What is the difference between using sprintf() and printf() in PHP for formatting output?

The main difference between using sprintf() and printf() in PHP for formatting output is that sprintf() returns the formatted string as a result, while printf() directly outputs the formatted string. This means that sprintf() can be used to store the formatted string in a variable for later use, while printf() is used for immediate output to the screen.

// Using sprintf() to format output and store it in a variable
$number = 10;
$string = sprintf("The number is %d", $number);
echo $string; // Output: The number is 10

// Using printf() for immediate output
$number = 20;
printf("The number is %d", $number); // Output: The number is 20