nwtomatafast
Return a link to the adjacency matrix of a network
Syntax
nwtomatafast
[netname]
Description
Internally, networks are saved as adjacency matrices in Mata. This command returns the name of the Mata matrix where a network is stored in the return vector. It differs from nwtomata in the following way. It only returns a link to the adjacency matrix and does not produce a copy of the adjacency matrix.
- This can be useful, when you want to directly interact with the underlying adjacency matrix. But I only recommend this for advanced programmers.
- Caution is advised because the relevant meta-information is not updated when changing the adjacency matrix of a network.
Supported network types
Binary: yes. Directed: yes. Weighted: yes. Signed: yes. Two-mode: yes - returns a live pointer to the network’s own internal matrix (not a copy), independent of any of these properties; changes made through it directly alter the network.
See also
nwcommands version 3.17.6, 9 November 2026 (check your installed version)