Here is an example how alignment, padding and precision specifier can be used to print formatted list of items:
<?php
$out = "The Books\n";
$books = array("Book 1", "Book 2", "Book 3");
$pages = array("123 pages ", "234 pages", "345 pages");
for ($i = 0; $i < count($books); $i++) {
$out .= sprintf("%'.-20s%'.7.4s\n", $books[$i], $pages[$i]);
}
echo $out;
// Outputs:
//
// The Books
// Book 1.................123
// Book 2.................234
// Book 3.................345
?>