Using Classes and Objects - Java Software Solutions: Foundations of Program Design - page 133

String format ( double number)
Returns a string containing the specified number formatted according to this
object's pattern.

static NumberFormat getCurrencyInstance()
Returns a NumberFormat object that represents a currency format for the
current locale.

static NumberFormat getPercentInstance()
Returns a NumberFormat object that represents a percentage format for the
current locale.

FIGURE 3.6 Some methods of the NumberFormat class

Two of the methods in the NumberFormat class, getCurrencyInstance
and getPercentInstance , return an object that is used to format numbers. The
getCurrencyInstance method returns a formatter for monetary values, and
the getPercentInstance method returns an object that formats a percentage.
The format method is invoked through a formatter object and returns a String
that contains the number formatted in the appropriate manner.
The Purchase program shown in Listing 3.4 uses both types of formatters. It
reads in a sales transaction and computes the final price, including tax.

LISTING 3.4

//********************************************************************
// Purchase.java Author: Lewis/Loftus
//
// Demonstrates the use of the NumberFormat class to format output.
//********************************************************************

import java.util.Scanner;
import java.text.NumberFormat;

public class Purchase
{
//-----------------------------------------------------------------
// Calculates the final price of a purchased item using values
// entered by the user.
//-----------------------------------------------------------------
public static void main (String[] args)