def create_empty_2D_list(nrows, ncols):
    """
    Function creating a list of lists (matrix-like structure)
    
    Args:
       nrows (int) : # of rows of the output list of lists
       ncols (int) : # of cols of the output list of lists

    Returns:
        list of lists (matrix-like structure)
            
    """
    empty_list = []
    for j in range(nrows):
        column = []
        for i in range(ncols):
            column.append(0)
        empty_list.append(column)
    return empty_list