Add CLI Option For Custom Grid Dash Pattern

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Introduction

The current implementation of the CLI for generating SVG plots uses a hardcoded grid dash pattern of '4' for both vertical and horizontal grid lines. This limitation restricts users from customizing the appearance of their plots further. To address this issue, we propose introducing a new CLI option, --grid-dasharray, which allows users to specify a custom dash pattern for grid lines. In this article, we will outline the necessary changes to the source file, test file, and README file to implement this new feature.

Changes Required

1. Update the Source File (src/lib/main.js)

To implement the new CLI option, we need to parse the --grid-dasharray argument and store its value in a variable. We will then replace the hardcoded stroke-dasharray value '4' with the value provided via --grid-dasharray in the SVG generation section for grid lines. If this option is not provided, we will default to '4'.

// src/lib/main.js
const { parseArgs } = require('minimist');
const args = parseArgs(process.argv.slice(2));

const gridDashArray = args['grid-dasharray'] || '4';

// SVG generation section for grid lines
const gridLines = {
  vertical: {
    strokeDasharray: gridDashArray,
  },
  horizontal: {
    strokeDasharray: gridDashArray,
  },
};

2. Update the Test File (tests/unit/main.test.js)

We need to add a new test case for background and grid customization where the CLI is invoked with the new --grid-dasharray option. We will verify that the generated SVG content includes the specified grid dash pattern in the stroke-dasharray attribute for both vertical and horizontal grid lines.

// tests/unit/main.test.js
describe('background and grid customization', () => {
  it('should generate SVG with custom grid dash pattern', () => {
    const args = ['--grid-dasharray', '2,2'];
    const svg = generateSVG(args);
    expect(svg).toContain('stroke-dasharray: 2,2');
  });
});

3. Update the README File (README.md)

We need to document the new --grid-dasharray CLI option, explaining that it allows users to set a custom dash pattern for grid lines, with a default value of '4' if not provided.

# README

## CLI Options

* `--grid-dasharray`: Set a custom dash pattern for grid lines (default: '4')

Verification

After making these changes, we need to verify them by running the tests (npm test) and checking that all tests pass, ensuring the CLI correctly uses the new option to customize grid dash patterns in the generated SVG plots.

Conclusion

In this article, we outlined the necessary changes to the source file, test file, and README file to implement the new --grid-dasharray CLI option for customizing grid dash patterns in the generated SVG plots. By following these changes, users can now customize the appearance of their plots further, making the CLI more flexible and user-friendly.

Future Work

In the future, we can consider adding more CLI options to customize the appearance of the generated SVG plots, such as customizing the background color, font size, and more. This will further enhance the flexibility and user-friendliness of the CLI.

Commit Message

Here is an example of a commit message that summarizes the changes made:

Add CLI option for custom grid dash pattern

API Documentation

Here is an example of API documentation for the new --grid-dasharray CLI option:

--grid-dasharray <dash-pattern>

  • Set a custom dash pattern for grid lines (default: '4')
  • Example: --grid-dasharray 2,2

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues while implementing the new CLI option, here are some troubleshooting tips:

  • Make sure to update the source file, test file, and README file correctly.
  • Verify that the CLI is correctly parsing the --grid-dasharray argument.
  • Check that the generated SVG content includes the specified grid dash pattern in the stroke-dasharray attribute for both vertical and horizontal grid lines.
    Q&A: Add CLI Option for Custom Grid Dash Pattern =====================================================

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the purpose of the new CLI option --grid-dasharray?

A: The new CLI option --grid-dasharray allows users to specify a custom dash pattern for grid lines in the generated SVG plots. This provides more flexibility and customization options for users.

Q: How do I use the new CLI option --grid-dasharray?

A: To use the new CLI option --grid-dasharray, simply add the option followed by the desired dash pattern to your CLI command. For example: --grid-dasharray 2,2.

Q: What is the default value of the --grid-dasharray option?

A: The default value of the --grid-dasharray option is '4', which is the current hardcoded grid dash pattern used by the CLI.

Q: Can I customize the appearance of the generated SVG plots further?

A: Yes, the new CLI option --grid-dasharray is just one of the customization options available. We plan to add more CLI options in the future to further enhance the flexibility and user-friendliness of the CLI.

Q: How do I verify that the new CLI option is working correctly?

A: To verify that the new CLI option is working correctly, simply run the tests (npm test) and check that all tests pass. You can also manually inspect the generated SVG content to ensure that the specified grid dash pattern is included in the stroke-dasharray attribute for both vertical and horizontal grid lines.

Q: What if I encounter issues while implementing the new CLI option?

A: If you encounter any issues while implementing the new CLI option, please refer to the troubleshooting tips provided in the API documentation. If the issue persists, feel free to reach out to us for further assistance.

Q: Can I contribute to the development of the CLI?

A: Yes, we welcome contributions from the community! If you have any suggestions or ideas for new CLI options or features, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We are always looking for ways to improve and enhance the CLI.

Q: How do I get started with using the new CLI option?

A: To get started with using the new CLI option, simply update your CLI command to include the --grid-dasharray option followed by the desired dash pattern. For example: --grid-dasharray 2,2.

API Documentation

Here is an example of API documentation for the new --grid-dasharray CLI option:

--grid-dasharray <dash-pattern>

  • Set a custom dash pattern for grid lines (default: '4')
  • Example: --grid-dasharray 2,2

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues while implementing the new CLI option, here are some troubleshooting tips:

  • Make sure to update the source file, test file, and README file correctly.
  • Verify that the CLI is correctly parsing the --grid-dasharray argument.
  • Check that the generated SVG content includes the specified grid dash pattern in the stroke-dasharray attribute for both vertical and horizontal grid lines.

Commit Message

Here is an example of a commit that summarizes the changes made:

Add CLI option for custom grid dash pattern

API Documentation

Here is an example of API documentation for the new --grid-dasharray CLI option:

--grid-dasharray <dash-pattern>

  • Set a custom dash pattern for grid lines (default: '4')
  • Example: --grid-dasharray 2,2

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues while implementing the new CLI option, here are some troubleshooting tips:

  • Make sure to update the source file, test file, and README file correctly.
  • Verify that the CLI is correctly parsing the --grid-dasharray argument.
  • Check that the generated SVG content includes the specified grid dash pattern in the stroke-dasharray attribute for both vertical and horizontal grid lines.