the replacers' description now shows which node is stored, and the description is more human readable

init.lua

@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@
 -- Version 3.0
 
 -- Changelog: 
+-- 29.09.2021 * AUX1 key works now same as SNEAK key for storing new pattern (=easier when flying)
+--            * The description of the tool now shows which pattern is stored
+--            * The description of the stored pattern is more human readable
 -- 09.12.2017 * Got rid of outdated minetest.env
 --            * Fixed error in protection function.
 --            * Fixed minor bugs.
@@ -114,7 +117,13 @@ minetest.register_tool( "replacer:replacer",
        end
        itemstack:set_metadata( metadata );
 
-       minetest.chat_send_player( name, "Node replacement tool set to: '"..metadata.."'.");
+       local set_to = replacer.human_readable_metadata(metadata).." ["..tostring(metadata).."]"
+       -- change the description of the tool so that it's easier to see which replacer (if you
+       -- have more than one in your inv) is set to which node
+       local meta = itemstack:get_meta()
+       meta:set_string("description", "Replacer set to: "..set_to)
+
+       minetest.chat_send_player( name, "Node replacement tool set to: "..set_to..".");
 
        return itemstack; -- nothing consumed but data changed
     end,
@@ -256,6 +265,46 @@ replacer.replace = function( itemstack, user, pointed_thing, mode )
     end
 
 
+-- turn stored metadata string (<node_name> <param1> <param2>) into something readable by human beeings
+replacer.human_readable_metadata = function(metadata)
+	if(not(metadata)) then
+		return "(nothing)"
+	end
+	-- data is stored in the form "<nodename> <param1> <param2>"
+	local parts = string.split(metadata, " ")
+	if(not(parts) or #parts < 3) then
+		return "(corrupted data)"
+	end
+	local node_name = parts[1]
+	local param2 = parts[3]
+
+	local def = minetest.registered_nodes[ node_name ]
+	if(not(def)) then
+		return "(unknown node)"
+	end
+	local text = "'"..tostring(def.description or "- no description -").."'"
+	if(not(def.description) or def.description == "") then
+		text = "- no description -"
+	end
+	-- facedir is probably the most commonly used rotation variant
+	if( def.paramtype2 == "facedir"
+	 or def.paramtype2 == "colorfacedir") then
+		local axis_names = {"y+ (Ground)", "z+ (North)", "z- (South)",
+				    "x+ (East)", "x- (West)", "y- (Sky)"}
+		text = text.." Rotated: "..tostring(param2 % 4)..
+			" around axis: "..tostring( axis_names[ math.floor( (param2%24) / 4 ) + 1 ])
+	-- wallmounted is diffrent
+	elseif( def.paramtype2 == "wallmounted"
+	     or def.paramtype2 == "colorwallmounted") then
+		local axis_names = {"y+ (Ground)", "y- (Sky)",
+				    "z+ (North)", "z- (South)",
+				    "x+ (East)", "x- (West)"}
+		text = text.." Mounted at wall: "..tostring( axis_names[ (param2 % 6)+ 1 ])
+	end
+	return text
+end
+
+
 minetest.register_craft({
         output = 'replacer:replacer',
         recipe = {