Replace argument with parameter in gallery examples and tutorials (#943)

Co-authored-by: Meghan Jones <[email protected]>

examples/gallery/coast/borders.py

@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 Political Boundaries
 --------------------
 
-The ``borders`` argument of :meth:`pygmt.Figure.coast` specifies levels of political
+The ``borders`` parameter of :meth:`pygmt.Figure.coast` specifies levels of political
 boundaries to plot and the pen used to draw them. Choose from the list of boundaries
 below:
 
-* 1 = National boundaries
-* 2 = State boundaries within the Americas
-* 3 = Marine boundaries
-* a = All boundaries (1-3)
+* **1** = National boundaries
+* **2** = State boundaries within the Americas
+* **3** = Marine boundaries
+* **a** = All boundaries (1-3)
 
 For example, to draw national boundaries with 1p thickness black lines use
 ``borders="1/1p,black"``. You can draw multiple boundaries by passing in a list to

examples/gallery/coast/land_and_water.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 Color land and water
 --------------------
 
-The ``land`` and ``water`` arguments of :meth:`pygmt.Figure.coast` specify a color to
+The ``land`` and ``water`` parameters of :meth:`pygmt.Figure.coast` specify a color to
 fill in the land and water masses, respectively. You can use standard GMT color names or
 give a hex value (like ``#333333``).
 """

examples/gallery/grid/grdview_surface.py

@@ -4,11 +4,12 @@
 
 The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.grdview()` method can plot 3-D surfaces with ``surftype="s"``. Here,
 we supply the data as an :class:`xarray.DataArray` with the coordinate vectors ``x`` and
-``y`` defined. Note that the ``perspective`` argument here controls the azimuth and
-elevation angle of the view. We provide a list of two arguments to ``frame`` — the
+``y`` defined. Note that the ``perspective`` parameter here controls the azimuth and
+elevation angle of the view. We provide a list of two arguments to ``frame`` - the
+first argument specifies the :math:`x`- and :math:`y`:-axes frame attributes and the
 second argument, prepended with ``"z"``, specifies the :math:`z`-axis frame attributes.
-Specifying the same scale for the ``projection`` and ``zcale`` arguments ensures equal
-axis scaling. The ``shading`` argument specifies illumination; here we choose an azimuth of
+Specifying the same scale for the ``projection`` and ``zcale`` parameters ensures equal
+axis scaling. The ``shading`` parameter specifies illumination; here we choose an azimuth of
 45° with ``shading="+a45"``.
 """
 

examples/gallery/grid/track_sampling.py

@@ -4,14 +4,14 @@
 
 The :func:`pygmt.grdtrack` function samples a raster grid's value along specified
 points. We will need to input a 2D raster to ``grid`` which can be an
-:class:`xarray.DataArray`. The ``points`` argument can be a :class:`pandas.DataFrame` table where
-the first two columns are x and y (or longitude and latitude). Note also that there is a
-``newcolname`` argument that will be used to name the new column of values we sampled
-from the grid.
+:class:`xarray.DataArray`. The argument passed to the ``points`` parameter can be a
+:class:`pandas.DataFrame` table where the first two columns are x and y (or longitude
+and latitude). Note also that there is a ``newcolname`` parameter that will be used to
+name the new column of values sampled from the grid.
 
-Alternatively, we can provide a NetCDF file path to ``grid``. An ASCII file path can
-also be accepted for ``points``, but an ``outfile`` argument will then need to be set
-to name the resulting output ASCII file.
+Alternatively, a NetCDF file path can be passed to ``grid``. An ASCII file path can
+also be accepted for ``points``. To save an output ASCII file, a file name argument
+needs to be passed to the ``outfile`` parameter.
 """
 
 import pygmt

examples/gallery/line/line-custom-cpt.py

@@ -3,11 +3,12 @@
 -----------------------------
 
 The color of the lines made by :meth:`pygmt.Figure.plot` can be set according to a
-custom CPT and assigned with the ``pen`` argument.
+custom CPT and assigned with the ``pen`` parameter.
 
-The custom CPT can be used by setting the plot command's ``cmap`` argument to ``True``. The
-``zvalue`` argument sets the z-value (color) to be used from the custom CPT, and the line
-color is set as the z-value by using **+z** when setting the ``pen`` color.
+The custom CPT can be used by setting the plot command's ``cmap`` parameter to
+``True``. The ``zvalue`` parameter sets the z-value (color) to be used from the custom
+CPT, and the line color is set as the z-value by using **+z** when setting the ``pen``
+color.
 
