Create a class to represent arbitrary particle distribution functions

[namurphy]

Plasmas often have particle distribution functions that differ from the standard analytic distribution functions (e.g., Maxwell-Boltzmann, kappa, etc.). PlasmaPy should have a way to represent arbitrary particle distribution functions. This would enable PlasmaPy to be used for the analysis of in situ spacecraft data. It would be helpful to have this done before #11.

[namurphy]

Hm...one possibility would be to create a ParticleDistributionFunction base class (maybe an abstract base class?) and then have subclasses for the different distribution types. Might need to distinguish between 1D and 3D.

[StanczakDominik]

What API would you imagine this with?

[namurphy]

I'm not really sure yet. It'd probably be helpful to come up with some use cases and design it from there. I personally use a fluid approximation for most of my research, so I may not be the best person to ask!

[diego7319]

Maybe using a design pattern should be helpful in this case, particularly https://refactoring.guru/design-patterns/factory-method "Factory method". One Abstract mother class and a child distribution class.
A second option could be using the "adapter method" (https://refactoring.guru/design-patterns/adapter/python/example#lang-features, I think this is clearer https://www.djangospin.com/design-patterns-python/adapter/ )