Module:String: Difference between revisions

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    (Created page with "-- <nowiki> --[[ Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Module:String This module is intended to provide access to basic string functions. Most of the functions provided her...")
    Line 1: Line 1:
    -- <nowiki>
    --[[   
    --[[   
     
    Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Module:String
    This module is intended to provide access to basic string functions.
    This module is intended to provide access to basic string functions.
     
    Most of the functions provided here can be invoked with named parameters,  
    Most of the functions provided here can be invoked with named parameters,  
    unnamed parameters, or a mixture.  If named parameters are used, Mediawiki will  
    unnamed parameters, or a mixture.  If named parameters are used, Mediawiki will  
    Line 8: Line 9:
    Depending on the intended use, it may be advantageous to either preserve or
    Depending on the intended use, it may be advantageous to either preserve or
    remove such whitespace.
    remove such whitespace.
     
    Global options
    Global options
         ignore_errors: If set to 'true' or 1, any error condition will result in  
         ignore_errors: If set to 'true' or 1, any error condition will result in  
             an empty string being returned rather than an error message.   
             an empty string being returned rather than an error message.   
           
         error_category: If an error occurs, specifies the name of a category to  
         error_category: If an error occurs, specifies the name of a category to  
             include with the error message.  The default category is   
             include with the error message.  The default category is   
             [Category:Errors reported by Module String].
             [Category:Errors reported by Module String].
           
         no_category: If set to 'true' or 1, no category will be added if an error
         no_category: If set to 'true' or 1, no category will be added if an error
             is generated.
             is generated.
           
    Unit tests for this module are available at Module:String/tests.
    Unit tests for this module are available at Module:String/tests.
    ]]
    ]]
     
    local str = {}
    local str = {}
     
    --[[
    --[[
    len
    len
     
    This function returns the length of the target string.
    This function returns the length of the target string.
     
    Usage:
    Usage:
    {{#invoke:String|len|target_string|}}
    {{#invoke:String|len|target_string|}}
    OR
    OR
    {{#invoke:String|len|s=target_string}}
    {{#invoke:String|len|s=target_string}}
     
    Parameters
    Parameters
         s: The string whose length to report
         s: The string whose length to report
     
    If invoked using named parameters, Mediawiki will automatically remove any leading or
    If invoked using named parameters, Mediawiki will automatically remove any leading or
    trailing whitespace from the target string.   
    trailing whitespace from the target string.   
    Line 46: Line 47:
         return mw.ustring.len( s )
         return mw.ustring.len( s )
    end
    end
     
    --[[
    --[[
    sub
    sub
     
    This function returns a substring of the target string at specified indices.
    This function returns a substring of the target string at specified indices.
     
    Usage:
    Usage:
    {{#invoke:String|sub|target_string|start_index|end_index}}
    {{#invoke:String|sub|target_string|start_index|end_index}}
    OR
    OR
    {{#invoke:String|sub|s=target_string|i=start_index|j=end_index}}
    {{#invoke:String|sub|s=target_string|i=start_index|j=end_index}}
     
    Parameters
    Parameters
         s: The string to return a subset of
         s: The string to return a subset of
         i: The fist index of the substring to return, defaults to 1.
         i: The fist index of the substring to return, defaults to 1.
         j: The last index of the string to return, defaults to the last character.
         j: The last index of the string to return, defaults to the last character.
       
    The first character of the string is assigned an index of 1.  If either i or j
    The first character of the string is assigned an index of 1.  If either i or j
    is a negative value, it is interpreted the same as selecting a character by  
    is a negative value, it is interpreted the same as selecting a character by  
    counting from the end of the string.  Hence, a value of -1 is the same as  
    counting from the end of the string.  Hence, a value of -1 is the same as  
    selecting the last character of the string.
    selecting the last character of the string.
     
