Difference Between print and println in Java

Introduction to Difference Between print and println in Java

When you're just starting out with Java programming, one of the first things you'll come across is printing output to the console. Java offers two commonly used methods for this: System.out.print() and System.out.println().

Though they look almost identical, they behave slightly differently, and understanding this difference helps in structuring your program's output properly.

Understanding System.out.print() in Java

The print() method prints the given content to the console but keeps the cursor on the same line. This means any subsequent output will appear right after the current one, without jumping to the next line.

System.out.print("Hello");
System.out.print("World!");

Output:

HelloWorld!

Understanding System.out.println() in Java

The println() method also prints the content to the console, but it automatically moves the cursor to the next line after printing.

This is useful when you want each output to appear on a new line.

System.out.println("Hello");
System.out.println("World!");

Output:

Hello
World!

Key Difference Between print and println in Java

Example: Combining print and println

System.out.print("Java ");
System.out.println("Programming");
System.out.print("is ");
System.out.print("fun!");

Output:

Java Programming
is fun!

When to Use print vs println in Java

• Use print() when you want multiple outputs on the same line.
• Use println() when each output needs to be on a new line.

Conclusion on Difference Between print and println in Java

The distinction between System.out.print() and System.out.println() in Java may seem minor, but it plays a big role in how your program communicates with the user. Using the right method at the right time makes your output more readable and your code more intuitive.

As you write more programs, you'll get a better feel for when to use each one effectively.