[Numpy-discussion] Release of 1.0b5 this weekend

[Travis Oliphant]

Charles R Harris wrote:

>
>     The 1.0rc1 release of NumPy will be mid September I suspect.
>
>     Also, I recognize that the default-axis switch is a burden for
>     those who
>     have already transitioned code to use NumPy (for those just
>     starting out
>     it's not a big deal because of the compatibility layer). 
>
>
> I am curious as to why you made this switch. Not complaining, mind.


New-comers to NumPy asked why there were different conventions on the 
methods and the functions for the axis argument.  The only reason was 
backward compatibility.  Because we had already created a compatibility 
layer for code transitioning, that seemed like a weak reason to keep the 
current behavior.

The problem is it left early NumPy adopters (including me :-) ) in a bit 
of a bind, when it comes to code (like SciPy) that had already been 
converted.  

Arguments like Fernando's: "it's better to have a bit of pain now, then 
regrets later" also were convincing.

-Travis