printf usage

[dirtbikerxz]

How do i use System.out.printf() in a way so that a String is displayed exactly x number of spaces from the beginning of the line (not from where a previous string on the same line ended).

 

I am writing a tortoise and hare race program where the output should look like.

 

t h

  t       h

       t                       h

  t                                       h

 

etc.

I already figured out how to find the position of each new move, but I don't know how to display it.

[Nicko_barbeque]

no idea lol

[79wjd]

A really simple way would be to just print x number of spaces before printing h/t. 

 

for(int i=0; i<currentMoveSpacing; i++)
	  printf(" "); 

 

 

 

[dirtbikerxz]

but the problem with that is that its possible for t to be before h, and h to be before t. (the are capable of "slipping")

[79wjd]

3 minutes ago, dirtbikerxz said:

but the problem with that is that its possible for t to be before h, and h to be before t

Are you calculating absolute or relative positioning? If you're doing absolute, then just use an if statement to determine which should be printed first and then print the other x moves after the first where x is the absolute position of the second - the absolute position of the first. 

[dirtbikerxz]

absolute. Ya i was trying to avoid doing that, but looks like its my only option.

 

so the way i have my program setup it gives me the position number fore each. like in h = 10. what is the easiest way to generate 9 spaces before that? oh (h position - 1) spaces

[79wjd]

7 minutes ago, dirtbikerxz said:

so the way i have my program setup it gives me the position number fore each. like in h = 10. what is the easiest way to generate 9 spaces before that? oh (h position - 1) spaces

A while loop would be the simplest, albeit least elegant form.

 

Something like this, although, I would try and come up with something less cumbersome.

 

Spoiler

int H; T; diff; 

//H and T are set 

if(H > T){
	diff = H-T; 
	for(int i=0; i<T; i++)
		printf(" "); 
	printf("T"); 
	for(int i=0; i<diff; i++)
		printf(" "); 
	printf("H\n"); 
} else {
	diff = T-H; 
	for(int i=0; i<H; i++)
		printf(" "); 
	printf("H"); 
	for(int i=0; i<diff; i++)
		printf(" "); 
	printf("T\n"); 
}

 

 

[fizzlesticks]

You can use String.format to add spaces to a string. 

        int h = 1;
        int t = 7;
        int lower = Integer.min(h, t);
        int higher = Integer.max(h, t);
        String formatString = "%1$" + (lower+1) + "s%2$" + (higher - lower) + "s";
        String s = String.format(formatString, (lower == t) ? "t" : "h", (lower == t) ? "h" : "t");

edit: that may have to be changed a bit depending on how you deal with ties.