From 56ed68dff0cbad6f7891f7ebc124a98053b5f08d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "steven.bethard" <devnull@localhost>
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2009 16:59:39 +0000
Subject: Document print_help() and friends.

---
 doc/api-docs.html            |  1 +
 doc/other-methods.html       | 26 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 doc/searchindex.js           |  2 +-
 doc/source/other-methods.rst | 25 +++++++++++++++++++++++++
 4 files changed, 53 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/doc/api-docs.html b/doc/api-docs.html
index 8b62f39..bf62dec 100644
--- a/doc/api-docs.html
+++ b/doc/api-docs.html
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@
 </ul>
 </li>
 <li class="toctree-l1"><a class="reference external" href="other-methods.html">Other methods</a><ul>
+<li class="toctree-l2"><a class="reference external" href="other-methods.html#printing-help">Printing help</a></li>
 <li class="toctree-l2"><a class="reference external" href="other-methods.html#parser-defaults">Parser defaults</a></li>
 <li class="toctree-l2"><a class="reference external" href="other-methods.html#sub-commands">Sub-commands</a></li>
 <li class="toctree-l2"><a class="reference external" href="other-methods.html#argument-groups">Argument groups</a></li>
diff --git a/doc/other-methods.html b/doc/other-methods.html
index dd9397d..723d36e 100644
--- a/doc/other-methods.html
+++ b/doc/other-methods.html
@@ -49,6 +49,31 @@
             
   <div class="section" id="other-methods">
 <h1>Other methods<a class="headerlink" href="#other-methods" title="Permalink to this headline">¶</a></h1>
+<div class="section" id="printing-help">
+<h2>Printing help<a class="headerlink" href="#printing-help" title="Permalink to this headline">¶</a></h2>
+<p>In most typical applications, <a title="parse_args" class="reference external" href="parse_args.html#parse_args"><tt class="xref docutils literal"><span class="pre">parse_args()</span></tt></a> will take care of formatting and printing any usage or error messages. However, should you want to format or print these on your own, several methods are available:</p>
+<dl class="method">
+<dt>
+<tt class="descname">print_usage([file]):</tt></dt>
+<dd>Print a brief description of how the <a title="ArgumentParser" class="reference external" href="ArgumentParser.html#ArgumentParser"><tt class="xref docutils literal"><span class="pre">ArgumentParser</span></tt></a> should be invoked on the command line.  If <tt class="docutils literal"><span class="pre">file</span></tt> is not present, <tt class="docutils literal"><span class="pre">sys.stderr</span></tt> is assumed.</dd></dl>
+
+<dl class="method">
+<dt>
+<tt class="descname">print_help([file]):</tt></dt>
+<dd>Print a help message, including the program usage and information about the arguments registered with the <a title="ArgumentParser" class="reference external" href="ArgumentParser.html#ArgumentParser"><tt class="xref docutils literal"><span class="pre">ArgumentParser</span></tt></a>. If <tt class="docutils literal"><span class="pre">file</span></tt> is not present, <tt class="docutils literal"><span class="pre">sys.stderr</span></tt> is assumed.</dd></dl>
+
+<p>There are also variants of these methods that simply return a string instead of printing it:</p>
+<dl class="method">
+<dt>
+<tt class="descname">format_usage():</tt></dt>
