NVIDIA / NVIDIA/cuda-python

[FEA]: `if_not_found` flag for all pathfinder APIs?

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@rwgk is already working on this.

Since Apr 24, 2026.

cuda.pathfinder feature
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Cython
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Description

Is this a duplicate?
Area

cuda.pathfinder

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

If a library / binary / header is not found, the default behavior for pathfinder is to return None. This leaves the exception handling to users. User would either: 1) search on their own, 2) further raise the issue. Writing the custom error message for the library isn't particularly easy (basically directing user to install the right package) so it would be nice to also handle that inside the pathfinder library.

Basically, I suggest a if_not_found={"raise", "return_none"} flag, that either raises or returns None when a library isn't found. When raise is set and a library isn't found, a PathfinderNotFound exception is raised, with specific error message directing user to install the missing package.

Describe the solution you'd like

Mentioned above.

Describe alternatives you've considered

No response

Additional context

No response

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