[WIP] Refactor add_column function to reduce complexity

[Copilot]

Refactoring add_column function in Stoner/Core.py

Plan:

• Explore repository structure and locate add_column function
• Understand test infrastructure and existing tests
• Analyze current implementation complexity
• Create refactored version with:
  • Simplified input normalization (handle column_data types early)
  • Consolidated size/shape handling
  • Early validation of index and setas parameters
  • Clear logical blocks with inline comments
  • Preserved semantics (index None/True, replace, header, callable, DataArray)
• Run existing tests to ensure no behavioral changes
• Run linter/code quality checks
• Request code review
• Run security checks
• Final validation and completion

Refactoring Details:

The refactored add_column function in Stoner/Core.py (lines 815-950) now has:

1. Section 1: Input Normalization - Handles list, numpy array, DataArray, and callable types with early returns for unsupported types
2. Section 2: Index/Setas Validation - Validates and normalizes index and setas early with explicit error messages
3. Section 3: Shape Normalization - Ensures existing data is 2D and gets dimensions
4. Section 4: Row Alignment - Consolidates logic for aligning row counts between existing and new data
5. Section 5: Insert/Replace - Separates insert and replace operations into clear blocks
6. Section 6: Headers/Setas - Sets column headers and setas attributes

Bug Fixes:

• Fixed undefined variable 'ix' in f-string on line 945 (now uses correct index)

Behavior Preservation:

• All edge cases preserved (index None/True, replace mode, callable with func_args, DataArray headers)
• No changes to public API or interactions with DataArray, setas, column_headers
• Maintained exact semantics for all parameter combinations

Original prompt

Refactor the add_column function in Stoner/core/methods.py to reduce complexity and nested branching while preserving existing external behavior and API.

Background:

• File: Stoner/core/methods.py (commit eb658fc)
• Function: add_column(datafile, column_data, header=None, index=None, func_args=None, replace=False, setas=None)

Goals:

1. Simplify input normalization: handle the various types for column_data (list, numpy array, DataArray, callable) in clearer, separate blocks with early returns for unsupported types.
2. Consolidate size and shape handling for np_data and existing data into a small set of explicit transformations (use helper locals where helpful) rather than many nested branches.
3. Validate and normalize index and setas early, including explicit error messages if setas isn't the right length or content.
4. Keep semantics identical: support index None/True meaning append; preserve replace behavior; preserve header handling; preserve callable support with func_args dict; preserve DataArray header handling when column_data is DataArray.
5. Keep interactions with DataArray class, DataArray.mask, datafile.setas, column_headers, labels, and other public APIs unchanged.
6. Add small inline comments and split the function into logically separated blocks (input parsing, shape normalization, expand/insert/overwrite, header & setas assignment) to improve readability.
7. Avoid altering other functions or public API; include minimal unit-test like assertions in the function where helpful to guard invariants.

Deliverable:

• Create a pull request with the refactored add_column implementation. The PR should include a brief description in the PR body summarizing the refactor and confirming that behavior/edge-cases were preserved. No new dependencies.

Notes for implementer:

• If any subtle behavior differences are discovered during refactor, document them in the PR description and revert/adjust to match original behavior.
• Ensure imports at top of file remain valid.
• Keep code style consistent with the rest of the file (similar variable names and patterns).
• Do not add tests unless necessary; keep change focused to function refactor.

This pull request was created as a result of the following prompt from Copilot chat.

Refactor the add_column function in Stoner/core/methods.py to reduce complexity and nested branching while preserving existing external behavior and API.

Background:

• File: Stoner/core/methods.py (commit eb658fc)
• Function: add_column(datafile, column_data, header=None, index=None, func_args=None, replace=False, setas=None)

Goals:

1. Simplify input normalization: handle the various types for column_data (list, numpy array, DataArray, callable) in clearer, separate blocks with early returns for unsupported types.
2. Consolidate size and shape handling for np_data and existing data into a small set of explicit transformations (use helper locals where helpful) rather than many nested branches.
3. Validate and normalize index and setas early, including explicit error messages if setas isn't the right length or content.
4. Keep semantics identical: support index None/True meaning append; preserve replace behavior; preserve header handling; preserve callable support with func_args dict; preserve DataArray header handling when column_data is DataArray.
5. Keep interactions with DataArray class, DataArray.mask, datafile.setas, column_headers, labels, and other public APIs unchanged.
6. Add small inline comments and split the function into logically separated blocks (input parsing, shape normalization, expand/insert/overwrite, header & setas assignment) to improve readability.
7. Avoid altering other functions or public API; include minimal unit-test like assertions in the function where helpful to guard invariants.

Deliverable:

• Create a pull request with the refactored add_column implementation. The PR should include a brief description in the PR body summarizing the refactor and confirming that behavior/edge-cases were preserved. No new dependencies.

Notes for implementer:

• If any subtle behavior differences are discovered during refactor, document them in the PR description and revert/adjust to match original behavior.
• Ensure imports at top of file remain valid.
• Keep code style consistent with the rest of the file (similar variable names and patterns).
• Do not add tests unless necessary; keep change focused to function refactor.

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Results for commit 723fc29.