Java: printf is not applicable for the arguments (String, double)

Question

I'm trying to compile code that I know to be working on other peoples' machines but is throwing a particular error on my system. Specifically the error relates to the printf() method

The method printf(String, Object[]) in the type PrintStream is not applicable for the arguments (String, double)

For instance

public static void main(String[] args) {

        double rate =10.5;
        System.out.printf("%.3f",  rate);
    }

Does anyone know why this error is cropping up? There are alternatives to using printf(), but this is very annoying!

I don't get the same error with that code. I suspect that something else is wrong. — Hovercraft Full Of Eels
– Hovercraft Full Of Eels, Commented Oct 20, 2013 at 20:36

Assen Kolov · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-20 20:38:34Z

4

Is it possible that you hav Java compiler compliance level 1.4?

answered Oct 20, 2013 at 20:38

Assen Kolov

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6 Comments

Eel Lee Over a year ago

Is this an answer to OP's problem, or rather a comment? I guess it's probably the second.

Assen Kolov Over a year ago

I should rephrase that: The only explanation I can think of is that the OP has its Java compliance level set to 1.4. I think it is very probable that this is causing the observed error.

Hovercraft Full Of Eels Over a year ago

@EelLee: I think that this answer is closer to the mark than yours. 1+ up-vote. I don't see anywhere in the code example or the error message where autoboxing applies. I do see however where printf didn't exist in Java 1.4.

Eel Lee Over a year ago

@HovercraftFullOfEels I don't think this meets any standard of answering (as I'm reading different questions, I notice that experienced users put such a questions in the comments), yet I think it's worth to ask the author which Java version he's using (which I have just did). Thanks.

Assen Kolov Over a year ago

To make clear: the question is not which Java version you are using, but which Java Compiler compliance Level, see e.g. the Eclipse documentation on this setting: help.eclipse.org/juno/…

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Eel Lee · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-20 20:39:24Z

0

The funny thing is that it compiles without problem on Java 7, and prints out

10.500

It probably uses autoboxing. But omitting the issue of autoboxing - as your method accepts only Objects, and not primitives, you need to use a wrapper Double.

answered Oct 20, 2013 at 20:39

Eel Lee

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