[Python-Dev] Array Enhancements (original) (raw)

David Ascher DavidA@ActiveState.com
Fri, 05 Apr 2002 13:37:23 -0800

Guido van Rossum wrote:

> I would propose the following for multi-dimensional arrays: > > a = array.array('d', 20000, 20000) > > or: > > a = array.xarray('d', 20000, 20000)

I just realized that multi-dimensional getitem shouldn't be a big deal. The question is, given the above declaration, what a[0] should return: the same as a[0, 0] or a copy of a[0, 0:20000] or a reference to a[0, 0:20000].

Or a ValueError? In the face of ambiguity, refuse the temptation to guess.

IIRC, this issue caused lots of problems in the numpy world. cc'ing Paul in case he wants to jump in to fill in my rusty memory.

Why does submitting a patch to arraymodule seem an easier path than modifying numarray or numpy to support what's needed? I believe that the goals of numarray aren't that different from what Scott is trying to do (memory management APIs, etc.).

I'd like to see fewer multi-dimensional array objects, not more...

--david ascher