Java The Complete Reference, Seventh Edition

The %n and %% Specifiers

The%nand%%format specifiers differ from the others in that they do not match an

argument. Instead, they are simply escape sequences that insert a character into the output

sequence. The%ninserts a newline. The%%inserts a percent sign. Neither of these characters

can be entered directly into the format string. Of course, you can also use the standard

escape sequence\nto embed a newline character.

Here is an example that demonstrates the%nand%%format specifiers:

// Demonstrate the %n and %% format specifiers.

import java.util.*;

class FormatDemo3 {

public static void main(String args[]) {

Formatter fmt = new Formatter();

fmt.format("Copying file%nTransfer is %d%% complete", 88);

System.out.println(fmt);

}

}

It displays the following output:

Copying file

Transfer is 88% complete

532 Part II: The Java Library

Suffix Replaced By

L Millisecond (000 to 999)

m Month as decimal (01 to 13)

M Minute as decimal (00 to 59)

N Nanosecond (000000000 to 999999999)

p Locale’s equivalent ofAMorPMin lowercase

Q Milliseconds from 1/1/1970

r hh:mm:ss(12-hour format)

R hh:mm(24-hour format)

S Seconds (00 to 60)

s Seconds from 1/1/1970 UTC

T hh:mm:ss(24-hour format)

y Year in decimal without centur y (00 to 99)

Y Year in decimal including centur y (0001 to 9999)

z Offset from UTC

Z Time zone name

TABLE 18-13

The Time and Date

Format Suffixes

(continued)