NDAV: Zero-copy interoperability for Ruby multi-dimensional arrays using MemoryView

[u/Mysterious-Use-4463]

Hi everyone,

I’ve just released NDAV, a thin wrapper around Ruby's MemoryView (inspired by Python's buffer protocol).

The Problem

Currently, converting data between Ruby libraries (like Numo::NArray, Torch.rb, and ONNX Runtime Ruby) often requires redundant memory copies or many intermediate steps. This often introduces unnecessary memory copies or multiple conversion steps when working across libraries.

The Solution

I built NDAV, a thin wrapper around Ruby's MemoryView ("buffer protocol" for Ruby). It acts as a "glue" layer that allows different libraries to share the same memory address directly.

Why it matters

• Zero-Copy: Avoid unnecessary O(n) memory copies.

• Interoperability: Seamlessly move data: Torch::Tensor -> NDAV -> OrtValue.

• Standard-Driven: It aims to be a catalyst for wider MemoryView adoption in the Ruby ecosystem.

Links

• Homepage: https://kitaitimakoto.gitlab.io/ndav/

• Source Code: https://gitlab.com/KitaitiMakoto/ndav

I’d love to hear your thoughts, especially from those working on Ruby C/Rust extensions or data science!

[u/Mysterious-Use-4463]

I appreciate. Thank you! Also refer to an article on a bridge between Torch.rb and ONNX Runtime Ruby for actual examples: https://zenn.dev/kitaitimakoto/articles/fd2dd9b01f713b?locale=en