    If the requested indices are out of range for the given string, an error is  
    If the requested indices are out of range for the given string, an error is  
    reported.
    reported.
    Line 75: Line 76:
         local i = tonumber( new_args['i'] ) or 1;
         local i = tonumber( new_args['i'] ) or 1;
         local j = tonumber( new_args['j'] ) or -1;
         local j = tonumber( new_args['j'] ) or -1;
       
         local len = mw.ustring.len( s );
         local len = mw.ustring.len( s );
     
         -- Convert negatives for range checking
         -- Convert negatives for range checking
         if i < 0 then
         if i < 0 then
    Line 85: Line 86:
             j = len + j + 1;
             j = len + j + 1;
         end
         end
       
         if i > len or j > len or i < 1 or j < 1 then
         if i > len or j > len or i < 1 or j < 1 then
             return str._error( 'String subset index out of range' );
             return str._error( 'String subset index out of range' );
    Line 92: Line 93:
             return str._error( 'String subset indices out of order' );
             return str._error( 'String subset indices out of order' );
         end
         end
       
         return mw.ustring.sub( s, i, j )
         return mw.ustring.sub( s, i, j )
    end
    end
     
    --[[
    --[[
    This function implements that features of {{str sub old}} and is kept in order
    This function implements that features of {{str sub old}} and is kept in order
    Line 105: Line 106:
         return mw.ustring.sub( frame.args.s, i + 1, len and ( i + len ) )
         return mw.ustring.sub( frame.args.s, i + 1, len and ( i + len ) )
    end
    end
     
    --[[
    --[[
    match
    match
     
    This function returns a substring from the source string that matches a  
    This function returns a substring from the source string that matches a  
    specified pattern.
    specified pattern.
     
    Usage:
    Usage:
    {{#invoke:String|match|source_string|pattern_string|start_index|match_number|plain_flag|nomatch_output}}
    {{#invoke:String|match|source_string|pattern_string|start_index|match_number|plain_flag|nomatch_output}}
    Line 117: Line 118:
    {{#invoke:String|match|s=source_string|pattern=pattern_string|start=start_index
    {{#invoke:String|match|s=source_string|pattern=pattern_string|start=start_index
         |match=match_number|plain=plain_flag|nomatch=nomatch_output}}
         |match=match_number|plain=plain_flag|nomatch=nomatch_output}}
     
    Parameters
    Parameters
         s: The string to search
         s: The string to search
    Line 131: Line 132:
             text.  Defaults to false.
             text.  Defaults to false.
         nomatch: If no match is found, output the "nomatch" value rather than an error.
         nomatch: If no match is found, output the "nomatch" value rather than an error.
     
    If invoked using named parameters, Mediawiki will automatically remove any leading or
    If invoked using named parameters, Mediawiki will automatically remove any leading or
    trailing whitespace from each string.  In some circumstances this is desirable, in  
    trailing whitespace from each string.  In some circumstances this is desirable, in  
    other cases one may want to preserve the whitespace.
    other cases one may want to preserve the whitespace.
     
    If the match_number or start_index are out of range for the string being queried, then
    If the match_number or start_index are out of range for the string being queried, then
    this function generates an error.  An error is also generated if no match is found.
    this function generates an error.  An error is also generated if no match is found.
    If one adds the parameter ignore_errors=true, then the error will be suppressed and  
    If one adds the parameter ignore_errors=true, then the error will be suppressed and  
    an empty string will be returned on any failure.
    an empty string will be returned on any failure.
     
    For information on constructing Lua patterns, a form of [regular expression], see:
    For information on constructing Lua patterns, a form of [regular expression], see:
     
    * https://www.lua.org/manual/5.1/manual.html#5.4.1
    * http://www.lua.org/manual/5.1/manual.html#5.4.1
    * https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:Scribunto/Lua_reference_manual#Patterns
    * http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:Scribunto/Lua_reference_manual#Patterns
    * https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:Scribunto/Lua_reference_manual#Ustring_patterns
    * http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:Scribunto/Lua_reference_manual#Ustring_patterns
     
    ]]
    ]]
    function str.match( frame )
    function str.match( frame )
    Line 156: Line 157:
         local match_index = math.floor( tonumber(new_args['match']) or 1 );
         local match_index = math.floor( tonumber(new_args['match']) or 1 );
         local nomatch = new_args['nomatch'];
         local nomatch = new_args['nomatch'];
       
         if s == '' then
         if s == '' then
             return str._error( 'Target string is empty' );
             return str._error( 'Target string is empty' );
    Line 172: Line 173:
             pattern = str._escapePattern( pattern );
             pattern = str._escapePattern( pattern );
         end
         end
       
         local result
         local result
         if match_index == 1 then
         if match_index == 1 then
    Line 181: Line 182:
                 s = mw.ustring.sub( s, start );
                 s = mw.ustring.sub( s, start );
             end
             end
           
             local iterator = mw.ustring.gmatch(s, pattern);
             local iterator = mw.ustring.gmatch(s, pattern);
             if match_index > 0 then
             if match_index > 0 then
    Line 200: Line 201:
                     count = count + 1;
                     count = count + 1;
                 end
                 end
               
                 result = result_table[ count + match_index ];             
                 result = result_table[ count + match_index ];             
             end
             end
         end         
         end         
       
         if result == nil then
         if result == nil then
             if nomatch == nil then
             if nomatch == nil then
    Line 215: Line 216:
         end
         end
    end
    end
     
    --[[
    --[[
    pos
    pos
     
    This function returns a single character from the target string at position pos.
    This function returns a single character from the target string at position pos.
     
