[Numpy-discussion] why numarray.inputarray?
Todd Miller
jmiller at stsci.edu
Tue Feb 10 10:58:02 EST 2004
On Tue, 2004-02-10 at 09:31, Colin J. Williams wrote:
> Tim Hochberg wrote:
>
> >
> > I just noticed that the name asarray is considered obsolete and is to
> > be replaced with inputarray. Why is that? The name asarray has a
> > pretty clear connection with it's behaviour (return it's argument as
> > an array), while I can come up with no such connection for inputarray.
> > The best I can come up with is that it's often used on the inputs of
> > functions to coerce them to arrays, but that seems a pretty tenuous
> > connection. Is there a better reason? Am I just being obtuse?
> >
> > -tim
>
> I agree that the term asarray better describes the functionality.
>
> One possible use would be to convert an instance of a sub-class of
> NumArray into an instance of the class NumArray. However, it doesn't do
> that.
>
> It would help if there were a clearer distinction between the functions
> array and inputarray. The former would appear to cast a wider net and,
> among other things, include files.
This is a mess, I have to agree. The most important distinction is that
array() makes a copy of an array by default, while
inputarray()/asarray() does not.
> I wonder whether there is a need for both array and input array,
> wouldn't it be best to focus on the function with the more general utility?
Based on your input, and Tim Hochberg's earlier comments, I think we
should:
1. Clean up the array function by ditching the buffer/sequence keyword
deprecation code. buffer has been deprecated long enough.
2. Redefine asarray() as calling array() with copy=1. Tim's right.
It's a better name than inputarray() and we want it for backward
compatibility anyway.
3. Redefine inputarray() as a non-recommended synonym for asarray().
I'd say deprecate it, but that's a PITA for anyone already using it.
4. Change the manual to document asarray() as primary and document
inputarray() as a non-recommended synonym.
Comments?
Todd
>
> Colin W.
>
> >
> >
> >
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--
Todd Miller <jmiller at stsci.edu>
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