The printf( ) function in PHP is a versatile tool used for formatting and displaying text in a specific manner. It allows us to output formatted strings with placeholders for variable values.
This function is particularly useful when you need precise control over the appearance of text, such as aligning columns, specifying decimal precision, or adding leading zeros.
Format Specifiers
-
%s: String -
%dor%i: Integer -
%f: Floating-point number -
%c: Character -
%b: Binary -
%o: Octal -
%xor%X: Hexadecimal -
%eor%E: Scientific notation
Syntax
printf(format_string, arg1, arg2, ...);Approach
- Using Format Specifiers: Define placeholders in the format string using percent (%) signs followed by format specifiers.
-
Passing Arguments: Provide values for placeholders as additional arguments to the
printf()function. - Formatting Options: Use format specifiers to specify various formatting options such as decimal precision, padding, alignment, and more.
Example:
$name = "John";
$age = 30;
printf("Name: %s, Age: %d", $name, $age);
// Output: Name: John, Age: 30
Difference between printf() and echo
| printf() Function | echo Statement |
|---|---|
| Used for formatting and displaying text with placeholders | Outputs text directly without formatting |
| Offers precise control over text appearance using format specifiers | Simpler to use for basic text output |
| Ideal for displaying formatted data or generating complex output | Suitable for simple output requirements |