def firm__get_parameters_from_file(self, args):
        import os
        from src.bank import Bank
        from src.household import Household
        from src.firm import Firm
        from src.environment import Environment  # needed for the bankDirectory

        text = "This test checks firm.get_parameters_from_file \n"
        self.print_info(text)
        #
        # INITIALIZATION
        #
        environment_directory = str(args[0])
        identifier = str(args[1])
        log_directory = str(args[2])

        # Configure logging parameters so we get output while the program runs
        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', datefmt='%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S',
                            filename=log_directory + identifier + ".log", level=logging.INFO)
        logging.info('START logging for test firm__get_parameters_from_file in run: %s',
                     environment_directory + identifier + ".xml")

        # Construct firm filename
        environment = Environment(environment_directory,  identifier)

        # get the firm_directory from the environment
        firm_directory = environment.firm_directory
        # and loop over all firms in the directory
        listing = os.listdir(firm_directory)
        firmFilename = firm_directory + listing[0]

        # generate a household
        household = Household()
        household.identifier = "test_household"
        environment.households.append(household)

        # generate a bank
        bank = Bank()
        bank.identifier = "test_bank"
        environment.banks.append(bank)

        # generate a firm
        firm = Firm()
        environment.firms.append(firm)
        helper = Helper()
        helper.initialize_standard_firm(firm, environment)
        firm.get_parameters_from_file(firmFilename, environment)

        #
        # TESTING
        #

        # test whether the parameters are read properly
        text = "Identifier has been read as follows: \n"
        text = text + "Identifier: "
        text = text + firm.identifier
        text = text + "\n"
        text = text + "Productivity: "
        text = text + str(firm.parameters["productivity"])
        self.print_info(text)

    def central_bank__getattr(self, args):
        import os
        from src.bank import Bank
        from src.central_bank import CentralBank
        from src.household import Household
        from src.firm import Firm
        from src.environment import Environment  # needed for the bankDirectory

        text = "This test checks central_bank.getattr \n"
        self.print_info(text)
        #
        # INITIALIZATION
        #
        environment_directory = str(args[0])
        identifier = str(args[1])
        log_directory = str(args[2])

        # Configure logging parameters so we get output while the program runs
        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', datefmt='%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S',
                            filename=log_directory + identifier + ".log", level=logging.INFO)
        logging.info('START logging for test central_bank__getattr in run: %s',
                     environment_directory + identifier + ".xml")

        # Construct bank filename
        environment = Environment(environment_directory,  identifier)

        # get the bank_directory from the environment
        bank_directory = environment.bank_directory
        # and loop over all banks in the directory
        listing = os.listdir(bank_directory)
        bank_filename = bank_directory + listing[0]

        # generate a household
        household = Household()
        household.identifier = "test_household"
        environment.households.append(household)

        # generate a firm
        firm = Firm()
        firm.identifier = "test_firm"
        environment.firms.append(firm)

        # generate a bank
        bank = Bank()
        bank.identifier = "test_bank"
        environment.banks.append(bank)

        # generate a central bank
        cb = CentralBank()
        cb.identifier = "test_central_bank"
        environment.central_bank.append(cb)

        #
        # TESTING
        #

        print('Accessing rates through bank.parameters["interest_rate_cb_loans"] :')
        print(cb.parameters["interest_rate_cb_loans"])
        print("Accessing rates through bank.interest_rate_cb_loans:")
        print(cb.interest_rate_cb_loans)

    def measurement__set_csv_writer(self, args):
        import os
        from src.bank import Bank
        from src.household import Household
        from src.firm import Firm
        from src.environment import Environment
        from src.transaction import Transaction
        from src.market import Market
        from src.runner import Runner
        from src.measurement import Measurement

        text = "This test checks measurement.set_csv_writer \n"
        self.print_info(text)
        #
        # INITIALIZATION
        #
        environment_directory = str(args[0])
        identifier = str(args[1])
        log_directory = str(args[2])

        # Configure logging parameters so we get output while the program runs
        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', datefmt='%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S',
                            filename=log_directory + identifier + ".log", level=logging.INFO)
        logging.info('START logging for test measurement__set_csv_writer in run: %s',
                     environment_directory + identifier + ".xml")

