Summer of Code - Getting Started: Difference between revisions

The [[Symbolic package]] provides symbolic computing and other [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_algebra_system computer algebra system] tools.  The main component of Symbolic is a pure m-file class "@sym" which uses the Python package [https://www.sympy.org SymPy] to do (most of) the actual computations.  The package aims to expose much of the functionality of SymPy while also providing a high level of compatibility with the Matlab Symbolic Math Toolbox.  The Symbolic package requires communication between Octave and Python.  In 2016 another GSoC project successfully re-implemented this communication using the new [[Pythonic|Pythonic package]].

This project proposes to take this work further while also improving the long-term viability of the Symbolic package.  Some goals include:

* the possibility of using Pythonic directly rather than as one possible communication layer.  For example, we might make "@sym" a subclass of "@pyobject".  We also could stop using the "pycall_sympy__" interface and use Pythonic directly from methods.  Note: there are open questions about how to do this during a transition time when we still support other IPC mechanisms.

* Improvements to the Pythonic package and its long-term maintenance.

* fixing up Symbolic to work with the latest releases of SymPy and Octave.  The project has lagged for a few years and needs some efforts to port to recent and upcoming changes in SymPy code.

* making Symbolic easier to maintain.  The project currently has a low ''bus factor'': improving the CI, making regular releases easier, improving other aspects of maintenance and making the project more welcoming to newcomers.

 

Working on this project involves and interesting and challenging mix of m-file code, Python code, and in the case of Pythonic, perhaps some lower-level C code.

 

* '''Required skills'''

: Octave, C/C++, Python; object-oriented programming (OOP) in Octave

: [https://octave.discourse.group/u/cbm Colin B. Macdonald], [https://octave.discourse.group/u/mtmiller Mike Miller], Abhinav Tripathi