text: """
  Various helper methods for topography
  """
  
  
  def euclidian_distance(ptA, ptB):
      """
      Returns the shortest path distance between the two Points
      """
      if (ptA.X != ptB.X or ptA.Y != ptB.Y):
          return ( (ptA.X - ptB.X)**2 + (ptA.Y - ptB.Y)**2 ) ** (1/2)
      return 0.0
  