About agate
***********


Why agate?
==========

* A readable and user-friendly API.

* A complete set of SQL-like operations.

* Unicode support everywhere.

* Decimal precision everywhere.

* Exhaustive user documentation.

* Pluggable extensions that add SQL integration, Excel support, and
  more.

* Designed with iPython, Jupyter and atom/hydrogen in mind.

* Pure Python. No C dependencies to compile.

* Exhaustive test coverage.

* MIT licensed and free for all purposes.

* Zealously zen.

* Made with love.


Principles
==========

agate is a intended to fill a very particular programming niche. It
should not be allowed to become as complex as numpy or pandas. Please
bear in mind the following principles when considering a new feature:

* Humans have less time than computers. Optimize for humans.

* Most datasets are small. Don't optimize for "big data".

* Text is data. It must always be a first-class citizen.

* Python gets it right. Make it work like Python does.

* Humans lives are nasty, brutish and short. Make it easy.

* Mutability leads to confusion. Processes that alter data must create
  new copies.

* Extensions are the way. Don't add it to core unless everybody needs
  it.
