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Comparison · Analytics
detectseparation vs mmconvert
A side-by-side editorial comparison of detectseparation and mmconvert — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
Shared themes:r-package
detectseparation vs mmconvert: at a glance
What is detectseparation?
A diagnostic package that generalized past its own name, then learned to say which kind of separation it found
detectseparation identifies separation and infinite estimates in binomial-response GLMs — the condition where maximum likelihood estimates diverge and standard software reports large coefficients with enormous standard errors instead of an error. Version 0.3 was the structural turn: detect_infinite_estimates() became the general method covering log, logit, probit and cauchit links, with detect_separation() demoted to a wrapper around it. Version 0.4 in April 2026 adds the ability to distinguish complete from quasi-complete separation via separation_type.
What is mmconvert?
A single-purpose mouse map interpolator that solved its problem in 2023 and has coasted since
mmconvert does one thing: interpolate between GRCm39 physical positions and the revised Cox genetic map for mouse MUGA array markers. The substantive work all landed in a burst across 2021-2023 — the initial function, the GRCm39 annotation dataset, cross2_to_grcm39(), the recomputed Cox maps and their smoothed replacement. Everything since is upkeep: a warning-message fix in 0.12, and 0.14 is a test adjustment to silence a CRAN Note with no code change at all.
detectseparation vs mmconvert: editorial side-by-side
detectseparation
0.0ANALYTICS
A diagnostic package that generalized past its own name, then learned to say which kind of separation it found
◆ Current state
detectseparation identifies separation and infinite estimates in binomial-response GLMs — the condition where maximum likelihood estimates diverge and standard software reports large coefficients with enormous standard errors instead of an error. Version 0.3 was the structural turn: detect_infinite_estimates() became the general method covering log, logit, probit and cauchit links, with detect_separation() demoted to a wrapper around it. Version 0.4 in April 2026 adds the ability to distinguish complete from quasi-complete separation via separation_type.
◆ Where it's heading
The package has been generalizing steadily — first past its own framing, since separation is one case of infinite estimates rather than the whole problem, and now toward finer classification of what it detects. The distinction 0.4 adds is practically useful because complete and quasi-complete separation call for different responses. Release intervals are long, roughly two to four years, which fits a diagnostic tool whose underlying theory is settled.
◆ Prediction
With link coverage broad and separation now classified by type, further work is more likely to refine reporting than to extend detection to new model families.
mmconvert
0.0ANALYTICS
A single-purpose mouse map interpolator that solved its problem in 2023 and has coasted since
◆ Current state
mmconvert does one thing: interpolate between GRCm39 physical positions and the revised Cox genetic map for mouse MUGA array markers. The substantive work all landed in a burst across 2021-2023 — the initial function, the GRCm39 annotation dataset, cross2_to_grcm39(), the recomputed Cox maps and their smoothed replacement. Everything since is upkeep: a warning-message fix in 0.12, and 0.14 is a test adjustment to silence a CRAN Note with no code change at all.
◆ Where it's heading
The package has reached the natural end state of a reference-data converter — the reference data stopped moving, so the package stopped moving. Releases now arrive roughly annually and exist to keep CRAN checks green. The 0.14 release shipped the same day as sibling qtl2convert 0.36, confirming these are batch maintenance passes across the maintainer's packages rather than independent development.
◆ Prediction
Without a new mouse genome build or a revised Cox map, the next release is likely another CRAN-check accommodation rather than new functionality.
Alternatives to detectseparation and mmconvert
Other Analytics products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either detectseparation or mmconvert.
gcube
gcube's recent releases are all packaging metadata, not simulation code
cubist
The R port of Quinlan's Cubist gets reproducibility fixes, not new modelling
ggstats
ggstats keeps widening what a coefficient or Likert plot can be
ecodive
ecodive rebuilt itself into a broad diversity-metric library, breaking as it went
simStateSpace
State-space data simulation for R, filled in one function at a time
See all detectseparation alternatives → · See all mmconvert alternatives →
Recent activity from detectseparation and mmconvert
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 1mo agommconvertTest adjustment to clear a CRAN Note
- 3mo agodetectseparationdetectseparation v0.4
- 1y agommconvertFixes a malformed warning message in mmconvert()
- 3y agommconvertOmits X chromosome positions for sex-averaged and male maps
- 3y agommconvertCRAN release adds chromosome lengths and smoothed Cox maps
- 3y agommconvertRecomputed Cox genetic maps and combined-array support
- 3y agodetectseparationdetectseparation v0.3
- 4y agommconvertRepoints data sources from master to main branches
- 5y agodetectseparationdetectseparation v0.2
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between detectseparation and mmconvert?
Both compete on the same themes — r-package — within Analytics. detectseparation and mmconvert are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 0.0 vs 0.0, both within Sparkpulse's "active" band). See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.
Is detectseparation better than mmconvert?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. detectseparation and mmconvert are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 0.0 vs 0.0, both within Sparkpulse's "active" band). For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Analytics products to evaluate alongside.
What are the best alternatives to detectseparation?
Top detectseparation alternatives in Analytics are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "detectseparation alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/detectseparation for the full list with editorial commentary on each.
What are the best alternatives to mmconvert?
Top mmconvert alternatives in Analytics are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "mmconvert alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/mmconvert for the full list with editorial commentary on each.