Printf_(Unix)
printf (Unix)
Standard UNIX utility
In Unix and Unix-like operating systems, printf is a shell builtin (and utility program[2]) that formats and outputs text like the same-named C function.
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Originally named for outputting to a printer, it actually outputs to standard output.[3]
The command accepts a format string, which specifies how to format values, and a list of values.
Characters in the format string are copied to the output verbatim except when a format specifier is found which causes a value to be output.
In addition to the standard format specifiers, %b causes the command to expand backslash escape sequences (for example \n for newline), and %q outputs an item that can be used as shell input.[3] The format string is reused if there are more items than format specs. Unused format specs provide a zero value or null string.
