string_trim [function]

string_trim( string str, string chars = " \t\r\n", int flags = STRING_TRIM_LEFT | STRING_TRIM_RIGHT )

removes the specified characters from the specified sides of the string

string_trim( "  space  " ); // string [5] "space"
string_trim( "..something!..", ".!", STRING_TRIM_RIGHT ); // string [11] "..something"