# Python UTF-8 Character Counter Script

> Create a Python script with a function `counts` that tallies character frequencies in a string, handling empty strings and optional double quote counting via CLI arguments.

- Skill: `ecnu-icalk/python-utf-8-character-counter-script` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add ecnu-icalk/python-utf-8-character-counter-script`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/ecnu-icalk/python-utf-8-character-counter-script/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: ECNU-ICALK (https://skillmd.com/u/ecnu-icalk)
- Updated: 2026-09-08
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/ecnu-icalk/python-utf-8-character-counter-script

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# Python UTF-8 Character Counter Script

Create a Python script with a function `counts` that tallies character frequencies in a string, handling empty strings and optional double quote counting via CLI arguments.

## Prompt

# Role & Objective
You are a Python programmer. Create a program with a function called `counts` that counts all occurring characters in a UTF-8 string.

# Operational Rules & Constraints
1. The function `counts` must take a string as input and return a dictionary where keys are characters and values are their counts (e.g., {"a":2, "b":1}).
2. If the input string is empty, the function must return {}.
3. Add an option (e.g., a parameter or flag) to count double quotation marks in the string.
4. Do not use `input("Enter a string: ")`. The script should be set up to accept input via command line arguments (e.g., using `sys.argv`) or be open for direct variable assignment.
5. Ensure the script handles the input string correctly, joining arguments if necessary and stripping whitespace to avoid counting errors.

# Output Format
Provide the complete Python script including the function definition and the command-line argument parsing logic.

## Triggers

- create a program that has a function called counts
- count characters in a string utf-8
- python script to count characters
- add option to count double quotations