Perl printf()

[StuPeas]

I understand how printf works with numbers but i am a bit confused when it is used with strings.

in:
%-w.dx

I uderstand that % is the field specifier marker, and a minus sign means to align to the left, and that w is the TOTAL width of field.
My problem arises when ther is a decimal point (as in above) and a value for d (which i have seen written as "The total allowable width of the field FOR STRINGS). I dont understand the difference between w and d (above).

Example.
printf ("%-15.5s", $stringValue);

Here, the feild is 15 characters long, but what does the .5 mean.

Thanx in advance

[CyCo]

Example.
printf ("%-15.5s", $stringValue);

Here, the feild is 15 characters long, but what does the .5 mean.

I'll try my best at explaining this.

The -15 sets the minimum field width to 15, with padding applied on the right side of the string value (any "positive" integer would apply padding to the left side of the string value). The .5 (a precision control) denotes that the string value will be truncated to a length of 5.

This may be better understood by running the following example in your browser and viewing the source to actually see the padding and control features doing their thing.

my $stringValue = "Isn't this fun?";

printf "%-15.1s\n", $stringValue;
printf "%-15.2s\n", $stringValue;
printf "%-15.3s\n", $stringValue;
printf "%-15.4s\n", $stringValue;
printf "%-15.5s\n", $stringValue;
printf "%-15.6s\n", $stringValue;
printf "%-15.7s\n", $stringValue;
printf "%-15.8s\n", $stringValue;
printf "%-15.9s\n", $stringValue;
printf "%-15.10s\n", $stringValue;
printf "%-15.11s\n", $stringValue;
printf "%-15.12s\n", $stringValue;
printf "%-15.13s\n", $stringValue;
printf "%-15.14s\n", $stringValue;
printf "%-15.15s\n", $stringValue;

*NOTE* I've added newlines for ease of readability.

[StuPeas]

Thanx Cyco, thats got it

[StuPeas]

One more thing CyCo, how do i actualy run perl code in a browser. Ive been using msdos (im still learning you see)

[Charles]

There's a way to make it work in MSIE but you don not want to go there.

It's best to run Perl from the command line but if you are developing something for the web then you will need a server, perhaps XAMPP.

[StuPeas]

Cheers Charles, I can easily run it in a shell but I think i get it anyway.
Thanx again.

[CyCo]

You need access to a server, whether locally on your own machine or remotely through a host.

[StuPeas]

Cheers CyCo