[Numpy-discussion] why numarray.inputarray?

[Colin J. Williams]

Tim Hochberg wrote:

>
> I just noticed that the name asarray is considered obsolete and is to 
> be replaced with inputarray. Why is that? The name asarray has a 
> pretty clear connection with it's behaviour (return it's argument as 
> an array), while I can come up with no such connection for inputarray. 
> The best I can come up with is that it's often used on the inputs of 
> functions to coerce them to arrays, but that seems a pretty tenuous 
> connection. Is there a better reason? Am I just being obtuse?
>
> -tim

I agree that the term asarray better describes the functionality. 

One possible use would be to convert an instance of a sub-class of 
NumArray into an instance of the class NumArray.  However, it doesn't do 
that.

It would help if there were a clearer distinction between the functions 
array and inputarray.  The former would appear to cast a wider net and, 
among other things, include files.

I wonder whether there is a need for both array and input array, 
wouldn't it be best to focus on the function with the more general utility?

Colin W.

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