[Python-ideas] matrix operations on dict :)

[Nick Coghlan]

On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 10:12 PM, julien tayon <julien at tayon.net> wrote:
>> What really should be discussed is inclusion of NumPy in the standard
>> library (that is NumPy, not SciPy).
>>
> +1 for the inclusion of numpy in stdlib :)

There's more to stdlib inclusion than "hey, wouldn't it be nice if <X>
was part of the stdlib?". It needs to make sense to do so, usually by
providing a tangible benefit to the overall Python ecosystem. For
smaller projects (especially predominantly single person projects),
stdlib adoption comes with a guarantee of some level of long term
support (in particular, making sure the module continues to work with
newer versions of Python and on newer operating system releases).

That isn't really the case with NumPy - it has a sizable developer
base of its own, along with solid backing from Enthought.
Incorporation into the standard library would be a *lot* of pain for
minimal gain. If it helps, just consider SciPy Python's "stdlib++" if
you're doing any kind of heavy number crunching with Python. There's a
reason the PyPy folks were able to raise money to sponsor their
NumPyPy compatibility effort - it's because the SciPy ecosystem is
centred around NumPy, and NumPyPy promises to let developers enjoy the
benefit's of PyPy without losing access to SciPy.

Cheers,
Nick.

-- 
Nick Coghlan   |   ncoghlan at gmail.com   |   Brisbane, Australia