cpython/Doc/howto.tex

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\documentclass{howto}
% This is a template for short or medium-size Python-related documents,
% mostly notably the series of HOWTOs, but it can be used for any
% document you like.
% The title should be descriptive enough for people to be able to find
% the relevant document.
\title{Spammifying Sprockets in Python}
% Increment the release number whenever significant changes are made.
% The author and/or editor can define 'significant' however they like.
\release{0.00}
% At minimum, give your name and an e-mail address. You can include a
% snail-mail address if you like.
\author{Me, 'cause I wrote it}
\authoraddress{Me, 'cause I'm self-employed.}
\begin{document}
\maketitle
% The abstract should be a paragraph or two long, and describe the
% scope of the document.
\begin{abstract}
\noindent
This document describes how to spammify sprockets. It is a useful
example of a Python HOWTO document. It is not dependent on any
particular sprocket implementation, and includes a Python-based
implementation in the \module{sprunkit} module.
\end{abstract}
\tableofcontents
Spammifying sprockets from Python is both fun and entertaining.
Applying the techniques described here, you can also fill your hard
disk quite effectively.
\section{What is Sprocket Spammification?}
You have to ask? It's the only thing to do to your sprockets!
\section{Why Use Python?}
Python is an excellent language from which to spammify your sprockets
since you can do it on any platform.
\section{Software Requirements}
You need to have the following software installed:
% The {itemize} environment uses a bullet for each \item. If you want the
% \item's numbered, use the {enumerate} environment instead.
\begin{itemize}
\item Python 1.9.
\item Some sprocket definition files.
\item At least one sprocket system implementation.
\end{itemize}
Note that the \module{sprunkit} is provided with this package and
implements ActiveSprockets in Python.
% The preceding sections will have been written in a gentler,
% introductory style. You may also wish to include a reference
% section, documenting all the functions/exceptions/constants.
% The following is a model for such a reference section, for
% an extension module written in C.
\section{Extension Module \module{spamsprock}}
\exmodindex{spamsprock} % Set the module name for the index
\label{module-spamsprock} % Create a label for cross-references
A \C{} module is provided to perform spammification operations very
quickly. It exports a function, an exception, and some constants.
% A function definition
\begin{funcdesc}{spammify}{sprocket\optional{, options}}
Spammify the sprocket given as \var{sprocket}. Flags my be
bitwise-ORed together and passed as \var{options}.
\end{funcdesc}
% An exception definition
\begin{excdesc}{SpamError}
The exception that is raised when spammification fails, or just takes
too long.
\end{excdesc}
% A definition of two constants
\begin{datadesc}{FROBNICATE}
Value to be used for the \var{options} parameter to
\function{spammify()} to indicate that the \var{sprocket} parameter to
that function should be frobnicated as well as spammified.
\end{datadesc}
\begin{datadesc}{NO_FROBNICATE}
As with \constant{FROBNICATE}, but indicates that frobnication should
not be performed. The default is to frobnicate randomly.
\end{datadesc}
% The following section is a model for documenting modules written in
% Python.
\section{Module \module{sprunkit}}
\modindex{ezspam}
\label{module-sprunkit}
This module provides a high level interface to spammification
operations. It provides an interesting base class and an exception.
% A class definition
\begin{classdesc}{SprunkSprocket}{\optional{path}}
A Python-only implementation of a persistent sprocket. The \var{path}
parameter should refer to a spocket definition file. If omitted, a
new sprocket is created.
\end{classdesc}
% An exception definition
\begin{excdesc}{PersistenceError}
Exception raised when the \method{save()} method of a
\class{SprunkSprockit} instance fails.
\end{excdesc}
\subsection{\class{SprunkSprocket} Objects}
\class{SprunkSprocket} objects have the following methods:
\begin{funcdesc}{save}{\optional{path}}
Save the sprocket in the file specified by \var{path}. If \var{path}
is omitted, the \var{path} specified to the constructor is used. If
neither was specified, raises the \exception{PersistenceError}
exception.
\end{funcdesc}
\begin{funcdesc}{persist}{path}
Set the default file name that the \method{save()} method will use.
\end{funcdesc}
\begin{funcdesc}{insist}{}
Make the sprocket assert itself. This method cannot fail.
\end{funcdesc}
\appendix
\section{This is an Appendix}
To create an appendix in a Python HOWTO document, use markup like
this:
\begin{verbatim}
\appendix
\section{This is an Appendix}
To create an appendix in a Python HOWTO document, ....
\section{This is another}
Just add another \section{}, but don't say \appendix again.
\end{verbatim}
\end{document}