---
name: printf
status: documented
runtime: pp
source: src/runtime/pp/io.rs
---
```{index} single: printf; Perl built-in (pp runtime)
```

# printf

## Synopsis

```perl
printf FORMAT, LIST;
printf FILEHANDLE FORMAT, LIST;
```

## Description

Formats and prints a list of values to a filehandle using a format string.

Equivalent to `print FILEHANDLE sprintf(FORMAT, LIST)`.  Formats the
list of values according to FORMAT (see `sprintf` for format
specifiers) and writes the result to the specified filehandle (or
STDOUT if none is given).

Like `print`, honors `$\` (output record separator), which is
appended after the formatted output.  The filehandle is determined
by the stacked flag on the op, exactly as in `pp_print`.

Internally delegates to `pp_sprintf` for formatting, then writes
the resulting string to the filehandle.

## See also

sprintf, print, say