def form_metaquast_cmd_list(metaquast_fp, outdir, input_fasta):
    """format argument received to generate list to be used for metquast subprocess call

    Args:
        metaquast_fp(str): the string representing the path to metaquast executable
        outdir(str): the string representing the path to the output directory
        input_fasta(list): list of fasta files for the metaquast analysis

    Returns:
        call_args_list(list): is the sequence of commands to be passed to the metaquast call
    """

    if metaquast_fp is '' or metaquast_fp is None:
        raise ValueError('metaquast_path invalid. metaquast_path name is empty')
    if outdir is None:
        raise ValueError('outdir location invalid. outdir is None')
    if not input_fasta:
        raise ValueError('input contigs invalid. no fasta files specified')

    # required arguments
    call_args_list = ['python2', metaquast_fp]

    # add the fasta files
    call_args_list.extend(input_fasta)

    # add the output direcotry
    call_args_list.extend(['-o', outdir])

    return call_args_list