I am trying to get the width in this line of CGI code but cant figure where to put it, it needs to be 45 chars

Question

it needs to be 45 characters when generated into my text file, another words i need a fixed length, and if only 30 chars are entered i need it space filled for another 15 chars making it equal 45....any advice? i'm new to CGI...here is my line of code:

print OUTF "Members Name: $FORM{'Name'}";

Answer 1

Basically what the other person said, but since I actually know perl, I can show you exactly how to do it. Get the length of $FORM{Name} with the length operator; if it's too long, use substr to truncate it. If it's too short, append some spaces to it. You don't need to use a for loop, the scalar x operator is simpler: ' ' x (45 - length $FORM{Name})

Answer 2

Well, I don't know which language you are using, but what I'd do is get the length of Name, then if it's >45, truncate it using left or substring function. If it's<45, make a loop:
for(i=length;<45;i++)append a blank to Name
That's what I'd do. Or if you have available printf function (from c),
printf("%' '45.45s", Name), I think this is the syntaxis (print Name with ' ' for a maximum width of 45 and no more than 45 chars.)