latqcdtools.base.utilities
=============

```Python
_alphanum_key(key):
'''
Splits the string `key` at any point where there is one or more consecutive digits. 
The regular expression `([0-9]+)` is used to match one or more digits. The parentheses `()` 
capture the matched digits as separate elements. For example, if `key` were 
`'abc123def456ghi'`, the resulting list would be `['abc', '123', 'def', '456', 'ghi']`. 
'''
```
```Python
_convert(text):
'''
'''
```
```Python
_getPrefix(byteString):
'''
'''
```
```Python
appendToDocstring(string=None, args=None, returns=None):
'''
'''
```
```Python
byteConvert(x, b1, b2):
'''
Convert between bytes given scientific prefixes.

Args:
    x (float): Bytes in original units. 
    b1 (str): Original units. 
    b2 (str): Target units.

Returns:
    float: Bytes in target units. 
'''
```
```Python
cleanOutput(*args, label=None) -> str:
'''
This method takes a bunch of args and formats them automatically for output. The idea is
that you can use this method to ensure that columns are well lined up.

Args:
    *args: The numbers you want to output, separated by commas. 
    label (str, optional): Put label to the left of your output. Defaults to None.

Returns:
    str: formatted output string 
'''
```
```Python
comesBefore(date1, date2, format='%Y/%m/%d %H:%M:%S', beforeOrEqual=False) -> bool:
'''
Check whether date1 comes before date2.

Args:
    date1 (str)
    date2 (str)
    format (str): format for date strings. Defaults to "%Y/%m/%d %H:%M:%S"
    beforeOrEqual (bool): also return True if date1 == date2
    
Returns:
    bool: date1 < date2 
'''
```
```Python
createFilePath(fullFileName):
'''
Create the directory path if it isn't there already. 
'''
```
```Python
deleteFile(target):
'''
Delete the file at target, if it exists. 
'''
```
```Python
deleteFolder(target):
'''
Delete the folder at target, if it exists. 
'''
```
```Python
elapsedSeconds(date1, date2, format='%Y/%m/%d %H:%M:%S') -> float:
'''
Compute elapsed time in seconds between date1 and date2. 

Args:
    date1 (str)
    date2 (str)
    format (str): format for date strings. Defaults to "%Y/%m/%d %H:%M:%S"
    
Returns:
    float: elapsed time in seconds 
'''
```
```Python
envector(*args):
'''
Change obj to a numpy array if it's a scalar. Sometimes required when, e.g., using np.vectorize. 
'''
```
```Python
find_nearest_idx(array, value) -> int:
'''
Find the index of the element of array nearest to value. 
'''
```
```Python
getArgs(parser):
'''
Get arguments from the ArgumentParser. Complain if you don't get exactly the correct arguments. 
'''
```
```Python
isArrayLike(obj) -> bool:
'''
Figure out whether obj is indexable.

Args:
    obj (python object)

Returns:
    bool: True if there is at least one index, false otherwise. 
'''
```
```Python
isComplexType(obj) -> bool:
'''
'''
```
```Python
isFloatType(obj) -> bool:
'''
'''
```
```Python
isHigherDimensional(obj) -> bool:
'''
Figure out whether obj has at least two indices.

Args:
    obj (array-like)

Returns:
    bool: True if there are at least two indices, false otherwise. 
'''
```
```Python
isIntType(obj) -> bool:
'''
'''
```
```Python
isScalar(obj) -> bool:
'''
'''
```
```Python
naturalSort(l) -> list:
'''
Sort list of strings so that, e.g. '10' comes after '9' rather than before it.
'''
```
```Python
printArg(message, param):
'''
Some arguments are None by default, and you only want to print them if they are set. 
'''
```
```Python
printClean(*args, label=None):
'''
Wrapper for cleanOutput that prints to screen.

Args:
    *args: The numbers you want to output, separated by commas. 
    label (str, optional): Put label to the left of your output. Defaults to None.
'''
```
```Python
printDict(dic, level=0):
'''
Prints key, value pairs line by line. 
'''
```
```Python
shell(*args):
'''
Carry out the passed arguments args in the shell. Can be passed as a single
string or as a list. Captures and returns output of shell command. E.g.
    shell('ls -lah')
'''
```
```Python
shellVerbose(*args):
'''
Same as shell, but instead of capturing output, print it to screen. 
'''
```
```Python
substringBetween(string, a, b) -> str:
'''
Find the substring of string between a and b. If a==b, it looks between the
first and second occurences of a. 

Args:
    string (str)
    a (str): starting delimiter 
    b (str): ending delimiter

Returns:
    str: substring
'''
```
```Python
toNumpy(*args, **kwargs):
'''
'''
```
```Python
unvector(obj):
'''
Remove outermost brackets of array-like object with single element, if possible. This is needed
because sometimes different numpy methods give inconsistent outputs, like turning a scalar
into a zero-dimensional array, a 1-dimensional array, or just the scalar itself.

Args:
    obj (python object)

Returns:
    obj, obj[0], or obj.item() depending on obj

'''
```
```Python
class timer():
'''
A class to facilitate doing rudimentary timings in the Toolbox. 
'''
```