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Java Java Basics Getting Started with Java Strings and Variables

Posted by Barry Lares
Barry Lares
467 Points

Is console.printf() good practice?

Love the teaching style so far, but quick question, In class were using System.out.println() using JGRASP as the IDE. console.printf() is not even talked about but i figured its because were using the workspace. However %s formatter is not working using System.out.println() in JGRASP . Any suggestions?

System.out.println(" %s is learning java", firstName); ^ method PrintStream.println() is not applicable (actual and formal argument lists differ in length) method PrintStream.println(boolean) is not applicable

3 Answers

Marcus Parsons
Marcus Parsons
15,719 Points

I'd recommend using System.out.format which is also a part of the PrintStream library. It is equivalent to using printf and any type of format will work with that command.

For example,

System.out.format("The value of " + "the float variable is " +
     "%f, while the value of the " + "integer variable is %d, " +
     "and the string is %s", floatVar, intVar, stringVar);
Barry Lares
Barry Lares
467 Points

Hahaha! Thanks man. Problem Solved. So instead of using println, from now on practice using printf and use \n if i need to execute an addtional line. is that right?

Marcus Parsons
Marcus Parsons
15,719 Points

Not a problem, man. Yes, except that Oracle recommends using %n over \n, though, because %n is a platform independent format. Happy Thanksgiving!

Craig Dennis
STAFF
Craig Dennis
Treehouse Teacher
Craig Dennis
Craig Dennis
Treehouse Teacher

Hi Barry Lares !

Thanks for the feedback!

The printf method is on the PrintStream object System.out. java.io.Console is just a wrapper class that attempts to simplify console applications. Printing is very similar, but reading can get quite nasty. java.io.Console lets us focus on, in my opinion, more important things. I used it in an attempt to keep things clear before we cover what System.out actually is.

So again, if you want to use formatters, use System.out.printf.

Hope that helps!

Barry Lares
Barry Lares
467 Points

Thanks for the quick response Craig. I just joined Treehouse today actually and so far I really like how after the interactive lesson you get a quiz and a practical lesson. I'll be diving more into the course but so far so good. I like your teaching style and semantic coding. Proper coding practice early on is what creates average programmers from great ones. AND PRACTICE! :)

Thanks Craig.

ashwinjangam2
ashwinjangam2
2,795 Points
ashwinjangam2
ashwinjangam2
2,795 Points

Hi Craig, I joined your JAVA and its wonderful, enjoyable, marvelous. Great Job you done for all students who really want tobe a programmer but I have a request could you please elaborate JAVA into Advance it will really help to be best programmer and some more interactive about how to create Apps

Thanks a lot

Cheers

Happiness grows when it share

Ashwin