title: Why should NumPy be installed via a binary package?
body: <p>According to the <a href="http://docs.scipy.org/doc/numpy/user/install.html" rel="nofollow">NumPy documentation</a>:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>In most use cases the best way to install NumPy on your system is by using an installable binary package for your operating system.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>But why can't it be installed just as easily using <code>pip</code>?</p>
  
  <p>As I understand it, NumPy needs to compile something other than pure Python according to the target machine. How does this work? Does the binary package contain C source files and a C compiler? Or does it contain all the pre-compiled binaries, and just chooses the proper ones to install based on the operating system?</p>