[Numpy-discussion] array, asarray as contiguous and friends

[Tim Hochberg]

Travis Oliphant wrote:

> Tim Hochberg wrote:
>
>>>
>>>
>>> Please see the transpose example above.
>>>
>>>> If you combine this with one other simplification: array() always 
>>>> copies, we end up with a nice thin interface:
>>>>    # Create a new array in 'order' order. Defaults to "C" order.
>>>>    array(object, dtype=None, order="C"|"FORTRAN")
>>>
>>>
> I like the order flag.  It's a relatively easy switch and one we 
> should make right now.  I don't mind string constants either in this 
> case. 

Great!

> Removing the copy flag will break a lot of code because it's been 
> around for a long time.  This is also not an "easy thing" to add to 
> convertcode.py though I suppose 90% of the cases could be found.

I kinda figured on that. But I figured I'd propose my favorite and see 
what came of it.

> We would also have to re-write asarray to be an additional C-function 
> to make it not copy but make array copy.

I thought so too at first, but I don't this is is so. Untested, and can 
could probably be cleaned up some:

def asarray(obj, order=None):
    if type(obj) == ndarray:
       if order:
           if  not obj.flags.contiguous:
              return array(obj, order)
           if order == "C" and obj.flags.fortran:
                return array(obj, order)
           if order == "FORTRAN" and not obj.flags.fortran:
               return array(obj, order)
       return obj
    else:
       if order:
           return array(obj, order)
       else:
           return array(obj)
 
For asanyarray, simply replace the type test with an isinstance test.


> So, for now I'm not as enthused about that idea.

Yeah. Without backward compatibility constraints I'm convinced that it's 
the right thing to do, but I realize there is a need to balance making 
the transistion manageable with making things "perfect".

-tim