Perl sprintf: How Do I Use sprintf In a Perl Script?

How do I use sprintf() function in a perl script under Linux or UNIX?

Perl printf() function is used to format and print data on screen. You need to use sprintf() to print or store formatted data/string to a variable or to a string. Perl does its own sprintf formatting--it emulates the C function sprintf, but it doesn't use it (except for floating-point numbers, and even then only the standard modifiers are allowed). As a result, any non-standard extensions in your local sprintf are not available from Perl.

Perl printf() Example

The following statement will round number to 2 digits after decimal point, enter:

 
perl -e '$num=53535.35353535;printf ("Result = %.2f\n",$num);'
 

Perl sprintf() Example

Type the following at the shell prompt:

 
perl -e '$num=53535.35353535;$result=sprintf("Result = %.2f\n",$num);print "$result"'
 

To store output to a string or variable called $result you need to use the sprintf().

 
#!/usr/bin/perl
$num=585858.64645;
$result = sprintf("%.2f", $num);
$now=sprintf("Today is ".`date`);
print "$result\n";
print "$now\n";
 

Recommend readings:

1. See perl sprintf() documentation for supported conversions, format parameter, flags etc.

Featured Articles:

• 20 Linux System Monitoring Tools Every SysAdmin Should Know
• 20 Linux Server Hardening Security Tips
• My 10 UNIX Command Line Mistakes
• Linux: 20 Iptables Examples For New SysAdmins
• 25 PHP Security Best Practices For Sys Admins
• The Novice Guide To Buying A Linux Laptop
• 10 Greatest Open Source Software Of 2009
• Top 5 Email Client For Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows Users
• Top 20 OpenSSH Server Best Security Practices
• Top 10 Open Source Web-Based Project Management Software
• Top 5 Linux Video Editor Software