Java output formatting for Strings

Question

I was wondering if someone can show me how to use the format method for Java Strings. For instance If I want the width of all my output to be the same

For instance, Suppose I always want my output to be the same

Name =              Bob Age =               27 Occupation =        Student Status =            Single 

In this example, all the output are neatly formatted under each other; How would I accomplish this with the format method.

Answer 1

System.out.println(String.format("%-20s= %s" , "label", "content" )); 

• Where %s is a placeholder for you string.
• The '-' makes the result left-justified.
• 20 is the width of the first string

The output looks like this:

label               = content 

As a reference I recommend Javadoc on formatter syntax

Answer 2

If you want a minimum of 4 characters, for instance,

System.out.println(String.format("%4d", 5)); // Results in "   5", minimum of 4 characters