make_name template | -s [num]MAKE_NAME(nged)
NAME
make_name - make a unique name
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SYNOPSIS
DESCRIPTION
The make_name command generates a unique object name by substituting an auto-incrementing integer counter into the provided template string. The counter starts at 0 and increments each time a name is generated. Before returning a name, make_name verifies the name does not already exist in the database, incrementing the counter further if necessary until an unused name is found.
The template string uses the @ character as a placeholder, which is replaced by the current counter value:
-
prefix@suffix : The
@is replaced by the current counter value. For example,part@.smight producepart0.s,part1.s, etc. -
name with no @ : If no
@is present, the counter value is appended directly to the end of the template. -
@@ : A literal
@@in the template is treated as an escaped@and is passed through unchanged (not replaced by the counter).
The counter is shared across all calls within the same session and persists until reset with -s.
OPTIONS
- -s [num]
-
Set the internal counter to
num. Ifnumis omitted, the counter is reset to 0.
EXAMPLES
Example 1. Generate unique names with a prefix template
mged> make_name part@.s mged> make_name part@.s mged> make_name part@.s
part0.s part1.s part2.s
Each call increments the internal counter, producing a new unique name. If part0.s already existed in the database, the first call would return part1.s instead.
Example 2. Generate a name with no @ placeholder
mged> make_name widget
widget0
With no @ in the template, the counter is appended to the end of the string.
Example 3. Reset the counter and restart numbering
mged> make_name part@.s mged> make_name -s 100 mged> make_name part@.s
part3.s part100.s
After generating part3.s, the counter is set to 100 with -s 100. The next call then produces part100.s.
AUTHOR
BRL-CAD Team
BUG REPORTS
Reports of bugs or problems should be submitted via electronic mail to devs@brlcad.org