code: def add_parameter(self, name, value):
          
          if name in self._parameters:
              raise ValueError("'%s' is already a parameter" % (name))
          elif name in self.__dict__:
              raise ValueError("'%s' conflicts with the Datamat name-space" % (name))
  
          self.__dict__[name] = value
          self._parameters[name] = self.__dict__[name]
docs: Adds a parameter to the existing Datamat.
  
          Fails if parameter with same name already exists or if name is otherwise
          in this objects ___dict__ dictionary.