STRPADBOTH

STRPADBOTH is a string-padding operation that adds padding to both sides of a string to reach a specified total width, effectively centering the content within a fixed field. It is commonly used to improve alignment in text output such as tables, headings, or console displays.

The operation typically takes three inputs: the source string, the target width (an integer), and the padding character or string used to fill the extra space. It computes the required padding length as width minus the length of the source string. If padding is needed, the padding is distributed across the left and right sides to produce a symmetric result. When the required padding is odd, the exact distribution may vary by language or library, with some implementations biasing padding to one side.

Edge cases include returning the source unchanged if the target width is less than or equal to the string’s length. If the pad string consists of more than one character, it is repeated as needed to fill both sides. For multi-byte characters, length calculations may depend on the chosen encoding and library behavior.

Relation and usage: STRPADBOTH is conceptually similar to centering a string. In PHP, a related operation is achieved with the str_pad function using the STR_PAD_BOTH option. Similar centering can be achieved in other languages via dedicated centering or padding utilities. STRPADBOTH is widely used for aligning text in fixed-width formats, making it easier to read and compare columns of data.