add some tests and QOL improvements

[gnwong]

Ready to be merged.

Tests can be run from root directory of repository with pytest (may need to pip install pytest)

$ pytest

Also modified some formatting here and there throughout the code to improve readability. No functionality / logic changed.

[gnwong]

@achael ready for review and to be merged. tests are pretty general and pass on three of the machines I have access to including a macbook, personal linux box, and server

[achael]

hi @gnwong sorry I never merged this -- I took a look and there are quite a few conflicts with the newest version -- would you like me to go through them and try to merge or do you want to take a quick look and see if you can implement the tests relative to the latest version?

[gnwong]

Hi @achael . I don't think I'll be able to go through and check things carefully this week, but if you happen to have the time and propose how to resolve the merge conflicts I could definitely look through that. Otherwise I'm afraid it'll have to wait...