functions provided by nn
nn.Linear(512, 512),
nn.ReLU(),
nn.Linear(512, 10),
)
def forward(self, x): # This function defines the forward pass.
x = self.flatten(x)
logits = self.linear_relu_stack(x)
return logits
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