Use a single `path` argument (and deprecate `pn_dir` and `file_name`)
Nobody has claimed this yet.
- Dominant language
- Jupyter Notebook
- Stars
- 853
- Forks
- 322
- PR merge metrics
- No merged PRs in 30d
Description
Currently the WFDB API uses 2 arguments to specify the location of files: pn_dir and file_name. This is confusing for users and confusing for developers (e.g. see: https://github.com/MIT-LCP/wfdb-python/pull/523/files).
I think the reason for having two arguments is to support auto-detection of files (e.g. get locally if local and if not get from the PhysioNet servers). This kind of behaviour doesn't seem like a good idea. If WFDB is retrieving a remote file, it should be explicit.
My preference would be to:
- Introduce a new
pathargument - Deprecate
pn_dirandfile_name - Remove any logic that automatically retrieves files from remote servers.
Contributor guide
No contributing guide indexed for this repository
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start by tracing the WFDB API entry points that accept pn_dir and file_name, then identify the logic that automatically retrieves files from PhysioNet servers. Define the affected calls and compatibility behavior before changing them. Done means a single path argument is supported, the older arguments are deprecated, and implicit remote retrieval is removed.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- python
- Domain
- backend-api-design
- Issue type
- Refactor
- Difficulty
- 5/5
- Estimated time
- Over a week
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 25/100