def createSample(sample_name, sample_type, **kwargs):
"""
sample_name: string, name for the new sample, required
sample_type: required, either:
- string, name for existing type in Types collection, or
- mongo type object for existing type in Types collection
kwargs: passed to constructor
"""
kwargs['sampleName'] = sample_name
kwargs['requestList'] = []
kwargs['resultList'] = []
# initialize request count to zero
if not kwargs.has_key('request_count'):
kwargs['request_count'] = 0
if isinstance(sample_type, unicode) or isinstance(sample_type, str):
kwargs['sample_type'] = type_from_name(sample_type, as_mongo_obj=True)
# try:
# kwargs['sample_type'] = Types.objects(__raw__={'name': type_name})[0]
# except IndexError:
# raise ValueError('no sample type found matching "{0}"'.format(type_name))
s = Sample(**kwargs)
s.save()
return s.sample_id
