numeric/numpy/numarray

[Bryan]

Simon Percivall wrote:
> Bryan wrote:
>> hi,
>>
>> what is the difference among numeric, numpy and numarray?  i'm going to start
>> using matplotlib soon and i'm not sure which one i should use.
>>
>>
>> this page says, "Numarray is a re-implementation of an older Python array module
>> called Numeric"
>> http://www.stsci.edu/resources/software_hardware/numarray
>>
>> this page says, "NumPy derives from the old Numeric code base and can be used as
>> a replacement for Numeric."
>> http://numeric.scipy.org/
>>
>> i looked at the matplotlib examples today and if i remember correctly, the
>> examples didn't use numarray.
>>
>> so i'm a bit confused.
>>
>> thanks,
>>
>> bryan
> 
> Look again at numeric.scipy.org, and this time: read the whole page,
> especially the section called "Older Array Packages".
> 

at the end of that page, it says:

"Numarray is another implementation of an arrayobject for Python written after 
Numeric and before NumPy. Sponsors of numarray have indicated they will be 
moving to NumPy as soon as is feasible for them so that eventually numarray will 
be phased out."


on the python wiki
"NumArray is the current reimplementation of NumPy."
http://wiki.python.org/moin/NumArray

so, was Numarray written *before* NumPY, or was it a reimplementation of NumPy 
which implies it came *after* NumPy?  it seems clear that Numeric is the old one 
and i read is not being worked on anymore.  so that leaves Numarray and numpy. 
which of these two should i use?

thanks,

bryan