[Numpy-discussion] Numeric3

konrad.hinsen at laposte.net konrad.hinsen at laposte.net
Wed Feb 9 03:12:51 EST 2005


On Feb 8, 2005, at 22:29, Fernando Perez wrote:

> it doesn't really matter).  I'm attaching a real-world example of a 3d 
> Poisson solver which uses a new algorithm combining some neat ideas.  
> The papers are being only written right now, so the only reference I 
> can offer is this:

Nice!  Stuff like that is the best advertising for Python in science in 
my opinion. I wonder if it is possible to have a collection of 
references in a well visible place.

> The point is, by making these objects 'smart', the top-level code 
> reads like a regular mathematical solution of Poisson's equation, and 
> extracting useful info is trivial.  And I can guarantee that in the 
> long run, I've saved myself A LOT of time by writing the code in this 
> way, rather than spitting out arrays left, right and center, and

Exactly. To use a buzzword, you make a Problem-Solving Environment in 
the form of Python classes.

> I should add that having this kind of design in scientific codes makes 
> interactive exploration and debugging a very pleasant process: 
> whenever something doesn't look right, my objects have a ton of 
> self-diagnostic methods which I can quickly use to pinpoint the 
> problem.  And this is not a theoretical statement, I have already many 
> times saved myself much grief by being able to instantly see where the 
> problem is, thanks to this kind of design.

My experience (and usage style) is exactly the same.

Konrad.
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