+<dd>Return a string containing a brief description of how the <a title="ArgumentParser" class="reference external" href="ArgumentParser.html#ArgumentParser"><tt class="xref docutils literal"><span class="pre">ArgumentParser</span></tt></a> should be invoked on the command line.</dd></dl>
+
+<dl class="method">
+<dt>
+<tt class="descname">format_help():</tt></dt>
+<dd>Return a string containing a help message, including the program usage and information about the arguments registered with the <a title="ArgumentParser" class="reference external" href="ArgumentParser.html#ArgumentParser"><tt class="xref docutils literal"><span class="pre">ArgumentParser</span></tt></a>.</dd></dl>
+
+</div>
 <div class="section" id="parser-defaults">
 <h2>Parser defaults<a class="headerlink" href="#parser-defaults" title="Permalink to this headline">¶</a></h2>
 <dl class="method">
@@ -266,6 +291,7 @@
             <h3><a href="index.html">Table Of Contents</a></h3>
             <ul>
 <li><a class="reference external" href="">Other methods</a><ul>
+<li><a class="reference external" href="#printing-help">Printing help</a></li>
 <li><a class="reference external" href="#parser-defaults">Parser defaults</a></li>
 <li><a class="reference external" href="#sub-commands">Sub-commands</a></li>
 <li><a class="reference external" href="#argument-groups">Argument groups</a></li>
diff --git a/doc/searchindex.js b/doc/searchindex.js
index 926a85a..e7e3c3d 100644
--- a/doc/searchindex.js
+++ b/doc/searchindex.js
@@ -1 +1 @@
-Search.setIndex({desctypes:{"0":"method","1":"class"},terms:{all:[6,3,7,5,2],code:[0,7,6],partial:7,messg:7,whatev:2,illustr:[7,5],global:6,four:5,prefix:[1,6,5],follow:[0,7,5,6,3],concaten:1,formatter_class:[8,6],whose:[5,6],typeerror:5,"const":[8,3,7,1,5],readabl:4,prefix_char:[8,7,6],program:[6,0,5,2,3],those:[7,1],sens:5,worth:5,consum:[7,5],everi:3,string:[3,7,1,6,5],fals:[6,7,5,2],subcommand:7,util:[8,0,4],prog:[1,2,5,6,7,8],default_:6,exact:7,implement:5,level:2,list:[1,2,3,5,6,7],"try":[7,6],item:5,adjust:6,readi:3,pleas:6,subparser_nam:2,bacon:1,dogmat:7,past:7,zero:[7,5],fyoyo:7,group1:2,pass:[4,7,1,6,5],append:5,compat:7,what:[3,7,1,6,5],abc:[7,5],sub:[8,7,2],neg:1,section:[6,7,5,2],advanc:7,brief:[5,6],current:2,abbrevi:[8,1],version:[8,6],"new":[7,1,6,5],method:[0,1,2,3,5,6,7,8],told:5,deriv:[7,5],gener:[0,7,5,6,3],never:7,here:[7,1],let:2,inher:1,path:7,along:1,standard:7,modifi:2,sinc:7,interpret:5,convert:[3,4,7,1,5],convers:5,pick:1,action:[1,2,3,5,6,7,8],weird:6,commonli:5,regardless:6,extra:1,appli:5,modul:[0,7,5,3],prefer:7,"while":[7,1,5],filenam:5,api:[8,0,7,5],txt:[0,5],select:[5,2],add_argument_group:2,from:[1,2,3,5,6,7],describ:[6,5,2],would:[7,5],frobbl:[5,2],two:[3,1,6,5],few:[7,5],call:[0,1,2,3,5,6,7],add_help:[8,7,6,2],recommend:2,taken:[7,1,5],care:7,type:[0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8],tell:[3,1],more:[0,1,3,5,6,7],sort:[3,5,6],parser_a:2,parser_b:2,line:[0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7],notic:[7,1],warn:5,flag:[8,7,5],indic:[6,5,2],particular:[7,5,2],known:7,hold:[3,5],easiest:[7,5,2],must:[1,5],dictat:7,none:[4,7,1,6,5],word:6,work:[6,2],conceptu:2,remain:[3,7,5],kwarg:[7,2],can:[0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7],def:[7,5,2],overrid:[7,6,2],omit:5,prompt:1,puriti:7,give:[1,6],frabbl:3,share:[7,6],add_argu:[0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