DD4hepSimulation.py

"""

DD4hep simulation with some argument parsing
Based on M. Frank and F. Gaede runSim.py
   @author  A.Sailer
   @version 0.1

"""
__RCSID__ = "$Id$"
from SystemOfUnits import *
import argparse
try:
  import argcomplete
  ARGCOMPLETEENABLED=True
except ImportError:
  ARGCOMPLETEENABLED=False

POSSIBLEINPUTFILES = (".stdhep", ".slcio", ".HEPEvt", ".hepevt", ".hepmc")

def outputLevel( level ):
  """return INT for outputlevel"""
  if isinstance(level, int):
    if level < 1 or 7 < level:
      raise KeyError
    return level
  outputlevels = { "VERBOSE": 1,
                   "DEBUG":   2,
                   "INFO":    3,
                   "WARNING": 4,
                   "ERROR":   5,
                   "FATAL":   6,
                   "ALWAYS":  7 }
  return outputlevels[level.upper()]


from DDSim.Helper.Gun import Gun
from DDSim.Helper.ParticleHandler import ParticleHandler
from DDSim.Helper.Output import Output
from DDSim.Helper.MagneticField import MagneticField
from DDSim.Helper.ConfigHelper import ConfigHelper
from DDSim.Helper.Action import Action
from DDSim.Helper.Random import Random
from DDSim.Helper.Filter import Filter

import os
import sys
import datetime

class DD4hepSimulation(object):
  """Class to hold all the parameters and functions to run simulation"""

  def __init__(self):
    self.steeringFile = None
    self.compactFile = ""
    self.inputFiles = []
    self.outputFile = "dummyOutput.slcio"
    self.runType = "batch"
    self.printLevel = 3

    self.numberOfEvents = 0
    self.skipNEvents = 0
    self.physicsList = "FTFP_BERT"
    self.crossingAngleBoost = 0.0
    self.macroFile = ''
    self.enableGun = False
    self.vertexSigma = [0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0]
    self.vertexOffset = [0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0]
    self.enableDetailedShowerMode = False

    self._errorMessages = []
    self._dumpParameter = False
    self._dumpSteeringFile = False

    ## objects for extended configuration option
    self.output = Output()
    self.random = Random()
    self.gun = Gun()
    self.part = ParticleHandler()
    self.field = MagneticField()
    self.action = Action()

    self.filter = Filter()

    ### use TCSH geant UI instead of QT
    os.environ['G4UI_USE_TCSH'] = "1"


  def readSteeringFile(self):
    """Reads a steering file and sets the parameters to that of the
    DD4hepSimulation object present in the steering file.
    """
    globs = {}
    locs  = {}
    if not self.steeringFile:
      return
    sFileTemp = self.steeringFile
    execfile(self.steeringFile, globs, locs)
    for _name, obj in locs.items():
      if isinstance(obj, DD4hepSimulation):
        self.__dict__ = obj.__dict__
    self.steeringFile = os.path.abspath(sFileTemp)

  def parseOptions(self):
    """parse the command line options"""
    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser("Running DD4hep Simulations:",
                                     formatter_class=argparse.RawTextHelpFormatter)

    parser.add_argument("--steeringFile", "-S", action="store", default=self.steeringFile,
                        help="Steering file to change default behaviour")

    #first we parse just the steering file, but only if we don't want to see the help message
    if not any( opt in sys.argv for opt in ('-h','--help')):
      parsed, _unknown = parser.parse_known_args()
      self.steeringFile = parsed.steeringFile
      self.readSteeringFile()

    parser.add_argument("--compactFile", action="store", default=self.compactFile,
                        help="The compact XML file")

    parser.add_argument("--runType", action="store", choices=("batch","vis","run","shell"), default=self.runType,
                        help="The type of action to do in this invocation"##Note: implicit string concatenation
                        "\nbatch: just simulate some events, needs numberOfEvents, and input file or gun"
                        "\nvis: enable visualisation"
                        "\nrun: enable run the macro"
                        "\nshell: enable interactive session")

    parser.add_argument("--inputFiles", "-I", nargs='+', action="store", default=self.inputFiles,
                        help="InputFiles for simulation %s files are supported" % ", ".join(POSSIBLEINPUTFILES) )

    parser.add_argument("--outputFile","-O", action="store", default=self.outputFile,
                        help="Outputfile from the simulation,only lcio output is supported")

