Change number of spaces printed-out by \t (tab) [CLOSED]

[benoitstjean]

Compiler 5.116

Hello,

I there a way somewhere either in the configuration files of the compiler or the compiler directly that I can specify the number of spaces that get printed-out when the \t option is used inside an fprintf?

I'd like to be able to put leading and trailing spaces in different fprintf()'s by using \t but it prints-out 8 spaces and it's too much. And if I add individual spaces inside the fprintf, I would guess that that uses more ROM space than a single \t?

Makes sense?

Ben

[temtronic]

hmm, historically a 'tab' was 8 spaces. I know some 'editors' you can change 'tab' to be n number of spaces
You should be able to use fprintf to format though, it follows FORTRAN from what I recall. Others will know, me I'm on day 5 of a 'headache from 'that hot place' .
The BASIC I used ,had the nice Print using "......." function/ feature which allowed formatted output,made it easy to get 'stuff' onto the screen all lined up.

[newguy]

I had a look through the project options of one projects but I can't see a setting for a tab equating to a set number of spaces. I suspect it may be hard coded in the compiler. That said, contact CCS directly to ask. Never know, it may be something they can easily accommodate via a command line option or future update in the IDE.

In the meantime, you might be able to accomplish the same thing with a clever define, then do a search & replace in your codebase to substitute a conventional tab with your define.

[Ttelmah]

You can make %f print to a fixed width field by specifying a width. So
%8f maxes it use an eight character field. %08f makes it add leading zeros.
However 'caveat', that the field 'width' always includes things like the DP,
and if your number goes over the specified width, the field will expand
to accommodate the number.

[jeremiah]

[benoitstjean]

Thanks guys.

Unless anyone has another explanation, I guess \t doesn't appear to be anything other than 8 spaces as opposed to let's say on a PC where the tab uses a pre-defined size e.g. In MS Word for instance, adding a tab in front of a word on one line versus padding with spaces in front of a word on the following line will not align vertically the words.

On the PIC, 8 spaces will align with \t.

I guess the only difference is that it's easier to be \t and probably helps using less ROM versus individual spaces.

I'll use spaces.

Thanks,

Ben

[jeremiah]

[benoitstjean]

oh geez! Sorry! My mistake!

Ok thanks!

Ben