docs: for tools

README.rst

@@ -110,14 +110,14 @@ Example
 Navigate to the directory that contains 1D diffraction patterns that you would like to process.
 Activate the conda environment (`conda activate diffpy.labpdfproc_env`) that contains the package and run the following command ::
 
-        labpdfproc <muD> <path/to/inputfile.txt>
+        labpdfproc <path/to/inputfile.txt> --mud <muD>
 
 Here replace <muD> with the value of muD for your sample
 and <path/to/inputfile.txt> with the path and filename of your input file.
 For example, if the uncorrected data case is called zro2_mo.xy and is in the current directory
 and it has a muD of 2.5 then the command would be ::
 
-        labpdfproc 2.5 zro2_mo.xy
+        labpdfproc zro2_mo.xy --mud 2.5
 
 Please type ::
 

doc/source/examples/examples.rst

@@ -8,3 +8,4 @@ Landing page for diffpy.labpdfproc examples.
 
 .. toctree::
     functions_example
+    tools_example

doc/source/examples/tools_example.rst

@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+.. _Tools Example:
+
+:tocdepth: -1
+
+Tools Example
+#############
+
+This example will demonstrate how to use ``diffpy.labpdfproc.tools`` module
+to preprocess diffraction data using an ``argparse.Namespace`` called ``args``.
+These functions help set up inputs, metadata, and parameters before applying absorption correction.
+
+1. We begin by estimating the mu*D value used for absorption correction using ``set_mud(args)``.
+You can do this in one of the following four ways:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    from argparse import Namespace
+    # Option 1: Manual value
+    args = Namespace(mud=2)
+    # Option 2: From a z-scan file
+    args = Namespace(z_scan_file="zscan.xy")
+    # Option 3: Using mass density
+    args = Namespace(sample_composition="ZrO2", energy=1.745, density=1.2)
+    # Option 4: Using packing fraction
+    args = Namespace(sample_composition="ZrO2", energy=1.745, packing_fraction=0.3)
+    # Set and view the computed mu*D value
+    args = set_mud(args)
+    print(args.mud)
+
+Note that only one method should be used at a time. The following are invalid examples:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    # Invalid example 1: manual mu*D and z-scan file both provided
+    args = Namespace(mud=2, z_scan_file="zscan.xy")
+    # Invalid example 2: missing required energy
+    args = Namespace(sample_composition="ZrO2", density=1.2)
+    # Invalid example 3: both mass density and packing fraction specified
+    args = Namespace(sample_composition="ZrO2", energy=1.745, density=1.2, packing_fraction=0.3)
+
+If the packing fraction option is not supported at the moment, you can approximate
+``mass density = packing fraction * material density``, where the material density can be looked up manually.
+
+
+2. Next, we load the input files for correction using ``set_input_lists(args)``:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    args = Namespace(input="file1.xy file2.xy")
+    args = set_input_lists(args)
+    print(args.input_paths)
+
+This function resolves the input filenames into full file paths.
+For details on supported input formats, check ``labpdfproc --help``.
+
+
+3. We now set the output directory where the cve and corrected files will be saved:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    args = Namespace(output_directory="output") # creates "output/" directory if it doesn't exist
+    args = set_output_directory(args)
+    print(args.output_directory)
+
+If a filename is provided instead of a directory, an error will be raised.
+If no output directory is specified, it defaults to the current working directory.
+
+
+4. We then set wavelength and xtype, both of which are necessary for absorption correction:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    # Option 1: Specify wavelength directly
+    args = Namespace(wavelength=0.7)
+    # Option 2: Use a valid anode type
+    args = Namespace(anode_type="Mo")
+    args = set_wavelength(args)
+
+Note that you should specify either a wavelength or an anode type, not both, to avoid conflicts.
+If you provide an anode type, the corresponding wavelength will be retrieved from global parameters.
+You may use ``labpdfproc --help`` to view a list of valid anode types.
+If neither is given, it's only acceptable if the input diffraction data is already on a two-theta grid.
+To simplify workflows and avoid re-entering it every time,
+we recommend saving the wavelength or anode type to a diffpy config file. For example:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    from pathlib import Path
+    import json
+    home_dir = Path.home()
+    wavelength_data = {"wavelength": 0.3}
+    with open(home_dir / "diffpyconfig.json", "w") as f:
+        json.dump(wavelength_data, f)
+
+To set the x-axis type (xtype) for your diffraction data:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    args = Namespace(xtype="tth")
+    args = set_xtype(args)
+
+This sets the xtype to ``tth``. Other valid options including ``q`` and ``d`` spacing.
+
+
+5. Finally, we load user metadata, user information, and package information into ``args``.
+To load metadata, pass key-value pairs as a list:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    args = Namespace(
+        user_metadata=[
+            "facility=NSLS II",
+            "beamline=28ID-2",
+    ])
+    args = load_user_metadata(args)
+
+This ensures all key-value pairs are parsed and added as attributes.
+
+To load your user information (username, email, and orcid), you can manually add it through ``args``:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    args = Namespace(username="Joe", email="[email protected]", orcid="0000-0000-0000-0000")
+    args = load_user_info(args)
+    print(args.username, args.email, args.orcid)
+
+Alternatively, this can be saved in a config file
+(see https://www.diffpy.org/diffpy.utils/examples/tools_example.html).
+If nothing is found, you will be prompted to create one.
+Note that it is not recommended to store personal information on a public or shared computer.
+
+Furthermore, the function ``load_package_info(args)`` is used to attach package name and version info for reproducibility.
+This is typically run automatically but can be called explicitly:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    args = load_package_info(args)
+    print(args.package_info) # Output example: {"diffpy.labpdfproc": "0.0.1", "diffpy.utils": "3.0.0"}
+
+
+6. We also provide a convenient function to run all steps above at once:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    args = preprocessing_args(args)
+
+
+7. The final step is converting your ``args`` to a metadata dictionary
+so that it can be attached to the diffraction object's header during output writing.
+Using the function ``load_metadata(args, filepath)``
+requires both the ``argument.Namespace`` and the current input file path.
+For more details about working with diffraction objects and how they are written to output files, see
+https://www.diffpy.org/diffpy.utils/examples/diffraction_objects_example.html.

