RFC: move log/exp variants to a separate package

[tpapp]

I am thinking of the functions in src/basicfuns.jl.

In contrast to distribution functions, these are all implemented in pure Julia, require no external dependencies, and thus have no license issues. In fact, while they are used in statistics, they are not even "statistical" functions since other fields make ample use of them. Cf #20; these functions are useful for the end user directly, without requiring an interface like Distributions.jl.

I propose LogExpFunctions.jl as a package name. If the discussion suggests this makes sense, I would be happy to do a PR.

[andreasnoack]

We have previously discussed this and I think these could and should just be moved to StatsBase since StatsBase has no binary dependencies and is most likely already installed on all systems.

[nalimilan]

These are not really related to statistics though, they could live in a separate stdlib module.

[andreasnoack]

I think these are mainly used in the evaluation of functions used in statistics so until there is a demand outside statistics I think it is to avoid scattering functionality into more packages.

[ararslan]

I agree with Andreas, I think StatsBase is a good home for them, or at least good enough.

[bdeonovic]

@tpapp I think this sounds good. Also if someone does move these over please check the https://github.com/JuliaStats/StatsFuns.jl/tree/promotions branch which has several updates to logpdfs/pdfs that I have been wondering if they would ever make it into master

[cossio]

As a user I would appreciate a stable home for these functions so that I can use them without worrying their location might change in the future. I like @tpapp suggestion because I think these functions pop up in many different areas. But on the other hand why not just leave them here in StatsFuns?

[tpapp]

I think that a separate repository would make a lot of sense, as those who just want eg logaddexp would not need to depend on librmath. Also, these functions are used not only in statistics, but modeling, machine learning, etc.

I created https://github.com/tpapp/LogExpFunctions.jl and moved the log/exp functions there, with the following improvements:

• docstring cleanup
• set up generated docs
• significantly improved coverage (now 100%, all branches of special functions are covered)

I am very happy to transfer this repository to JuliaStats, then after it is registered, make a PR removing this functionality from this package (after a deprecation period, during which one would reexport).

Comments are welcome.

[nalimilan]

Fine with me. You'll probably want to port over #74.

[tpapp]

Happy to do that.

How should I proceed about transferring that package to JuilaStats?

Should I register before, or after that?

[tpapp]

I started registration: JuliaRegistries/General#3594

[tpapp]

@nalimilan, if you have permissions can you please help with with making the transfer of the above package to JuliaStats?

[ararslan]

If this is its own package, why does it need to live in JuliaStats?

[tpapp]

Sorry, I don't fully understand the question here. My understanding was that JuliaStats organizes key packages for statistics in Julia. While I am happy to maintain LogExpFunctions, I would like others to have write access to the repo, and also I don't want to just copy the work of other people to create a new package without at least putting it in the same Github organization. Hope this makes sense.

[ararslan]

Sorry, I missed the part where the other functions were moved to that package.