A newer version of Max is available. Click here to access the latest version of the Max documentation

sprintf Reference

Format a message of words and numbers

sprintf

Description

Uses the common C-language "printf" function inside Max. You can combine symbols, organize lists of numbers, or format messages or menu items. For complete documentation, refer to a standard C library reference manual.

Examples

Changeable arguments are replaced by values received in the inlets

Arguments

symout [symbol]

Optional

If the first argument is the word symout, the sprintf object outputs the string it generates as a single symbol. Otherwise the output is a list of symbols and/or numbers. The word symout itself is not included in the output of sprintf.

format [symbol]

The arguments form a message to be sent out, in a format resembling the C programming language. The arguments may be words, numbers, or changeable arguments for incoming symbols (%s), ints (%ld), floats (%f), and ints that are to be formatted as ASCII characters (%c). The number of inlets is determined by the number of changeable arguments, with each inlet corresponding to a changeable argument, in order.

Attributes

Common Box Attributes

annotation [symbol]

Sets the text that will be displayed in the Clue window when the user moves the mouse over the object.

background [int] (default: 0)

Adds or removes the object from the patcher's background layer. background 1 adds the object to the background layer, background 0 removes it. Objects in the background layer are shown behind all objects in the default foreground layer.

color [4 floats]

Sets the color for the object box outline.

fontface [int]

Sets the type style used by the object. The options are:

plain
bold
italic
bold italic Possible values:

0 = 'regular'
1 = 'bold'
2 = 'italic'
3 = 'bold italic'

fontname [symbol]

Sets the object's font.

fontsize [float]

Sets the object's font size (in points). Possible values:

'8'
'9'
'10'
'11'
'12'
'13'
'14'
'16'
'18'
'20'
'24'
'30'
'36'
'48'
'64'
'72'

hidden [int] (default: 0)

Toggles whether an object is hidden when the patcher is locked.

hint [symbol]

Sets the text that will be displayed in as a pop-up hint when the user moves the mouse over the object in a locked patcher.

ignoreclick [int] (default: 0)

Toggles whether an object ignores mouse clicks in a locked patcher.

jspainterfile [symbol]

JS Painter File

patching_rect [4 floats] (default: 0. 0. 100. 0.)

Sets the position and size of the object in the patcher window.

position [2 floats]

g/s(set)

Sets the object's x and y position in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation), leaving its size unchanged.

presentation [int] (default: 0)

Sets whether an object belongs to the patcher's presentation.

presentation_rect [4 floats] (default: 0. 0. 0. 0.)

Sets the x and y position and width and height of the object in the patcher's presentation, leaving its patching position unchanged.

rect [4 floats]

g/s(set)

Sets the x and y position and width and height of the object in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation).

size [2 floats]

g/s(set)

Sets the object's width and height in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation), leaving its position unchanged.

textcolor [4 floats]

Sets the color for the object's text in RGBA format.

textjustification [int]

Sets the justification for the object's text. Possible values:

0 = 'left'
1 = 'center'
2 = 'right'

varname [symbol]

Sets the patcher's scripting name, which can be used to address the object by name in pattr, scripting messages to thispatcher, and the js object.

Messages

bang

In left inlet: Formats the message using the values currently stored.

Any of the above messages in the left inlet will format the message and send it out. If no value has been received for a changeable number argument (%ld or %f), 0 will be substituted for that argument. If no value has been received for a %s or %c argument, that argument will be left blank.

int

Arguments

input [int]
May be received in any inlet that corresponds to a %ld or %c argument. The number will be stored in place of that argument. A %c argument will convert the int to its ASCII character equivalent.

float

Arguments

input [float]
May be received in any inlet that corresponds to a %f argument. The number will be stored in place of that argument.

list

Arguments

input [list]
In left inlet: Each item in the list is treated as if it had been received in a separate inlet, up to the number of inlets.

anything

Arguments

input [list]
Performs the same function as a list.

symbol

Arguments

input [symbol]
May be received in any inlet that corresponds to a %s argument. The symbol will be stored in place of that argument.

Output

anything

The message specified by the typed-in argument(s) is formatted and sent out with substitutions made for the changeable arguments.

See Also

Name Description
atoi Convert ASCII characters to integers
combine Combine multiple items into a single symbol
fromsymbol Convert a symbol into numbers/messages
itoa Convert integers to UTF-8 (Unicode) characters
key Report keyboard presses
keyup Report key information on release
message Send any message
regexp Use regular expressions to process input
spell Convert input to UTF-8 (Unicode) codes
tosymbol Convert messages, numbers, or lists to a single symbol