Help with Java code

[GTX]

Hi I'm creating a program in BlueJ (java) and I have some code my teacher gave me and never explained. I has managed to fit the code into my program but in order for me to proceed with the next step I will need to understand the code. Its only losing a mark if I don't do this but overall worth 15 marks of my grade so help is really appreciated. I unfortunately can't show you the rest of the program because that would be cheating but an explanation would really help. 

 

The code below is code which chooses a random name from an array of five names. It then displays a message to the winner. It runs the loop once.

 

My other question is why is "%8s" being used? 

 

 

 

 

  for(int i=0; i<1; i++)

          {

             // Generate random number 0-5

              reelSpin=(int) (5*Math.random());

              

             

              

              // Display corresponding names

             System.out.printf("%8s", Names[reelSpin]);

          }

 

Thanks, help appreciated.

[Nineshadow]

It's a string argument.

% signals the argument.

8 means it should be 8 chars long.

s means it's a string.

http://javarevisited.blogspot.ro/2012/08/how-to-format-string-in-java-printf.html

[GTX]

It's a string argument.

% signals the argument.

8 means it should be 8 chars long.

s means it's a string.

http://javarevisited.blogspot.ro/2012/08/how-to-format-string-in-java-printf.html

 

Thank you but do i'm still not getting this . Do you know why it should be 8 characters long?

I'm reading the article but its way above my level. I've never heard of a string argument.

[madknight3]

Thank you but do i'm still not getting this . Do you know why it should be 8 characters long?

I'm reading the article but its way above my level. I've never heard of a string argument.

 

It will append white space before the String if it is less than 8 characters. Here's an example how different names would look.

   James   Laura    Sara  Alexis Matthew

I assume that was the desired effect and why "%8s" was used.