Convert Short to String in Java

Introduction

In Java, converting a short value to a String is a common task that can be useful in various scenarios, such as formatting numbers for display, logging, and manipulating numerical data. This blog post will explore different methods to convert a short to a String in Java.

Table of Contents

1. Using Short.toString()
2. Using String.valueOf()
3. Using String.format()
4. Using DecimalFormat
5. Using String Concatenation
6. Complete Example Program
7. Conclusion

1. Using Short.toString()

The Short.toString() method is a static method in the Short class that converts a short value to its string representation.

Example:

public class ShortToStringUsingToString {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        short shortValue = 123;

        // Convert short to string using Short.toString()
        String strValue = Short.toString(shortValue);

        System.out.println("Short value: " + shortValue);
        System.out.println("String value: " + strValue);
    }
}

Output:

Short value: 123
String value: 123

Explanation:

• Short.toString(shortValue) converts the short value to its string representation.

2. Using String.valueOf()

The String.valueOf() method is a static method in the String class that can convert various data types to their string representation, including short values.

Example:

public class ShortToStringUsingValueOf {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        short shortValue = 456;

        // Convert short to string using String.valueOf()
        String strValue = String.valueOf(shortValue);

        System.out.println("Short value: " + shortValue);
        System.out.println("String value: " + strValue);
    }
}

Output:

Short value: 456
String value: 456

Explanation:

• String.valueOf(shortValue) converts the short value to its string representation.

3. Using String.format()

The String.format() method allows you to format a string using format specifiers.

Example:

public class ShortToStringUsingFormat {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        short shortValue = 789;

        // Convert short to string using String.format()
        String strValue = String.format("%d", shortValue);

        System.out.println("Short value: " + shortValue);
        System.out.println("String value: " + strValue);
    }
}

Output:

Short value: 789
String value: 789

Explanation:

• String.format("%d", shortValue) formats the short value to a string using the decimal format specifier %d.

4. Using DecimalFormat

The DecimalFormat class allows you to format numbers to a specific pattern, which can then be converted to a string.

Example:

import java.text.DecimalFormat;

public class ShortToStringUsingDecimalFormat {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        short shortValue = 1011;

        // Convert short to string using DecimalFormat
        DecimalFormat decimalFormat = new DecimalFormat("#");
        String strValue = decimalFormat.format(shortValue);

        System.out.println("Short value: " + shortValue);
        System.out.println("String value: " + strValue);
    }
}

Output:

Short value: 1011
String value: 1011

Explanation:

• DecimalFormat("#") creates a pattern to format the short value.
• decimalFormat.format(shortValue) converts the short value to its string representation with the specified pattern.

5. Using String Concatenation

Another way to convert a short to a String is by concatenating it with an empty string (""). This implicitly calls the toString() method on the short value.

Example:

public class ShortToStringUsingConcatenation {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        short shortValue = 2022;

        // Convert short to string using concatenation
        String strValue = shortValue + "";

        System.out.println("Short value: " + shortValue);
        System.out.println("String value: " + strValue);
    }
}

Output:

Short value: 2022
String value: 2022

Explanation:

• Concatenating the short value with an empty string converts it to its string representation.

6. Complete Example Program

Here is a complete program that demonstrates all the methods discussed above to convert a short to a String.

Example Code:

import java.text.DecimalFormat;

public class ShortToStringExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        short shortValue1 = 123;
        short shortValue2 = 456;
        short shortValue3 = 789;
        short shortValue4 = 1011;
        short shortValue5 = 2022;

        // Using Short.toString() Method
        String strValue1 = Short.toString(shortValue1);
        System.out.println("Using Short.toString():");
        System.out.println("Short value: " + shortValue1 + " -> String value: " + strValue1);

        // Using String.valueOf() Method
        String strValue2 = String.valueOf(shortValue2);
        System.out.println("\nUsing String.valueOf():");
        System.out.println("Short value: " + shortValue2 + " -> String value: " + strValue2);

        // Using String.format() Method
        String strValue3 = String.format("%d", shortValue3);
        System.out.println("\nUsing String.format():");
        System.out.println("Short value: " + shortValue3 + " -> String value: " + strValue3);

        // Using DecimalFormat
        DecimalFormat decimalFormat = new DecimalFormat("#");
        String strValue4 = decimalFormat.format(shortValue4);
        System.out.println("\nUsing DecimalFormat:");
        System.out.println("Short value: " + shortValue4 + " -> String value: " + strValue4);

        // Using String Concatenation
        String strValue5 = shortValue5 + "";
        System.out.println("\nUsing String Concatenation:");
        System.out.println("Short value: " + shortValue5 + " -> String value: " + strValue5);
    }
}

Output:

Using Short.toString():
Short value: 123 -> String value: 123

Using String.valueOf():
Short value: 456 -> String value: 456

Using String.format():
Short value: 789 -> String value: 789

Using DecimalFormat:
Short value: 1011 -> String value: 1011

Using String Concatenation:
Short value: 2022 -> String value: 2022

7. Conclusion

Converting a short to a String in Java can be accomplished in several ways. The Short.toString() method and String.valueOf() method are both straightforward and widely used. Using String.format() and DecimalFormat provides additional control over the formatting of the short value. String concatenation offers an alternative approach. By understanding these different methods, you can choose the one that best fits your needs and coding style.

Happy coding!