        # Construct household filename
        environment = Environment(environment_directory,  identifier)

        # Construct a runner
        runner = Runner(environment)

        # generate a bank
        bank = Bank()
        bank.identifier = "test_bank"
        environment.banks.append(bank)

        # generate a firm
        firm = Firm()
        firm.identifier = "test_firm"
        environment.firms.append(firm)

        # generate a household
        household = Household()
        household.identifier = "test_household"
        environment.households.append(household)

        #
        # TESTING
        #
        import csv
        file_new = open("__init__.py", "r")
        csv_writer = csv.writer(file_new, lineterminator='\n')
        measurement = Measurement(environment, runner)
        print("Measurement's csv_writer:")
        print(measurement.get_csv_writer())
        measurement.set_csv_writer(csv_writer)
        print("Measurement's csv_writer:")
        print(measurement.get_csv_writer())

    def firm__set_state_variables(self, args):
        import os
        from src.bank import Bank
        from src.household import Household
        from src.firm import Firm
        from src.environment import Environment  # needed for the bankDirectory

        text = "This test checks firm.set_state_variables \n"
        self.print_info(text)
        #
        # INITIALIZATION
        #
        environment_directory = str(args[0])
        identifier = str(args[1])
        log_directory = str(args[2])

        # Configure logging parameters so we get output while the program runs
        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', datefmt='%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S',
                            filename=log_directory + identifier + ".log", level=logging.INFO)
        logging.info('START logging for test firm__set_state_variables in run: %s',
                     environment_directory + identifier + ".xml")

        # Construct firm filename
        environment = Environment(environment_directory,  identifier)

        # get the firm_directory from the environment
        firm_directory = environment.firm_directory
        # and loop over all firms in the directory
        listing = os.listdir(firm_directory)
        firmFilename = firm_directory + listing[0]

        # generate a household
        household = Household()
        household.identifier = "test_household"
        environment.households.append(household)

        # generate a bank
        bank = Bank()
        bank.identifier = "test_bank"
        environment.banks.append(bank)

        #
        # TESTING
        #

        # generate a firm
        firm = Firm()
        environment.firms.append(firm)
        helper = Helper()
        helper.initialize_standard_firm(firm, environment)

        text = "Original state variables:"
        print(text)
        print(firm.get_state_variables())
        text = "New state variables:"
        print(text)
        firm.set_state_variables({'test': 0.66})
        print(firm.get_state_variables())

    def bank__set_identifier(self, args):
        import os
        from src.bank import Bank
        from src.household import Household
        from src.firm import Firm
        from src.environment import Environment  # needed for the bankDirectory

        text = "This test checks bank.set_identifier \n"
        self.print_info(text)
        #
        # INITIALIZATION
        #
        environment_directory = str(args[0])
        identifier = str(args[1])
        log_directory = str(args[2])

        # Configure logging parameters so we get output while the program runs
        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', datefmt='%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S',
                            filename=log_directory + identifier + ".log", level=logging.INFO)
        logging.info('START logging for test bank__set_identifier in run: %s',
                     environment_directory + identifier + ".xml")

        # Construct bank filename
        environment = Environment(environment_directory,  identifier)

        # get the bank_directory from the environment
        bank_directory = environment.bank_directory
        # and loop over all banks in the directory
        listing = os.listdir(bank_directory)
        bank_filename = bank_directory + listing[0]

        # generate a household
        household = Household()
        household.identifier = "test_household"
        environment.households.append(household)

        # generate a firm
        firm = Firm()
        firm.identifier = "test_firm"
        environment.firms.append(firm)

        # generate the bank
        bank = Bank()
        environment.banks.append(bank)
        helper = Helper()
        helper.initialize_standard_bank(bank, environment)

