File

A file type argument has a string value that points to a file or folder path.

Example:

arguments:
  - name: --input_csv
    type: file
    must_exist: true
    description: CSV file to read contents from
    alternatives: ["-i"]

alternatives

Type: String / List of String

List of alternative format variations for this argument.

create_parent

Type: Boolean

If the output filename is a path and it does not exist, create it before executing the script (only for direction: output).

Example:

- name: --my_file
  type: file
  direction: output
  create_parent: true

default

Type: Path / List of Path

The default value when no argument value is provided. This will not work if the required property is enabled.

Example:

- name: --my_file
  type: file
  default: data.csv

description

Type: String

A description of the argument. This will be displayed with --help.

direction

Type: Direction

Makes this argument an input or an output, as in does the file/folder needs to be read or written. input by default.

Example:

- name: --my_output_file
  type: file
  direction: output

example

Type: Path / List of Path

An example value for this argument. If no default property was specified, this will be used for that purpose.

Example:

- name: --my_file
  type: file
  example: data.csv

info

Type: Json

Structured information. Can be any shape: a string, vector, map or even nested map.

Example:

info:
  category: cat1
  labels: [one, two, three]

multiple

Type: Boolean

Treat the argument value as an array. Arrays can be passed using the delimiter --foo=1:2:3 or by providing the same argument multiple times --foo 1 --foo 2. You can use a custom delimiter by using the multiple_sep property. false by default.

Examples:

- name: --my_files
  type: file
  multiple: true

Here’s an example of how to use this:

my_component --my_files=firstFile.csv:anotherFile.csv:yetAnother.csv

multiple_sep

Type: String

The delimiter character for providing multiple values. : by default.

Examples:

- name: --my_files
  type: file
  multiple: true
  multiple_sep: ","

Here’s an example of how to use this:

my_component --my_files=firstFile.csv,anotherFile.csv,yetAnother.csv

must_exist

Type: Boolean

Checks whether the file or folder exists. For input files, this check will happen before the execution of the script, while for output files the check will happen afterwards.

Example:

- name: --my_file
  type: file
  must_exist: true

name

Type: String

The name of the argument. Can be in the formats --foo, -f or foo. The number of dashes determines how values can be passed:

• --foo is a long option, which can be passed with executable_name --foo=value or executable_name --foo value
• -f is a short option, which can be passed with executable_name -f value
• foo is an argument, which can be passed with executable_name value

required

Type: Boolean

Make the value for this argument required. If set to true, an error will be produced if no value was provided. false by default.

Example:

- name: --my_file
  type: file
  required: true

type

Type: String

Specifies the type of the argument.