 """
 

examples/gallery/line/linestyles.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.plot` method can plot lines in different styles.
 The default line style is a 0.25-point wide, black, solid line, and can be
-customized via the ``pen`` argument.
+customized with the ``pen`` parameter.
 
 A *pen* in GMT has three attributes: *width*, *color*, and *style*.
 The *style* attribute controls the appearance of the line.

examples/gallery/plot/colorbar.py

@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@
 --------
 
 The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.colorbar` method creates a color scalebar. We must
-specify the colormap via the ``cmap`` argument, and optionally set the
-placement via the ``position`` argument. The full list of color palette tables
+specify the colormap via the ``cmap`` parameter, and optionally set the
+placement via the ``position`` parameter. The full list of color palette tables
 can be found at :gmt-docs:`cookbook/cpts.html`. You can set the ``position`` of
 the colorbar using the following options:
 
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
   point.
 - **n**: using normalized (0-1) coordinates, e.g. ``position="n0.4/0.8"``.
 
-Note that the anchor point defaults to the bottom left (BL). Append ``+h`` to
+Note that the anchor point defaults to the bottom left (**BL**). Append ``+h`` to
 ``position`` to get a horizontal colorbar instead of a vertical one.
 """
 import pygmt
@@ -49,7 +49,8 @@
     # with a length/width (+w) of 7cm by 0.5cm and a box for NaN values (+n)
     position="JMR+o1c/0c+w7c/0.5c+n+mc",
     # Note that the label 'Elevation' is moved to the opposite side and plotted
-    # vertically as a column of text using '+mc' in the position argument above
+    # vertically as a column of text using '+mc' in the position parameter
+    # above
     frame=["x+lElevation", "y+lm"],
     scale=10,
 )

examples/gallery/plot/image.py

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@
 The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.image` method can be used to read and
 place a raster image file or an Encapsulated PostScript file
 on a map. We must specify the file as *str* via the ``imagefile``
-argument or simply use the filename as the first argument. You can
+parameter or simply use the filename as the first argument. You can
 also use a full URL pointing to your desired image. The ``position``
-argument allows us to set a reference point on the map for the image.
+parameter allows us to set a reference point on the map for the image.
 
 """
 import os
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
     box=True,
 )
 
-# clean up the image downloaded in the current directory
+# clean up the downloaded image in the current directory
 os.remove("gmt-logo.png")
 
 fig.show()

examples/gallery/plot/legend.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.legend` method can automatically create a legend for
 symbols plotted using :meth:`pygmt.Figure.plot`. Legend entries are only
-created when the ``label`` argument is used.
+created when the ``label`` parameter is used.
 """
 import pygmt
 

examples/gallery/plot/meca.py

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@
 
 The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.meca` method can plot focal mechanisms, or beachballs.
 We can specify the focal mechanism nodal planes or moment tensor components as
-a dict using the ``spec`` argument (or they can be specified as a 1d or 2d array,
+a dict using the ``spec`` parameter (or they can be specified as a 1d or 2d array,
 or within a specified file). The size of plotted beachballs can be specified
-using the ``scale`` argument.
+using the ``scale`` parameter.
 """
 
 import pygmt

examples/gallery/plot/multi-parameter-symbols.py

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 -------------------------
 
 The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.plot` method can plot individual multi-parameter symbols by passing
-the corresponding shortcuts listed below to the ``style`` argument. Additionally, we must define
+the corresponding shortcuts listed below to the ``style`` parameter. Additionally, we must define
 the required parameters in a 2d list or numpy array (``[[parameters]]`` for a single symbol
 or ``[[parameters_1],[parameters_2],[parameters_i]]`` for several ones) or use an
 appropriately formatted input file and pass it to ``data``.

examples/gallery/plot/points-transparency.py

@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
 Points with varying transparency
 --------------------------------
 
-Points can be plotted with different transparency levels by passing in an array to the
-``transparency`` argument of :meth:`pygmt.Figure.plot`.
+Points can be plotted with different transparency levels by passing in an array
+argument to the ``transparency`` parameter of :meth:`pygmt.Figure.plot`.
 """
 
 import numpy as np

examples/gallery/plot/points.py

@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
 Points
 ------
 
-The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.plot` method can plot points. We must specify the plot symbol
-and size through the ``style`` argument.
+The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.plot` method can plot points. The plot symbol and size
+is set with the ``style`` parameter.
 """
 import numpy as np
 import pygmt

examples/gallery/plot/scatter3d.py

@@ -6,9 +6,9 @@
 In the example below, we show how the
 `Iris flower dataset <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_flower_data_set>`__
 can be visualized using a perspective 3-dimensional plot. The ``region``
-argument has to include the :math:`x`, :math:`y`, :math:`z` axis limits in the
+parameter has to include the :math:`x`, :math:`y`, :math:`z` axis limits in the
 form of (xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax, zmin, zmax), which can be done automatically
-using :meth:`pygmt.info`. To include the z-axis stick, set ``frame`` as a
+using :meth:`pygmt.info`. To plot the z-axis frame, set ``frame`` as a
 minimum to something like ``frame=["WsNeZ", "zaf"]``. Use ``perspective`` to
 control the azimuth and elevation angle of the view, and ``zscale`` to adjust
 the vertical exaggeration factor.

