dist_rank Function

    integer function dist_rank(lstring, MemBeg, MemEnd, localrc)
    !---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    ! This function returns the distribution rank as specified by the 
    ! descriptor string. 
    !---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ! arguments
    character(len=THARN_MAXSTR), intent(in   ) :: lstring
    integer,          intent(in   ) :: MemBeg, MemEnd
    integer,          intent(  out) :: localrc

    ! local variables
    character(len=3) :: pattern3
    integer :: nDist

    ! initialize variables
    localrc = ESMF_RC_NOT_IMPL

    !---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    ! Check each memory chunk to see if any of the dimensions are distributed. 
    !---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    pattern3 = 'BCA'
    nDist = set_query(lstring(MemBeg:MemEnd), pattern3)

    if ( nDist == 0 ) then
       call ESMF_LogSetError( ESMF_FAILURE,                              &
                msg="Syntax Error - no distribution indicated",                 &
                rcToReturn=localrc)
       return
    endif
    dist_rank = nDist

    !---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    ! if I've gotten this far without an error, then the routine has succeeded.
    !---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    localrc = ESMF_SUCCESS

    !---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    end function dist_rank