[Numpy-discussion] matrix default to column vector?

[Alan G Isaac]

On 6/4/2009 5:27 PM Tommy Grav apparently wrote:
> Or the core development team split the matrices out of numpy and make it
> as separate package that the people that use them could pick up and  
> run with.


This too would be a mistake, I believe.
But it depends on whether a goal is to
have more people use NumPy.  I believe
the community will gain from growth.

My core concern here is keeping NumPy
very friendly for teaching.  This will mean
keeping a matrix object in NumPy.  For this
purpose, I have found the existing matrix object
to be adequate.  (I am teaching economics students,
who generally do not have prior programming
experience.)

I believe that this is crucial for "recruiting"
new users, who might otherwise choose less
powerful tools that appear to be more friendly
on first encounter.

In sum, my argument is this:
Keeping a matrix object in NumPy has substantial
benefits in encouraging growth of the NumPy
community, and as far as I can tell, it is
imposing few costs.  Therefore I think there is
a very substantial burden on people who propose
removing the matrix object to demonstrate
just how the NumPy community will benefit from
this change.

Alan Isaac