save formatted output from printf into variable

I have a printf statement that formats the output of my variables like below
:

printf("%-20s%-20s%-18s%-1s%-8s%-30s%-3s%-5s\n",aa,bb,cc,dd,ee,ff,gg,hh)

i would like to store this formatted output in the variable string. i.e.

print string

should give the same as

printf("%-20s%-20s%-18s%-1s%-8s%-30s%-3s%-5s\n",aa,bb,cc,dd,ee,ff,gg,hh)

any ideas?

awk newbie

championsleeper wrote:
> I have a printf statement that formats the output of my variables like bel
ow:
>
> printf("%-20s%-20s%-18s%-1s%-8s%-30s%-3s%-5s\n",aa,bb,cc,dd,ee,ff,gg,hh)
>
> i would like to store this formatted output in the variable string. i.e.
>
>    print string
>
> should give the same as
>
> printf("%-20s%-20s%-18s%-1s%-8s%-30s%-3s%-5s\n",aa,bb,cc,dd,ee,ff,gg,hh)
>
> any ideas?


Use sprintf to format the string, then printf to print it.

Ed.

> awk newbie

Ed Morton <morton@lsupcaemnt.com> wrote in message news:<coiae7$cma@netnews.proxy.lucent.co
m>...
> championsleeper wrote: 
>
>
> Use sprintf to format the string, then printf to print it.
>
> 	Ed.
> 

hi ed,

thanks very much! show's how much of a newbie i am.