[Numpy-discussion] feedback request: proposal to add masks to the core ndarray

[Keith Goodman]

On Fri, Jun 24, 2011 at 7:06 AM, Robert Kern <robert.kern at gmail.com> wrote:

> The alternative proposal would be to add a few new dtypes that are
> NA-aware. E.g. an nafloat64 would reserve a particular NaN value
> (there are lots of different NaN bit patterns, we'd just reserve one)
> that would represent NA. An naint32 would probably reserve the most
> negative int32 value (like R does). Using the NA-aware dtypes signals
> that you are using NA values; there is no need for an additional flag.

I don't understand the numpy design and maintainable issues, but from
a user perspective (mine) nafloat64, etc sounds nice.