    Usage:
    Usage:
    {{#invoke:String|pos|target_string|index_value}}
    {{#invoke:String|pos|target_string|index_value}}
    OR
    OR
    {{#invoke:String|pos|target=target_string|pos=index_value}}
    {{#invoke:String|pos|target=target_string|pos=index_value}}
     
    Parameters
    Parameters
         target: The string to search
         target: The string to search
         pos: The index for the character to return
         pos: The index for the character to return
     
    If invoked using named parameters, Mediawiki will automatically remove any leading or
    If invoked using named parameters, Mediawiki will automatically remove any leading or
    trailing whitespace from the target string.  In some circumstances this is desirable, in  
    trailing whitespace from the target string.  In some circumstances this is desirable, in  
    other cases one may want to preserve the whitespace.
    other cases one may want to preserve the whitespace.
     
    The first character has an index value of 1.
    The first character has an index value of 1.
     
    If one requests a negative value, this function will select a character by counting backwards  
    If one requests a negative value, this function will select a character by counting backwards  
    from the end of the string.  In other words pos = -1 is the same as asking for the last character.
    from the end of the string.  In other words pos = -1 is the same as asking for the last character.
     
    A requested value of zero, or a value greater than the length of the string returns an error.
    A requested value of zero, or a value greater than the length of the string returns an error.
    ]]
    ]]
    Line 245: Line 246:
         local target_str = new_args['target'] or '';
         local target_str = new_args['target'] or '';
         local pos = tonumber( new_args['pos'] ) or 0;
         local pos = tonumber( new_args['pos'] ) or 0;
     
         if pos == 0 or math.abs(pos) > mw.ustring.len( target_str ) then
         if pos == 0 or math.abs(pos) > mw.ustring.len( target_str ) then
             return str._error( 'String index out of range' );
             return str._error( 'String index out of range' );
         end     
         end     
       
         return mw.ustring.sub( target_str, pos, pos );
         return mw.ustring.sub( target_str, pos, pos );
    end
    end
     
    --[[
    --[[
    str_find
    str_find
     
    This function duplicates the behavior of {{str_find}}, including all of its quirks.
    This function duplicates the behavior of {{str_find}}, including all of its quirks.
    This is provided in order to support existing templates, but is NOT RECOMMENDED for  
    This is provided in order to support existing templates, but is NOT RECOMMENDED for  
    new code and templates.  New code is recommended to use the "find" function instead.
    new code and templates.  New code is recommended to use the "find" function instead.
     
    Returns the first index in "source" that is a match to "target".  Indexing is 1-based,
    Returns the first index in "source" that is a match to "target".  Indexing is 1-based,
    and the function returns -1 if the "target" string is not present in "source".
    and the function returns -1 if the "target" string is not present in "source".
     
    Important Note: If the "target" string is empty / missing, this function returns a
    Important Note: If the "target" string is empty / missing, this function returns a
    value of "1", which is generally unexpected behavior, and must be accounted for
    value of "1", which is generally unexpected behavior, and must be accounted for
    Line 271: Line 272:
         local source_str = new_args['source'] or '';
         local source_str = new_args['source'] or '';
         local target_str = new_args['target'] or '';
         local target_str = new_args['target'] or '';
     
         if target_str == '' then
         if target_str == '' then
             return 1;
             return 1;
         end     
         end     
       
         local start = mw.ustring.find( source_str, target_str, 1, true )
         local start = mw.ustring.find( source_str, target_str, 1, true )
         if start == nil then
         if start == nil then
             start = -1
             start = -1
         end
         end
       
         return start
         return start
    end
    end
     
    --[[
    --[[
    find
    find
     
    This function allows one to search for a target string or pattern within another
    This function allows one to search for a target string or pattern within another
    string.
    string.
     
