def parseDbDummyFname(dbDummyFname):
  """given user data item which is dummy database name used for remesh and
     restart purposes, pull out the base name (minus -s0002, -sXXXX, etc.)
     and return the base name and extension (extension in an empty string
     if appropriate)"""
  remeshRestartTagIndex = dbDummyFname.rfind("-s")
  if remeshRestartTagIndex == -1:
    baseId = dbDummyFname
    remeshRestartTag = ''
  else:
    baseId = dbDummyFname[0:remeshRestartTagIndex]
    remeshRestartTag = dbDummyFname[remeshRestartTagIndex:]
  return baseId, remeshRestartTag