Assume the following variable declaration exists in a program: double number \(=1234567.456\) Write a statement that uses system. out.printf to display the value of the number variable formatted as: \(1,234,567.46\)

Understanding Java formatting is essential for creating output that adheres to certain visual standards and improves readability.
In Java, you format a string using various methods and classes, with System.out.printf() being one of the most versatile for producing formatted console output. Through formatting, you can control how text and variables are displayed by defining placeholders for different data types, specifying the width, precision, and other formatting options.

For instance, displaying a large number with thousands separators makes it easier to read. Similarly, when dealing with monetary values or precise measurements, it's common to round the figures to a fixed number of decimal places for consistency. Java's formatting capabilities come in handy for such scenarios, enabling developers to generate outputs that match specified patterns and formats.

In Java, the double data type is a double-precision 64-bit IEEE 754 floating point. It's primarily used to represent decimal numbers with a high degree of accuracy, which is crucial in scientific calculations and when working with currency.

Despite the precision, the way these values are displayed can often lead to confusion if not properly formatted—a number like 1234567.456 might not provide the clarity needed without proper formatting. Luckily, Java allows us to format double values easily using methods like printf(). By applying format specifiers, double values can be displayed with a fixed number of decimal places, or even with thousand separators, to amplify their readability and significance when printed to the console or used in GUI applications.

The printf() method in Java is a powerful tool for creating formatted strings. Its origins stem from the C programming language's printf() function, which is used for formatted output. In Java, System.out.printf() serves a similar purpose by allowing you to format and print text to the console.

It uses specified format strings combined with arguments to create complex layouts in a controlled manner. The arguments passed can be variables or values of various data types. The format string includes static text and placeholders for variables, which are replaced with the values of the arguments at runtime. The placeholders use specific syntax, known as format specifiers, for each type of data, and control aspects such as the number of decimal places for floating-point numbers, padding, alignment, and more.

Format specifiers are the backbone of formatted output in Java. They are short sequences within a format string that dictate how a corresponding value should be represented. Each format specifier begins with a percent sign (%) and ends with a conversion character that indicates the type of value being formatted, such as f for floating-point numbers.

When working with the double data type, you might use specifiers like %.2f to round the value to two decimal places. To enhance the appearance even further, you can include grouping separators, such as commas, to format large numbers more legibly. This is accomplished with a specifier like %,.2f, which combines the comma for thousand separators with the precision specifier. The result is a neatly formatted number that's easy to interpret at a glance.