ENH: pandas read_* wildcard #15904
State: closed

 - [x] closes #15904
 - [x] tests added / passed (N/A for docs)
 - [x] passes ``git diff upstream/master --name-only -- '*.py' | flake8 --diff``
 - [x] whatsnew entry (N/A for docs)


Labels:
name: Docs

Comments:
# [Codecov](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=h1) Report
> Merging [#16166](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=desc) into [master](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/commit/075eca1fa085359b71f26d02c2f44156068e123c?src=pr&el=desc) will **not change** coverage.
> The diff coverage is `n/a`.

[![Impacted file tree graph](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166/graphs/tree.svg?height=150&src=pr&token=eZ4WkYLtcO&width=650)](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=tree)

```diff
@@           Coverage Diff           @@
##           master   #16166   +/-   ##
=======================================
  Coverage   90.87%   90.87%           
=======================================
  Files         162      162           
  Lines       50816    50816           
=======================================
  Hits        46178    46178           
  Misses       4638     4638
```

| Flag | Coverage Δ | |
|---|---|---|
| #multiple | `88.65% <ø> (ø)` | :arrow_up: |
| #single | `40.33% <ø> (ø)` | :arrow_up: |


------

[Continue to review full report at Codecov](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=continue).
> **Legend** - [Click here to learn more](https://docs.codecov.io/docs/codecov-delta)
> `Δ = absolute <relative> (impact)`, `ø = not affected`, `? = missing data`
> Powered by [Codecov](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=footer). Last update [075eca1...b2a4f72](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=lastupdated). Read the [comment docs](https://docs.codecov.io/docs/pull-request-comments).

# [Codecov](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=h1) Report
> Merging [#16166](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=desc) into [master](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/commit/075eca1fa085359b71f26d02c2f44156068e123c?src=pr&el=desc) will **decrease** coverage by `<.01%`.
> The diff coverage is `n/a`.

[![Impacted file tree graph](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166/graphs/tree.svg?height=150&src=pr&token=eZ4WkYLtcO&width=650)](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=tree)

```diff
@@            Coverage Diff             @@
##           master   #16166      +/-   ##
==========================================
- Coverage   90.87%   90.86%   -0.01%     
==========================================
  Files         162      162              
  Lines       50816    50819       +3     
==========================================
- Hits        46178    46176       -2     
- Misses       4638     4643       +5
```

| Flag | Coverage Δ | |
|---|---|---|
| #multiple | `88.64% <ø> (-0.01%)` | :arrow_down: |
| #single | `40.33% <ø> (-0.01%)` | :arrow_down: |

| [Impacted Files](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=tree) | Coverage Δ | |
|---|---|---|
| [pandas/plotting/\_converter.py](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=tree#diff-cGFuZGFzL3Bsb3R0aW5nL19jb252ZXJ0ZXIucHk=) | `63.54% <0%> (-1.82%)` | :arrow_down: |
| [pandas/core/frame.py](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=tree#diff-cGFuZGFzL2NvcmUvZnJhbWUucHk=) | `97.58% <0%> (-0.01%)` | :arrow_down: |
| [pandas/core/dtypes/api.py](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=tree#diff-cGFuZGFzL2NvcmUvZHR5cGVzL2FwaS5weQ==) | `100% <0%> (ø)` | :arrow_up: |
| [pandas/api/types/\_\_init\_\_.py](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=tree#diff-cGFuZGFzL2FwaS90eXBlcy9fX2luaXRfXy5weQ==) | `100% <0%> (ø)` | :arrow_up: |
| [pandas/core/dtypes/common.py](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=tree#diff-cGFuZGFzL2NvcmUvZHR5cGVzL2NvbW1vbi5weQ==) | `93.5% <0%> (+0.25%)` | :arrow_up: |
| [pandas/core/generic.py](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=tree#diff-cGFuZGFzL2NvcmUvZ2VuZXJpYy5weQ==) | `91.63% <0%> (+0.32%)` | :arrow_up: |

------

[Continue to review full report at Codecov](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=continue).
> **Legend** - [Click here to learn more](https://docs.codecov.io/docs/codecov-delta)
> `Δ = absolute <relative> (impact)`, `ø = not affected`, `? = missing data`
> Powered by [Codecov](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=footer). Last update [075eca1...b2ab07a](https://codecov.io/gh/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166?src=pr&el=lastupdated). Read the [comment docs](https://docs.codecov.io/docs/pull-request-comments).

I think this should have a pointer from the ``io.rst/read_csv`` docs as well (maybe a mini section), or it *could* entirely exist there (and have a pointer from the cookbook)
@jreback There should be a small section in `io.rst` that references this.  See [here](https://github.com/pandas-dev/pandas/pull/16166/files#diff-bb262b5e18f651a4357476b250d4b255R1448).  If you had something different in mind let me know - happy to make the change.  
@dwkenefick thanks! The doc build should be done in 20-30 minutes, if you want to check the output [here](http://pandas-docs.github.io/pandas-docs-travis/cookbook.html)