[Python-Dev] PEP: Adding data-type objects to Python (original) (raw)

Jack Jansen Jack.Jansen at cwi.nl
Mon Oct 30 16:40:19 CET 2006

Would it be possible to make the data-type objects subclassable, with
the subclasses being able to override the equality test? The range of data types that you've specified in the PEP are good
enough for most general use, and probably for NumPy as well, but
someone already came up with the example of image formats, which have
their whole own range of data formats. I could throw in audio formats
(bits per sample, excess-N or signed or ulaw samples, mono/stereo/5.1/ etc, order of the channels), and there's probably a whole slew of
other areas that have their own sets of formats.

If the datatype objects are subclassable, modules could initially
start by adding their own formats. So, the "jackaudio" and
"jillaudio" modules would have distinct sets of formats. But then
later on it should be fairly easy for them to recognize each others
formats. So, jackaudio would recognize the jillaudio format "msdos
linear pcm" as being identical to its own "16-bit excess-32768".

Hopefully eventually all audio module writers would get together and
define a set of standard audio formats.

Jack Jansen, <Jack.Jansen at cwi.nl>, http://www.cwi.nl/~jack If I can't dance I don't want to be part of your revolution -- Emma
Goldman

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