String Replacement Methods: StringForm

A String Replacement Overview is here.

StringForm

StringForm is a simple, elegant String template function. Use it in your functions where Print isn't enough since you need to fill in some variables, such as calculations on the fly. In a function use the following form with Print to output it since lines end with an output-suppressing semi-colon.

Print@StringForm["control string", variables];

Here the double backtick marks tell Mathematica where to fill in the blanks with arguments you give in the order in which they are inserted into the String. An argument can be a String or an Expression of unlimited complexity, which will be evaluated before insertion. If you don't want the inserted Expression to be evaluated, though, use HoldForm (example below).

StringForm["Use `` for relatively short and simple String templates, such as output messages in your functions. For example, the cube root of `` is ``.","StringForm",27,27^(1/3)]

Use StringForm for relatively short and simple String templates, such as output messages in your functions. For example, the cube root of 27 is 3.

If you're going to use an argument twice, switch the order, or use a number of arguments and you want to prevent mistakes, use numbered, rather than ordered, backticks. You often want a line break, for which the \n escape character is used within the quotation marks that are Mathematica's String delimiters.

StringForm["Flying or gliding mammals include `1`, `2`,\n`3`, `4`, `5`, `6`, and `7`.\nThe most common species are in the `3` family.","flying possums","greater glider","bats","flying squirrels","flying lemurs","flying monkeys","cats"]

Flying or gliding mammals include flying possums, greater glider,
bats, flying squirrels, flying lemurs, flying monkeys, and cats.
The most common species are in the bats family.

To prevent the inserted Expression from being evaluated, use HoldForm:

StringForm["For example, the sixth term of the Fibonacci series is the sum of the preceding two terms: ``.",HoldForm[1+1+2+3+5=8]]


For example, the sixth term of the Fibonacci series is the sum of the preceding two terms: 1+1+2+3+5=8.