True, it might not be worth the bloat for something not frequently used. I'm just in a fuss because I read that gnat wants to take chop() out of the core.  I like chop.  chop is my friend.  I don't want to have to type  $a = substr($_,-1); substr($_,-1) = '' when what I want is  $a = chop.

Pout.

Besides, it's at least twice as fast every place I've tested it. If you need to check a few thousand credit cards a day, it makes a noticeable difference.