Java output formatting for Strings

Question

I was wondering if someone can show me how to use the format method for Java Strings. For instance If I want the width of all my output to be the same

For instance, Suppose I always want my output to be the same

Name =              Bob
Age =               27
Occupation =        Student
Status =            Single

In this example, all the output are neatly formatted under each other; How would I accomplish this with the format method.

Answer 1

System.out.println(String.format("%-20s= %s" , "label", "content" ));

• Where %s is a placeholder for you string.
• The '-' makes the result left-justified.
• 20 is the width of the first string

The output looks like this:

label               = content

As a reference I recommend Javadoc on formatter syntax