8],accept:[7,5,2],cautiou:1,want:[3,7,5,6],alwai:[6,5,2],multipl:[7,5,2],turn:3,rather:[1,6],anoth:[5,6],check_method:7,fooaction:[7,5],write:[0,7,3],how:[3,1,6,5],"__init__":7,instead:[7,5],narg:[0,1,3,5,6,7,8],simpl:[0,7,5,3],updat:2,parser_abc:7,foo_pars:[7,6],overridden:6,mess:6,max:[3,1],after:[6,7,1,2,5],befor:[5,6],wrong:1,okai:6,mai:[6,7,1,2,5],end:[7,5,2],associ:[5,2],xfoox:7,"0x013a2410":5,"short":[1,6,5],store_tru:[3,7,1,2,5],practic:7,read:5,stdin:[4,5],explicit:5,correspond:[3,7],ambigu:1,caus:6,inform:[3,7],type_:[],maintain:[7,6],combin:[1,2],allow:[6,7,1,2,5],callabl:[7,5],origin:7,least:[5,2],help:[0,1,2,3,5,6,7,8],over:7,becaus:6,through:7,sqrt:5,hierarchi:7,metavar_:[],still:5,subparser2:2,subparser1:2,paramet:[7,5,6],style:1,interspers:7,group:[8,2],fit:6,better:[7,2],main:2,easier:1,them:[0,5,1,6,3],good:2,"return":[3,7,1,2,5],thei:[7,1,6,5],python:[0,7,6,2],initi:[3,5],option_str:[7,5],now:[3,7],discuss:7,introduct:[0,3],choic:[1,2,3,5,7,8],allow_interspersed_arg:7,optionerror:7,name:[1,2,3,5,6,7,8],anyth:[7,5],choices_:[],separ:[1,2],easili:7,achiev:[1,6],mode:[4,7,5],each:[6,3,7,5,2],fulli:2,complet:2,mean:[3,7,5],myprogram:6,replac:7,idea:2,heavi:1,expect:[3,1,5],our:3,happen:7,beyond:[8,1],metavar:[0,1,3,5,7,8],special:[5,2],out:[0,4,5,3],variabl:7,accomplish:[1,6],space:6,foo_bar:5,newli:1,parser_xyz:7,perfect_squar:5,print:[1,2,3,5,6,7],factori:[4,5],math:5,bac:1,optionvalueerror:7,worthwhil:7,situat:[1,5],given:6,argv:[8,3,1,6],infil:[4,5],mmm:1,reason:7,base:7,dictionari:7,rawtexthelpformatt:6,indent:6,could:[1,5],traceback:6,refus:7,thing:5,isn:[7,5],retain:6,const_:[],assign:1,first:5,oper:5,rang:[3,1],directli:5,carri:3,onc:3,number:[6,7,1,2,5],restrict:5,instruct:3,alreadi:[7,1,6],construct:[7,6],wasn:5,open:[4,7,5],size:4,differ:[7,5,2],script:3,top:2,sometim:[6,1,2],messag:[0,1,2,5,6,7],too:5,similarli:2,gather:5,conveni:[7,5],"final":[],store:[3,5],monkei:7,option:[0,1,2,3,5,6,7,8],namespac:[1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8],copi:7,specifi:[0,1,2,3,5,6,7],pars:[0,1,2,3,5,7],attempt:[7,1],exactli:[3,1,6],than:[6,7,1,2,5],wide:6,kind:2,setattr:[7,5],whenev:[1,5],provid:[0,7,1,2,5],remov:6,charact:[7,1,6,5],str:5,were:5,posit:[0,1,2,3,5,6,7],seri:[3,5],sai:7,behavior:[3,5,6],"0x013a2380":4,group2:2,argument:[0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8],dash:7,add_pars:[7,2],manner:[3,7],have:[4,7,1,6,5],"__main__":[0,3],need:[6,7,5,2],seem:7,probabl:5,built:[3,1],callback:7,self:[7,5],append_const:5,also:[6,1,2,5],builtin:5,without:2,take:[1,2,3,5,6,7],which:[6,7,1,2,5],singl:[1,2,3,5,6,7],uppercas:5,begin:[3,1],sure:[7,5,2],though:5,buffer:4,previou:[7,1],most:[6,3,7,5,2],regular:2,pair:[7,6],choos:[7,5],"class":[4,7,1,6,5],don:[7,1,5],later:3,request:[4,5,2],doe:[7,5,6],declar:7,determin:[1,2,3,5,6,7],occasion:6,sum:[0,1,3],"0x00b8fb18":5,parser_bar:2,show:[6,0,7,5,2],text:6,filetyp:[8,0,4,5],syntax:[8,7,1],particularli:[7,2],hack:7,find:[3,1,2],onli:[6,7,1,2,5],execut:2,pretti:3,"true":[1,2,3,5,6,7],parser_foo:2,written:0,should:[0,2,3,5,6,7],store_const:[3,7,1,5],wood:1,dict:5,"__call__":[7,5],add_opt:7,variou:[5,6],get:[3,7,1,6],likewis:6,report:5,requir:[8,7,1,2,5],bar:[1,2,3,5,6,7],keyword:[1,2,3,5,6,7],baz:[7,5,2],dramat:7,patch:7,store_fals:[5,2],"default":[0,1,2,3,5,6,7,8],bad:[1,5],calcul:6,common: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\ No newline at end of file
