sprintf function not working "as advertised"

$tax = sprintf("$%5.2f", tax());

===================================
The above expression returns "5.2f", instead
of formatting the variable contents and returning a value like "$4.50". However, when I get rid of the "$" in the above expression it returns a formatted number, but does not place the dollar sign in front of the number.

Am I missing something here? I've checked a few examples on this site and in my Perl books, but don't see what I'm doing wrong.

Please help!! Thanks.

Hello there,

It's because $ is a special character in Perl. Try this line instead:

$tax = "$" . sprintf("%5.2f", tax());

Hope that helps,
Mike

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Envex:

Hello there,

It's because $ is a special character in Perl. Try this line instead:

$tax = "$" . sprintf("%5.2f", tax());

Hope that helps,
Mike[/quote]

If what you say is true, why don't the Perl books cover your alternate way of representing my statement? Even the DevShed section doesn't mention this. Anyway, thanks for your help.

If what I say is true?!? It's common sense. $ represents a scalar variable, so you can't just go throw it in anywhere.

Mike


------------------
Envex Developments
Your CGI Script Specialists
http://www.envex.net/

So, printf("$%2.2f", 25.99) works OK, but sprintf("$%2.2f", 25.99) doesn't work OK? I tried your method and was successful. However, why would it work OK with printf, but not sprintf? Is there a difference? Seems inconsistent to me. I'm not doubting what you say, but I'm learning Perl through books and this Website's tutorials, so either there are type-o's in Devshed's tutorials or my Perl compiler is broken/outdated! Every example of the above uses the "$" within the formatting expression, yet I can't seem to use it that way and still get good results with my numbers.

DevShed tutorial regarding the printf and sprintf fuctions can be found at: http://www.devshed.com/Server_Side/Perl/Perl101_6/page6.html

Regards,

What you are trying to do already been replied at -> http://www.devshed.com/Talk/Forums/Forum6/HTML/000571.html