        #
        # TESTING
        #

        text = "Original identifier: "
        text = text + bank.get_identifier()
        print(text)
        bank.set_identifier("new_ident")
        text = "New identifier: "
        text = text + bank.get_identifier()
        print(text)

    def transaction__add_transaction(self, args):
        import os
        from src.bank import Bank
        from src.household import Household
        from src.firm import Firm
        from src.environment import Environment
        from src.transaction import Transaction

        text = "This test checks transaction.add_transaction \n"
        self.print_info(text)
        #
        # INITIALIZATION
        #
        environment_directory = str(args[0])
        identifier = str(args[1])
        log_directory = str(args[2])

        # Configure logging parameters so we get output while the program runs
        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', datefmt='%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S',
                            filename=log_directory + identifier + ".log", level=logging.INFO)
        logging.info('START logging for test transaction__add_transaction in run: %s',
                     environment_directory + identifier + ".xml")

        # Construct household filename
        environment = Environment(environment_directory,  identifier)

        # generate a bank
        bank = Bank()
        bank.identifier = "test_bank"
        environment.banks.append(bank)

        # generate a firm
        firm = Firm()
        firm.identifier = "test_firm"
        environment.firms.append(firm)

        # generate a household
        household = Household()
        household.identifier = "test_household"
        environment.households.append(household)

        #
        # TESTING
        #

        print("Creating a transaction")
        transaction = Transaction()
        print("Assigning values")
        transaction.this_transaction("type", "asset", "test_household", "test_firm", 1,  2,  3, 4)
        print("Adding the transaction to the books")
        transaction.add_transaction(environment)
        print("The transaction:")
        print(transaction)
        print("The firm:")
        print(environment.get_agent_by_id("test_firm"))
        print("The household:")
        print(environment.get_agent_by_id("test_household"))

    def market__tatonnement(self, args):
        import os
        from src.bank import Bank
        from src.household import Household
        from src.firm import Firm
        from src.environment import Environment
        from src.transaction import Transaction
        from src.market import Market

        text = "This test checks market.tatonnement \n"
        self.print_info(text)
        #
        # INITIALIZATION
        #
        environment_directory = str(args[0])
        identifier = str(args[1])
        log_directory = str(args[2])

        # Configure logging parameters so we get output while the program runs
        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', datefmt='%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S',
                            filename=log_directory + identifier + ".log", level=logging.INFO)
        logging.info('START logging for test market__tatonnement in run: %s',
                     environment_directory + identifier + ".xml")

        # Construct household filename
        environment = Environment(environment_directory,  identifier)

        # generate a bank
        bank = Bank()
        bank.identifier = "test_bank"
        environment.banks.append(bank)

        # generate a firm
        firm = Firm()
        firm.identifier = "test_firm"
        environment.firms.append(firm)

        # generate a household
        household = Household()
        household.identifier = "test_household"
        environment.households.append(household)

        #
        # TESTING
        #
        sellers = []
        for agent in environment.households:
            sellers.append([agent, agent.supply_of_labour])
        buyers = []
        for agent in environment.firms:
            buyers.append([agent, agent.demand_for_labour])
        starting_price = 0.0
        price = 0.0
        market = Market("market")
        price = market.tatonnement(sellers, buyers, starting_price, 0.00000001, 0.01, 1.1)
        print("Price found through tatonnement:")
        print(price)

    def firm__get_transactions_from_file(self, args):
        import os
        from src.bank import Bank
        from src.household import Household
        from src.firm import Firm
        from src.environment import Environment  # needed for the bankDirectory

        text = "This test checks firm.get_transactions_from_file \n"
        self.print_info(text)
        #
        # INITIALIZATION
        #
        environment_directory = str(args[0])
        identifier = str(args[1])
        log_directory = str(args[2])

        # Configure logging parameters so we get output while the program runs
        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', datefmt='%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S',
                            filename=log_directory + identifier + ".log", level=logging.INFO)
        logging.info('START logging for test firm__get_transactions_from_file in run: %s',
                     environment_directory + identifier + ".xml")

        # Construct firm filename
        environment = Environment(environment_directory,  identifier)

        # get the firm_directory from the environment
        firm_directory = environment.firm_directory
        # and loop over all firms in the directory
        listing = os.listdir(firm_directory)
        firmFilename = firm_directory + listing[0]

        # generate a household
        household = Household()
        household.identifier = "test_household"
        environment.households.append(household)

