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mlr3spatial vs silx

A side-by-side editorial comparison of mlr3spatial and silx — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.

mlr3spatial vs silx: at a glance

Featuremlr3spatialsilx
SectorAnalyticsAnalytics
Velocity score0.05.0
Sparks · 30d00
Top themesmlr3, spatial, raster, predictionscientific-computing, data-visualization, synchrotron, qt
Last editorial update5d ago3h ago
WebsiteVisit →Visit →

What is mlr3spatial?

Raster prediction in mlr3 finally returns class probabilities, not just hard labels.

mlr3spatial connects mlr3 learners to raster and vector spatial data, handling chunked prediction over large rasters through DataBackendRaster. Development is slow and fix-heavy: most releases in the last two years were compatibility work against mlr3 and paradox rather than new capability. 0.7.0 is the exception.

Read the full mlr3spatial trajectory →

What is silx?

silx settles into maintenance a release after its PySide6 migration

silx is in the quiet phase after a generational release. 3.1.1 is a single fix to FitWidget loading a fit function from file. The release before it, 3.1.0, was the first real feature work since the migration - asinh axis scaling, twilight colormaps, and dark-theme icons - and 3.0.1 was similarly small. The 3.0.0 cut that reset the Qt binding and Python floor still defines what the line is doing.

Read the full silx trajectory →

mlr3spatial vs silx: editorial side-by-side

M
mlr3spatial
ANALYTICS
0.0

Raster prediction in mlr3 finally returns class probabilities, not just hard labels.

◆ Current state

mlr3spatial connects mlr3 learners to raster and vector spatial data, handling chunked prediction over large rasters through DataBackendRaster. Development is slow and fix-heavy: most releases in the last two years were compatibility work against mlr3 and paradox rather than new capability. 0.7.0 is the exception.

◆ Where it's heading

The package tracks the mlr3 core rather than leading it — 0.5.0 and 0.6.1 exist to absorb upstream changes in paradox and mlr3. Against that background, 0.7.0 adding probability predictions to predict_spatial() is the first genuine capability increase in a while, arriving alongside two DataBackendRaster fixes for multi-band sources and similarly-named layers. Cadence is roughly one release per year.

◆ Prediction

Given the pattern, the next release is more likely to be compatibility work against a new mlr3 or terra version than another feature; further raster-backend edge cases around layer naming are the visible loose end.

S
silx
ANALYTICS
5.0

silx settles into maintenance a release after its PySide6 migration

◆ Current state

silx is in the quiet phase after a generational release. 3.1.1 is a single fix to FitWidget loading a fit function from file. The release before it, 3.1.0, was the first real feature work since the migration - asinh axis scaling, twilight colormaps, and dark-theme icons - and 3.0.1 was similarly small. The 3.0.0 cut that reset the Qt binding and Python floor still defines what the line is doing.

◆ Where it's heading

The cadence has slowed markedly since April, and the content has shifted from structural change to plotting and colormap refinement. That is the expected shape after a binding migration: downstream beamline code needs a stable target, so the project trades feature velocity for a quiet surface. The gap between 3.0.1 in May and 3.1.0 in August is the clearest signal of the deliberate slowdown.

◆ Prediction

Expect further point releases servicing the plotting and fitting widgets rather than another structural change, with feature work continuing to arrive in the 3.1.x minors rather than patches.

Alternatives to mlr3spatial and silx

Other Analytics products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either mlr3spatial or silx.

See all mlr3spatial alternatives → · See all silx alternatives →

Recent activity from mlr3spatial and silx

Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.

  1. 6h agosilxFitWidget fix for loading a fit function from file
  2. 9d agosilx3.1.0: asinh axis scaling, twilight colormaps, dark-theme icons
  3. 1mo agomlr3spatialpredict_spatial() gains probability predictions
  4. 3mo agosilx3.0.1: silx view fails to disable HDF5 file locking
  5. 3mo agosilx3.0.0: PySide6 becomes the default Qt binding, Python 3.10 required
  6. 3mo agosilx3.0.0rc1: release candidate for the PySide6 migration
  7. 10mo agomlr3spatialCompatibility with mlr3 1.2.0
  8. 1y agomlr3spatialError on conflicting X/Y columns in sf objects
  9. 1y agosilx2.2.2: plot axes limits, OpenGL axes and libhdf5 1.14 fixes
  10. 2y agomlr3spatialCompatibility with paradox 1.0.0
  11. 3y agomlr3spatialUse terra::inMemory() instead of the @ptr slot
  12. 3y agomlr3spatialspatial_predict() accepts stars, sf and Raster* inputs

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between mlr3spatial and silx?

They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. silx is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 5.0 vs 0.0), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.

Is mlr3spatial better than silx?

Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. silx is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 5.0 vs 0.0), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Analytics products to evaluate alongside.

What are the best alternatives to mlr3spatial?

Top mlr3spatial alternatives in Analytics are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "mlr3spatial alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/mlr3spatial for the full list with editorial commentary on each.

What are the best alternatives to silx?

Top silx alternatives in Analytics are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "silx alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/silx for the full list with editorial commentary on each.