Feature Proposal: a Merger Tool

[Donaim]

Background:
The MiCall pipeline currently processes reads on per-real-sample basis and outputs an assembled consensus sequence for them. Each run relies on SampleSheet.csv files for input and output details. A feature to merge samples, ideally across different runs, would simplify the downstream analysis.

Feature Description:
Introduce a merger tool that takes a .csv mapping file and generates a merged SampleSheet.csv, RunInfo.xml, and a duplicate of the input .csv for traceability. The mapping file correlates sample_name and run_folder with output_name, specifying the merging plan.

Feature Objectives:

1. Facilitate efficient sample mergers across different run folders.
2. Ensure consistency and traceability for merged samples.
3. Handle default values and conflicts in input .csv files.

Functional Requirements:

• Input to the tool:
  • Path to the mapping .csv file.
  • Path to the output folder.
• Outputs of the tool:
  • SampleSheet.csv with merged output_name records.
  • RunInfo.xml copied from the first associated run_folder.
  • Input .csv file to trace origins of merged data.
• Conflict resolution strategy, with a strict mode option (--strict flag).

Conflict Resolution Rules:

• project_name header field to follow the $current_date.merged pattern.
• date header field to reflect the actual merge date.
• All other fields should use the first observed value unless --strict is enabled.
• Fields index and index2 should default to XXXXX.

Implementation Tasks:

• Develop a merging script for the underlying sample files.
• Develop logic to parse the input .csv and handle row defaults.
• Implement conflict detection logic with stdout reporting.
• Create file generation procedures for SampleSheet.csv and RunInfo.xml.
• Build merging algorithm to create a consolidated .csv from the mapping file.
• Add a --non-strict mode for conflict resolution, with it becoming the default.
• Write unit tests to validate merging logic and conflict handling.
• Add documentation for the merger tool usage and features.

[Donaim]

Merging script implemented in #1026