[Numpy-discussion] C-API change for 1.2

[David Cournapeau]

On Sat, Aug 16, 2008 at 12:44 PM, Jon Wright <wright at esrf.fr> wrote:
> David Cournapeau wrote:
>> Does that mean we will continue breaking the ABI from time to time
>> during the 1.* cycle ?
>
>
> Can someone help me to understand me what is the compelling reason for
> this change? If it only means everyone recompiles, it is hard to see
> what we, as users, are gaining by doing that.

Breaking the ABI forces users to recompile, that's pretty much the
definition of ABI breaks.

Unfortunately, up to now, we did not have a mechanism to make the
difference between extending the API (which can be done without
breaking the ABI if done carefully) and breaking the API (which
induces ABI breakage). Hopefully, once this is in place, we won't have
to do it anymore.

cheers,

David