Installation#

Important

pdal and python-pdal are conda-only packages and cannot be installed via pip. pixi is the only supported installation method as it resolves both conda-forge and PyPI dependencies in a single step.

Dependencies#

alsDB requires Python ≥ 3.11 and the following dependencies, all resolved automatically by pixi:

Dependency	Minimum Version	Purpose
pdal	2.7	LAZ/LAS reading, HAG filter
python-pdal	3.4	Python bindings for PDAL
tiledb	0.28	Sparse point-cloud storage (local + S3)
zarr	3.0	Zarr v3 store for gridded products
numpy	1.26	Array operations, rasterisation
scipy	1.12	`binned_statistic_2d`, peak detection
pandas	2.0	Query result format
xarray	2024.1	Dataset output, Zarr backend
pyarrow	14.0	Parquet I/O for waveform batch results
matplotlib	3.8	Visualisation
click	8.1	CLI
rioxarray	0.15	CRS attachment on `to_dataset()` output

Installation Instructions#

Install via pixi (recommended):

git clone https://github.com/simonbesnard1/alsdb.git
cd alsdb
pixi install          # resolves conda-forge + pip dependencies in one step
pixi shell            # activate the environment

This installs all dependencies, including pdal and python-pdal from conda-forge, and installs alsdb itself as an editable package.

Note

pip install alsdb will install the pure-Python dependencies but will fail to import without pdal present in the environment. Use pixi or set up a conda environment with pdal from conda-forge before using pip.

Development install#

The development environment includes pytest and pytest-cov for running the test suite:

git clone https://github.com/simonbesnard1/alsdb.git
cd alsdb
pixi install
pixi run pytest tests/ -v

To run only a subset of tests:

pixi run pytest tests/test_zarr_store.py -v
pixi run pytest tests/ -k "unit" -v

Verifying the install#

pixi run python -c "import alsdb; print('alsdb', alsdb.__version__)"
pixi run alsdb --help