    parser.add_argument("-v", "--printLevel", action="store", default=self.printLevel, dest="printLevel",
                        choices=(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,'VERBOSE','DEBUG', 'INFO', 'WARNING', 'ERROR', 'FATAL', 'ALWAYS'),
                        help="Verbosity use integers from 1(most) to 7(least) verbose"
                        "\nor strings: VERBOSE, DEBUG, INFO, WARNING, ERROR, FATAL, ALWAYS")

    parser.add_argument("--numberOfEvents", "-N", action="store", dest="numberOfEvents", default=self.numberOfEvents,
                        type=int, help="number of events to simulate, used in batch mode")

    parser.add_argument("--skipNEvents", action="store", dest="skipNEvents", default=self.skipNEvents, type=int,
                        help="Skip first N events when reading a file")

    parser.add_argument("--physicsList", action="store", dest="physicsList", default=self.physicsList,
                        help="Physics list to use in simulation")

    parser.add_argument("--crossingAngleBoost", action="store", dest="crossingAngleBoost", default=self.crossingAngleBoost,
                        type=float, help="Lorentz boost for the crossing angle, in radian!")

    parser.add_argument("--vertexSigma", nargs=4, action="store", dest="vertexSigma", default=self.vertexSigma, metavar = ('X','Y','Z','T'),
                        type=float, help="FourVector of the Sigma for the Smearing of the Vertex position: x y z t")

    parser.add_argument("--vertexOffset", nargs=4, action="store", dest="vertexOffset", default=self.vertexOffset, metavar = ('X','Y','Z','T'),
                        type=float, help="FourVector of translation for the Smearing of the Vertex position: x y z t")

    parser.add_argument("--macroFile", "-M", action="store", dest="macroFile", default=self.macroFile,
                        help="Macro file to execute for runType 'run' or 'vis'")

    parser.add_argument("--enableGun", "-G", action="store_true", dest="enableGun", default=self.enableGun,
                        help="enable the DDG4 particle gun")

    parser.add_argument("--dumpParameter", "--dump", action="store_true", dest="dumpParameter", default=self._dumpParameter,
                        help="Print all configuration Parameters and exit")

    parser.add_argument("--enableDetailedShowerMode", action="store_true", dest="enableDetailedShowerMode", default=self.enableDetailedShowerMode,
                        help="use detailed shower mode")

    parser.add_argument("--dumpSteeringFile", action="store_true", dest="dumpSteeringFile", default=self._dumpSteeringFile,
                        help="print an example steering file to stdout")

    #FIXME: Add all the things here, then they will show up in the help usage
    #output, or do something smarter with fullHelp only for example
    self.__addAllHelper( parser )
    ## now parse everything. The default values are now taken from the
    ## steeringFile if they were set so that the steering file parameters can be
    ## overwritten from the command line
    if ARGCOMPLETEENABLED:
      argcomplete.autocomplete(parser)
    parsed = parser.parse_args()

    self._dumpParameter = parsed.dumpParameter
    self._dumpSteeringFile = parsed.dumpSteeringFile

    self.compactFile = parsed.compactFile
    self.inputFiles = parsed.inputFiles
    self.inputFiles = self.__checkFileFormat( self.inputFiles, POSSIBLEINPUTFILES)
    self.outputFile = parsed.outputFile
    self.__checkFileFormat( self.outputFile, ('.root', '.slcio'))
    self.runType = parsed.runType
    self.printLevel = self.__checkOutputLevel(parsed.printLevel)

    self.numberOfEvents = parsed.numberOfEvents
    self.skipNEvents = parsed.skipNEvents
    self.physicsList = parsed.physicsList
    self.crossingAngleBoost = parsed.crossingAngleBoost
    self.macroFile = parsed.macroFile
    self.enableGun = parsed.enableGun
    self.enableDetailedShowerMode = parsed.enableDetailedShowerMode
    self.vertexOffset = parsed.vertexOffset
    self.vertexSigma = parsed.vertexSigma

    if not self.compactFile:
      self._errorMessages.append("ERROR: No geometry compact file provided")

    if self.runType == "batch":
      if not self.numberOfEvents:
        self._errorMessages.append("ERROR: Batch mode requested, but did not set number of events")
      if not self.inputFiles and not self.enableGun:
        self._errorMessages.append("ERROR: Batch mode requested, but did not set inputFile(s) or gun")

    if self._dumpParameter:
      from pprint import pprint
      print "="*80
      pprint(vars(self))
      print "="*80
      exit(1)

    if self._dumpSteeringFile:
      self.__printSteeringFile( parser )
      exit(1)

