PHP | Format Specifiers Last Updated : 15 Apr, 2018 Comments Improve Suggest changes Like Article Like Report Strings are one of the most used Datatype arguably irrespective of the programming language. Strings can be either hardcoded (specified directly by the developer) or formatted (where the basic skeleton is specified and the final string is obtained by incorporating values of other variables). Formatted strings can be defined as a set of segments where each segment may contain an integer, float or even another string. Formatted strings use Format Specifiers to create the basic structure of the string. Format Specifiers are predefined character sequence that can be used to define the datatype to be stored or displayed as well a how any given value should be formatted i.e. precision, padding etc. Format Specifiers, in general, begin with a percentile symbol or '%' followed by a character sequence that defines the datatype and desired format. When iterating over a format if any format specifier is encountered it is understood by the compiler/interpreter that there exists a corresponding directive whose value is to be formatted and used. Hence, a string may contain no format specifier at all, but if it does at least the same number of directives should be resent as well. In case of excessive directives, some languages just ignore the unrequired and let it execute with a warning. The following is a brief discussion of the Formats and Datatypes that can be specified in PHP. Each one of them is implemented with a preceding percentile symbol or '%'. Formatting Values Sign specifier can be used to forcibly display the sign (- or +) to be used on a number. By default, only the - sign is displayed on negative numbers. Using this specifier positive numbers are shown with a preceding +. This can be achieved using a + symbol and can be implemented only upon numeric values. Example, %+d // Specify the integer along with it's sign (+ or -). Padding specifier can be used to specify what character will be used for padding the results to any defined string size. By default, spaces are used as padding. An alternate padding character can be specified by prefixing it with a single quote or '. Example, %'0d // Pad with 0s to achieve the right length. Alignment specifier can be used to specify the alignment of the result i.e. whether left-justified or right-justified. By default it is right-justified. Using a - character makes it left-justified. Example, %-s // Specifies the alignment as left-justified. Width specifier can be used to specify the minimum number of characters to be present in the result itself. It can be specified using any number denoting the minimum width. It is seen in use with padding specifier the most. Example, // Specifies there should be at least 5 digits, %'05d // if less, then 0s are filled to get the desired result. Precision Specifier can be used to specify the precision while working with real numbers. A period or '.' followed by an optional decimal digit string that refers to the decimal digits to be displayed after the decimal. When using this specifier on a string, it specifies the maximum character limit on the string. Example, %.5f // Defines Real Number Precision. %.2s // Maximum Character to be allowed in a string. Datatypes % : To display %. No directive is required. b : The directive refers to an integer and displayed as a binary number. c : The directive refers to an integer and displayed as the corresponding ASCII character. d : The directive refers to an integer and displayed as a decimal number. e : The directive refers to scientific notation (e.g. 2.12e+3). E : Alias of 'e'. f : The directive refers to a float and displayed as a real number (locale aware). F : The directive refers to a float and displayed as a real number (non-locale aware). o : The directive refers to an integer and displayed as an octal number. s : The directive is treated and displayed as a string. u : The directive refers to an integer and displayed as an unsigned decimal number. x : The directive refers to an integer and displayed as a hexadecimal number (with lowercase letters). X : The directive refers to an integer and displayed as a hexadecimal number (with uppercase letters). The Following code illustrates the working of different format specifiers: php <?php // PHP program to illustrate Working // of different Format Specifiers // Creating Dummy Variables $numValue = 5; $strValue = "GeeksForGeeks"; // Using Sign Specifier. printf("Signed Number: %+d\n",$numValue); // Padding and Width Specifier. printf("Padding and Width\n%'03d\n%'03d\n", $numValue,$numValue+10); // Precision Specifier. printf("Precision: %.5f %.5s\n", $numValue, $strValue); // Different DataTypes. // Integer and Percentile. printf("Percentage: %d%%\n",$numValue); // Binary Octal and Hexadecimal Representation. printf("Binary: %b Octal: %o Hexadecimal: %x\n", $numValue+10,$numValue+10,$numValue+10); // Character Representation. printf("Character: %c\n",$numValue+60); // Strings. printf("String: %s\n",$strValue); // Real Numbers. printf("RealNumber: %f\n",1/$numValue); // Scientific Numerical Representation. printf("Scientific Representation:%e\n",$numValue+100); ?> Output: Signed Number: +5 Padding and Width 005 015 Precision: 5.00000 Geeks Percentage: 5% Binary: 1111 Octal: 17 Hexadecimal: f Character: A String: GeeksForGeeks RealNumber: 0.200000 Scientific Representation:1.050000e+2 Comment More infoAdvertise with us Next Article PHP Syntax P PronabM Follow Improve Article Tags : Misc Web Technologies PHP PHP-input-output Practice Tags : Misc Similar Reads PHP Tutorial PHP is a popular, open-source scripting language mainly used in web development. It runs on the server side and generates dynamic content that is displayed on a web application. PHP is easy to embed in HTML, and it allows developers to create interactive web pages and handle tasks like database mana 9 min read BasicsPHP SyntaxPHP, a powerful server-side scripting language used in web development. Itâs simplicity and ease of use makes it an ideal choice for beginners and experienced developers. This article provides an overview of PHP syntax. PHP scripts can be written anywhere in the document within PHP tags along with n 4 min read PHP VariablesA variable in PHP is a container used to store data such as numbers, strings, arrays, or objects. The value stored in a variable can be changed or updated during the execution of the script.All variable names start with a dollar sign ($).Variables can store different data types, like integers, strin 5 min read PHP | FunctionsA function in PHP is a self-contained block of code that performs a specific task. It can accept inputs (parameters), execute a set of statements, and optionally return a value. PHP functions