Installation instructions lacking

[stefanv]

Currently, the scipy README refers to https://www.scipy.org/install/ as the most up-to-date source of source installation instructions.

However, that page only says:

SOURCE PACKAGES
You can build any of the packages from source. Those involved in development may take this route to get developmental versions or alter source code. Refer to individual projects for more details.

This is not very helpful.

[rgommers]

That's because this was the SciPy ecosystem install page. We should just link to the docs.

When we're updating, let's also fix the rest. It was pointed out earlier today that conda-forge/miniforge/mambaforge are not mentioned at all. I'd say Mambaforge is my first recommendation these days.

[stefanv]

I am trying to build SciPy, and am unable to do so. I feel like a complete n00b 😂

Just a cryptic:

  FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/home/stefan/src/scipy/scipy/_lib/highs/CMakeLists.txt'

EDIT: related to submodule update; should also be mentioned in README, since that wasn't necessary before.

So, maybe we also need to link to instruction updates related to the meson build process?

[stefanv]

The dev docs also say:

Information on how to install SciPy and/or the SciPy Stack (a larger set of packages for scientific computing with Python) can be found at https://scipy.org/install/.

This is when clicking on "in-depth instructions" in the developer docs getting started section.

[ev-br]

FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/home/stefan/src/scipy/scipy/_lib/highs/CMakeLists.txt'

Just seen it a couple of days back, with a regular setup. py build. Felt just the same :-).
I think it's fixed by a git submodule update

[rgommers]

git submodule update --init should fix that one.

[rgommers]

So, maybe we also need to link to instruction updates related to the meson build process?

Not yet, since it's not very well tested yet and is only 100% robust on Linux + OpenBLAS at the moment. Give it 3 more months.

[tupui]

Re mamba, this is so great! I started using this last week and cannot go back to something else!!

[tupui]

That's because this was the SciPy ecosystem install page. We should just link to the docs.

Do you mean that we should link /install to https://scipy.github.io/devdocs/getting_started.html?

When we're updating, let's also fix the rest. It was pointed out earlier today that conda-forge/miniforge/mambaforge are not mentioned at all. I'd say Mambaforge is my first recommendation these days.

And then just take care of https://scipy.github.io/devdocs/getting_started.html?

+1 for this and we could rename install to getting started. The button linking to /install already says get started. Would be more consistent.

[rgommers]

Do you mean that we should link /install to https://scipy.github.io/devdocs/getting_started.html?

No, just for "building from source" to link to https://scipy.github.io/devdocs/dev/contributor/contributor_toc.html#development-environment. Our website should have the main advice. Building from source is niche now (and as difficult as ever still), and should not be presented on scipy.org to the average user.

[tupui]

This is actually fixed and I think the page is in good shape now. Closing.