C#'s sprintf
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Is there an equivalent to sprintf in C#? Basically I have some C# "value types" (floats, decimals) that I would like to format into a string variable. Also, I have a DateTime variable that I would like to format into a string variable. What is the best way to do this? Thanks.
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Is there an equivalent to sprintf in C#? Basically I have some C# "value types" (floats, decimals) that I would like to format into a string variable. Also, I have a DateTime variable that I would like to format into a string variable. What is the best way to do this? Thanks.
See
String.Formatin the .NET Framework SDK documentation. Many types - like the primitive types - implementIFormatProviderand have an overloadedToStringmethod which accepts the same format specifiers as you'd pass inString.Format:double d = 1.5;
string a = string.Format("{0:C}", d);
string b = d.ToString("C");
Console.WriteLine(a == b); // Prints "True"Other methods like
StringBuilder.AppendFormatandConsole.WriteLinecan also accept format specifiers with parameter indexes. For more information, also see my article, Custom String Formatting in .NET[^]. I also mention several reasons whyString.Formatand all the classes, methods, and interfaces that comprise formatting in .NET are better than anyprintf-like function.Microsoft MVP, Visual C# My Articles
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Is there an equivalent to sprintf in C#? Basically I have some C# "value types" (floats, decimals) that I would like to format into a string variable. Also, I have a DateTime variable that I would like to format into a string variable. What is the best way to do this? Thanks.
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See
String.Formatin the .NET Framework SDK documentation. Many types - like the primitive types - implementIFormatProviderand have an overloadedToStringmethod which accepts the same format specifiers as you'd pass inString.Format:double d = 1.5;
string a = string.Format("{0:C}", d);
string b = d.ToString("C");
Console.WriteLine(a == b); // Prints "True"Other methods like
StringBuilder.AppendFormatandConsole.WriteLinecan also accept format specifiers with parameter indexes. For more information, also see my article, Custom String Formatting in .NET[^]. I also mention several reasons whyString.Formatand all the classes, methods, and interfaces that comprise formatting in .NET are better than anyprintf-like function.Microsoft MVP, Visual C# My Articles
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You still might want to look at what I wrote. Calling the overloaded
ToStringto format types isn't always the best way. If you look at my article about custom format providers, you might notice why. When usingString.Format(or similar methods), you can localize your application much easier because you can localize the entire format string and not have to worry about parameter order since you specify the parameter indexes in the format string. If all you're doing is printing a Type (like some primitive), then usingToStringis fine. You should also keep in mind that the overriddenToStringuses a well-defined output (typically the same as the "G" format specifier, although this is only a guidelines). I also have several links in my article to more information in .NET Framework SDK. No, I'm not trying to market my article, I just don't feel like copying and pasting all the links. :) There's just a lot more power in string formatting within .NET and it's worth understanding.Microsoft MVP, Visual C# My Articles
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You still might want to look at what I wrote. Calling the overloaded
ToStringto format types isn't always the best way. If you look at my article about custom format providers, you might notice why. When usingString.Format(or similar methods), you can localize your application much easier because you can localize the entire format string and not have to worry about parameter order since you specify the parameter indexes in the format string. If all you're doing is printing a Type (like some primitive), then usingToStringis fine. You should also keep in mind that the overriddenToStringuses a well-defined output (typically the same as the "G" format specifier, although this is only a guidelines). I also have several links in my article to more information in .NET Framework SDK. No, I'm not trying to market my article, I just don't feel like copying and pasting all the links. :) There's just a lot more power in string formatting within .NET and it's worth understanding.Microsoft MVP, Visual C# My Articles