function toMatrix(str)
    local matrix = {}
    assert(type(str) == "string")
    assert(str:sub(1,1) == "{", "the string must begin with a \"{\"")
    local len = str:len()
    assert(str:sub(len,len) == "}", "the string must end with a \"}\"")
    local s1, ob = str:gsub("{", "{")
    local s2, cb = str:gsub("}", "}")
    assert(ob == cb, "the string must have the same amount of opening brackets as closing brackets")

    str = str:sub(2, len - 1)
    len = len - 2

    if(str:sub(1,1) == "{") then
        
    end
end

function toArray(str)
    local len = str:len()
    local comma = str:find(",")
    local arr = {}
    while(type(comma)=="number") do
        arr[#arr+1] = str:sub(1, comma-1)
        str = str:sub(comma + 1, len)
        len = str:len()
        comma = str:find(",")
    end
    return arr
end