`DALIDataType` does not include `COMPLEX64` and `COMPLEX128`

[acecchini]

Is this a new feature, an improvement, or a change to existing functionality?

New Feature

How would you describe the priority of this feature request

Should have (e.g. Adoption is possible, but the performance shortcomings make the solution inferior).

Please provide a clear description of problem this feature solves

Hi,

I was wondering why DALI did not accept complex numbers dtypes? It would great to load data directly in complex dtype! To circumvent I append a channel dimension with length 2.

Thanks :)

Feature Description

All said in the description.

Describe your ideal solution

No idea how to implement this.

Describe any alternatives you have considered

No response

Additional context

No response

Check for duplicates

• [x] I have searched the open bugs/issues and have found no duplicates for this bug report

[JanuszL]

Hi @acecchini ,

Thank you for reaching out.

The main rationale is that DALIDataType enumerates types that DALI can process. In the case of complex numbers, none of the available operations can support that.

To circumvent, I append a channel dimension with length 2.

I agree, this seems to be the best solution for now.

We will add this request to our To-Do list. However, due to its limited applicability in the context of the current DALI capabilities, it will have a low priority. Still, we encourage you or any of the DALI community members to propose a relevant change in a PR. We would be more than happy to review it.

[acecchini]

Hey @JanuszL,

Thanks for taking the time to answer me. I will keep that in mind and if ever find the time will try to implement this feature!