    Usage:
    Usage:
    {{#invoke:String|find|source_str|target_string|start_index|plain_flag}}
    {{#invoke:String|find|source_str|target_string|start_index|plain_flag}}
    OR
    OR
    {{#invoke:String|find|source=source_str|target=target_str|start=start_index|plain=plain_flag}}
    {{#invoke:String|find|source=source_str|target=target_str|start=start_index|plain=plain_flag}}
     
    Parameters
    Parameters
         source: The string to search
         source: The string to search
    Line 301: Line 302:
         plain: Boolean flag indicating that target should be understood as plain
         plain: Boolean flag indicating that target should be understood as plain
             text and not as a Lua style regular expression, defaults to true
             text and not as a Lua style regular expression, defaults to true
     
    If invoked using named parameters, Mediawiki will automatically remove any leading or
    If invoked using named parameters, Mediawiki will automatically remove any leading or
    trailing whitespace from the parameter.  In some circumstances this is desirable, in  
    trailing whitespace from the parameter.  In some circumstances this is desirable, in  
    other cases one may want to preserve the whitespace.
    other cases one may want to preserve the whitespace.
     
    This function returns the first index >= "start" where "target" can be found  
    This function returns the first index >= "start" where "target" can be found  
    within "source".  Indices are 1-based.  If "target" is not found, then this  
    within "source".  Indices are 1-based.  If "target" is not found, then this  
    function returns 0.  If either "source" or "target" are missing / empty, this
    function returns 0.  If either "source" or "target" are missing / empty, this
    function also returns 0.
    function also returns 0.
     
    This function should be safe for UTF-8 strings.
    This function should be safe for UTF-8 strings.
    ]]
    ]]
    Line 319: Line 320:
         local start_pos = tonumber(new_args['start']) or 1;
         local start_pos = tonumber(new_args['start']) or 1;
         local plain = new_args['plain'] or true;
         local plain = new_args['plain'] or true;
           
         if source_str == '' or pattern == '' then
         if source_str == '' or pattern == '' then
             return 0;
             return 0;
         end     
         end     
       
         plain = str._getBoolean( plain );
         plain = str._getBoolean( plain );
     
         local start = mw.ustring.find( source_str, pattern, start_pos, plain )
         local start = mw.ustring.find( source_str, pattern, start_pos, plain )
         if start == nil then
         if start == nil then
             start = 0
             start = 0
         end
         end
       
         return start
         return start
    end
    end
     
    --[[
    --[[
    replace
    replace
     
    This function allows one to replace a target string or pattern within another
    This function allows one to replace a target string or pattern within another
    string.
    string.
     
    Usage:
    Usage:
    {{#invoke:String|replace|source_str|pattern_string|replace_string|replacement_count|plain_flag}}
    {{#invoke:String|replace|source_str|pattern_string|replace_string|replacement_count|plain_flag}}
    Line 345: Line 346:
    {{#invoke:String|replace|source=source_string|pattern=pattern_string|replace=replace_string|
    {{#invoke:String|replace|source=source_string|pattern=pattern_string|replace=replace_string|
       count=replacement_count|plain=plain_flag}}
       count=replacement_count|plain=plain_flag}}
     
    Parameters
    Parameters
         source: The string to search
         source: The string to search
    Line 361: Line 362:
         local count = tonumber( new_args['count'] );
         local count = tonumber( new_args['count'] );
         local plain = new_args['plain'] or true;
         local plain = new_args['plain'] or true;
           
         if source_str == '' or pattern == '' then
         if source_str == '' or pattern == '' then
             return source_str;
             return source_str;
         end     
         end     
         plain = str._getBoolean( plain );
         plain = str._getBoolean( plain );
     
         if plain then
         if plain then
             pattern = str._escapePattern( pattern );
             pattern = str._escapePattern( pattern );
             replace = mw.ustring.gsub( replace, "%%", "%%%%" ); --Only need to escape replacement sequences.
             replace = mw.ustring.gsub( replace, "%%", "%%%%" ); --Only need to escape replacement sequences.
         end
         end
       
         local result;
         local result;
     
         if count ~= nil then
         if count ~= nil then
             result = mw.ustring.gsub( source_str, pattern, replace, count );
             result = mw.ustring.gsub( source_str, pattern, replace, count );
    Line 379: Line 380:
             result = mw.ustring.gsub( source_str, pattern, replace );
             result = mw.ustring.gsub( source_str, pattern, replace );
         end         
         end         
     
         return result;
         return result;
    end
    end
     
    --[[  
    --[[  
         simple function to pipe string.rep to templates.
         simple function to pipe string.rep to templates.
    ]]
    ]]
     
    function str.rep( frame )
    function str.rep( frame )
         local repetitions = tonumber( frame.args[2] )
         local repetitions = tonumber( frame.args[2] )
    Line 394: Line 395:
         return string.rep( frame.args[1] or '', repetitions )
         return string.rep( frame.args[1] or '', repetitions )
    end
    end
     
