Question

There is some existing code of the follow form which is used for format numerical values:

String.format( pattern, value )

Note that I cannot change the code itself – I can only change the format pattern supplied to the code.

What is the format pattern to output a currency symbol for the default locale? Essentially, I want to achieve the following output:

String.format( "...", 123 )  => $ 123

Answer 1

With the constraints you have given, I think it is impossible to achieve it.
To get to the current Locale’s currency symbol, you’ll need a minimum of code.

If you have absolutely no means to add code to the program, you’d best use the established symbol for “currency” (¤). It was established for this exact purpose, to symbolize currency absent any more specific symbol.

If you can’t change the given code, but add code to the project as a whole, you can use that to find out the symbol best used. Once you have it, you can use it to create a pattern for the existing code to use for formatting.

If you can find out in which Locale the original program will run in next, you could write a assistant program that uses that setting to fill your configuration.