Java Number Format
In programming languages, a pattern of special
characters is used to specify the format of the number. In java this is
achieved by the java.text.NumberFormat class. NumberFormat
is the abstract base class for all number formats. It provides the interface
for formatting and parsing numbers such as Strings to and from doubles and
longs, and vice versa. It also helps you to format and parse numbers for any
locale.
A format is given by a pattern of symbols. For example,
the pattern "0.000"
indicates that the number should begin with 0
if it is less than 1.0
and that the number of decimal places will be 3 and padded with 0 if necessary to reach 3 places.
Another example, the pattern "0.###" indicates that the number should
begin with 0 if it
is less than 1.0 and
that the number of decimal places will be up to 3 and padded with blanks if
the fraction needs less than 3 places.
Read example at:
http:/www.roseindia.net/java/beginners/DecimalFormatExample.shtml