(PHP 4 >= 4.1.0, PHP 5, PHP 7, PHP 8)
vsprintf — Return a formatted string
Operates as sprintf() but accepts an array of arguments, rather than a variable number of arguments.
format
The format string is composed of zero or more directives:
ordinary characters (excluding %) that are
copied directly to the result and conversion
specifications, each of which results in fetching its
own parameter.
A conversion specification follows this prototype:
%[argnum$][flags][width][.precision]specifier.
An integer followed by a dollar sign $,
to specify which number argument to treat in the conversion.
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
- |
Left-justify within the given field width; Right justification is the default |
+ |
Prefix positive numbers with a plus sign
+; Default only negative
are prefixed with a negative sign.
|
(space) |
Pads the result with spaces. This is the default. |
0 |
Only left-pads numbers with zeros.
With s specifiers this can
also right-pad with zeros.
|
'(char) |
Pads the result with the character (char). |
Either an integer that says how many characters (minimum)
this conversion should result in, or *.
If * is used, then the width is supplied
as an additional integer value preceding the one formatted
by the specifier.
A period . optionally followed by
either an integer or *,
whose meaning depends on the specifier:
e, E,
f and F
specifiers: this is the number of digits to be printed
after the decimal point (by default, this is 6).
g, G,
h and H
specifiers: this is the maximum number of significant
digits to be printed.
s specifier: it acts as a cutoff point,
setting a maximum character limit to the string.
Note: If the period is specified without an explicit value for precision, 0 is assumed. If
*is used, the precision is supplied as an additional integer value preceding the one formatted by the specifier.
| Specifier | Description |
|---|---|
% |
A literal percent character. No argument is required. |
b |
The argument is treated as an integer and presented as a binary number. |
c |
The argument is treated as an integer and presented as the character with that ASCII. |
d |
The argument is treated as an integer and presented as a (signed) decimal number. |
e |
The argument is treated as scientific notation (e.g. 1.2e+2). |
E |
Like the e specifier but uses
uppercase letter (e.g. 1.2E+2).
|
f |
The argument is treated as a float and presented as a floating-point number (locale aware). |
F |
The argument is treated as a float and presented as a floating-point number (non-locale aware). |
g |
General format. Let P equal the precision if nonzero, 6 if the precision is omitted, or 1 if the precision is zero. Then, if a conversion with style E would have an exponent of X: If P > X ≥ −4, the conversion is with style f and precision P − (X + 1). Otherwise, the conversion is with style e and precision P − 1. |
G |
Like the g specifier but uses
E and f.
|
h |
Like the g specifier but uses F.
Available as of PHP 8.0.0.
|
H |
Like the g specifier but uses
E and F. Available as of PHP 8.0.0.
|
o |
The argument is treated as an integer and presented as an octal number. |
s |
The argument is treated and presented as a string. |
u |
The argument is treated as an integer and presented as an unsigned decimal number. |
x |
The argument is treated as an integer and presented as a hexadecimal number (with lowercase letters). |
X |
The argument is treated as an integer and presented as a hexadecimal number (with uppercase letters). |
The c type specifier ignores padding and width.
Attempting to use a combination of the string and width specifiers with character sets that require more than one byte per character may result in unexpected results.
Variables will be co-erced to a suitable type for the specifier:
| Type | Specifiers |
|---|---|
| string | s |
| int |
d,
u,
c,
o,
x,
X,
b
|
| float |
e,
E,
f,
F,
g,
G,
h,
H
|
values
Return array values as a formatted string according to
format.
As of PHP 8.0.0, a ValueError is thrown if the number of arguments is zero.
Prior to PHP 8.0.0, a E_WARNING was emitted instead.
As of PHP 8.0.0, a ValueError is thrown if [width] is less than zero or bigger than PHP_INT_MAX.
Prior to PHP 8.0.0, a E_WARNING was emitted instead.
As of PHP 8.0.0, a ValueError is thrown if [precision] is less than zero or bigger than PHP_INT_MAX.
Prior to PHP 8.0.0, a E_WARNING was emitted instead.
As of PHP 8.0.0, a ValueError is thrown when less arguments are given than required.
Prior to PHP 8.0.0, false was returned and a E_WARNING emitted instead.
| Version | Description |
|---|---|
| 8.0.0 |
This function no longer returns false on failure.
|
| 8.0.0 |
Throw a ValueError if the number of arguments is zero;
previously this function emitted a E_WARNING instead.
|
| 8.0.0 |
Throw a ValueError if [width] is less than zero or bigger than PHP_INT_MAX;
previously this function emitted a E_WARNING instead.
|
| 8.0.0 |
Throw a ValueError if [precision] is less than zero or bigger than PHP_INT_MAX;
previously this function emitted a E_WARNING instead.
|
| 8.0.0 |
Throw a ValueError when less arguments are given than required;
previously this function emitted a E_WARNING instead.
