Stairs

turnDistance = 256
depth = 256
local tArgs = { ... }
if (#tArgs == 1) then
    depth = tonumber(tArgs[1])
elseif (#tArgs == 2) then
    depth = tonumber(tArgs[1])
    turnDistance = tonumber(tArgs[2])
end

function digStairs()
    success = true
    while turtle.detect()==true do
        success = turtle.dig()
    end

    while success and turtle.forward() == false do -- takes care of gravel falling in the way
        success = turtle.dig()
    end

    while success and turtle.detectUp()==true do
        success = turtle.digUp()
    end

    while success and turtle.detect()==true do
        success = turtle.dig()
    end

    while success and turtle.detectDown()==true do
        success= turtle.digDown()
    end
    if success then
        turtle.down()
    end

     return success
end
i = 0
while digStairs()==true and i <depth do
    i = i + 1
    if i % turnDistance == 0 then
        turtle.dig()
        turtle.up()
        turtle.dig()
        turtle.forward()
        turtle.digUp()
        turtle.turnLeft()
        turtle.dig()
        turtle.forward()
        turtle.digUp()
        turtle.digDown()
        turtle.turnLeft()
        turtle.dig()
        turtle.forward()
        turtle.digUp()
        turtle.digDown()
        turtle.down()
    end
end