examples/projections/README.txt

@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 Projections
 ===========
 
-PyGMT support many map projections. Use the ``projection`` argument to specify which one
-you want to use in all plotting modules. The projection is specified by a one letter
-code along with (sometimes optional) reference longitude and latitude and the width of
-the map (for example, **A**\ *lon0/lat0*\ [*/horizon*\ ]\ */width*). The map height is
-determined based on the region and projection.
+PyGMT support many map projections. Use the ``projection`` parameter to specify which
+one you want to use in all plotting modules. The projection is specified by a one
+letter code along with (sometimes optional) reference longitude and latitude and the
+width of the map (for example, **A**\ *lon0/lat0*\ [*/horizon*\ ]\ */width*). The map
+height is determined based on the region and projection.
 
 These are all the available projections:

examples/projections/nongeo/cartesian_linear.py

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 fig = pygmt.Figure()
 fig.plot(
-    # The ``x`` and ``y`` arguments determine the coordinates of lines
+    # The x and y parameters determine the coordinates of lines
     x=[3, 9, 2],
     y=[4, 9, 37],
     pen="3p,red",

examples/tutorials/3d-perspective-image.py

@@ -23,9 +23,9 @@
 
 ########################################################################################
 # The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.grdview` method takes the ``grid`` input.
-# The ``perspective`` argument changes the azimuth and elevation of the viewpoint; the
+# The ``perspective`` parameter changes the azimuth and elevation of the viewpoint; the
 # default is [180, 90], which is looking directly down on the figure and north is "up".
-# The ``zsize`` argument sets how tall the three-dimensional portion appears.
+# The ``zsize`` parameter sets how tall the three-dimensional portion appears.
 #
 # The default grid surface type is *mesh plot*.
 
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
 fig.show()
 
 ########################################################################################
-# The ``plane`` argument sets the elevation and color of a plane that provides a fill
+# The ``plane`` parameter sets the elevation and color of a plane that provides a fill
 # below the surface relief.
 
 fig = pygmt.Figure()

examples/tutorials/first-figure.py

@@ -81,12 +81,13 @@
 #    ``ps*`` modules had their ``ps`` prefix removed. The exceptions are:
 #    ``psxy`` which is now ``plot``, ``psxyz`` which is now ``plot3d``, and ``psscale``
 #    which is now ``colorbar``.
-# 2. The arguments don't use the GMT 1-letter syntax (R, J, B, etc). We use longer
-#    aliases for these arguments and have some Python exclusive names. The mapping
-#    between the GMT arguments and their Python counterparts should be straight forward.
-# 3. Arguments like ``region`` can take lists as well as strings like ``1/2/3/4``.
-# 4. If a GMT argument has no options (like ``-B`` instead of ``-Baf``), use a ``True``
-#    in Python. An empty string would also be acceptable. For repeated arguments, such
+# 2. The parameters don't use the GMT 1-letter syntax (**R**, **J**, **B**, etc). We use longer
+#    aliases for these parameters and have some Python exclusive names. The mapping
+#    between the GMT parameters and their Python counterparts should be straight
+#    forward.
+# 3. Parameters like ``region`` can take lists as well as strings like ``1/2/3/4``.
+# 4. If a GMT parameter has no options (like ``-B`` instead of ``-Baf``), use a ``True``
+#    in Python. An empty string would also be acceptable. For repeated parameters, such
 #    as ``-B+Loleron -Bxaf -By+lm``, provide a list: ``frame=["+Loleron", "xaf", "y+lm"]``.
 # 5. There is no output redirecting to a PostScript file. The figure is generated in the
 #    background and will only be shown or saved when you ask for it.

examples/tutorials/frames.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 Frames, ticks, titles, and labels
 =================================
 
-Setting the style of the map frames, ticks, etc, is handled by the ``frame`` argument
+Setting the style of the map frames, ticks, etc, is handled by the ``frame`` parameter
 that all plotting methods of :class:`pygmt.Figure`.
 
