First, sorry that i didnt search for an old thread, but because i disagree with conclusion i would at least address my reason:
I don't like np.abs(arr).max() because I have to concentrate to much on the braces, especially if arr is a calculation
This exactly, adding an abs into an old expression is always a little annoyance due to the parenthesis. The argument that np.abs() also works is true for (almost?) every other method. The fact that so many methods already exists, especially for most of the commonly used functions (min, max, dot, mean, std, argmin, argmax, conj, T) makes me missing abs. Of course, if one would redesign the api, one would drop most methods (i am looking at you ptp and byteswap). But the objected is already cluttered and adding abs is imo logical application of "practicality beats purity". greetings Till