blob: 4e3968889d2c48c252d3bfa043c6deb4628d477b [file] [log] [blame]
% Template for a library manual section.
% PLEASE REMOVE THE COMMENTS AFTER USING THE TEMPLATE
% ==== 0. ====
% Copy this file to <mydir>/lib<mymodule>.tex, and edit that file
% according to the instructions below.
% ==== 1. ====
% The section prologue. Give the section a title and provide some
% meta-information. References to the module should use
% \refbimodindex, \refstmodindex, \refexmodindex or \refmodindex, as
% appropriate.
\section{\module{spam} ---
Short one-line descrition, for section title.}
% Choose one of these to specify the module module name. If there's
% an underscore in the name, use
% \declaremodule[modname]{...}{mod_name} instead.
%
\declaremodule{builtin}{spam} % standard library, in C
\declaremodule{standard}{spam} % standard library, in Python
\declaremodule{extension}{spam} % not standard, in C
\declaremodule{}{spam} % not standard, in Python
% These apply to all modules:
\moduleauthor{name}{email} % Author of the module code;
% omit if not known.
\sectionauthor{name}{email} % Author of the documentation.
% Leave at least one blank line after this, to simplify ad-hoc tools
% that are sometimes used to massage these files.
\modulesynopsis{This is a one-line descrition, for the chapter header.}
% ==== 2. ====
% Give a short overview of what the module does.
% If it is platform specific, mention this.
% Mention other important restrictions or general operating principles.
% For example:
The \module{spam} module defines operations for handling cans of Spam.
It knows the four generally available Spam varieties and understands
both can sizes.
Because spamification requires \UNIX{} process management, the module
is only available on genuine \UNIX{} systems.
% ==== 3. ====
% List the public functions defined by the module. Begin with a
% standard phrase. You may also list the exceptions and other data
% items defined in the module, insofar as they are important for the
% user.
The \module{spam} module defines the following functions:
% ---- 3.1. ----
% For each function, use a ``funcdesc'' block. This has exactly two
% parameters (each parameters is contained in a set of curly braces):
% the first parameter is the function name (this automatically
% generates an index entry); the second parameter is the function's
% argument list. If there are no arguments, use an empty pair of
% curly braces. If there is more than one argument, separate the
% arguments with backslash-comma. Optional parts of the parameter
% list are contained in \optional{...} (this generates a set of square
% brackets around its parameter). Arguments are automatically set in
% italics in the parameter list. Each argument should be mentioned at
% least once in the description; each usage (even inside \code{...})
% should be enclosed in \var{...}.
\begin{funcdesc}{open}{filename\optional{, mode\optional{, buffersize}}}
Open the file \var{filename} as a can of Spam. The optional
\var{mode} and \var{buffersize} arguments specify the read-write mode
(\code{'r'} (default) or \code{'w'}) and the buffer size (default:
system dependent).
\end{funcdesc}
% ---- 3.2. ----
% Data items are described using a ``datadesc'' block. This has only
% one parameter: the item's name.
\begin{datadesc}{cansize}
The default can size, in ounces. Legal values are 7 and 12. The
default varies per supermarket. This variable should not be changed
once the \function{open()} function has been called.
\end{datadesc}
% --- 3.3. ---
% Exceptions are described using a ``excdesc'' block. This has only
% one parameter: the exception name.
\begin{excdesc}{error}
Exception raised when an operation fails for a Spam specific reason.
The exception argument is a string describing the reason of the
failure.
\end{excdesc}
% ---- 3.4. ----
% Other standard environments:
%
% classdesc - Python classes; same arguments are funcdesc
% methoddesc - methods, like funcdesc but has an optional parameter
% to give the type name: \begin{methoddesc}[mytype]{name}{args}
% By default, the type name will be the name of the
% last class defined using classdesc. The type name
% is required if the type is implemented in C (because
% there's no classdesc) or if the class isn't directly
% documented (if it's private).
% memberdesc - data members, like datadesc, but with an optional
% type name like methoddesc.
% ==== 4. ====
% Now is probably a good time for a complete example. (Alternatively,
% an example giving the flavor of the module may be given before the
% detailed list of functions.)
Example:
\begin{verbatim}
>>> import spam
>>> can = spam.open('/etc/passwd')
>>> can.empty()
>>> can.close()
\end{verbatim}
% Note that there is no trailing ">>> " prompt shown.
% ==== 5. ====
% If your module defines new object types (for a built-in module) or
% classes (for a module written in Python), you should list the
% methods and instance variables (if any) of each type or class in a
% separate subsection.
\subsection{Spam Objects}
\label{spam-objects}
% This label is generally useful for referencing this section, but is
% also used to give a filename when generating HTML.
Spam objects, as returned by \function{open()} above, have the
following methods:
\begin{methoddesc}[spam]{empty}{}
Empty the can into the trash.
\end{methoddesc}