+Search.setIndex({desctypes:{"0":"method","1":"class"},terms:{all:[6,3,7,5,2],code:[0,7,6],partial:7,messg:7,whatev:2,illustr:[7,5],global:6,four:5,prefix:[1,6,5],follow:[0,7,5,6,3],concaten:1,formatter_class:[8,6],whose:[5,6],typeerror:5,"const":[8,3,7,1,5],readabl:4,prefix_char:[8,7,6],program:[6,0,5,2,3],those:[7,1],sens:5,worth:5,consum:[7,5],everi:3,string:[1,2,3,5,6,7],fals:[6,7,5,2],subcommand:7,util:[8,0,4],prog:[1,2,5,6,7,8],default_:6,exact:7,implement:5,level:2,list:[1,2,3,5,6,7],"try":[7,6],item:5,adjust:6,stderr:2,pleas:6,subparser_nam:2,bacon:1,dogmat:7,past:7,zero:[7,5],fyoyo:7,group1:2,pass:[4,7,1,6,5],append:5,compat:7,what:[3,7,1,6,5],abc:[7,5],sub:[8,7,2],neg:1,section:[6,7,5,2],advanc:7,brief:[6,5,2],current:2,abbrevi:[8,1],version:[8,6],"new":[7,1,6,5],method:[0,1,2,3,5,6,7,8],told:5,deriv:[7,5],gener:[0,7,5,6,3],never:7,here:[7,1],let:2,inher:1,path:7,along:1,standard:7,modifi:2,sinc:7,interpret:5,convert:[3,4,7,1,5],convers:5,later:3,pick:1,action:[1,2,3,5,6,7,8],weird:6,almost:[5,6],commonli:5,regardless:6,extra:1,appli:5,modul:[0,7,5,3],prefer:7,"while":[7,1,5],filenam:5,api:[8,0,7,5],txt:[0,5],select:[5,2],add_argument_group:2,from:[1,2,3,5,6,7],describ:[6,5,2],would:[7,5],frobbl:[5,2],regist:2,two:[3,1,6,5],few:[7,5],call:[0,1,2,3,5,6,7],add_help:[8,7,6,2],recommend:2,taken:[7,1,5],care:[7,2],type:[0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8],tell:[3,1],more:[0,1,3,5,6,7],sort:[3,5,6],parser_a:2,parser_b:2,line:[0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7],notic:[7,1],warn:5,flag:[8,7,5],indic:[6,5,2],particular:[7,5,2],known:7,hold:[3,5],easiest:[7,5,2],must:[1,5],dictat:7,none:[4,7,1,6,5],word:6,work:[6,2],conceptu:2,remain:[3,7,5],kwarg:[7,2],can:[0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7],def:[7,5,2],overrid:[7,6,2],omit:5,prompt:1,puriti:7,give:[1,6],frabbl:3,share:[7,6],add_argu:[0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8],accept:[7,5,2],cautiou:1,want:[6,3,7,5,2],alwai:[6,5,2],multipl:[7,5,2],turn:3,rather:[1,6],anoth:[5,6],check_method:7,fooaction:[7,5],write:[0,7,3],how:[6,3,1,2,5],"__init__":7,instead:[7,5,2],narg:[0,1,3,5,6,7,8],simpl:[0,7,5,3],updat:2,parser_abc:7,foo_pars:[7,6],overridden:6,mess:6,max:[3,1],after:[6,7,1,2,5],variant:2,befor:[5,6],wrong:1,okai:6,mai:[6,7,1,2,5],end:[7,5,2],associ:[5,2],xfoox:7,"0x013a2410":5,"short":[1,6,5],store_tru:[3,7,1,2,5],practic:7,read:5,stdin:[4,5],explicit:5,correspond:[3,7],ambigu:1,caus:6,inform:[3,7,2],type_:[],maintain:[7,6],combin:[1,2],allow:[6,7,1,2,5],callabl:[7,5],origin:7,least:[5,2],help:[0,1,2,3,5,6,7,8],over:7,becaus:6,through:7,sqrt:5,hierarchi:7,metavar_:[],still:5,subparser2:2,subparser1:2,paramet:[7,5,6],style:1,interspers:7,group:[8,2],fit:6,better:[7,2],main:2,easier:1,them:[0,5,1,6,3],good:2,"return":[3,7,1,2,5],thei:[7,1,6,5],python:[0,7,6,2],initi:[3,5],option_str:[7,5],now:[3,7],discuss:7,introduct:[0,3],choic:[1,2,3,5,7,8],allow_interspersed_arg:7,optionerror:7,name:[1,2,3,5,6,7,8],anyth:[7,5],choices_:[],separ:[1,2],easili:7,achiev:[1,6],mode:[4,7,5],each:[6,3,7,5,2],fulli:2,complet:2,mean:[3,7,5],myprogram:6,replac:7,idea:2,heavi:1,expect:[3,1,5],our:3,happen:7,beyond:[8,1],metavar:[0,1,3,5,7,8],special:[5,2],out:[0,4,5,3],variabl:7,accomplish:[1,6],space:6,foo_bar:5,newli:1,parser_xyz:7,perfect_squar:5,print:[1,2,3,5,6,7,8],factori:[4,5],math:5,bac:1