ffc team mailing list archive

[Matthew Knepley <knepley@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Anders Logg <logg@xxxxxxxxx> writes:
>
> "Development for Numerical Python has ceased, and users should
> transisition to SciPy Core as quickly as possible."
>
> "It is the opinion of many involved that a default N-dimensional array
> interface (even leading to a very simple N-dimensional array object
> and an N-dimensional array protocol) is what should be pushed for
> placement in the Python core.    It is doubtful that the community
> will want to slow down development of SciPy Core anytime soon by
> placing it the Python core.  But the array interface should become a
> part of Python as soon as possible."
>
> "The fundamental package needed for scientific computing with Python is
> called scipy_core.  This package contains a powerful N-dimensional
> array object, sophisticated (broadcasting) functions, tools for
> integrating C/C++ and Fortran code, and useful linear algebra, Fourier
> transform, and random number capabilities. It is currently in beta
> release, but should be relatively stable as it derives from the old
> Numeric Python code base."
>
> This raises some further questions:
>
> 1. Will the "array interface" if included in Python core be enough for
> the needs of FIAT and FFC, or will we anyway depend on SciPy?

  I think that the array interface should be sufficient. Now I can understand
the confusion. SciPy core will not go in the Python distro, but this should.

> 2. Is the current latest release of SciPy stable wrt multidimensional
> arrays so we could make the switch now? Or are we anyway waiting for a
> stable release of SciPy before we could make a switch from Numeric?

  I think its pretty stable.

    Matt
-- 
"Failure has a thousand explanations. Success doesn't need one" -- Sir Alec Guiness