Function just_an

src/objnam.c:2108–2142

pick "", "a ", or "an " as article for 'str'; used by an() and doname() */

/* pick "", "a ", or "an " as article for 'str'; used by an() and doname() */
char *
just_an(char *outbuf, const char *str)
{
    char c0;

    *outbuf = '\0';
    c0 = lowc(*str);
    if (!str[1] || str[1] == ' ') {
        /* single letter; might be used for named fruit or a musical note */
        Strcpy(outbuf, strchr("aefhilmnosx", c0) ? "an " : "a ");
    } else if (!strncmpi(str, "the ", 4)
               /* these probably shouldn't be handled here because doing so
                  impacts inventory when using them for named fruit */
               || !strcmpi(str, "molten lava")
               || !strcmpi(str, "iron bars")
               || !strcmpi(str, "ice")
               ) {
        ; /* no article */
    } else {
        /* normal case is "an <vowel>" or "a <consonant>" */
        if ((strchr(vowels, c0) /* some exceptions warranting "a <vowel>" */
             /* 'wun' initial sound */
             && (strncmpi(str, "one", 3) || (str[3] && !strchr("-_ ", str[3])))
             /* long 'u' initial sound */
             && strncmpi(str, "eu", 2) /* "eucalyptus leaf" */
             && strncmpi(str, "uke", 3) && strncmpi(str, "ukulele", 7)
             && strncmpi(str, "unicorn", 7) && strncmpi(str, "uranium", 7)
             && strncmpi(str, "useful", 6)) /* "useful tool" */
            || (c0 == 'x' && !strchr(vowels, lowc(str[1]))))
            Strcpy(outbuf, "an ");
        else
            Strcpy(outbuf, "a ");
    }
    return outbuf;
}

char *
an(const char *str)