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Introduction to Java

String Formatting Operations in Java

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In real applications, text is constantly shown to users — order confirmations, receipts, notifications, status updates. Raw text is often not enough: it needs structure, readability, and dynamic values that change every time the program runs. That's where string formatting operations come in.

New Line Character \n

If you need to split a single string across multiple lines without using separate println calls, use the \n escape character. It tells Java to move to the next line at that point — like pressing Enter inside a string.

Main.java

Main.java


              
12345678910

            
package com.example;

public class Main {
   public static void main(String[] args) {

       String message = "Welcome to our Coffee Shop\nYour order is being prepared\nThank you for visiting";

       System.out.println(message);
   }
}

Instead of printing one long line, Java splits the output at each \n and prints a structured message across three separate lines.

String.format()

If you need to build dynamic messages by inserting values into a fixed template, use String.format(). Instead of manually joining strings with +, you define a template with placeholders and pass the values separately.

Main.java

Main.java


              
12345678910111213141516171819

            
package com.example;

public class Main {
   public static void main(String[] args) {

       String customerName = "Anna";
       int orderNumber = 42;
       double price = 4.99;

       String message = String.format(
               "Customer: %s | Order: %d | Price: %.2f",
               customerName,
               orderNumber,
               price
       );

       System.out.println(message);
   }
}

String.format() takes the template string and fills each placeholder with the corresponding value in order — customerName goes into %s, orderNumber into %d, and price into %.2f. The result is a clean, structured line: Customer: Anna | Order: 42 | Price: 4.99.

Format Specifiers

Inside String.format(), placeholders always start with % and define what type of value goes there:

  • %s — text (String);
  • %d — whole numbers (int);
  • %f — decimal numbers (double / float);
  • %.2f — decimal number with exactly 2 digits after the decimal point.
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Section 4. Chapter 3

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Section 4. Chapter 3
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