extend config init to allow YAML string and key=value pairs

python/damask/_config.py

@@ -38,6 +38,15 @@ class NiceDumper(yaml.SafeDumper):
 class Config(dict):
     """YAML-based configuration."""
 
+    def __init__(self,yml=None,**kwargs):
+        """Initialize from YAML, dict, or key=value pairs."""
+        if isinstance(yml,str):
+            kwargs.update(yaml.safe_load(yml))
+        elif isinstance(yml,dict):
+            kwargs.update(yml)
+
+        super().__init__(**kwargs)
+
     def __repr__(self):
         """Show as in file."""
         output = StringIO()

python/damask/_configmaterial.py

@@ -17,18 +17,24 @@ class ConfigMaterial(Config):
 
     """
 
-    def __init__(self,d=None):
+    def __init__(self,d=None,**kwargs):
         """
         New material configuration.
 
         Parameters
         ----------
-        d : dictionary, optional
+        d : dictionary or YAML string, optional
             Initial content. Defaults to None, in which case empty entries for
-            material, homogenization, and phase are created.
+            any missing material, homogenization, and phase entry are created.
+        kwargs : key=value pairs, optional
+            Initial content specified as pairs of key=value.
 
         """
-        super().__init__({'material': [], 'homogenization': {}, 'phase': {}} if d is None else d)
+        if d is None:
+            for section,default in {'material':[],'homogenization':{},'phase':{}}.items():
+                if section not in kwargs: kwargs.update({section:default})
+
+        super().__init__(d,**kwargs)
 
 
     def save(self,fname='material.yaml',**kwargs):

python/tests/test_Config.py

@@ -59,3 +59,11 @@ class TestConfig:
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('data',[Rotation.from_random(),Orientation.from_random(lattice='cI')])
     def test_rotation_orientation(self,data):
         assert str(Config(a=data)) == str(Config(a=data.as_quaternion()))
+
+    def test_initialize(self):
+        yml = """
+        a:
+           - 1
+           - 2
+        """
+        assert Config(yml) == Config('{"a":[1,2]}') == Config(a=[1,2]) == Config(dict(a=[1,2]))