1 files changed, 76 insertions, 17 deletions
diff --git a/sleekxmpp/xmlstream/handler/base.py b/sleekxmpp/xmlstream/handler/base.py
index 720846d6..3ae82a89 100644
--- a/sleekxmpp/xmlstream/handler/base.py
+++ b/sleekxmpp/xmlstream/handler/base.py
@@ -6,23 +6,82 @@
     See the file LICENSE for copying permission.
 """
 
+
 class BaseHandler(object):
 
+    """
+    Base class for stream handlers. Stream handlers are matched with
+    incoming stanzas so that the stanza may be processed in some way.
+    Stanzas may be matched with multiple handlers.
+
+    Handler execution may take place in two phases. The first is during
+    the stream processing itself. The second is after stream processing
+    and during SleekXMPP's main event loop. The prerun method is used
+    for execution during stream processing, and the run method is used
+    during the main event loop.
+
+    Attributes:
+        name   -- The name of the handler.
+        stream -- The stream this handler is assigned to.
+
+    Methods:
+        match       -- Compare a stanza with the handler's matcher.
+        prerun      -- Handler execution during stream processing.
+        run         -- Handler execution during the main event loop.
+        checkDelete -- Indicate if the handler may be removed from use.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, name, matcher, stream=None):
+        """
+        Create a new stream handler.
+
+        Arguments:
+            name    -- The name of the handler.
+            matcher -- A matcher object from xmlstream.matcher that will be
+                       used to determine if a stanza should be accepted by
+                       this handler.
+            stream  -- The XMLStream instance the handler should monitor.
+        """
+        self.name = name
+        self.stream = stream
+        self._destroy = False
+        self._payload = None
+        self._matcher = matcher
+        if stream is not None:
+            stream.registerHandler(self)
+
+    def match(self, xml):
+        """
+        Compare a stanza or XML object with the handler's matcher.
+
+        Arguments
+            xml -- An XML or stanza object.
+        """
+        return self._matcher.match(xml)
+
+    def prerun(self, payload):
+        """
+        Prepare the handler for execution while the XML stream is being
+        processed.
+
+        Arguments:
+            payload -- A stanza object.
+        """
+        self._payload = payload
+
+    def run(self, payload):
+        """
+        Execute the handler after XML stream processing and during the
+        main event loop.
+
+        Arguments:
+            payload -- A stanza object.
+        """
+        self._payload = payload
 
-	def __init__(self, name, matcher):
-		self.name = name
-		self._destroy = False
-		self._payload = None
-		self._matcher = matcher
-	
-	def match(self, xml):
-		return self._matcher.match(xml)
-	
-	def prerun(self, payload):
-		self._payload = payload
-
-	def run(self, payload):
-		self._payload = payload
-	
-	def checkDelete(self):
-		return self._destroy
+    def checkDelete(self):
+        """
+        Check if the handler should be removed from the list of stream
+        handlers.
+        """
+        return self._destroy