    --[[
    --[[
    Helper function that populates the argument list given that user may need to use a mix of
    Helper function that populates the argument list given that user may need to use a mix of
    Line 405: Line 406:
         local index = 1;
         local index = 1;
         local value;
         local value;
       
         for i,arg in ipairs( arg_list ) do
         for i,arg in ipairs( arg_list ) do
             value = frame_args[arg]
             value = frame_args[arg]
    Line 414: Line 415:
             new_args[arg] = value;
             new_args[arg] = value;
         end
         end
       
         return new_args;
         return new_args;
    end         
    end         
     
    --[[
    --[[
    Helper function to handle error messages.
    Helper function to handle error messages.
    Line 426: Line 427:
         local ignore_errors = frame.args.ignore_errors or false;
         local ignore_errors = frame.args.ignore_errors or false;
         local no_category = frame.args.no_category or false;
         local no_category = frame.args.no_category or false;
       
         if str._getBoolean(ignore_errors) then
         if str._getBoolean(ignore_errors) then
             return '';
             return '';
         end
         end
       
         local error_str = '<strong class="error">String Module Error: ' .. error_str .. '</strong>';
         local error_str = '<strong class="error">String Module Error: ' .. error_str .. '</strong>';
         if error_category ~= '' and not str._getBoolean( no_category ) then
         if error_category ~= '' and not str._getBoolean( no_category ) then
             error_str = '[[Category:' .. error_category .. ']]' .. error_str;
             error_str = '[[Category:' .. error_category .. ']]' .. error_str;
         end         
         end         
       
         return error_str;
         return error_str;
    end
    end
     
    --[[
    --[[
    Helper Function to interpret boolean strings
    Helper Function to interpret boolean strings
    Line 444: Line 445:
    function str._getBoolean( boolean_str )
    function str._getBoolean( boolean_str )
         local boolean_value;
         local boolean_value;
       
         if type( boolean_str ) == 'string' then
         if type( boolean_str ) == 'string' then
             boolean_str = boolean_str:lower();
             boolean_str = boolean_str:lower();
    Line 460: Line 461:
         return boolean_value
         return boolean_value
    end
    end
     
    --[[
    --[[
    Helper function that escapes all pattern characters so that they will be treated  
    Helper function that escapes all pattern characters so that they will be treated  
    Line 468: Line 469:
         return mw.ustring.gsub( pattern_str, "([%(%)%.%%%+%-%*%?%[%^%$%]])", "%%%1" );
         return mw.ustring.gsub( pattern_str, "([%(%)%.%%%+%-%*%?%[%^%$%]])", "%%%1" );
    end
    end
     
    return str
    return str

    Revision as of 12:16, 30 April 2018

    Documentation for this module may be created at Module:String/doc

    -- <nowiki>
    --[[  
    Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Module:String
    This module is intended to provide access to basic string functions.
     
    Most of the functions provided here can be invoked with named parameters, 
    unnamed parameters, or a mixture.  If named parameters are used, Mediawiki will 
    automatically remove any leading or trailing whitespace from the parameter.  
    Depending on the intended use, it may be advantageous to either preserve or
    remove such whitespace.
     
    Global options
        ignore_errors: If set to 'true' or 1, any error condition will result in 
            an empty string being returned rather than an error message.  
     
        error_category: If an error occurs, specifies the name of a category to 
            include with the error message.  The default category is  
            [Category:Errors reported by Module String].
     
        no_category: If set to 'true' or 1, no category will be added if an error
            is generated.
     
    Unit tests for this module are available at Module:String/tests.
    ]]
     
    local str = {}
     
    --[[
    len
     
    This function returns the length of the target string.
     
    Usage:
    {{#invoke:String|len|target_string|}}
    OR
    {{#invoke:String|len|s=target_string}}
     
    Parameters
        s: The string whose length to report
     
    If invoked using named parameters, Mediawiki will automatically remove any leading or
    trailing whitespace from the target string.  
    ]]
    function str.len( frame )
        local new_args = str._getParameters( frame.args, {'s'} );
        local s = new_args['s'] or '';
        return mw.ustring.len( s )
    end
     
    --[[
    sub
     
    This function returns a substring of the target string at specified indices.
     