 .. note::
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
 # Title
 # -----
 #
-# The figure title can be set by passing **+t**\ *title* to the ``frame`` argument of
+# The figure title can be set by passing **+t**\ *title* to the ``frame`` parameter of
 # :meth:`pygmt.Figure.basemap`. Passing multiple arguments to ``frame`` can be done by
 # using a list, as show in the example below.
 
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@
 ########################################################################################
 # To use a title with multiple words, the title must be placed inside another set of
 # quotation marks. To prevent the quotation marks from appearing in the figure title,
-# the ``frame`` argument can be passed in single quotation marks and the title can be
+# the ``frame`` parameter can be passed in single quotation marks and the title can be
 # passed in double quotation marks.
 
 fig = pygmt.Figure()
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@
 # -----------
 #
 # Axis labels can be set by passing **x+l**\ *label* (or starting with **y** if
-# labeling the y-axis) to the ``frame`` argument of :meth:`pygmt.Figure.basemap`.
+# labeling the y-axis) to the ``frame`` parameter of :meth:`pygmt.Figure.basemap`.
 # By default, all 4 map boundaries (or plot axes) are plotted with both tick marks and
 # axis labels. The axes are named as **W** (west/left), **S** (south/bottom),
 # **N** (north/top), and **E** (east/right) sides of a figure. If an upper-case axis

examples/tutorials/inset.py

@@ -41,10 +41,10 @@
 ########################################################################################
 #
 # The :meth:`pygmt.Figure.inset` method uses a context manager, and is called using a
-# ``with`` statement. The ``position`` argument, including the inset width, is required
-# to plot the inset. Using the **j** argument, the location of the inset is
+# ``with`` statement. The ``position`` parameter, including the inset width, is
+# required to plot the inset. Using the **j** argument, the location of the inset is
 # set to one of the 9 anchors (bottom-middle-top and left-center-right). In the
-# example below, ``BL`` sets the inset to the bottom left. The ``box`` argument can
+# example below, ``BL`` sets the inset to the bottom left. The ``box`` parameter can
 # set the fill and border of the inset. In the example below, ``+pblack`` sets the
 # border color to black and ``+gred`` sets the fill to red.
 

examples/tutorials/lines.py

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 # Plot lines
 # ----------
 #
-# Create a Cartesian figure using ``projection`` argument and set the axis scales
+# Create a Cartesian figure using ``projection`` parameter and set the axis scales
 # using ``region`` (in this case, each axis is 0-10). Pass a list of ``x`` and ``y``
 # values to be plotted as a line.
 
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@
 # Change line attributes
 # ----------------------
 #
-# The line attributes can be set by the ``pen`` argument. ``pen`` takes a string
+# The line attributes can be set by the ``pen`` parameter. ``pen`` takes a string
 # argument with the optional values *width*,\ *color*,\ *style*.
 #
 # In the example below, the pen width is set to ``5p``, and with ``black`` as the
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@
 fig.show()
 
 ########################################################################################
-# The line color can be set and is added after the line width to the ``pen`` argument.
+# The line color can be set and is added after the line width to the ``pen`` parameter.
 # In the example below, the line color is set to ``red``.
 
 fig = pygmt.Figure()
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@
 
 ########################################################################################
 # The line style can be set and is added after the line width or color to the
-# ``pen`` argument.  In the example below, the line style is set to
+# ``pen`` parameter.  In the example below, the line style is set to
 # ``..-`` (*dot dot dash*), and the default color ``black`` is used.
 
 fig = pygmt.Figure()
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@
 fig.show()
 
 ########################################################################################
-# The line width, color, and style can all be set in the same ``pen`` argument. In the
+# The line width, color, and style can all be set in the same ``pen`` parameter. In the
 # example below, the line width is set to ``7p``, the color is set to ``green``, and the
 # line style is ``-.-`` (*dash dot dash*).
 #

examples/tutorials/plot.py

@@ -52,10 +52,10 @@
 
 ########################################################################################
 # We used the style ``c0.3c`` which means "circles of 0.3 centimeter size". The ``pen``
-# argument controls the outline of the symbols and the ``color`` controls the fill.
+# parameter controls the outline of the symbols and the ``color`` controls the fill.
 #
 # We can map the size of the circles to the earthquake magnitude by passing an array to
-# the ``sizes`` argument. Because the magnitude is on a logarithmic scale, it helps to
+# the ``sizes`` parameter. Because the magnitude is on a logarithmic scale, it helps to
 # show the differences by scaling the values using a power law.
 
 fig = pygmt.Figure()

examples/tutorials/regions.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 Set the region
 ==============
 
-Many of the plotting functions take the ``region`` argument, which sets
+Many of the plotting functions take the ``region`` parameter, which sets
 the area that will be shown in the figure. This tutorial covers the different types of
 inputs that it can accept.