Description: A sparse tensor is a tensor that is mostly filled with zeros and only stores non-zero values. This data structure is fundamental in the field of machine learning and scientific computing, as it allows for efficient representation of data that contains a large number of zeros. Sparse tensors are particularly useful in situations where data is scarce or where most entries are irrelevant, enabling memory savings and improved processing speed. Unlike dense tensors, which store all elements including zeros, sparse tensors use compression techniques to store only significant values and their respective positions. This not only optimizes resource usage but also facilitates mathematical operations in high-dimensional spaces where most elements are zero. In the context of various computational frameworks, sparse tensors allow developers to handle large volumes of data more efficiently, which is crucial in applications such as natural language processing, computer vision, and recommendation systems, where data is often sparse and dispersed.
