PHP vsprintf() Function
Example
Write a formatted string to a variable:
<?php
$number = 9;
$str = "Beijing";
$txt = vsprintf("There are %u million bicycles in %s.",array($number,$str));
echo $txt;
?>
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Definition and Usage
The vsprintf() function writes a formatted string to a variable.
Unlike sprintf(), the arguments in vsprintf(), are placed in an array. The array elements will be inserted at the percent (%) signs in the main string. This function works "step-by-step". At the first % sign, the first array element is inserted, at the second % sign, the second array element is inserted, etc.
Note: If there are more % signs than arguments, you must use placeholders. A placeholder is inserted after the % sign, and consists of the argument- number and "\$". See example two.
Tip: Related functions: fprintf(), vfprintf(), printf(), sprintf() and vprintf().
Syntax
vsprintf(format,argarray)
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| format | Required. Specifies the string and how to format the variables in it. Possible format values:
Additional format values. These are placed between the % and the letter (example %.2f):
Note: If multiple additional format values are used, they must be in the same order as above. |
| argarray | Required. An array with arguments to be inserted at the % signs in the format string |
Technical Details
| Return Value: | Returns array values as a formatted string |
|---|---|
| PHP Version: | 4.1.0+ |
More Examples
Example 1
Using the format value %f:
<?php
$num1 = 123;
$num2 = 456;
$txt = vsprintf("%f%f",array($num1,$num2));
echo $txt;
?>
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Example 2
Use of placeholders:
<?php
$number = 123;
$txt = vsprintf("With 2 decimals: %1\$.2f
<br>With no decimals: %1\$u",array($number));
echo $txt;
?>
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Example 3
Using sprintf() to demonstrate all possible format values:
<?php
$num1 = 123456789;
$num2 = -123456789;
$char = 50; // The ASCII Character 50 is 2
// Note: The format value "%%" returns a percent sign
echo sprintf("%%b = %b",$num1)."<br>"; // Binary number
echo sprintf("%%c = %c",$char)."<br>"; // The ASCII Character
echo sprintf("%%d = %d",$num1)."<br>"; // Signed decimal number
echo sprintf("%%d = %d",$num2)."<br>"; // Signed decimal number
echo sprintf("%%e = %e",$num1)."<br>"; // Scientific notation (lowercase)
echo sprintf("%%E = %E",$num1)."<br>"; // Scientific notation (uppercase)
echo sprintf("%%u = %u",$num1)."<br>"; // Unsigned decimal number (positive)
echo sprintf("%%u = %u",$num2)."<br>"; // Unsigned decimal number (negative)
echo sprintf("%%f = %f",$num1)."<br>"; // Floating-point number (local settings aware)
echo sprintf("%%F = %F",$num1)."<br>"; // Floating-point number (not local sett aware)
echo sprintf("%%g = %g",$num1)."<br>"; // Shorter of %e and %f
echo sprintf("%%G = %G",$num1)."<br>"; // Shorter of %E and %f
echo sprintf("%%o = %o",$num1)."<br>"; // Octal number
echo sprintf("%%s = %s",$num1)."<br>"; // String
echo sprintf("%%x = %x",$num1)."<br>"; // Hexadecimal number (lowercase)
echo sprintf("%%X = %X",$num1)."<br>"; // Hexadecimal number (uppercase)
echo sprintf("%%+d = %+d",$num1)."<br>"; // Sign specifier (positive)
echo sprintf("%%+d = %+d",$num2)."<br>"; // Sign specifier (negative)
?>
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Example 4
A demonstration of string specifiers:
<?php
$str1 = "Hello";
$str2 = "Hello world!";
echo vsprintf("[%s]",array($str1))."<br>";
echo vsprintf("[%8s]",array($str1))."<br>";
echo vsprintf("[%-8s]",array($str1))."<br>";
echo vsprintf("[%08s]",array($str1))."<br>";
echo vsprintf("[%'*8s]",array($str1))."<br>";
echo vsprintf("[%8.8s]",array($str2))."<br>";
?>
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❮ PHP String Reference