        # generate a bank
        bank = Bank()
        bank.identifier = "test_bank"
        environment.banks.append(bank)

        # generate a firm
        firm = Firm()
        environment.firms.append(firm)

        #
        # TESTING
        #

        environment.firms[0].clear_accounts()
        print("Printing firm:\n")
        print(environment.firms[0])
        print("Reading transactions from the config file.\n")
        print("Printing firm: \n")
        firm.get_transactions_from_file(firm_directory + listing[0], environment)
        print(environment.firms[0])

    def updater__accrue_interests(self, args):
        import os
        from src.bank import Bank
        from src.household import Household
        from src.firm import Firm
        from src.environment import Environment
        from src.transaction import Transaction
        from src.market import Market
        from src.updater import Updater

        text = "This test checks updater.accrue_interests \n"
        self.print_info(text)
        #
        # INITIALIZATION
        #
        environment_directory = str(args[0])
        identifier = str(args[1])
        log_directory = str(args[2])

        # Configure logging parameters so we get output while the program runs
        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', datefmt='%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S',
                            filename=log_directory + identifier + ".log", level=logging.INFO)
        logging.info('START logging for test updater__accrue_interests in run: %s',
                     environment_directory + identifier + ".xml")

        # Construct household filename
        environment = Environment(environment_directory,  identifier)

        # generate a bank
        bank = Bank()
        bank.identifier = "test_bank"
        bank.interest_rate_deposits = 0.05
        environment.banks.append(bank)

        # generate a firm
        firm = Firm()
        firm.identifier = "test_firm"
        environment.firms.append(firm)

        # generate a household
        household = Household()
        household.identifier = "test_household"
        environment.households.append(household)

        #
        # TESTING
        #
        model = Updater(environment)
        model.__init__(environment)
        environment.new_transaction("deposits", "",  environment.get_agent_by_id("test_household").identifier, environment.get_agent_by_id("test_bank"),
                                    10.0, environment.get_agent_by_id("test_bank").interest_rate_deposits,  0, -1)
        print(environment.get_agent_by_id("test_household"))
        print("Accruing interests\n")
        model.accrue_interests(environment, 0)
        print(environment.get_agent_by_id("test_household"))

    def updater__set_model_parameters(self, args):
        import os
        from src.bank import Bank
        from src.household import Household
        from src.firm import Firm
        from src.environment import Environment
        from src.transaction import Transaction
        from src.market import Market
        from src.updater import Updater

        text = "This test checks updater.set_model_parameters \n"
        self.print_info(text)
        #
        # INITIALIZATION
        #
        environment_directory = str(args[0])
        identifier = str(args[1])
        log_directory = str(args[2])

        # Configure logging parameters so we get output while the program runs
        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', datefmt='%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S',
                            filename=log_directory + identifier + ".log", level=logging.INFO)
        logging.info('START logging for test updater__set_model_parameters in run: %s',
                     environment_directory + identifier + ".xml")

        # Construct household filename
        environment = Environment(environment_directory,  identifier)

        # generate a bank
        bank = Bank()
        bank.identifier = "test_bank"
        environment.banks.append(bank)

        # generate a firm
        firm = Firm()
        firm.identifier = "test_firm"
        environment.firms.append(firm)

        # generate a household
        household = Household()
        household.identifier = "test_household"
        environment.households.append(household)

        #
        # TESTING
        #
        model = Updater(environment)
        model.model_parameters = {"test": "model parameters"}
        print("Model's parameters:")
        print(model.get_model_parameters())
        print("Changing model's parameters:...")
        model.model_parameters = {"new": "model parameters"}
        print("Model's parameters:")
        print(model.get_model_parameters())

    def market__set_amplification(self, args):
        import os
        from src.bank import Bank
        from src.household import Household
        from src.firm import Firm
        from src.environment import Environment
        from src.transaction import Transaction
        from src.market import Market

        text = "This test checks market.set_amplification \n"
        self.print_info(text)
        #
        # INITIALIZATION
        #
        environment_directory = str(args[0])
        identifier = str(args[1])
        log_directory = str(args[2])

