What are the advantages of using printf() in PHP for formatting output compared to echo statements?

When formatting output in PHP, using printf() offers several advantages over echo statements. printf() allows for more precise control over the formatting of output, such as specifying the number of decimal places for floating-point numbers or padding strings with spaces. It also supports placeholders for variables, making it easier to insert dynamic content into the output. Additionally, printf() can be more efficient when outputting multiple values with complex formatting requirements.

$name = "John";
$age = 25;
$height = 5.8;

// Using printf() for formatted output
printf("Name: %s, Age: %d, Height: %.1f", $name, $age, $height);