    #self.__treatUnknownArgs( parsed, unknown )
    self.__parseAllHelper( parsed )
    if self._errorMessages:
      parser.epilog = "\n".join(self._errorMessages)
      parser.print_help()
      exit(1)

  @staticmethod
  def getDetectorLists( lcdd ):
    ''' get lists of trackers and calorimeters that are defined in lcdd (the compact xml file)'''
    import DDG4
  #  if len(detectorList):
  #    print " subset list of detectors given - will only instantiate these: " , detectorList
    trackers,calos = [],[]
    for i in lcdd.detectors():
      det = DDG4.DetElement(i.second)
      name = det.name()
      sd =  lcdd.sensitiveDetector( name )
      if sd.isValid():
        detType = sd.type()
  #      if len(detectorList) and not(name in detectorList):
  #        continue
        print 'getDetectorLists - found active detctor ' ,  name , ' type: ' , detType
        if detType == "tracker":
          trackers.append( det.name() )
        if detType == "calorimeter":
          calos.append( det.name() )

    return trackers,calos

#==================================================================================

  def run(self):
    """setup the geometry and dd4hep and geant4 and do what was asked to be done"""
    import ROOT
    ROOT.PyConfig.IgnoreCommandLineOptions = True

    import DDG4, DD4hep

    self.printLevel = getOutputLevel(self.printLevel)

    kernel = DDG4.Kernel()
    DD4hep.setPrintLevel(self.printLevel)
    #kernel.setOutputLevel('Compact',1)

    kernel.loadGeometry("file:"+ self.compactFile )
    lcdd = kernel.lcdd()

    DDG4.importConstants( lcdd )

  #----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    #simple = DDG4.Geant4( kernel, tracker='Geant4TrackerAction',calo='Geant4CalorimeterAction')
    #simple = DDG4.Geant4( kernel, tracker='Geant4TrackerCombineAction',calo='Geant4ScintillatorCalorimeterAction')
    simple = DDG4.Geant4( kernel, tracker=self.action.tracker, calo=self.action.calo )

    simple.printDetectors()

    if self.runType =="vis":
      simple.setupUI(typ="csh", vis=True, macro=self.macroFile)
    elif self.runType =="run":
      simple.setupUI(typ="csh", vis=False, macro=self.macroFile, ui=False)
    elif self.runType =="shell":
      simple.setupUI(typ="csh", vis=False, macro=None, ui=True)
    elif self.runType == "batch":
      simple.setupUI(typ="csh", vis=False, macro=None, ui=False)
    else:
      print "ERROR: unknown runType"
      exit(1)

    #kernel.UI="csh"
    kernel.NumEvents=self.numberOfEvents

    #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    # setup the magnetic field:
    self.__setMagneticFieldOptions(simple)

    #----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    # Configure Run actions
    run1 = DDG4.RunAction(kernel,'Geant4TestRunAction/RunInit')
    kernel.registerGlobalAction(run1)
    kernel.runAction().add(run1)

    # Configure I/O

    if self.outputFile.endswith(".slcio"):
      lcOut = simple.setupLCIOOutput('LcioOutput', self.outputFile)
      lcOut.RunHeader = self.__addParametersToRunHeader()
    elif self.outputFile.endswith(".root"):
      simple.setupROOTOutput('RootOutput', self.outputFile)

    actionList = []

    ##configure the random seed
    rndm = DDG4.Action(kernel,'Geant4Random/R1')
    self.__setupRandomGenerator(rndm)
    rndm.initialize()

    if self.enableGun:
      gun = DDG4.GeneratorAction(kernel,"Geant4ParticleGun/"+"Gun")
      self.__setGunOptions( gun )
      gun.Standalone = False
      gun.Mask = 1
      actionList.append(gun)
      self.__applyBoostOrSmear(kernel, actionList, 1)

