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| Developer(s) | Various open-source and commercial developers |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Unix and Unix-like |
| Platform | Cross-platform |
| Type | Command |
| License | coreutils: GPLv3+[1] |
In Unix and Unix-like operating systems, printf is a shell builtin (and utility program[2]) that formats and outputs text like the same-named C function.
Originally named for outputting to a printer, it actually outputs to standard output.[3]
The command accepts a format string, which specifies how to format values, and a list of values.
Characters in the format string are copied to the output verbatim except when a format specifier is found which causes a value to be output.
In addition to the standard format specifiers, %b causes the command to expand backslash escape sequences (for example \n for newline), and %q outputs an item that can be used as shell input.[3] The format string is reused if there are more items than format specs. Unused format specs provide a zero value or null string.
- ^ "printf(1): format/print data - Linux man page". linux.die.net.
- ^ "GNU Coreutils". www.gnu.org.
- ^ a b – Linux User Manual – User Commands