Having never used SWIG, my understanding was it gives you access to the
functions in the C library? This is a good thing, yes, but I was
thinking of something beyond this. As I stated earlier, to allow
programming for GRASS at a higher level the the C functions, including
making use of Python's Object Oriented features to encapsulate GRASS
data structures and processes. For example, a RasterLayer class that
contains raster data, with it associated spatial characteristics, that
can provide interators over rows of cells, columns of cells, individual
cells, or moving windows such as a 3x3 matrix.
And apologies in return if I've been unclear.
Michael Barton wrote:
I can see how it could be handy to be able to access GRASS library
functions from Python. Would this differ from the Python SWIG interface?
I thought that SWIG was supposed to allow this?
Or maybe I misunderstand. Sorry if I am missing something.
Michael
On Jul 18, 2008, at 3:29 PM, Dan D'Alimonte wrote:
That's why I put it to the mailing list. I was picturing something
that acted as an intermediate between the low-level, direct data
access nature of the C library and the high-level nature of shell
scripts, This could possibly easily allow access to both in the same
program. In situations where shell scripts' limits make you jump
through hoops and the C library is just too low-level, a solid Python
library would be of use in developing GRASS programs. It could also
allow for more people access to GRASS and GIS programming by providing
a language with a much lower learning curve then C.
As to whether it is needed or worth undertaking, that would be up to
the community. What I put below was based on some periodic thoughts
I've had in the past, but an actual design and implementation would
need to be developed if there is enough interest. And if Python is
indeed the right environment to do this in (I know speed of raster
processing has already been brought up).
-- Dan.
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