And as for that subroutine...well, I can't make head or tail out of most of it

Hm. Then I guess it would be easier if you detailed the bits you do understand?

Does it need to be that long?

It's shorter if you remove the comments. but I don't think I'll ever be able to make it as short as all those other answers you got.

And why is the "state" necessary?

It's not. Feel free to delete it.

Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

In reply to Re^3: Finding large blocks consisting of a single character (but within certain parameters...) by BrowserUk
in thread Finding large blocks consisting of a single character (but within certain parameters...) by TheMartianGeek

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