Dividing Lines

Dividing lines in Argenta are used for visual structuring of output and separating information blocks from each other. The library offers two types of lines: static and dynamic.

StaticDividingLine

StaticDividingLine creates a dividing line of fixed length. This type of line is useful for creating a predictable and unified interface.

1   def __init__(self, unit_part: str = "-", *,
2                length: int = 25) -> None

Creates a static dividing line instance.

  • unit_part: Character for building the line (only the first character is considered). Defaults to: -.

  • length: Fixed line length. Defaults to: 25.

DynamicDividingLine

DynamicDividingLine creates a line whose length dynamically adjusts to the longest line in the command output. This requires capturing stdout, resulting in dividers that perfectly frame the output content.

1 __init__(self, unit_part: str = "-") -> None

Creates a dynamic dividing line instance.

  • unit_part: Character for building the line. Defaults to: -.

Length is calculated automatically and is not set during initialization.

Warning

Be sure to read about the nuances of using dynamic lines and capturing stdout in this section.

Purpose and Usage

The choice between static and dynamic lines depends on your needs.

  • StaticDividingLine is ideal if:

    • You need a strict and consistent design.

    • You are using routers with disabled stdout capture (disable_redirect_stdout=True), where dynamic length calculation is not possible.

  • DynamicDividingLine (default behavior) is the preferred choice if:

    • You want the interface to be adaptive.

    • Your command output has varying lengths.

    • Your handlers do not have interactive input operations (e.g., input()).

The divider type for the entire application is set during App initialization via the dividing_line parameter.