[Numpy-discussion] Time for beta1 of NumPy 1.0 (fwd)

[Paul Barrett]

On 6/30/06, Louis Cordier <lcordier at point45.com> wrote:
>
> > While it is hard to read too much into numbers, this tells me that there
> > are about 10,000 current users of Numeric/Numarray who have not even
> > *tried* NumPy.  In fact, Numarray downloads of 1.5.1 went up
> > significantly from its earlier  releases. Why is that?   It could be
> > that many of the downloads are "casual" users who need it for some other
> > application (in which case they wouldn't feel inclined to try NumPy).
>
> Secondary dependency of other projects maybe ?
> http://www.google.com/search?q=requires+Numeric+python
>
> My money is on Spambayes...
>
> On the other hand ;) isn't small numbers a good thing,
> thus the people using NumPy over Numeric/numarray knows
> that some things in NumPy might still change and thus
> their code as well.
>
> I'll risk to say their projects are probably also still
> under active development.
>
> So now would probably be the best time to make these
> type of changes. Stated differently, how would we like
> NumPy to function 2 years from now ?
>
> With float64's or with int's ? Then we should rather
> change it now.
>
> Then again where are NumPy in a crossing the chasm
> (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossing_the_Chasm)
> sense of way, visionary or pragmatist ?
>
> Just a few random thoughts.
>
> Regards, Louis.
>
> --
> Louis Cordier <lcordier at point45.com> cell: +27721472305
> Point45 Entertainment (Pty) Ltd. http://www.point45.org
>
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+1 for float64

If we want to make Numpy the premier numerical analysis environment,
then let's get it right. I've been bitten too many times by IDL's
float32 default and Numeric's/Numarray's int32.  If backward
compatibility is the most important requirement then there would be no
reason to write Numpy.  There, I've said it.

 -- Paul