        # Configure logging parameters so we get output while the program runs
        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', datefmt='%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S',
                            filename=log_directory + identifier + ".log", level=logging.INFO)
        logging.info('START logging for test market__set_amplification in run: %s',
                     environment_directory + identifier + ".xml")

        # Construct household filename
        environment = Environment(environment_directory,  identifier)

        # generate a bank
        bank = Bank()
        bank.identifier = "test_bank"
        environment.banks.append(bank)

        # generate a firm
        firm = Firm()
        firm.identifier = "test_firm"
        environment.firms.append(firm)

        # generate a household
        household = Household()
        household.identifier = "test_household"
        environment.households.append(household)

        #
        # TESTING
        #
        market = Market("market_id")
        print("Market's amplification:")
        print(market.get_amplification())
        print("Changing amplification")
        market.set_amplification(0.55)
        print("Market's amplification:")
        print(market.get_amplification())

    def helper__initialize_standard_bank(self, args):
        import os
        from src.bank import Bank
        from src.household import Household
        from src.firm import Firm
        from src.environment import Environment
        from src.transaction import Transaction
        from src.helper import Helper

        text = "This test checks helper.initialize_standard_bank \n"
        self.print_info(text)
        #
        # INITIALIZATION
        #
        environment_directory = str(args[0])
        identifier = str(args[1])
        log_directory = str(args[2])

        # Configure logging parameters so we get output while the program runs
        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', datefmt='%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S',
                            filename=log_directory + identifier + ".log", level=logging.INFO)
        logging.info('START logging for test helper__initialize_standard_bank in run: %s',
                     environment_directory + identifier + ".xml")

        # Construct household filename
        environment = Environment(environment_directory,  identifier)

        # generate a bank
        bank = Bank()
        # bank.identifier = "test_bank"
        environment.banks.append(bank)

        # generate a firm
        firm = Firm()
        firm.identifier = "test_firm"
        environment.firms.append(firm)

        # generate a household
        household = Household()
        household.identifier = "test_household"
        environment.households.append(household)

        #
        # TESTING
        #

        helper = Helper()
        helper.initialize_standard_bank(bank, environment)
        print("Initialized standard bank")
        print(bank)

    def market__rationing_proportional(self, args):
        import os
        from src.bank import Bank
        from src.household import Household
        from src.firm import Firm
        from src.environment import Environment
        from src.transaction import Transaction
        from src.market import Market

        text = "This test checks market.rationing_proportional \n"
        self.print_info(text)
        #
        # INITIALIZATION
        #
        environment_directory = str(args[0])
        identifier = str(args[1])
        log_directory = str(args[2])

        # Configure logging parameters so we get output while the program runs
        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', datefmt='%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S',
                            filename=log_directory + identifier + ".log", level=logging.INFO)
        logging.info('START logging for test market__rationing_proportional in run: %s',
                     environment_directory + identifier + ".xml")

        # Construct household filename
        environment = Environment(environment_directory,  identifier)

        # generate a bank
        bank = Bank()
        bank.identifier = "test_bank"
        environment.banks.append(bank)

        # generate a firm
        firm = Firm()
        firm.identifier = "test_firm"
        environment.firms.append(firm)

        # generate a household
        household = Household()
        household.identifier = "test_household"
        environment.households.append(household)

        #
        # TESTING
        #
        market = Market("market")
        rationed = market.rationing_proportional([["agent1", 5], ["agent2", 7], ["agent3", -3], ["agent4", -4]])
        print("Pairs found through proportional rationing:")
        print(rationed)

 def initialize_firms_from_files(self,  firm_directory):
     from src.firm import Firm
     # this routine is called more than once, so we have to reset the list of firms each time
     self.firms = []
     # we list all the files in the specified directory
     listing = os.listdir(firm_directory)
     # and check if the number of files is in line with the parameters
     if (len(listing) != self.num_firms):
         logging.error("    ERROR: number of configuration files in %s (=%s) does not match num_firms (=%s)",
                       firm_directory,  str(len(listing)), str(self.num_firms))
     # we read the files sequentially
     for infile in listing:
         firm = Firm()
         firm.get_parameters_from_file(firm_directory + infile,  self)
         # and read parameters to the firms, only to add them to the environment
         self.firms.append(firm)