|
Example #1 vsprintf(): zero-padded integers
<?php
print vsprintf("%04d-%02d-%02d", explode('-', '1988-8-1'));
?>The above example will output:
1988-08-01
Instead of inventing own functions in case you'd like to use array keys as placeholder names and replace corresponding array values in a string, just use the str_replace:
$string = 'Hello %name!';
$data = array(
'%name' => 'John'
);
$greeting = str_replace(array_keys($data), array_values($data), $string);Note that this function now throws an ValueError* as of PHP 8.0 if there is an error:
$ php -r 'var_dump(vsprintf("%d", []));'
> Fatal error: Uncaught ValueError: The arguments array must contain 1 items, 0 given in Command line code:1
*ValueError is new in PHP 8.0, so if you want to make your code compatible to PHP 7.x you should test that the arguments array has the correct length.<?php
/**
* Like vsprintf, but accepts $args keys instead of order index.
* Both numeric and strings matching /[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+/ are allowed.
*
* Example: vskprintf('y = %y$d, x = %x$1.1f', array('x' => 1, 'y' => 2))
* Result: 'y = 2, x = 1.0'
*
* $args also can be object, then it's properties are retrieved
* using get_object_vars().
*
* '%s' without argument name works fine too. Everything vsprintf() can do
* is supported.
*
* @author Josef Kufner <jkufner(at)gmail.com>
*/
function vksprintf($str, $args)
{
if (is_object($args)) {
$args = get_object_vars($args);
}
$map = array_flip(array_keys($args));
$new_str = preg_replace_callback('/(^|[^%])%([a-zA-Z0-9_-]+)\$/',
function($m) use ($map) { return $m[1].'%'.($map[$m[2]] + 1).'$'; },
$str);
return vsprintf($new_str, $args);
}
?><?php
/**
* Return a formatted string like vsprintf() with named placeholders.
*
* When a placeholder doesn't have a matching key in `$args`,
* the placeholder is returned as is to see missing args.
* @param string $format
* @param array $args
* @param string $pattern
* @return string
*/
function p($format, array $args, $pattern="/\{(\w+)\}/") {
return preg_replace_callback($pattern, function ($matches) use ($args) {
return @$args[$matches[1]] ?: $matches[0];
}, $format);
}
$args = ["database"=>"people", "user"=>"staff", "pass"=>"pass123", "host"=>"localhost"];
// With PHP-like placeholders: the variable is embedded in a string "{$database}" but without the dollar sign
$format = <<<SQL
CREATE DATABASE IF NOT EXISTS {database};
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON {database_name}.* TO '{user}'@'{host}';
SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('{pass}');
SQL;
echo p($format, $args);
/*
Result:
CREATE DATABASE IF NOT EXISTS people;
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON {database_name}.* TO 'staff'@'localhost';
SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('pass123');
The `{database_name}` placeholder doesn't exist as a matching key in `$args` so it's returned as is.
*/
// With Ruby-like placeholders
$format = <<<SQL
CREATE DATABASE IF NOT EXISTS :database;
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON :database_name.* TO ':user'@':host';
SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD(':pass');
SQL;
echo p($format, $args, "/:(\w+)/");
/*
Result:
CREATE DATABASE IF NOT EXISTS people;
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON :database_name.* TO 'staff'@'localhost';
SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('pass123');
The `:database_name` placeholder doesn't exist as a matching key in `$args` so it's returned as is.
*/vnsprintf is equal to vsprintf except for associative, signed or floating keys.
vnsprintf supports for example "%assocKey$05d", "%-2$'+10s" and "%3.2$05u", vsprintf doesn't
vnsprintf( '%2$d', $array) [2nd value] is equal to vsprintf( '%2$d', $array) [2nd value]
vnsprintf( '%+2$d', $array) [key = 2] is equal to vnsprintf( '%2.0$d', $array) [key = 2]
vnsprintf( '%+2$d', $array) [key = 2] is different of vsprintf( '%+2$d', $array) [unsupported]
When you use signed or floating keys, vnsprintf searchs for the signed truncated key of the original array
Note¹: vnsprintf does not support for example "%someKeyf" (floating number, key = someKey) or "%+03d" (signed decimal number, key = 3), you should use "%someKey$f" or "%+03$d" respectively.