    Usage:
    {{#invoke:String|sub|target_string|start_index|end_index}}
    OR
    {{#invoke:String|sub|s=target_string|i=start_index|j=end_index}}
     
    Parameters
        s: The string to return a subset of
        i: The fist index of the substring to return, defaults to 1.
        j: The last index of the string to return, defaults to the last character.
     
    The first character of the string is assigned an index of 1.  If either i or j
    is a negative value, it is interpreted the same as selecting a character by 
    counting from the end of the string.  Hence, a value of -1 is the same as 
    selecting the last character of the string.
     
    If the requested indices are out of range for the given string, an error is 
    reported.
    ]]
    function str.sub( frame )
        local new_args = str._getParameters( frame.args, { 's', 'i', 'j' } );
        local s = new_args['s'] or '';
        local i = tonumber( new_args['i'] ) or 1;
        local j = tonumber( new_args['j'] ) or -1;
     
        local len = mw.ustring.len( s );
     
        -- Convert negatives for range checking
        if i < 0 then
            i = len + i + 1;
        end
        if j < 0 then
            j = len + j + 1;
        end
     
        if i > len or j > len or i < 1 or j < 1 then
            return str._error( 'String subset index out of range' );
        end
        if j < i then
            return str._error( 'String subset indices out of order' );
        end
     
        return mw.ustring.sub( s, i, j )
    end
     
    --[[
    This function implements that features of {{str sub old}} and is kept in order
    to maintain these older templates.
    ]]
    function str.sublength( frame )
        local i = tonumber( frame.args.i ) or 0
        local len = tonumber( frame.args.len )
        return mw.ustring.sub( frame.args.s, i + 1, len and ( i + len ) )
    end
     
    --[[
    match
     
    This function returns a substring from the source string that matches a 
    specified pattern.
     
    Usage:
    {{#invoke:String|match|source_string|pattern_string|start_index|match_number|plain_flag|nomatch_output}}
    OR
    {{#invoke:String|match|s=source_string|pattern=pattern_string|start=start_index
        |match=match_number|plain=plain_flag|nomatch=nomatch_output}}
     
    Parameters
        s: The string to search
        pattern: The pattern or string to find within the string
        start: The index within the source string to start the search.  The first
            character of the string has index 1.  Defaults to 1.
        match: In some cases it may be possible to make multiple matches on a single 
            string.  This specifies which match to return, where the first match is 
            match= 1.  If a negative number is specified then a match is returned 
            counting from the last match.  Hence match = -1 is the same as requesting
            the last match.  Defaults to 1.
        plain: A flag indicating that the pattern should be understood as plain
            text.  Defaults to false.
        nomatch: If no match is found, output the "nomatch" value rather than an error.
     
    If invoked using named parameters, Mediawiki will automatically remove any leading or
    trailing whitespace from each string.  In some circumstances this is desirable, in 
    other cases one may want to preserve the whitespace.
     
    If the match_number or start_index are out of range for the string being queried, then
    this function generates an error.  An error is also generated if no match is found.
    If one adds the parameter ignore_errors=true, then the error will be suppressed and 
    an empty string will be returned on any failure.
     
    For information on constructing Lua patterns, a form of [regular expression], see:
     
    * http://www.lua.org/manual/5.1/manual.html#5.4.1
    * http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:Scribunto/Lua_reference_manual#Patterns
    * http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:Scribunto/Lua_reference_manual#Ustring_patterns
     
    ]]
    function str.match( frame )
        local new_args = str._getParameters( frame.args, {'s', 'pattern', 'start', 'match', 'plain', 'nomatch'} );
        local s = new_args['s'] or '';
        local start = tonumber( new_args['start'] ) or 1;
        local plain_flag = str._getBoolean( new_args['plain'] or false );
        local pattern = new_args['pattern'] or '';
        local match_index = math.floor( tonumber(new_args['match']) or 1 );
        local nomatch = new_args['nomatch'];
     
        if s == '' then
            return str._error( 'Target string is empty' );
        end
        if pattern == '' then
            return str._error( 'Pattern string is empty' );
        end
        if math.abs(start) < 1 or math.abs(start) > mw.ustring.len( s ) then
            return str._error( 'Requested start is out of range' );
        end
        if match_index == 0 then
            return str._error( 'Match index is out of range' );
        end
        if plain_flag then
            pattern = str._escapePattern( pattern );
        end
     