    for index,inputFile in enumerate(self.inputFiles, start=2):
      if inputFile.endswith(".slcio"):
        gen = DDG4.GeneratorAction(kernel,"LCIOInputAction/LCIO1")
        gen.Input="LCIOFileReader|"+inputFile
      elif inputFile.endswith(".stdhep"):
        gen = DDG4.GeneratorAction(kernel,"LCIOInputAction/STDHEP1")
        gen.Input="LCIOStdHepReader|"+inputFile
      elif inputFile.endswith(".HEPEvt"):
        gen = DDG4.GeneratorAction(kernel,"LCIOInputAction/HEPEvt1")
        gen.Input="Geant4EventReaderHepEvtShort|"+inputFile
      elif inputFile.endswith(".hepevt"):
        gen = DDG4.GeneratorAction(kernel,"Geant4InputAction/hepevt1")
        gen.Input="Geant4EventReaderHepEvtLong|"+inputFile
      elif inputFile.endswith(".hepmc"):
        gen = DDG4.GeneratorAction(kernel,"Geant4InputAction/hepmc1")
        gen.Input="Geant4EventReaderHepMC|"+inputFile
      else:
        ##this should never happen because we already check at the top, but in case of some LogicError...
        raise RuntimeError( "Unknown input file type: %s" % inputFile )
      gen.Sync = self.skipNEvents
      gen.Mask = index
      actionList.append(gen)
      self.__applyBoostOrSmear(kernel, actionList, index)

    if actionList:
      simple.buildInputStage( actionList , output_level=self.output.inputStage )

    #================================================================================================

    # And handle the simulation particles.
    part = DDG4.GeneratorAction(kernel,"Geant4ParticleHandler/ParticleHandler")
    kernel.generatorAction().adopt(part)
    #part.SaveProcesses = ['conv','Decay']
    part.SaveProcesses        = self.part.saveProcesses
    part.MinimalKineticEnergy = self.part.minimalKineticEnergy
    part.KeepAllParticles     = self.part.keepAllParticles
    part.PrintEndTracking     = self.part.printEndTracking
    part.PrintStartTracking   = self.part.printStartTracking
    part.OutputLevel = self.output.part
    part.enableUI()
    user = DDG4.Action(kernel,"Geant4TCUserParticleHandler/UserParticleHandler")
    try:
      user.TrackingVolume_Zmax = DDG4.tracker_region_zmax
      user.TrackingVolume_Rmax = DDG4.tracker_region_rmax
    except AttributeError as e:
      print "No Attribute: ", str(e)

    #  user.enableUI()
    part.adopt(user)

    #=================================================================================


    # Setup global filters for use in sensitive detectors
    self.filter.setupFilters( kernel )

    #=================================================================================
    # get lists of trackers and calorimeters in lcdd

    trk,cal = self.getDetectorLists( lcdd )

    # ---- add the trackers:
    try:
      self.__setupSensitiveDetectors( trk, simple.setupTracker)
    except Exception as e:
      print "ERROR setting up sensitive detector", str(e)
      raise

  # ---- add the calorimeters:
    try:
      self.__setupSensitiveDetectors( cal, simple.setupCalorimeter )
    except Exception as e:
      print "ERROR setting up sensitive detector", str(e)
      raise

  #=================================================================================
    # Now build the physics list:
    _phys = simple.setupPhysics( self.physicsList )

    #fg: do we need these really ?
    #fg:  ph = DDG4.PhysicsList(kernel,'Geant4PhysicsList/Myphysics')
    #fg:  ph.addParticleConstructor('G4BosonConstructor')
    #fg:  ph.addParticleConstructor('G4LeptonConstructor')
    #fg:  ph.addParticleProcess('e[+-]','G4eMultipleScattering',-1,1,1)
    #fg:  ph.addPhysicsConstructor('G4OpticalPhysics')
    #fg:  ph.enableUI()
    #fg:  phys.add(ph)
    #fg:  phys.dump()

    DD4hep.setPrintLevel(self.printLevel)

    kernel.configure()
    kernel.initialize()

    #DDG4.setPrintLevel(Output.DEBUG)

    kernel.run()
    kernel.terminate()

  def __setGunOptions(self, gun):
    """set the starting properties of the DDG4 particle gun"""
    try:
      gun.energy       = self.gun.energy
      gun.particle     = self.gun.particle
      gun.multiplicity = self.gun.multiplicity
      gun.position     = self.gun.position
      gun.isotrop      = self.gun.isotrop
      gun.direction    = self.gun.direction
    except Exception as e: #pylint: disable=W0703
      print "ERROR: parsing gun options:\n%s\nException: %s " % (self.gun, e )
      exit(1)

