strrep

This page explains how to use the strrep function in APL.

The strrep function repeats a string a specified number of times with an optional delimiter. Use this function to generate test data, create patterns for matching, or build formatted strings with repeated elements.

Usage

Syntax

APL

strrep(value, multiplier, delimiter)

Parameters

Name	Type	Required	Description
value	string	Yes	The string to repeat.
multiplier	int	Yes	Number of repetitions (1 to 1024). Values over 1024 are capped at 1024.
delimiter	string	No	Optional delimiter between repetitions (default: empty string).

Returns

Returns the string repeated the specified number of times with optional delimiters between repetitions.

Use case examples

Create visual separators or formatting patterns for log output visualization.

Query

APLRun in Playground

['sample-http-logs']
| extend separator = strrep('=', 50)
| extend formatted_log = strcat(separator, '\n', method, ' ', uri, ' ', status, '\n', separator)
| project _time, formatted_log
| limit 5

Output

_time	formatted_log
2024-11-06T10:00:00Z	================================================== GET /api/users 200 ==================================================

This query creates visual separators using repeated equal signs, making log output more readable and organized.

Generate indentation patterns based on trace depth for hierarchical visualization.

Query

APLRun in Playground

['otel-demo-traces']
| extend simulated_depth = 3
| extend indentation = strrep('  ', simulated_depth)
| extend formatted_span = strcat(indentation, ['service.name'], ': ', kind)
| project _time, formatted_span, trace_id
| limit 10

Output

_time	formatted_span	trace_id
2024-11-06T10:00:00Z	frontend: server	abc123
2024-11-06T10:01:00Z	checkout: client	def456

This query creates hierarchical indentation for trace visualization by repeating spaces based on simulated span depth.

Generate test patterns for attack signature detection or create anonymization masks.

Query

APLRun in Playground

['sample-http-logs']
| extend id_length = strlen(id)
| extend anonymized_id = strcat(substring(id, 0, 3), strrep('*', id_length - 6), substring(id, id_length - 3, 3))
| project _time, id, anonymized_id, status, uri
| limit 10

Output

_time	id	anonymized_id	status	uri
2024-11-06T10:00:00Z	user123456	use****456	403	/admin
2024-11-06T10:01:00Z	admin12345	adm***345	401	/api

This query creates anonymized user IDs by replacing middle characters with repeated asterisks, maintaining partial visibility for analysis while protecting privacy.

strcat: Concatenates strings. Use this with strrep to build complex repeated patterns.
strcat_delim: Concatenates strings with delimiters. Use strrep's delimiter parameter as an alternative for repeated patterns.
strlen: Returns string length. Use this to calculate how many repetitions you need.
substring: Extracts parts of strings. Use this with strrep for complex pattern building.

strrep

Usage

Syntax

Parameters

Returns

Use case examples

List of related functions

Other query languages