Converting a number into a 5 value string or array having the format "00000"

Question

In PHP, I need to display a big 5 digit, graphical counter from a number fetched from a database. Examples:

• If number = 1, counter should display 00001
• If number = 15, counter should display 00015
• if number = 999, counter should display 00999

What's the easiest way to achieve this?

Answer 1

You could use str_pad:

$output = str_pad ($input, 5, '0', STR_PAD_LEFT);

Answer 2

The versatile printf or sprintf for the value 1 as 00001:

printf('%05d', 1);

Answer 3

printf formats have a zero-padding option:

printf("%05d", $number);