  def __setupRandomGenerator(self, rndm):
    """set the properties for the random number generator"""
    if self.random.seed is not None:
      rndm.Seed = self.random.seed
      rndm.Luxury = self.random.luxury
    if self.random.type is not None:
      rndm.Type = self.random.type
    if self.output.random <= 3:
      rndm.showStatus()

  def __setMagneticFieldOptions(self, simple):
    """ create and configure the magnetic tracking setup """
    field = simple.addConfig('Geant4FieldTrackingSetupAction/MagFieldTrackingSetup')
    field.stepper            = self.field.stepper
    field.equation           = self.field.equation
    field.eps_min            = self.field.eps_min
    field.eps_max            = self.field.eps_max
    field.min_chord_step     = self.field.min_chord_step
    field.delta_chord        = self.field.delta_chord
    field.delta_intersection = self.field.delta_intersection
    field.delta_one_step     = self.field.delta_one_step

  def __checkFileFormat(self, fileNames, extensions):
    """check if the fileName is allowed, note that the filenames are case
    sensitive, and in case of hepevt we depend on this to identify short and long versions of the content
    """
    if isinstance( fileNames, basestring ):
      fileNames = [fileNames]
    if not all( fileName.endswith( extensions ) for fileName in fileNames ):
      self._errorMessages.append("ERROR: Unknown fileformat for file: %s" % fileNames)
    return fileNames

  def __applyBoostOrSmear( self, kernel, actionList, mask ):
    """apply boost or smearing for given mask index"""
    import DDG4
    if self.crossingAngleBoost:
      lbo = DDG4.GeneratorAction(kernel, "Geant4InteractionVertexBoost")
      lbo.Angle = self.crossingAngleBoost
      lbo.Mask = mask
      actionList.append(lbo)

    if any(self.vertexSigma) or any(self.vertexOffset):
      vSmear = DDG4.GeneratorAction(kernel, "Geant4InteractionVertexSmear")
      vSmear.Offset = self.vertexOffset
      vSmear.Sigma = self.vertexSigma
      vSmear.Mask = mask
      actionList.append(vSmear)

  def __addAllHelper( self , parser ):
    """all configHelper objects to commandline args"""
    for name, obj in vars(self).iteritems():
      if isinstance( obj, ConfigHelper ):
        for var,valAndDoc in obj.getOptions().iteritems():
          parser.add_argument("--%s.%s" % (name, var),
                              action="store",
                              dest="%s.%s" % (name, var),
                              default = valAndDoc[0],
                              help = valAndDoc[1]
                              # type = type(val),
                             )

  def __parseAllHelper( self, parsed ):
    """ parse all the options for the helper """
    parsedDict = vars(parsed)
    for name, obj in vars(self).iteritems():
      if isinstance( obj, ConfigHelper ):
        for var in obj.getOptions():
          key = "%s.%s" %( name,var )
          if key in parsedDict:
            try:
              obj.setOption( var, parsedDict[key] )
            except RuntimeError as e:
              self._errorMessages.append( "ERROR: %s " % e )

  def __checkOutputLevel(self, level):
    """return outputlevel as int so we don't have to import anything for faster startup"""
    try:
      level = int(level)
      if level < 1 or 7 < level:
        raise KeyError
      return level
    except ValueError:
      try:
        return outputLevel(level.upper())
      except ValueError:
        self._errorMessages.append( "ERROR: printLevel is neither integer nor string" )
        return -1
    except KeyError:
      self._errorMessages.append( "ERROR: printLevel '%s' unknown" % level )
      return -1

  def __addParametersToRunHeader( self ):
    """add the parameters to the (lcio) run Header"""
    runHeader = {}
    parameters = vars(self)
    for parName, parameter in parameters.iteritems():
      if isinstance( parameter, ConfigHelper ):
        options = parameter.getOptions()
        for opt,valAndDoc in options.iteritems():
          runHeader["%s.%s"%(parName, opt)] = str(valAndDoc[0])
      else:
        runHeader[parName] = str(parameter)

    ### steeringFile content
    if self.steeringFile and os.path.exists(self.steeringFile) and os.path.isfile(self.steeringFile):
      with open(self.steeringFile) as sFile:
        runHeader["SteeringFileContent"] = sFile.read()

    ### macroFile content
    if self.macroFile and os.path.exists(self.macroFile) and os.path.isfile(self.macroFile):
      with open(self.macroFile) as mFile:
        runHeader["MacroFileContent"] = mFile.read()