    def firm__purge_accounts(self, args):
        import os
        from src.bank import Bank
        from src.household import Household
        from src.firm import Firm
        from src.environment import Environment  # needed for the bankDirectory

        text = "This test checks firm.purge_accounts \n"
        text = text + "  Checking if after the purge_accounts the total amount    \n"
        text = text + "  of transactions in the firm stays the same.  \n"
        self.print_info(text)
        #
        # INITIALIZATION
        #
        environment_directory = str(args[0])
        identifier = str(args[1])
        log_directory = str(args[2])

        # Configure logging parameters so we get output while the program runs
        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', datefmt='%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S',
                            filename=log_directory + identifier + ".log", level=logging.INFO)
        logging.info('START logging for test firm__purge_accounts in run: %s',
                     environment_directory + identifier + ".xml")

        # Construct firm filename
        environment = Environment(environment_directory,  identifier)

        # get the firm_directory from the environment
        firm_directory = environment.firm_directory
        # and loop over all firms in the directory
        listing = os.listdir(firm_directory)
        firmFilename = firm_directory + listing[0]

        # generate a household
        household = Household()
        household.identifier = "test_household"
        environment.households.append(household)

        # generate a bank
        bank = Bank()
        bank.identifier = "test_bank"
        environment.banks.append(bank)

        # generate a firm
        firm = Firm()
        environment.firms.append(firm)
        helper = Helper()
        helper.initialize_standard_firm(firm, environment)

        #
        # TESTING
        #

        account = 0.0
        tranx = 0

        for transaction in firm.accounts:
            account = account + transaction.amount
            tranx = tranx + 1

        print(tranx)
        print(account)

        firm.add_transaction("deposits", "", environment.households[0:1][0],
                             firm.identifier, 0.0,  0.09,  0, -1, environment)
        # environment.households[0:1][0] is only for testing purposes DO NOT USE IN PRODUCTION
        # what it does is is takes the first household in environment, but if there are no
        # households (which happens in testing) it doesn't break down

        account = 0.0
        tranx = 0

        for transaction in firm.accounts:
            account = account + transaction.amount
            tranx = tranx + 1

        print(tranx)
        print(account)

        firm.accounts[0].purge_accounts(environment)

        account = 0.0
        tranx = 0

        for transaction in firm.accounts:
            account = account + transaction.amount
            tranx = tranx + 1

        print(tranx)
        print(account)

    def firm__add_transaction(self, args):
        import os
        from src.bank import Bank
        from src.household import Household
        from src.firm import Firm
        from src.environment import Environment  # needed for the bankDirectory

        text = "This test checks firm.add_transaction \n"
        text = text + "  The most simple way to test this function is to assign an new    \n"
        text = text + "  transaction to our firm. Therefore, lets just assign the following  \n"
        text = text + "  transaction and check whether it has been added: \n"
        text = text + '  (type = "deposits",  fromID = -1,  toID = firm.identifier,  amount = 10,  \n'
        text = text + "   interest = 0.09, maturity = 0, timeOfDefault = -1) \n"
        self.print_info(text)
        #
        # INITIALIZATION
        #
        environment_directory = str(args[0])
        identifier = str(args[1])
        log_directory = str(args[2])

        # Configure logging parameters so we get output while the program runs
        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', datefmt='%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S',
                            filename=log_directory + identifier + ".log", level=logging.INFO)
        logging.info('START logging for test firm__add_transaction in run: %s',
                     environment_directory + identifier + ".xml")

        # Construct firm filename
        environment = Environment(environment_directory,  identifier)

        # get the firm_directory from the environment
        firm_directory = environment.firm_directory
        # and loop over all firms in the directory
        listing = os.listdir(firm_directory)
        firmFilename = firm_directory + listing[0]

        # generate a household
        household = Household()
        household.identifier = "test_household"
        environment.households.append(household)