Note²: "%+03d" (or "%1$+03d") will be interpreted as signed zero-padded decimal number
<?php
function vnsprintf( $format, array $data)
{
preg_match_all( '/ (?<!%) % ( (?: [[:alpha:]_-][[:alnum:]_-]* | ([-+])? [0-9]+ (?(2) (?:\.[0-9]+)? | \.[0-9]+ ) ) ) \$ [-+]? \'? .? -? [0-9]* (\.[0-9]+)? \w/x', $format, $match, PREG_SET_ORDER | PREG_OFFSET_CAPTURE);
$offset = 0;
$keys = array_keys($data);
foreach ( $match as &$value )
{
if ( ( $key = array_search( $value[1][0], $keys) ) !== FALSE || ( is_numeric( $value[1][0]) && ( $key = array_search( (int)$value[1][0], $keys) ) !== FALSE ) ) {
$len = strlen( $value[1][0]);
$format = substr_replace( $format, 1 + $key, $offset + $value[1][1], $len);
$offset -= $len - strlen( $key);
}
}
return vsprintf( $format, $data);
}
$examples = array(
2.8=>'positiveFloat', // key = 2 , 1st value
-3=>'negativeInteger', // key = -3 , 2nd value
'my_name'=>'someString' // key = my_name , 3rd value
);
echo vsprintf( "%%my_name\$s = '%my_name\$s'\n", $examples); // [unsupported]
echo vnsprintf( "%%my_name\$s = '%my_name\$s'\n", $examples); // output : "someString"
echo vsprintf( "%%2.5\$s = '%2.5\$s'\n", $examples); // [unsupported]
echo vnsprintf( "%%2.5\$s = '%2.5\$s'\n", $examples); // output : "positiveFloat"
echo vsprintf( "%%+2.5\$s = '%+2.5\$s'\n", $examples); // [unsupported]
echo vnsprintf( "%%+2.5\$s = '%+2.5\$s'\n", $examples); // output : "positiveFloat"
echo vsprintf( "%%-3.2\$s = '%-3.2\$s'\n", $examples); // [unsupported]
echo vnsprintf( "%%-3.2\$s = '%-3.2\$s'\n", $examples); // output : "negativeInteger"
echo vsprintf( "%%2\$s = '%2\$s'\n", $examples); // output : "negativeInteger"
echo vnsprintf( "%%2\$s = '%2\$s'\n", $examples); // output : [= vsprintf]
echo vsprintf( "%%+2\$s = '%+2\$s'\n", $examples); // [unsupported]
echo vnsprintf( "%%+2\$s = '%+2\$s'\n", $examples); // output : "positiveFloat"
echo vsprintf( "%%-3\$s = '%-3\$s'\n", $examples); // [unsupported]
echo vnsprintf( "%%-3\$s = '%-3\$s'\n", $examples); // output : "negativeInteger"
?>This can be used for quick and dirty internationalization:
<?php
$GLOBALS['strings']['example'] = "There are %d people.";
// Loads a phrase from the translations list in lang/$lang/phrases.php
function t() {
$args = func_get_args();
$nArgs = func_num_args();
$phrase = array_shift($args);
$nArgs--;
include_once("../lang/" . lang() . "/phrases.php");
if (isset($GLOBALS['strings'][$phrase])) {
return vsprintf($GLOBALS['strings'][$phrase], $args);
} else {
return '<span style="color: #ff0000">Untranslated string: ' . $phrase . '</span>';
}
}
?>Please note: The same functionality (sortof) can be attained between version 4.0.4 and 4.1.0 using call_user_func_array.
Example:
call_user_func_array("sprintf", $arg)
First element of $arg is the format. This rescued me in a situation where version 4.1.0 wasn't available.Using a heredoc with vprintf:
<?php
$string = <<<THESTRING
I like the state of %1\$s <br />
I picked: %2\$d as a number, <br />
I also picked %2\$d as a number again <br />
%3\$s<br />
THESTRING;
$returnText = vprintf( $string, array('Oregon','7','I Love Oregon') );
echo $returnText;
?>vsprintf() accepts arrays with any keys, so the array_shift() technique is unnecessary when writing a printf-type function. Any parameters you require are easily unset from the array you retrieve with func_get_args():
<?php
function mysprintf($format) {
$args = func_get_args();
unset($args[0]); /* get rid of "$format" */
return vsprintf($format, $args);
}
/* I use this technique in production code as follows: */
function logf($target, $string) {
$args = func_get_args();
unset($args[0], $args[1]);
fprintf($GLOBALS['config']['logtargets'][$target],
"[%s] %s\n", date('H:i'), wordwrap(vsprintf($string, $args), 75, '\n\r '));
}
/* e.g.:
logf(DEBUG, "Oops! %s", mysql_error());
*/
?>
array_shift() and other costly array operations aren't required, as far as I know. I could be wrong.It's necessary to clearly how to apply argument swapping when using an array of arguments. One might be tempted to use %0$ to reference $args[0].
In reality, the position specifier is always the array index+1:
$args[0] is referenced by %1$...
$args[1] is referenced by %2$...
etc.
Similarly, the first subpattern of a RegEx match would be found in $matches[1], the second in $match[2], etc. However if the $matches array is used as arguments to vsprint(), then the position specifier is subpattern+1:
preg_match( $pattern, $subject, $matches );
vsprintf( 'Full Match = %1$s, first Subpattern = %2$s, second Subpattern = %3$s', $matches );