[Numpy-discussion] Masked Array for NumPy 1.7

Doutriaux, Charles doutriaux1 at llnl.gov
Fri May 18 17:54:20 EDT 2012


Travis,

We have a significant user base for masked arrays, with a lot of
"real-life" experience, use-cases and data.

We would really like to get involved on this, please keep us in the loop.

C.


On 5/18/12 2:47 PM, "Travis Oliphant" <travis at continuum.io> wrote:

>Hey all, 
>
>After reading all the discussion around masked arrays and getting input
>from as many people as possible, it is clear that there is still
>disagreement about what to do, but there have been some fruitful
>discussions that ensued.
>
>This isn't really new as there was significant disagreement about what to
>do when the masked array code was initially checked in to master.   So,
>in order to move forward, Mark and I are going to work together with
>whomever else is willing to help with an effort that is in the spirit of
>my third proposal but has a few adjustments.
>
>The idea will be fleshed out in more detail as it progresses, but the
>basic concept is to create an (experimental) ndmasked object in NumPy 1.7
>and leave the actual ndarray object unchanged.   While the details need
>to be worked out here,  a goal is to have the C-API work with both
>ndmasked arrays and arrayobjects (possibly by defining a base-class
>C-level structure that both ndarrays inherit from).     This might also
>be a good way for Dag to experiment with his ideas as well but that is
>not an explicit goal.
>
>One way this could work, for example is to have PyArrayObject * be the
>base-class array (essentially the same C-structure we have now with a
>HASMASK flag). Then, the ndmasked object could inherit from PyArrayObject
>* as well but add more members to the C-structure.     I think this is
>the easiest thing to do and requires the least amount of code-change.
> It is also possible to define an abstract base-class PyArrayObject *
>that both ndarray and ndmasked inherit from.     That way ndarray and
>ndmasked are siblings even though the ndarray would essentially *be* the
>PyArrayObject * --- just with a different type-hierarchy on the python
>side. 
>
>This work will take some time and, therefore, I don't expect 1.7 to be
>released prior to SciPy Austin with an end of June target date.   The
>timing will largely depend on what time is available from people
>interested in resolving the situation.   Mark and I will have some
>availability for this work in June but not a great deal (about 2
>man-weeks total between us).    If there are others who can step in and
>help, it will help accelerate the process.
>
>Best regards,
>
>-Travis
>
>
>
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