scikits-image – Name Change.
Speaking of naming issues, do note that scikits-image has become skimage, although as of 27 December 2011, PyPi – The Python Package Index isn’t aware of the change.
On the other hand, a search for sklearn (the new name for scikit-learn) resolves to the current package name scikit-learn-0.9.tar.gz.
I will drop the administrators a note because the text shifts between the two names without explanation on sklearn.
I got clued in about the change at: http://pythonvision.org/blog/2011/December/skimage04.
So, how do we deal with all the prior uses of the “scikits-image” and “scikit-learn” identifiers that are about to be disconnected from the software they once named?
Eventually the package pages will be innocent of either one, save perhaps in increasingly old change logs.
Assume I run across a blog post or article that is two or three years old with an interesting technique that uses the old names. Other than by chance, how do I find the package under its new name? And if I do find it, how can I save other people from the same time investment and depending on luck for the result?
To be sure, the package search mechanism puts me out at the right place but what if I am not expecting the resolution to another name? Will I think this is another package?
Just to clarify: the scikits-image project is still called scikits-image; we simply had to rename the Python module. As such, our project URLs are still:
http://scikits-image.org
http://github.com/scikits-image
http://groups.google.com/group/scikits-image
To transition from an earlier version of scikits-image to a later one, simply do a search replace on “scikits.image” -> “skimage”. It’s a pity we had to go through a rename, but numerous problems surrounding namespace packages in Python forced our hand; so we decided, the earlier the better.
Happy hacking, and let us know how we can improve the software for your use!
Comment by stefan — December 29, 2011 @ 11:06 am
Thanks for the clarification!
Err, but one question: When I search PyPi for the package, do I search for scikits-image (the project name) or skimage (the package name).
Thanks!
Comment by Patrick Durusau — December 29, 2011 @ 8:18 pm
Currently, it is only registered under scikits-image (the same holds for scikit-learn). So, in our case at least, always use the project name. If you have any recommendations on how to make our installation / distribution better, feel free to leave a comment on the mailing list; we always appreciate suggestions.
Comment by stefan — December 30, 2011 @ 12:10 pm
OK. I actually wrote to the archive managers suggesting that they add skimage to the index. I should have said as an alias for scikits-image. Although I don’t know if they support aliases or not.
Comment by Patrick Durusau — January 2, 2012 @ 8:33 am