[Numpy-discussion] rand argument question (original) (raw)
Robert Kern robert.kern at gmail.com
Fri Jun 2 14:50:56 EDT 2006
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Alan G Isaac wrote:
On Fri, 02 Jun 2006, Sven Schreiber apparently wrote:
why doesn't rand accept a shape tuple as argument? I find the difference between the argument types of rand and (for example) zeros somewhat confusing. ... Can anybody offer an intuition/explanation? Backward compatability, I believe. You are not alone in finding this odd and inconsistent. I am hoping for a change by 1.0, but I am not very hopeful. Robert always points out that if you want the consistent interface, you can always import functions from the 'random' module. I have never been able to understand this as a response to the point you are making. I take it the core argument goes something like this: - rand and randn are convenience functions * if you do not find them convenient, don't use them - they are in wide use, so it is too late to change them - testing the first argument to see whether it is a tuple or an int so aesthetically objectionable that its ugliness outweighs the benefits users might get from access to a more consistent interface
My argument does not include the last two points.
They are in wide use because they are convenient and useful.
Changing rand() and randn() to accept a tuple like random.random() and random.standard_normal() does not improve anything. Instead, it adds confusion for users who are reading code and seeing the same function being called in two different ways.
Users who want to see numpy only expose a single calling scheme for top-level functions should instead ask for rand() and randn() to be removed from the top numpy namespace.
- Backwards compatibility might prevent this.
This is one place where I believe a forward looking (i.e., think about new users) vision would force a small change in these convenience functions that will have payoffs both in ease of use and in eliminating this recurrent question from discussion lists.
Changing the API of rand() and randn() doesn't solve any problem. Removing them might.
-- Robert Kern
"I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma, a harmless enigma that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it as though it had an underlying truth." -- Umberto Eco
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