allow code reusability by encapsulating a block of code to perform specific tasks.Functions can accept param 8 min read PHP LoopsIn PHP, Loops are used to repeat a block of code multiple times based on a given condition. PHP provides several types of loops to handle different scenarios, including while loops, for loops, do...while loops, and foreach loops. In this article, we will discuss the different types of loops in PHP, 4 min read ArrayPHP ArraysArrays are one of the most important data structures in PHP. They allow you to store multiple values in a single variable. PHP arrays can hold values of different types, such as strings, numbers, or even other arrays. Understanding how to use arrays in PHP is important for working with data efficien 5 min read PHP Associative ArraysAn associative array in PHP is a special array where each item has a name or label instead of just a number. Usually, arrays use numbers to find things. For example, the first item is at position 0, the second is 1, and so on. But in an associative array, we use words or names to find things. These 4 min read Multidimensional arrays in PHPMulti-dimensional arrays in PHP are arrays that store other arrays as their elements. Each dimension adds complexity, requiring multiple indices to access elements. Common forms include two-dimensional arrays (like tables) and three-dimensional arrays, useful for organizing complex, structured data. 5 min read Sorting Arrays in PHPSorting arrays is one of the most common operation in programming, and PHP provides a several functions to handle array sorting. Sorting arrays in PHP can be done by values or keys, in ascending or descending order. PHP also allows you to create custom sorting functions.Table of ContentSort Array in 4 min read OOPs & InterfacesPHP ClassesA class defines the structure of an object. It contains properties (variables) and methods (functions). These properties and methods define the behavior and characteristics of an object created from the class.Syntax:<?phpclass Camera { // code goes here...}?>Now, let us understand with the hel 2 min read PHP | Constructors and DestructorsIn PHP, constructors and destructors are special methods that are used in object-oriented programming (OOP). They help initialize objects when they are created and clean up resources when the object is no longer needed. These methods are part of the class lifecycle.In this article, we will discuss w 5 min read PHP Access ModifiersIn object-oriented programming, access specifiers are also known as access modifiers. These specifiers control how and where the properties or methods of a class can be accessed, either from inside the class, from a subclass, or from outside the class. PHP supports three primary access specifiers: p 4 min read Multiple Inheritance in PHPMultiple Inheritance is the property of the Object Oriented Programming languages in which child class or sub class can inherit the properties of the multiple parent classes or super classes. PHP doesn't support multiple inheritance but by using Interfaces in PHP or using Traits in PHP instead of cl 4 min read MySQL DatabasePHP | MySQL Database IntroductionWhat is MySQL? MySQL is an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS). It is the most popular database system used with PHP. MySQL is developed, distributed, and supported by Oracle Corporation. The data in a MySQL database are stored in tables which consists of columns and rows.MySQL 4 min read PHP Database connectionThe collection of related data is called a database. XAMPP stands for cross-platform, Apache, MySQL, PHP, and Perl. It is among the simple light-weight local servers for website development. Requirements: XAMPP web server procedure: Start XAMPP server by starting Apache and MySQL. Write PHP script f 2 min read PHP | MySQL ( Creating Database )What is a database? Database is a collection of inter-related data which helps in efficient retrieval, insertion and deletion of data from database and organizes the data in the form of tables, views, schemas, reports etc. For Example, university database organizes the data about students, faculty, 3 min read PHP | MySQL ( Creating Table )What is a table? In relational databases, and flat file databases, a table is a set of data elements using a model of vertical columns and horizontal rows, the cell being the unit where a row and column intersect. A table has a specified number of columns, but can have any number of rows. Creating a 3 min read PHP AdvancePHP SuperglobalsPHP superglobals are predefined variables that are globally available in all scopes. They are used to handle different types of data, such as input data, server data, session data, and more. These superglobal arrays allow developers to easily work with these global data structures without the need t 6 min read PHP | Regular ExpressionsRegular expressions commonly known as a regex (regexes) are a sequence of characters describing a special search pattern in the form of text string. They are basically used in programming world algorithms for matching some loosely defined patterns to achieve some relevant tasks. Some times regexes a 12 min read PHP Form HandlingForm handling is the process of collecting and processing information that users submit through HTML forms. In PHP, we use special tools called $_POST and $_GET to gather the data from the form. Which tool to use depends on how the form sends the dataâeither through the POST method (more secure, hid 4 min read PHP File HandlingIn PHP, File handling is the process of interacting with files on the server, such as reading files, writing to a file, creating new files, or deleting existing ones. File handling is essential for applications that require the storage and retrieval of data, such as logging systems, user-generated c 4 min read PHP | Uploading FileHave you ever wondered how websites build their system of file uploading in PHP? Here we will come to know about the file uploading process. A question which you can come up with - 'Are we able to upload any kind of file with this system?'. The answer is yes, we can upload files with different types 3 min read PHP CookiesA cookie is a small text file that is stored in the user's browser. Cookies are used to store information that can be retrieved later, making them ideal for scenarios where you need to remember user preferences, such as:User login status (keeping users logged in between sessions)Language preferences 9 min read PHP | SessionsA session in PHP is a mechanism that allows data to be stored and accessed across multiple pages on a website. When a user visits a website, PHP creates a unique session ID for that user. This session ID is then stored as a cookie in the user's browser (by default) or passed via the URL. The session 7 min read Like