added new model parameter API.

api_change_model_parameters.py

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+"""
+The current API for models has most of the functionality we want, but, in my opinion, feels a bit clunky. I've been
+working with SQLAlchemy a lot and am very happy with their API for table models.
+Here's a quick Demo of one of my Table models:
+"""
+
+
+class GMOSMOSRawFITS(Base):
+    __tablename__ = 'gmos_mos_raw_fits'
+
+    id = Column(Integer, ForeignKey('fits_file.id'), primary_key=True)
+    mjd = Column(Float)
+    instrument_id = Column(Integer, ForeignKey('instrument.id'))
+    observation_block_id = Column(Integer, ForeignKey('observation_block.id'))
+    observation_class_id = Column(Integer, ForeignKey('observation_class.id'))
+    observation_type_id = Column(Integer, ForeignKey('observation_type.id'))
+    object_id = Column(Integer, ForeignKey('object.id'))
+    mask_id = Column(Integer, ForeignKey('gmos_mask.id'))
+
+# I propose an API that borrows from the Table models:
+
+class BlackBody(modeling.Model):
+
+
+    temperature = Parameter(unit='K', equivalency=None, fixed=False, tied=False, bounds=())
+
+    frequency = ModelInput(unit='Hz', equivalency=u.spectral())
+    intensity = ModelOutput(unit='erg/cm2')
+
+
+
+>>> mybb = BlackBody()
+>>> mybb.temperature = 10000
+>>> mybb.temperature
+<Quantity 10000 K>
+>>> mybb = BlackBoddy(temperature=1000)
+>>> mybb = BlackBoddy(temperature=500*u.Celsius) #let's pretend that u.Celsius exists
+>>> mybb.temperature
+<Quantity 773.15 K>
+
+intensity = mybb(1 * u.angstrom)
+
+#I feel that in this API one can immediately see from the Model definition what this models does. What it's inputs and
+#outputs are. If floats are given as input, the model would convert this directly to a Quantity with the specified unit.
+#If quantities are given as inputs, the model would try to convert to the specified unit.
+#ModelInput and ModelOutput immediately show what's going in and out.
+
+
+#For models with multiple parameters like Polynomials there's a class for Parameter sets.
+
+class Poly1DModel(modeling.Model):
+    # ParameterSet -> ParameterCollection due to naming conflict
+    c = ParameterCollection(5, syntax='_%s', unit=None, equivalency=None, fixed=False, tied=False, bounds=())
+
+mylittlepoly = Poly1DModel()
+mylittlepoly.c_0 = 10.
+mylittlepoly.c_0.fixed
+False
+
+#I'm happy to try to implement this, but would need some help with the python magic.
+
+