Python in Heliophysics Community (PyHC): Current status and future outlook

Abstract

It’s been four years since the formation of the Python in Heliophysics Community (PyHC). In that time, the community has made great strides towards embodying and implementing the ideals of a “Heliophysics Framework” put forth by Burrell et al. (2018). Specifically, the components of such a framework include: 1) centralization of current Python packages, 2) increasing accessibility and connectivity of these projects, 3) consideration of software attribution issues, and 4) the establishment and implementation of best practices and standards for code development. We describe the manner in which, and to what extent, PyHC has realized these four tenants. We then set forth suggestions for advancing PyHC’s efforts, including ways in which we can improve our information architecture, how we can grow our community, both in terms of project sustainability and usage, as well as the social component of the community itself, how we can improve PyHC package integration, and finally, non-Python library considerations. The suggested improvements and additions therein advance PyHC’s mission and strategic goals, while helping better integrate PyHC into the broader Heliophysics and Space Weather community efforts.