[AstroPy] POLL: vision for a common Astronomy package

[James Turner]

Just another (perhaps overly-obvious) thought. When you list the
"Python Standard Library", we probably need to decide what version(s)
of Python we're targeting (can I depend on a standard library module
that's only in Python 2.7?). Likewise for the other allowed
dependencies, otherwise people might depend on conflicting versions
or something.


On 27/06/11 18:51, James Turner wrote:
> Sounds pretty good, but I'm balking a little bit at NO external
> dependencies. Obviously we can't have an unmanageable proliferation
> of them, but having none would seem to imply, for example, that we
> can't include anything that uses a database -- unless we're going to
> bundle the whole database into *each* "affiliated package" that needs
> it. It's no good making that an optional import if the database is
> central to what the module does. Perhaps one of you can elaborate a
> bit on what you were thinking here? Are you expecting AstroPy only to
> include lower-level algorithmic/library functionality? I'd have
> thought there is also room for library routines that are closer to an
> application level, which a user can interact with more directly.
> Maybe I'm looking at this from the wrong angle though (it's quite
> late here and I haven't thought about it that long yet)? I won't
> suggest an alternative until I understand better what you had in mind.
>
> Yes to calling it AstroPy.
>
> Cheers,
>
> James.
>
>
> On 27/06/11 16:16, Thomas Robitaille wrote:
>> Hi everyone,
>>
>> In the last week, Erik, Perry, and myself have been discussing how
>> best to coordinate the development of the common Python Astronomy
>> package. We have now converged on a common vision, and would now like
>> to know whether you would be happy with it too. The vision and a
>> poll are available at the following pages:
>>
>> vision: http://astropy.wikispaces.com/vision
>>
>> poll: http://astropy.wikispaces.com/vision-polls
>>
>> In addition, 'astropy' has been suggested by several people as a name
>> for this common package, so rather than creating a multi-option poll,
>> we've created a simple yes/no poll to find out whether you would agree
>> with this name. The idea is to have a name that does not endorse any
>> specific existing project, is in line with numpy/scipy, and reflects
>> its initial development via this mailing list. The poll is located at
>> the same URL as before.
>>
>> The polls will be open unti Friday 1st July at 9pm EST.
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Thomas
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