        # generate a bank
        bank = Bank()
        bank.identifier = "test_bank"
        environment.banks.append(bank)

        # generate a firm
        firm = Firm()
        environment.firms.append(firm)
        helper = Helper()
        helper.initialize_standard_firm(firm, environment)

        #
        # TESTING
        #

        print(firm)
        print("Adding new transaction: \n")
        firm.add_transaction("deposits", "", environment.households[0:1][0],
                             firm.identifier,  10,  0.09,  0, -1, environment)
        # environment.households[0:1][0] is only for testing purposes DO NOT USE IN PRODUCTION
        # what it does is is takes the first household in environment, but if there are no
        # households (which happens in testing) it doesn't break down
        print(firm)

    def firm__get_account_num_transactions(self, args):
        import os
        from src.bank import Bank
        from src.household import Household
        from src.firm import Firm
        from src.environment import Environment  # needed for the bankDirectory

        text = "This test checks firm.get_account_num_transactions \n"
        text = text + "  The purpose of this method is to count the numbers of transaction for   \n"
        text = text + "  accounts firms hold. Our standard frm has 3 transactions by default. \n"
        self.print_info(text)
        #
        # INITIALIZATION
        #
        environment_directory = str(args[0])
        identifier = str(args[1])
        log_directory = str(args[2])

        # Configure logging parameters so we get output while the program runs
        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', datefmt='%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S',
                            filename=log_directory + identifier + ".log", level=logging.INFO)
        logging.info('START logging for test firm__get_account_num_transactions in run: %s',
                     environment_directory + identifier + ".xml")

        # Construct firm filename
        environment = Environment(environment_directory,  identifier)

        # get the firm_directory from the environment
        firm_directory = environment.firm_directory
        # and loop over all firms in the directory
        listing = os.listdir(firm_directory)
        firmFilename = firm_directory + listing[0]

        # generate a household
        household = Household()
        household.identifier = "test_household"
        environment.households.append(household)

        # generate a bank
        bank = Bank()
        bank.identifier = "test_bank"
        environment.banks.append(bank)

        # generate a firm
        firm = Firm()
        environment.firms.append(firm)
        helper = Helper()
        helper.initialize_standard_firm(firm, environment)

        #
        # TESTING
        #

        num_transactions = 0.0          # counting all types in account together
        print(firm)
        # and checking if the number of transaction
        # is increasing by one
        for type in ["loans",  "cash",  "goods"]:
                        if type == "loans":
                                num_transactions = num_transactions + firm.get_account_num_transactions(type)
                                print("L = " + str(num_transactions))
                        if type == "cash":
                                num_transactions = num_transactions + firm.get_account_num_transactions(type)
                                print("L+M = " + str(num_transactions))
                        if type == "goods":
                                num_transactions = num_transactions + firm.get_account_num_transactions(type)
                                print("L+M+G = " + str(num_transactions))

    def firm__get_account(self, args):
        import os
        from src.bank import Bank
        from src.household import Household
        from src.firm import Firm
        from src.environment import Environment  # needed for the bankDirectory

        text = "This test checks firm.get_account \n"
        text = text + "  The purpose of this method is to establish an account for our firm which contains  \n"
        text = text + "  all kinds of assets and liabilities. The method simply adds all kinds of assets  \n"
        text = text + "  and stores them in one volume. As our firms holds 250.0 assets \n"
        text = text + "  and 250 liabilites the total volume of our account should be 500.0 \n"
        self.print_info(text)
        #
        # INITIALIZATION
        #
        environment_directory = str(args[0])
        identifier = str(args[1])
        log_directory = str(args[2])

        # Configure logging parameters so we get output while the program runs
        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s %(message)s', datefmt='%m/%d/%Y %H:%M:%S',
                            filename=log_directory + identifier + ".log", level=logging.INFO)
        logging.info('START logging for test firm__get_account in run: %s',
                     environment_directory + identifier + ".xml")

        # Construct firm filename
        environment = Environment(environment_directory,  identifier)

        # get the firm_directory from the environment
        firm_directory = environment.firm_directory
        # and loop over all firms in the directory
        listing = os.listdir(firm_directory)
        firmFilename = firm_directory + listing[0]

        # generate a household
        household = Household(