printf() use array as parameter. Is it possible?

Question

I just wondering is it possible to use one array as a parameter instead of a few parameters at printf()?

Say like:

String[] strArr = {"Name","Address", "Mobile"};

//text = () -> strArr.getNext(); 

System.out.printf("%1$s %1$10s %1$10s", text);

I have feeling it should be possible.

This, `System.out.printf("%1$s %2$10s %3$10s", strArr);` would work. — Hovercraft Full Of Eels, Oct 15 '16 at 13:02
@HovercraftFullOfEels Sometimes solution is much simpler than expected. tnx for answer — my-, Oct 15 '16 at 14:51

Hovercraft Full Of Eels · Accepted Answer · 2016-10-15T13:27:56.937

2

As per my comment, this, System.out.printf("%1$s %2$10s %3$10s", strArr); would work.

But another option is to use Java 8's streams which can be obtained from your array using java.util.Arrays.stream(...). For example:

Arrays.stream(strArr).forEach(e -> System.out.printf("%-15s", e));

edited Oct 15 '16 at 13:27

answered Oct 15 '16 at 13:10

Hovercraft Full Of Eels

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or: Stream .of(headText[0]) .forEach(st -> System.out.printf("%-10s", st)); System.out.println(); – my- Oct 15 '16 at 14:53
@my-: You should be able to edit up til 5 min after posting, and delete it any time. – Hovercraft Full Of Eels Oct 15 '16 at 14:56
or: 'Stream .of(strArr]) .forEach(st -> System.out.printf("%-10s", st));' – my- Oct 15 '16 at 15:03
I can only do it for a Question part. I can't delete or edit comments on Answers... – my- Oct 15 '16 at 15:06

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 10:27

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If you want to replace:

System.out.printf("%1$s %2$10s %2$10s", "p1" "p2", "p3");

by

String[] strArr = {"p1", "p2", "p3"};
System.out.printf("%1$s %2$10s %2$10s", strArr );

It is possible, because java threats multi arguments as array

Can I pass an array as arguments to a method with variable arguments in Java?

edited May 23 '17 at 10:27

Community

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answered Oct 15 '16 at 13:07

Dominik Kunicki

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score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Oct 15 '16 at 13:01

You can use Arrays.toString(Object[] a) as the javadoc says:

public static String toString(Object[] a)

Returns a string representation of the contents of the specified array. If the array contains other arrays as elements, they are converted to strings by the Object.toString() method inherited from Object, which describes their identities rather than their contents.

The value returned by this method is equal to the value that would be returned by Arrays.asList(a).toString(), unless a is null, in which case "null" is returned.

printf() use array as parameter. Is it possible?

3 Answers3