,optionvalueerror:7,worthwhil:7,situat:[1,5],given:6,argv:[8,3,1,6],infil:[4,5],mmm:1,reason:7,base:7,dictionari:7,rawtexthelpformatt:6,indent:6,could:[1,5],traceback:6,refus:7,thing:5,isn:[7,5],retain:6,const_:[],assign:1,first:5,oper:5,rang:[3,1],directli:5,carri:3,onc:3,number:[6,7,1,2,5],restrict:5,instruct:3,alreadi:[7,1,6],construct:[7,6],wasn:5,open:[4,7,5],size:4,differ:[7,5,2],script:3,top:2,sometim:[6,1,2],messag:[0,1,2,5,6,7],too:5,similarli:2,conveni:[7,5],"final":[],store:[3,5],monkei:7,option:[0,1,2,3,5,6,7,8],namespac:[1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8],copi:7,specifi:[0,1,2,3,5,6,7],pars:[0,1,2,3,5,7],attempt:[7,1],exactli:[3,1,6],than:[6,7,1,2,5],format_usag:2,wide:6,kind:2,setattr:[7,5],whenev:[1,5],provid:[0,7,1,2,5],remov:6,charact:[7,1,6,5],str:5,were:5,posit:[0,1,2,3,5,6,7],seri:[3,5],sai:7,behavior:[3,5,6],"0x013a2380":4,group2:2,argument:[0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8],dash:7,add_pars:[7,2],manner:[3,7],have:[4,7,1,6,5],"__main__":[0,3],need:[6,7,5,2],seem:7,probabl:5,built:[3,1],callback:7,self:[7,5],append_const:5,also:[6,1,2,5],builtin:5,without:2,take:[1,2,3,5,6,7],which:[6,7,1,2,5],singl:[1,2,3,5,6,7],uppercas:5,begin:[3,1],sure:[7,5,2],though:5,buffer:4,previou:[7,1],most:[6,3,7,5,2],regular:2,pair:[7,6],choos:[7,5],"class":[4,7,1,6,5],don:[7,1,5],gather:5,request:[4,5,2],doe:[7,5,6],declar:7,determin:[1,2,3,5,6,7],occasion:6,sum:[0,1,3],"0x00b8fb18":5,parser_bar:2,show:[6,0,7,5,2],text:6,filetyp:[8,0,4,5],syntax:[8,7,1],particularli:[7,2],hack:7,find:[3,1,2],onli:[6,7,1,2,5],execut:2,pretti:3,"true":[1,2,3,5,6,7],parser_foo:2,written:0,should:[0,2,3,5,6,7],store_const:[3,7,1,5],wood:1,dict:5,"__call__":[7,5],add_opt:7,variou:[5,6],get:[3,7,1,6],likewis:6,report:5,requir:[8,7,1,2,5],bar:[1,2,3,5,6,7],keyword:[1,2,3,5,6,7],baz:[7,5,2],dramat:7,patch:7,store_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\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/doc/source/other-methods.rst b/doc/source/other-methods.rst
index cd86d8f..1003aa3 100644
--- a/doc/source/other-methods.rst
+++ b/doc/source/other-methods.rst
@@ -1,6 +1,31 @@
 Other methods
 =============
 
+Printing help
+-------------
+
+In most typical applications, :meth:`parse_args` will take care of formatting and printing any usage or error messages. However, should you want to format or print these on your own, several methods are available:
+
+.. method:: print_usage([file]):
+
+   Print a brief description of how the :class:`ArgumentParser` should be invoked on the command line.  If ``file`` is not present, ``sys.stderr`` is assumed.
+
+.. method:: print_help([file]):
+
+   Print a help message, including the program usage and information about the arguments registered with the :class:`ArgumentParser`. If ``file`` is not present, ``sys.stderr`` is assumed.
+   
+There are also variants of these methods that simply return a string instead of printing it:
+
+.. method:: format_usage():
+
+   Return a string containing a brief description of how the :class:`ArgumentParser` should be invoked on the command line.
+
+.. method:: format_help():
+
+   Return a string containing a help message, including the program usage and information about the arguments registered with the :class:`ArgumentParser`.
+   
+
+
 Parser defaults
 ---------------
 
-- 
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