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.

For users of other query languages

If you come from other query languages, this section explains how to adjust your existing queries to achieve the same results in APL.

Splunk SPL users

In Splunk SPL, repeating strings typically requires custom functions or loops. APL’s strrep provides this functionality natively.

Splunk example

| eval repeated=mvjoin(mvappend("text","text","text"), "")

ANSI SQL users

In ANSI SQL, you use REPEAT or REPLICATE depending on the database. APL’s strrep provides standardized string repetition.

SQL example

SELECT REPEAT('text', 3) AS repeated FROM logs;

Usage

Syntax

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

Log analysis

Create visual separators or formatting patterns for log output visualization.

Query

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

Run in Playground

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.

List of related functions

• 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.