        local result
        if match_index == 1 then
            -- Find first match is simple case
            result = mw.ustring.match( s, pattern, start )
        else
            if start > 1 then
                s = mw.ustring.sub( s, start );
            end
     
            local iterator = mw.ustring.gmatch(s, pattern);
            if match_index > 0 then
                -- Forward search
                for w in iterator do
                    match_index = match_index - 1;
                    if match_index == 0 then
                        result = w;
                        break;
                    end
                end    
            else
                -- Reverse search
                local result_table = {};
                local count = 1;
                for w in iterator do
                    result_table[count] = w;
                    count = count + 1;
                end
     
                result = result_table[ count + match_index ];            
            end
        end        
     
        if result == nil then
            if nomatch == nil then
                return str._error( 'Match not found' );
            else
                return nomatch;
            end
        else
            return result;
        end
    end
     
    --[[
    pos
     
    This function returns a single character from the target string at position pos.
     
    Usage:
    {{#invoke:String|pos|target_string|index_value}}
    OR
    {{#invoke:String|pos|target=target_string|pos=index_value}}
     
    Parameters
        target: The string to search
        pos: The index for the character to return
     
    If invoked using named parameters, Mediawiki will automatically remove any leading or
    trailing whitespace from the target string.  In some circumstances this is desirable, in 
    other cases one may want to preserve the whitespace.
     
    The first character has an index value of 1.
     
    If one requests a negative value, this function will select a character by counting backwards 
    from the end of the string.  In other words pos = -1 is the same as asking for the last character.
     
    A requested value of zero, or a value greater than the length of the string returns an error.
    ]]
    function str.pos( frame )
        local new_args = str._getParameters( frame.args, {'target', 'pos'} );
        local target_str = new_args['target'] or '';
        local pos = tonumber( new_args['pos'] ) or 0;
     
        if pos == 0 or math.abs(pos) > mw.ustring.len( target_str ) then
            return str._error( 'String index out of range' );
        end    
     
        return mw.ustring.sub( target_str, pos, pos );
    end
     
    --[[
    str_find
     
    This function duplicates the behavior of {{str_find}}, including all of its quirks.
    This is provided in order to support existing templates, but is NOT RECOMMENDED for 
    new code and templates.  New code is recommended to use the "find" function instead.
     
    Returns the first index in "source" that is a match to "target".  Indexing is 1-based,
    and the function returns -1 if the "target" string is not present in "source".
     
    Important Note: If the "target" string is empty / missing, this function returns a
    value of "1", which is generally unexpected behavior, and must be accounted for
    separatetly.
    ]]
    function str.str_find( frame )
        local new_args = str._getParameters( frame.args, {'source', 'target'} );
        local source_str = new_args['source'] or '';
        local target_str = new_args['target'] or '';
     
        if target_str == '' then
            return 1;
        end    
     
        local start = mw.ustring.find( source_str, target_str, 1, true )
        if start == nil then
            start = -1
        end
     
        return start
    end
     
    --[[
    find
     
    This function allows one to search for a target string or pattern within another
    string.
     
    Usage:
    {{#invoke:String|find|source_str|target_string|start_index|plain_flag}}
    OR
    {{#invoke:String|find|source=source_str|target=target_str|start=start_index|plain=plain_flag}}
     
    Parameters
        source: The string to search
        target: The string or pattern to find within source
        start: The index within the source string to start the search, defaults to 1
        plain: Boolean flag indicating that target should be understood as plain
            text and not as a Lua style regular expression, defaults to true
     
    If invoked using named parameters, Mediawiki will automatically remove any leading or
    trailing whitespace from the parameter.  In some circumstances this is desirable, in 
    other cases one may want to preserve the whitespace.
     
    This function returns the first index >= "start" where "target" can be found 
    within "source".  Indices are 1-based.  If "target" is not found, then this 
    function returns 0.  If either "source" or "target" are missing / empty, this
    function also returns 0.
     
