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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

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
combine
fromsymbol
itoa
key
keyup
message
regexp
spell
tosymbol