loading a COO file into Python

[Ether]

Well this is a bit unexpected. Looks like I get to play the role of Python guru momentarily

Python is supported by an immense library of highly optimized math and science routines. It's as fast (and faster in some cases) as Matlab/Octave, and in some cases actually easier to use.

It's free, has a large installation base, and the code is quite readable... all of which makes it a convenient vehicle for sharing solutions... such as how to efficiently compute World OPR or other metrics using both min |Ax-b|₂ and min |Ax-b]₁ etc.