"""base class for all params"""
import pprint


class Params(object):
    def __init__(self, *args):
        self._api = None
        self._params = args

    def param(self, name):
        """getter for the param by name"""
        for param in self._params:
            if param.name == name:
                return param
        raise ValueError("No param with name %s\n" % name)

    def __str__(self):
        """string representation"""
        return pprint.pformat(self.as_dict())

    def randomize(self):
        """assign random values to all params, taking into account weight"""
        for param in self._params:
            param.randomize()

    @property
    def api(self):
        """property setter for im api"""
        return self._api

    @api.setter
    def api(self, cls):
        """property getter for im api"""
        self._api = cls

    def execute(self):
        """calls the associated api"""
        return self.api.call(self)

    def as_dict(self):
        """displays the params names and values in dictionary form"""
        return [param.as_dict() for param in self._params]

    def from_dict(self, params_dict):
        """set param values manually from a dictionary"""
        for param in self._params:
            if param.name in params_dict.keys():
                param.value_set(params_dict[param.name])