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| Chapter 11 The Awk Scripting Language |

## printf

    printf [format [, expression(s)]]

Formatted print statement. Fields or variables can be formatted according to instructions in the `format` argument. The number of arguments must correspond to the number specified in the format sections.

`format` follows the conventions of the C-language `printf` statement. Here are a few of the most common formats:

%s

  A string.

%d

  A decimal number.

%`n`.`m` f

  A floating point number; `n` = total number of digits. `m` = number of digits after decimal point.

%[-]nc

  `nc` specifies minimum field length for format type `c`, while `-` justifies value in field; otherwise value is right justified.

`format` can also contain embedded escape sequences: \n (newline) or \t (tab) being the most common. Spaces and literal text can be placed in the `format` argument by quoting the entire argument. If there are multiple expressions to be printed, there should be multiple formats specified.

### Example

Using the script:

>     {printf ("The sum on line %s is %d \n", NR, $1+$2)}

The following input line:

>     5   5

produces this output, followed by a newline:

>     The sum on line 1 is 10.

Reference: print |  | Reference: rand