pyroots
Pure python single variable function solvers
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
No—not for new projects. The package is abandoned (last update 2020-06-17, no maintenance since). While the code is simple and low-friction, scipy is now the standard, well-maintained alternative for root-finding. Use pyroots only if you have a specific constraint (extreme size limits, legacy py2exe bundling) that scipy cannot meet and you are willing to maintain a dormant dependency yourself.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- You must provide an interval [xa, xb] that brackets the root (f(xa) and f(xb) must have opposite signs for most methods).
- Low install friction with no runtime dependencies.
- However, the package is abandoned—last release was 2020-06-17 and no commits since then.
License · maintenance · safety
BSD-3-Clause (permissive) — BSD-3-Clause is permissive, allowing commercial and private use with minimal restrictions. You may use, modify, and distribute pyroots freely provided you retain the license notice.
last release 2020-06-17 (2249 days) · last repo commit 2020-06-17 · 7 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 122,766 downloads/mo, #11,935 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install pyroots
from pyroots import Brentq
def f(x, a):
return x ** 2 - a + 1
solver = Brentq(epsilon=1e-5)
result = solver(f, -3, 0, a=2)
print(result.x0, result.convergence)- Whether the package works reliably with Python versions beyond 3.8 given its abandoned status.
- Real-world performance comparison with scipy's root-finding methods on expensive function evaluations.
- Whether the claimed advantage of bundling with py2exe or similar tools remains practical in modern deployment workflows.
What it is and what it does
Pyroots is a pure-Python library that finds roots of single-variable functions using classical numerical methods: bisection, Ridder's method, and Brent's method (with two variants). It exists as a lightweight alternative to scipy, requiring no compiled dependencies and fitting easily into standalone projects or bundled applications. The library provides a unified API across all solvers, letting you switch methods by changing a single import.
You define a function taking at least one argument (the variable), specify an interval containing the root, and call the solver. It returns a result object with the root value, convergence status, iteration count, function call count, and the sequence of steps taken. The main design advantage is explicit control over precision via epsilon—you specify exactly how many digits of accuracy you want, avoiding unnecessary function evaluations that scipy might perform.
Use it for
- Embedded applications or py2exe bundles where scipy's size is prohibitive and you need lightweight root-finding.
- Expensive function evaluations (seconds or minutes per call) where scipy's over-convergence wastes computation.
- Educational projects or numerical analysis teaching where you want transparent, readable solver implementations.
- Standalone tools that need root-finding without pulling in a large scientific stack.
- Functions with keyword arguments that scipy's API doesn't handle conveniently.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
No—not for new projects.
The package is abandoned (last update 2020-06-17, no maintenance since). While the code is simple and low-friction, scipy is now the standard, well-maintained alternative for root-finding. Use pyroots only if you have a specific constraint (extreme size limits, legacy py2exe bundling) that scipy cannot meet and you are willing to maintain a dormant dependency yourself.
Install
pyroots on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with no runtime dependencies. However, the package is abandoned—last release was 2020-06-17 and no commits since then. Maintenance status is a significant concern for long-term reliability.
You must provide an interval [xa, xb] that brackets the root (f(xa) and f(xb) must have opposite signs for most methods).
License in practice
BSD-3-Clause is permissive, allowing commercial and private use with minimal restrictions. You may use, modify, and distribute pyroots freely provided you retain the license notice.
Quickstart
pip install pyroots
from pyroots import Brentq
def f(x, a):
return x ** 2 - a + 1
solver = Brentq(epsilon=1e-5)
result = solver(f, -3, 0, a=2)
print(result.x0, result.convergence)Verify before relying
- Whether the package works reliably with Python versions beyond 3.8 given its abandoned status.
- Real-world performance comparison with scipy's root-finding methods on expensive function evaluations.
- Whether the claimed advantage of bundling with py2exe or similar tools remains practical in modern deployment workflows.
Package facts
| License | BSD-3-Clause permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=2.7, !=3.0.*, !=3.1.*, !=3.2.*, !=3.3.* |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Abandoned 2,249 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 122,766 / month, #11,935 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 4 - BetaIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: BSD LicenseOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: Python :: 2Programming Language :: Python :: 2.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.4Programming Language :: Python :: 3.5Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: PyPyTopic :: Scientific/EngineeringTopic :: Scientific/Engineering :: MathematicsTopic :: Software Development :: LibrariesTopic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python Modules |
Evidence: pyroots-0.5.0-py2.py3-none-any.whl
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