stan-dev / stan-dev/rstanarm

Allow chains argument when algorithm is not sampling

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Dominant language
R
Stars
401
Forks
136
PR merge metrics
No merged PRs in 30d

Description

I usually start scripting my analyses with other algorithms, such as meanfield, make sure the script is running smoothly and without errors, and only then replace meanfield with "sampling" and run the analysis (which could take then days to compute).

Currently, setting the chains parameter if algorithm="meanfield" returns an error (Error: passing unknown arguments: chains.), leading to adding and removing of all the chains parameters within a script everytime we switch between two algorithms, which can become tedious in the case of many models.

I would be nice if the chains argument would just be ignored if not relevant (there could be a message: "chains parameter ignored"). What are your opinions on this?

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Research direction

Start by locating the argument validation for chains and compare its behavior when algorithm is "meanfield" versus "sampling". Done means scripts can retain chains while using meanfield without an unknown-argument error, while chains continues to work for sampling.

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Assessment

Tech stack
r
Domain
data
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
38/100

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