Is there a configuration file for Numpy?

Question

I often use Numpy from the command line and always have to remember to apply some recurrent settings, for example setting the output formatting:

np.set_printoptions(threshold=np.NaN, precision=3, suppress=True, linewidth=180)

Is there a global Numpy config file that is automatically executed for a new Python shell or during import that can execute this? If not, is there an elegant way to achieve this effect?

Answer 1

I am not aware of such a configuration file for numpy (for matplotlib for example you have the matplotlibrc file).

But, as a workaround, you can set your environment variable PYTHONSTARTUP pointing to a Python script that will do whatever you want everytime a Python section starts.

In my case I use it to import numpy as np, import matplotlib.pyplot as plt as so on... saving a small amount of "overhead" everytime I want to quickly try something on Python.

Example on Windows:

set PYTHONSTARTUP=C:\Users\yourlogin\somewhere\startup.py

Example on Linux:

export PYTHONSTARTUP=/usr/local/bin/startup.py

You should set it just once using the "Control Panel\System", for example, on Windows.

Answer 2

I'm not aware of a configuration file specifically for numpy, but if you use IPython you could set up a profile such that these print options are set automatically when you open a new IPython shell.

Create a new profile (you can omit the name to create a default profile)

$ ipython profile create fancyprint

Then edit the configuration file, which should live in ~/.config/ipython/profile_fancyprint/ipython_config.py

Uncomment this line:

# c.TerminalIPythonApp.exec_lines = []

And add the lines you want to execute on startup:

c.TerminalIPythonApp.exec_lines = [
    'import numpy as np',
    'np.set_printoptions(threshold=np.NaN, precision=3, suppress=True, linewidth=180)'
    ]

Then you can launch IPython with the named profile

$ ipython --profile=fancyprint

Your array printing options should be set automatically.