EZInput: A Cross-Environment Python Library for Easy UI Generation in Scientific Computing

Fuente: arXiv
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Hauptverfasser: Saraiva, Bruno M., Hidalgo-Cenalmor, Iván, Brito, António D., Martínez, Damián, Shakespeare, Tayla, Jacquemet, Guillaume, Henriques, Ricardo
Format: Preprint
Veröffentlicht: 2026
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author Saraiva, Bruno M.
Hidalgo-Cenalmor, Iván
Brito, António D.
Martínez, Damián
Shakespeare, Tayla
Jacquemet, Guillaume
Henriques, Ricardo
author_facet Saraiva, Bruno M.
Hidalgo-Cenalmor, Iván
Brito, António D.
Martínez, Damián
Shakespeare, Tayla
Jacquemet, Guillaume
Henriques, Ricardo
contents Researchers face a persistent barrier when applying computational algorithms with parameter configuration typically demanding programming skills, interfaces differing across environments, and settings rarely persisting between sessions. This fragmentation forces repetitive input, slows iterative exploration, and undermines reproducibility because parameter choices are difficult to record, share, and reuse. We present EZInput, a cross-runtime environment Python library enabling algorithm developers to automatically generate graphical user interfaces that make their computational tools accessible to end-users without programming expertise. EZInput employs a declarative specification system where developers define input requirements and validation constraints once; the library then handles environment detection, interface rendering, parameter validation, and session persistence across Jupyter notebooks, Google Colab, and terminal environments. This "write once, run anywhere" architecture enables researchers to prototype in notebooks and deploy identical parameter configurations for batch execution on remote systems without code changes or manual transcription. Parameter persistence, inspired by ImageJ/FIJI and adapted to Python workflows, saves and restores user configurations via lightweight YAML files, eliminating redundant input and producing shareable records that enhance reproducibility. EZInput supports diverse input types essential for scientific computing and it also includes built-in validation that ensures data integrity and clear feedback that reduces user friction.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_08859
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle EZInput: A Cross-Environment Python Library for Easy UI Generation in Scientific Computing
Saraiva, Bruno M.
Hidalgo-Cenalmor, Iván
Brito, António D.
Martínez, Damián
Shakespeare, Tayla
Jacquemet, Guillaume
Henriques, Ricardo
Software Engineering
Researchers face a persistent barrier when applying computational algorithms with parameter configuration typically demanding programming skills, interfaces differing across environments, and settings rarely persisting between sessions. This fragmentation forces repetitive input, slows iterative exploration, and undermines reproducibility because parameter choices are difficult to record, share, and reuse. We present EZInput, a cross-runtime environment Python library enabling algorithm developers to automatically generate graphical user interfaces that make their computational tools accessible to end-users without programming expertise. EZInput employs a declarative specification system where developers define input requirements and validation constraints once; the library then handles environment detection, interface rendering, parameter validation, and session persistence across Jupyter notebooks, Google Colab, and terminal environments. This "write once, run anywhere" architecture enables researchers to prototype in notebooks and deploy identical parameter configurations for batch execution on remote systems without code changes or manual transcription. Parameter persistence, inspired by ImageJ/FIJI and adapted to Python workflows, saves and restores user configurations via lightweight YAML files, eliminating redundant input and producing shareable records that enhance reproducibility. EZInput supports diverse input types essential for scientific computing and it also includes built-in validation that ensures data integrity and clear feedback that reduces user friction.
title EZInput: A Cross-Environment Python Library for Easy UI Generation in Scientific Computing
topic Software Engineering
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.08859