Perhaps we should consider two use cases: interactive use ala Matlab and larger code bases. In the first case, being able to import * saves a lot of typing and the namespace polution problem isn't a big deal. The second use, obviously, benefits from avoiding import *.
Returning to the OP's questions, why couldn't both cases be helped by creating a "meta-package" for numpy, scipy, and matplotlib? For the sake of argument, lets call the package "plab". Existing code could be affected by changing the individual packages, but a package that essentially does from pylab import * from numpy import * from scipy import * would give a standard API that future code and interactive use could use. Code could do import plab plab.plot() #etc. and interactive use could do from plab import *. Just a thought... Barry On 2/16/07, Matthew Brett <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi, > > > I think a consensus is building in the python community that you should > > NEVER use import *! > > Well, I have only been coding python for a few years, but I would say, > along with writing unit tests, the great importance of not using > import * is one of the secrets that you learn slowly and painfully > with experience. Chris' point about the movement of big projects away > from that idiom is a very good one. It is convenient, but over time > you realize that the value of convenience is far outweighed by the > namespace mess and loss of clarity that results. > > Best, > > Matthew > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Take Surveys. Earn Cash. Influence the Future of IT > Join SourceForge.net's Techsay panel and you'll get the chance to share your > opinions on IT & business topics through brief surveys-and earn cash > http://www.techsay.com/default.php?page=join.php&p=sourceforge&CID=DEVDEV > _______________________________________________ > Matplotlib-users mailing list > Matplotlib-users@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/matplotlib-users > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Take Surveys. Earn Cash. Influence the Future of IT Join SourceForge.net's Techsay panel and you'll get the chance to share your opinions on IT & business topics through brief surveys-and earn cash http://www.techsay.com/default.php?page=join.php&p=sourceforge&CID=DEVDEV _______________________________________________ Matplotlib-users mailing list Matplotlib-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/matplotlib-users