Using PHP and/or Codeigniter, I want to create some string templates to be store in a database so that later, they can be used to print out a customize statement.

For example, I want to store this `"hello %s! you are the %d visitor."` in my database so that later I can plug in a name and number to print out this message `"hello bob! you are the 100 visitor"`.

Are there any available functions to easily do this or will I have to write my own script using preg\_match/preg\_replace?

---

This works: 

```
<?

$test = 'hello %s';
$name = 'bob';
printf( $test, $name );

?>

```

Read more: <http://php.net/manual/en/function.printf.php>