== collapse_ExpressionMatrix.py ==

This tool can process a gene expression matrix (in GCT or TXT format) ranked list (RNK format) and:

 * replace the Identifier based on a Chip Annotation file (e.g. AffyID -> Gene Symbol)
 * collapse the expression values or rank-scores for Genes from more than one probe set.

This can be done either individually or both at the same time.

=== Requirements ===
 `collapse_ExpressionMatrix.py` requires:
 * Python 2.3 or newer (but not Python 3.x!)
 * the Tkinter Library (comes with '''most''' Python installations) for the GUI

Supported Operating Systems:
 * '''MacOS X''' 10.5 "Leopard" ore newer (probably also MacOS X 10.4 "Tiger")
 * '''Windows''' (download and install the most recent version of Python 2.x from: http://www.python.org/download/ or http://www.activestate.com/activepython/downloads/
 * '''Linux''' (Python and Tcl/Tk are probably already installed out of the box, otherwise install the packages with your Distribution's package manager)

=== GUI Mode ===
 `collapse_ExpressionMatrix.py` now has a Tk-based Graphical User Interface (GUI).
 To use the GUI, just start the program without any arguments. This can be done:
 * on Windows: double-click on the `collapse_ExpressionMatrix.py`-file
 * on MacOS 10.5 or newer with installed "Developer Tools":
   * control-click (or right-click) on the `collapse_ExpressionMatrix.py`-file in the finder and choose "Open With/Build Applet.app"
   * this will create an MacOS Application `collapse_ExpressionMatrix.app` which can be started by double clicking.
 * on MacOS, Linux or other Unix-like Systems in a Terminal/Shell: see in section "Command Line Mode" how to make the program executable.

=== Command Line Mode ===
If you are familiar with command line tools under Unix/Linux, `collapse_ExpressionMatrix.py -h` gives you all the information you need (if not, see below):
{{{
$ collapse_ExpressionMatrix.py -h
Usage: collapse_ExpressionMatrix.py [options] -i input.gct -o output.gct [-c platform.chip] [--collapse]

This tool can process a gene expression matrix (in GCT or TXT format) or
ranked list (RNK format) and either replace the Identifier based on a Chip
Annotation file (e.g. AffyID -> Gene Symbol), or collapse the expression
values or rank-scores for Genes from more than one probe set. Both can be done
in one step by using both '-c platform.chip' and '--collapse' at the same
time.For detailed descriptions of the file formats, please refer to:
http://www.broadinstitute.org/cancer/software/gsea/wiki/index.php/Data_formats
Call without any parameters to select the files and options with a GUI
(Graphical User Interface)

Options:
  --version             show program's version number and exit
  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
  -i FILE, --input=FILE
                        input expression table or ranked list
  -o FILE, --output=FILE
                        output expression table or ranked list
  -c FILE, --chip=FILE  Chip File This implies that the Identifiers are to be
                        replaced.
  --collapse            Collapse multiple probe sets for the same gene symbol
                        (max_probe)
  --no-collapse         Don't collapse multiple probesets [default]
  -g, --gui             Open a Window to choose the files and options.
  -q, --quiet           be quiet
}}} 



On MacOS and Linux you need to make the program executable. Therefore:
 * copy the file to a directory, e.g. `${HOME}/bin`
 * open a Terminal
 * set the eXecutable flag: {{{
 chmod a+x ${HOME}/bin/collapse_ExpressionMatrix.py}}}
 * if the ${HOME}/bin directory is not in your search Path (test by running `collapse_ExpressionMatrix.py` from a terminal)
 add it by adding the line `export PATH=$HOME/bin:$PATH` to your `${HOME}/.bash_profile` using your favourite text editor (pico, vi, emacs, gedit, TextWrangler, etc.)
 or with the command {{{
 echo export PATH=\$HOME/bin:\$PATH >> ${HOME}/.bash_profile}}}, or refer to your local SysAdmin for any other shell that bash.
 * open a new terminal or run `source ${HOME}/.bash_profile`
 * test with `collapse_ExpressionMatrix.py -h`

On Windows:
 * copy the file to a directory, e.g. `C:\bin`
 * open the Conrtol Panel
 * open System
 * go to Advanced System Settings (on Vista and 7 only)
 * go to the Advanced Tab
 * Click on Environment-button
 * if in the section "User variables for {USERNAME}" there is already an entry called "PATH":
   * click on Edit...
   * append `;C:\bin` at the very end
 * otherwise click on New...
   * Variable Name: `PATH`
   * Variable Value: `%PATH%;C:\bin`
 * open a `Command Prompt` (Programs/Accessories)
 * test with `collapse_ExpressionMatrix.py -h`