User Guide
==========

This guide covers important concepts and best practices for using the ChimeraTK DeviceAccess Python bindings.


Understanding Accessors
------------------------

Accessors are the primary interface for reading and writing device registers. They encapsulate:

* A reference to a specific register
* A local buffer holding the current value
* Type information and conversion logic
* Synchronization with hardware


Accessor Lifecycle
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. **Obtain**: Get an accessor from a device for a specific register
2. **Transfer**: Use ``read()`` to get data from hardware or ``write()`` to send data
3. **Access**: Read/write the local buffer without hardware communication
4. **Repeat**: Transfer more data as needed

.. code-block:: python

   # TODO


Accessor Types
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

**ScalarRegisterAccessor**: Single values

.. code-block:: python

   # TODO


**ArrayRegisterAccessor**: List of values

.. code-block:: python

   # TODO


**TwoDRegisterAccessor**: Two-dimensional arrays

.. code-block:: python

   # TODO

Type Conversion
---------------

Automatic Type Conversion
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The bindings automatically convert between hardware and Python types as set on accessor creation:

.. code-block:: python

   # TODO

Transfer Groups
---------------

Transfer groups enable atomic operations on multiple registers:

Motivation
~~~~~~~~~~

Without transfer groups, reading multiple registers could result in inconsistent data
if a register changes between reads.

.. code-block:: python

   # TODO Example of changes between reads


Solution: Transfer Groups
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.. code-block:: python

   # TODO


Data Consistency Groups
-----------------------

For advanced scenarios with multiple samples or high-frequency updates:

.. code-block:: python

   # TODO

Device Maps
-----------

Device maps define your hardware configuration.

Basic Syntax
~~~~~~~~~~~~

.. code-block:: text

   # Device map format
   # LABEL              BACKEND_SPECIFICATION

   # TODO: Give examples


Best Practices
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* Use meaningful device labels
* Organize by system or subsystem
* Version control your device maps


See Also
--------

* :doc:`examples` for practical patterns
* :doc:`api_reference` for complete API
* :doc:`faq` for common questions
* :doc:`troubleshooting` for problem solving