def create( cls, length = sys.maxint, typecode = 'd', start_index = 0 ):
      """Construct a StepVector of the given length, with indices starting
      at the given start_index and counting up to (but not including)
      start_index + length.

      The typecode may be:
        'd' for float values (C type 'double'),
        'i' for int values,
        'b' for Boolean values,
        'O' for arbitrary Python objects as value.

      The vector is initialized with the value zero (or, for typecode 'O',
      with None).
      """
      if typecode == 'd':
         swigclass = _StepVector_float
      elif typecode == 'i':
         swigclass = _StepVector_int
      elif typecode == 'b':
         swigclass = _StepVector_bool
      elif typecode == 'O':
         swigclass = _StepVector_obj
      else:
         raise ValueError, "unsupported typecode"
      obj = cls()
      obj._typecode = typecode
      obj._swigobj = swigclass( )    
      obj.start = start_index
      obj.stop = start_index + length
      return obj
Construct a StepVector of the given length, with indices starting
      at the given start_index and counting up to (but not including)
      start_index + length.

      The typecode may be:
        'd' for float values (C type 'double'),
        'i' for int values,
        'b' for Boolean values,
        'O' for arbitrary Python objects as value.

      The vector is initialized with the value zero (or, for typecode 'O',
      with None).