doc/source/utilities/tools_utility.rst

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+.. _Tools Utility:
+
+Tools Utility
+=============
+
+The ``diffpy.labpdfproc.tools`` module provides functions to
+manage user inputs, output directories, and diffraction information.
+These functions work mostly with an ``argparse.Namespace`` object and help prepare data for diffraction processing.
+
+- ``set_mud()``: This function determines the mu*D value used to compute absorption correction.
+  Users can either provide mu*D directly, upload a z-scan file,
+  or specify relevant chemical information to get a theoretical estimation.
+
+- ``set_input_lists()``: This function parses all specified input files.
+  Users can provide a list of files or directories via command-line arguments or GUI selection.
+  You can also specify a ``file_list.txt`` that contains file paths (one per line),
+  including paths to entire directories.
+  Wildcard patterns are also supported for matching multiple files.
+
+- ``set_output_directory()``: This function ensures that an output directory is defined and exists.
+  If it is not explicitly provided, it defaults to the current working directory.
+  This directory is used to store all cve and corrected output files.
+
+- ``load_wavelength_from_config_file()`` and ``set_wavelength()``:
+  These two functions work together to determine the wavelength for processing.
+  ``load_wavelength_from_config_file()`` reads the default wavelength or anode type
+  from user input or a diffpy configuration file, and ``set_wavelength()`` finalizes the wavelength value.
+  It is recommended to store the wavelength information in a diffpy configuration file
+  to avoid re-entering it every time.
+
+- ``set_xtype()``: This function sets the x-axis variable for intensity interpolation (e.g. two-theta, q, d-spacing)
+  and should be the same of the input diffraction data. The default is two-theta.
+
+- ``load_user_metadata()``: This function loads experimental metadata
+  or any user-defined key-value pairs to be recorded in the output files.
+
+- ``load_user_info()``: This function loads user identification (name, email, orcid).
+  Users can provide the information directly through arguments or store it in a diffpy configuration file.
+  If no information is found, the function will prompt the user to create a configuration file,
+  which is then saved for use in output metadata and future uses.
+
+- ``load_package_info()``: This functions stores the package name and version for record-keeping.
+
+- ``preprocessing_args()``: This is a convenience function that runs all standard setup steps listed above.
+  It ensures the input/output paths, wavelength, mu*D value, metadata, and user and package info are
+  fully initialized before applying the correction.
+
+- ``load_metadata()``: This function transfers all collected information from the ``argparse.Namespace`` object
+  into a diffraction object, allowing it to be saved in the output file header for tracking purpose.
+
+For a more in-depth tutorial for how to use these tools, click :ref:`here <Tools Example>`.

doc/source/utilities/utilities.rst

@@ -11,3 +11,4 @@ Check the :ref:`examples<Examples>` provided for how to use these.
    :depth: 2
 
 .. include:: functions_utility.rst
+.. include:: tools_utility.rst

news/tools-doc.rst

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+**Added:**
+
+* Utility and example documentation for ``tools`` module.
+
+**Changed:**
+
+* Readme: muD now requires the ``--mud`` flag instead of a required argument.
+
+**Deprecated:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Removed:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Fixed:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Security:**
+
+* <news item>

src/diffpy/labpdfproc/tools.py

@@ -457,13 +457,13 @@ def preprocessing_args(args):
         The updated argparse Namespace with arguments preprocessed.
     """
     args = set_mud(args)
-    args = load_package_info(args)
-    args = load_user_info(args)
     args = set_input_lists(args)
     args = set_output_directory(args)
     args = set_wavelength(args)
     args = set_xtype(args)
     args = load_user_metadata(args)
+    args = load_user_info(args)
+    args = load_package_info(args)
     return args