function str_out = transtate_str(table_in, table_out, str_in)
% Requires: table_in and table_out are columns of strings, equally long.
% Effects: find str_in in the first column of table, and return its
%           associated translation in the second column.
%          Signals error if str_in not found in table.

error(nargchk(3,3,nargin))
[rows, cols] = size(table_in);
[rows2, cols] = size(table_out);

if rows ~= rows2, error('table_in and table_out must have equal # rows')'; end

for i=1:rows
  if strcmp(deblank(str_in), deblank(table_in(i,:)))
    str_out = deblank(table_out(i,:));
    return
  end
end

error(['String ' str_in ' not found in translation table']);