pymc-devs / pymc-devs/nutpie

`init_mean` argument not working as expected

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Python
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Description

When running a Stan model, I tried using init_mean parameter in sample function. However, it's working as expected. An example illustrating my issue:

import nutpie
import numpy as np

code = """
data {
    real mu;
}
parameters {
    real<lower=0> x;
}
model {
    x ~ normal(mu, 1);
}
"""

compiled = nutpie.compile_stan_model(code=code)
# Provide data
compiled = compiled.with_data(mu=10)
trace1 = nutpie.sample(compiled, tune=1, draws=11, chains=1, init_mean=np.array([-10]), seed=0)
trace2 = nutpie.sample(compiled, tune=1, draws=11, chains=1, init_mean=np.array([2]), seed=0)
trace3 = nutpie.sample(compiled, tune=1, draws=11, chains=1, init_mean=np.array([200]), seed=0)
print(trace1.posterior.x)
print(trace2.posterior.x)
print(trace3.posterior.x)

All traces lead to same sampling results.

<xarray.DataArray 'x' (chain: 1, draw: 11)> Size: 88B
array([[12.42946783, 12.42946783, 12.42946783, 12.42946783, 12.42946783,
        12.42946783, 12.42946783, 12.42946783, 12.42946783, 12.42946783,
        12.42946783]])
Coordinates:
  * chain    (chain) int64 8B 0
  * draw     (draw) int64 88B 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

In my understanding the output should be different depending on initialisation and I'd also expect first sampler to warn / fail due to incorrect initialisation. Could it be that init_mean is not actually passed to the sampler?

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  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start at the nutpie.sample entry point and reproduce the issue with the provided Stan model and three init_mean values. Trace how init_mean is handled before sampling, then add or update tests that distinguish the initializations and verify the expected warning or failure for the invalid value.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
data
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
52/100

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