+
+def identifier_from_name(name):
+ """Make a string safe to use as an identifier.
+
+ Valid characters are lowercase alphanumerics and "-". This function may
+ raise ValueError if it can't come up with a suitable identifier.
+
+ This function is useful for scripts which add things with names.
+ """
+ if isinstance(name, str):
+ identifier = name.decode('utf-8')
+ else:
+ identifier = name
+ identifier = identifier.lower()
+ identifier = identifier.replace(u'+', u' plus ')
+ identifier = re.sub(u'[ _–]+', u'-', identifier)
+ identifier = re.sub(u"['./;’(),:]", u'', identifier)
+ identifier = identifier.replace(u'é', u'e')
+ identifier = identifier.replace(u'♀', u'-f')
+ identifier = identifier.replace(u'♂', u'-m')
+ if identifier in (u'???', u'????'):
+ identifier = u'unknown'
+ elif identifier == u'!':
+ identifier = u'exclamation'
+ elif identifier == u'?':
+ identifier = u'question'
+
+ if not identifier.replace(u"-", u"").isalnum():
+ raise ValueError(identifier)
+ return identifier