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Java Java Objects Meet Objects Creating Classes

Jun Dong
Jun Dong
4,754 Points
Posted by Jun Dong
Jun Dong
4,754 Points

System.out.printf("The dispenser is %s %n", dispenser.characterName); What does this mean

System.out.printf("The dispenser is %s %n", dispenser.characterName); Can someone please explain what the %s and %n does?

3 Answers

Spacey Bread
Spacey Bread
6,256 Points
Spacey Bread
Spacey Bread
6,256 Points

%s fills in the string value from the variable, which in this case is characterName %n takes the following text to the next line

Jun Dong
Jun Dong
4,754 Points
Jun Dong
Jun Dong
4,754 Points

Yeah but can't you also use \n? What's the difference between %n and \n?

Rich Zimmerman
Rich Zimmerman
24,063 Points
Rich Zimmerman
Rich Zimmerman
24,063 Points

The printf method will print out a formatted string. The %s and %n are formatting items where %s will be formatted with the string passed as a parameter after the string (in this case, it’s dispenser.characterName). %n just adds a new line at the end of the string because printf does not add a new line by default the way println does.

Kishan Kaneshagumar
Kishan Kaneshagumar
340 Points

I am not clear enough. Can you explain me with an example if you don't mind? Thank you

Teacher Russell
Teacher Russell
16,873 Points
Teacher Russell
Teacher Russell
16,873 Points

You got two good answers already, but I just wanted to add, as so often is the case, it'll be extremely helpful to study the course and workshops preceding this one. Java Basics, Getting Loopy, and The Thing about Strings. I encountered the %n (that one got me, too) in the workshop, and googled it. These course are all built on top of one another, so it really pays to start at the beginning to at least scan and see what we don't know. The thing about strings is a very good video with a lot of useful info in a very short amount of time:)