    ### add command line
    if sys.argv:
      runHeader["CommandLine"] = " ".join(sys.argv)

    ### add current working directory (where we call from)
    runHeader["WorkingDirectory"] = os.getcwd()

    ### add date
    runHeader["DateUTC"] = str(datetime.datetime.utcnow())+" UTC"

    ### add User
    import getpass
    runHeader["User"] = getpass.getuser()

    return runHeader

  def __setupSensitiveDetectors(self, detectors, setupFuction):
    """ attach sensitive detector actions for all subdetectors
    can be steered with the `Action` ConfigHelpers

    :param detectors: list of detectors
    :param setupFunction: function used to register the sensitive detector
    """
    for det in detectors:
      print 'Setting up SD for %s' % det
      action = None
      for pattern in self.action.mapActions:
        if pattern.lower() in det.lower():
          action = self.action.mapActions[pattern]
          break
      if action:
        if isinstance( action, tuple ):
          sdAction = action[0]
          parameterDict = action[1]
          seq,act = setupFuction( det, type=sdAction )
          for parameter, value in parameterDict.iteritems():
            setattr( act, parameter, value)
        else:
          seq,act = setupFuction( det, type=action )
      else:
        seq,act = setupFuction( det )
      for pattern, filt in self.filter.mapDetFilter.iteritems():
        if pattern.lower() in det.lower():
          print "Adding filter '%s' matched with '%s' to sensitive detector for '%s' " %( filt, pattern, det )
          seq.add( self.filter.filters[filt]['filter'] )
      ##set detailed hit creation mode for this
      if self.enableDetailedShowerMode:
        act.HitCreationMode = 2

  def __printSteeringFile( self, parser):
    """print the parameters formated as a steering file"""

    steeringFileBase="""from DDSim.DD4hepSimulation import DD4hepSimulation
from SystemOfUnits import mm, GeV, MeV
SIM = DD4hepSimulation()

"""
    optionDict = parser._option_string_actions
    parameters = vars(self)
    for parName, parameter in sorted(parameters.items(), sortParameters ):
      if parName.startswith("_"):
        continue
      if isinstance( parameter, ConfigHelper ):
        steeringFileBase += "\n\n"
        steeringFileBase += "################################################################################\n"
        steeringFileBase += "## %s \n" % "\n## ".join( parameter.__doc__.splitlines() )
        steeringFileBase += "################################################################################\n"
        options = parameter.getOptions()
        for opt,valAndDoc in options.iteritems():
          parValue, parDoc = valAndDoc
          if parDoc:
            steeringFileBase += "## %s\n" % "\n## ".join(parDoc.splitlines())
          if isinstance( parValue, basestring ):
            steeringFileBase += "SIM.%s.%s = \"%s\"\n" %(parName, opt, parValue)
          else:
            steeringFileBase += "SIM.%s.%s = %s\n" %(parName, opt, parValue)
      else:
        optionObj = optionDict.get("--"+parName, None)
        if isinstance(optionObj, argparse._StoreAction ):
          steeringFileBase += "## %s\n" % "\n## ".join(optionObj.help.splitlines())
        if isinstance( parameter, basestring):
          steeringFileBase += "SIM.%s = \"%s\"" %( parName, str(parameter))
        else:
          steeringFileBase += "SIM.%s = %s" %( parName, str(parameter))
        steeringFileBase += "\n"
    print steeringFileBase

################################################################################
### MODULE FUNCTIONS GO HERE
################################################################################

def sortParameters( parA, parB ):
  """sort the parameters by name: first normal parameters, then set of
  parameters based on ConfigHelper objects
  """
  parTypeA = parA[1]
  parTypeB = parB[1]
  if isinstance(parTypeA, ConfigHelper) and isinstance(parTypeB, ConfigHelper):
    return 1 if str(parA[0]) > str(parB[0]) else -1
  elif isinstance(parTypeA, ConfigHelper):
    return 1
  elif isinstance(parTypeB, ConfigHelper):
    return -1
  else:
    return 1 if str(parA[0]) > str(parB[0]) else -1

def getOutputLevel(level):
  """return output.LEVEL"""
  from DDG4 import OutputLevel
  levels = { 1: OutputLevel.VERBOSE,
             2: OutputLevel.DEBUG,
             3: OutputLevel.INFO,
             4: OutputLevel.WARNING,
             5: OutputLevel.ERROR,
             6: OutputLevel.FATAL,
             7: OutputLevel.ALWAYS }
  return levels[level]