Hi folks,
I've added this little bit of code to the default ipython -pylab startup:
exec ("import numpy\n"
"import numpy as np\n"
"import matplotlib\n"
"import matplotlib.pylab as pylab\n"
"try:\n"
" import matplotlib.pyplot as plt\n"
"except ImportError:\n"
" pass\n"
) in user_ns
to try and encourage use of the 'canonical' ways of calling/executing
numpy and mpl calls. This is just in my branch, not publicly visible
yet. I wanted to know:
1. If I should keep the try/except around.
2. If this is your 'approved' manner of loading. It worries me a bit
that if we promote pyplot/plt as the entry point, it needs a proper
docstring. Just try 'pylab?' vs 'pyplot?' and you'll see the
difference.
Cheers,
f
I've added this little bit of code to the default ipython -pylab startup:
The latest releases of pylab already provide np and plt in the pylab namespace.
Would it be better to simply add a "pyplot" mode to ipython to
encourage the proper usage, and in this mode import only as few
symbols (np, plt, and sp if possible)?
it needs a proper docstring. Just try 'pylab?' vs 'pyplot?'
We can easily add the docstring for the next bug fix release
JDH
···
On Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 3:26 AM, Fernando Perez <fperez.net@...149...> wrote:
I'm not sure the duplication is worthwhile (users don't read mailing
lists on weekends, you know? They have lives and all that 
Besides, for ipython the 'import *' mode *is* a reasonable use case,
since when you're working interactively, you really just want to type
plot(x,cos(x**2)+sin(x**3))
and not some plt.foo/np.bar contraption. So I think there remains a
use case for importing all the names in at the top level (remember
that you can configure now ipython to NOT do 'from pylab import *'
anymore if you reall want a clean namespace).
The use case is mostly to provide an environment where the standard
examples and docstrings that may use either numpy or np,
pylab/pyplot/plt are always defined, so users can copy/paste without
fear.
Cheers,
f
···
On Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 7:28 AM, John Hunter <jdh2358@...149...> wrote:
On Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 3:26 AM, Fernando Perez <fperez.net@...149...> wrote:
I've added this little bit of code to the default ipython -pylab startup:
The latest releases of pylab already provide np and plt in the pylab namespace.
Would it be better to simply add a "pyplot" mode to ipython to
encourage the proper usage, and in this mode import only as few
symbols (np, plt, and sp if possible)?