problem with printf() function
<p>i have the variable $a = 5; i want to show it in binary form, with length, equal 8, with writing * at white spaces, just like this,  like this * * * * *101</p>

<hr>

<p>here the script</p>

<pre><code>$number = 5;
printf("%*8b", $number); 
</code></pre>

<p>it doesn't work with *, but if "0"-s it works</p>

<pre><code>   printf("%08b", $number);
      //returns 00000101
</code></pre>

<p>why it doesn't work with *?</p>

<h2>EDIT:</h2>

<p>and how can i apply the floating option too? like </p>

<pre><code>`printf("%.4f", $number);` 

    //it returns 5.0000, but i want to return *****101.0000
</code></pre>
