Cookbook

Task-indexed recipes. Each one is a runnable block you can lift straight into your code — the snippet on the page is the exact file the CI gate executes, so the output is real. New here? the Learn path walks the same ground in order; this page is for "how do I…?".

Reading & typing

• Get one group as a typed frame — read(...)["LOCA"], born-typed.
• Read XN columns as numeric — opt-in xn="numeric" for the AGS numeric-or-text type.
• Explore the registry & KEY chain — child_groups / inherited_key_names.

Validating

• Validate a delivery — in Python and on the lat CLI (+ exit codes).
• List the rules / report the edition — list_rules() and dict_for().

Querying

• Filter & select one group — the lazy .query().filter().select() builder.
• SQL across groups — .sql(...) joins on the shared keys.
• Pull one borehole's record set — .at(...) fan-out → .frames().
• Splice your own step (.pipe) — drop a function into the chain.

Producing AGS4

• Build from frames — build_ags4({code: frame}).
• Build from a typed graph — build_ags4(PROJ(...)) (#214).

Repairing & comparing

• Fix a dirty file — .fix() → a new, repaired handle.
• Diff two revisions — KEY-aware, type-aware.
• Certify a clean file — mint an .ags.idx and skip re-validation.

Sharing & migrating

• Pack / encrypt for transport — zstd + optional age encryption.
• Drop-in for python-ags4 — from laterite import compat as AGS4.

Tip

Want to see the whole fluent API assembled from these parts? The Chaining showcase climbs a power ladder from a one-line read().validate() to raw SQL, your own functions, and the certify fast-path.