    This function should be safe for UTF-8 strings.
    ]]
    function str.find( frame )
        local new_args = str._getParameters( frame.args, {'source', 'target', 'start', 'plain' } ); 
        local source_str = new_args['source'] or '';
        local pattern = new_args['target'] or '';
        local start_pos = tonumber(new_args['start']) or 1;
        local plain = new_args['plain'] or true;
     
        if source_str == '' or pattern == '' then
            return 0;
        end    
     
        plain = str._getBoolean( plain );
     
        local start = mw.ustring.find( source_str, pattern, start_pos, plain )
        if start == nil then
            start = 0
        end
     
        return start
    end
     
    --[[
    replace
     
    This function allows one to replace a target string or pattern within another
    string.
     
    Usage:
    {{#invoke:String|replace|source_str|pattern_string|replace_string|replacement_count|plain_flag}}
    OR
    {{#invoke:String|replace|source=source_string|pattern=pattern_string|replace=replace_string|
       count=replacement_count|plain=plain_flag}}
     
    Parameters
        source: The string to search
        pattern: The string or pattern to find within source
        replace: The replacement text
        count: The number of occurences to replace, defaults to all.
        plain: Boolean flag indicating that pattern should be understood as plain
            text and not as a Lua style regular expression, defaults to true 
    ]]
    function str.replace( frame )
        local new_args = str._getParameters( frame.args, {'source', 'pattern', 'replace', 'count', 'plain' } ); 
        local source_str = new_args['source'] or '';
        local pattern = new_args['pattern'] or '';
        local replace = new_args['replace'] or '';
        local count = tonumber( new_args['count'] );
        local plain = new_args['plain'] or true;
     
        if source_str == '' or pattern == '' then
            return source_str;
        end    
        plain = str._getBoolean( plain );
     
        if plain then
            pattern = str._escapePattern( pattern );
            replace = mw.ustring.gsub( replace, "%%", "%%%%" ); --Only need to escape replacement sequences.
        end
     
        local result;
     
        if count ~= nil then
            result = mw.ustring.gsub( source_str, pattern, replace, count );
        else
            result = mw.ustring.gsub( source_str, pattern, replace );
        end        
     
        return result;
    end
     
    --[[ 
        simple function to pipe string.rep to templates.
    ]]
     
    function str.rep( frame )
        local repetitions = tonumber( frame.args[2] )
        if not repetitions then 
            return str._error( 'function rep expects a number as second parameter, received "' .. ( frame.args[2] or '' ) .. '"' )
        end
        return string.rep( frame.args[1] or '', repetitions )
    end
     
    --[[
    Helper function that populates the argument list given that user may need to use a mix of
    named and unnamed parameters.  This is relevant because named parameters are not
    identical to unnamed parameters due to string trimming, and when dealing with strings
    we sometimes want to either preserve or remove that whitespace depending on the application.
    ]]
    function str._getParameters( frame_args, arg_list )
        local new_args = {};
        local index = 1;
        local value;
     
        for i,arg in ipairs( arg_list ) do
            value = frame_args[arg]
            if value == nil then
                value = frame_args[index];
                index = index + 1;
            end
            new_args[arg] = value;
        end
     
        return new_args;
    end        
     
    --[[
    Helper function to handle error messages.
    ]]
    function str._error( error_str )
        local frame = mw.getCurrentFrame();
        local error_category = frame.args.error_category or 'Errors reported by Module String';
        local ignore_errors = frame.args.ignore_errors or false;
        local no_category = frame.args.no_category or false;
     
        if str._getBoolean(ignore_errors) then
            return '';
        end
     
        local error_str = '<strong class="error">String Module Error: ' .. error_str .. '</strong>';
        if error_category ~= '' and not str._getBoolean( no_category ) then
            error_str = '[[Category:' .. error_category .. ']]' .. error_str;
        end        
     
        return error_str;
    end
     
    --[[
    Helper Function to interpret boolean strings
    ]]
    function str._getBoolean( boolean_str )
        local boolean_value;
     
        if type( boolean_str ) == 'string' then
            boolean_str = boolean_str:lower();
            if boolean_str == 'false' or boolean_str == 'no' or boolean_str == '0' 
                    or boolean_str == '' then
                boolean_value = false;
            else
                boolean_value = true;
            end    
        elseif type( boolean_str ) == 'boolean' then
            boolean_value = boolean_str;
        else
            error( 'No boolean value found' );
        end    
        return boolean_value
    end
     
    --[[
    Helper function that escapes all pattern characters so that they will be treated 
    as plain text.
    ]]
    function str._escapePattern( pattern_str )
        return mw.ustring.gsub( pattern_str, "([%(%)%.%%%+%-%*%?%[%^%$%]])", "%%%1" );
    end
     
    return str