# File lib/rbot/maskdb.rb, line 105
    def cook_component(str)
      s = (str && !str.empty?) ? str : '*'
      l = s.index(/[\?\*]/)
      if l
        l2 = s.size - s.rindex(/[\?\*]/) - 1
        if l2 > l
          s = s.reverse
          l = l2
        end

        return (l > 0) ? s.slice(0 .. (l - 1)) : ''
      else
        return s
      end
    end