private static final String stripDots(String path){
    	
    	path = path.trim();
    	
    	if(path.charAt(0) == DOT){
    		path = path.substring(1);
    	}
    	
    	if(path.charAt(path.length() - 1) == DOT){
    		path = path.substring(0, path.length() - 1);
    	}

    	//jvm, neptical, and a few supporting frameworks use alot of the substrings from some core
    	//properties, this is required to ensure a new string is created this class is heavley used in creating indexes.
    	//copying the string ensures safe hashing in many of nepticals ids
		return path == null ? null : copy(path);
    }