BBC BASIC Programmers' Reference

Using() Format Extended Functionality

LBB supports extended functionality for the using() function as is common in many other BASIC programming languages:

#	The hash character is used to represent a digit position.
+	A plus sign at the beginning or end of the template string causes the sign (+ or -) to be printed before or after the number.
-	A minus sign at the end of the template string causes negative numbers to be printed with a trailing minus sign.
**	A double asterisk at the beginning of the template string causes leading spaces to be filled with asterisks. This occupies two digit positions.
$$	A double dollar (or £) sign at the beginning of the template string causes a dollar (or £) sign to be printed to the immediate left of the number.
**$	A $ (or £) at the beginning of the template string combines the effects of the previous two formats.
,	A comma to the left of the decimal point in the template string causes a comma to be printed between every third digit before the decimal point.
ˆˆˆˆ	Four carets may be placed after the digit characters to specify exponential format.

For example:

  print using("**$###,###.##-", -1234.567)

Outputs:

   ****$1,234.57-