Relevant link
Github solution: exercism-solutions/high-school-sweethearts
Exercism #45: High School Sweethearts
Learning Goal
String Formatting | Verbatim Strings
Relevant Information
String formatting in C# is just filling in blanks in a text template. Instead of gluing strings together with + signs, C# gives you two clean ways to insert variables into text:
1. The Classic Way: string.Format() (Composite Formatting)
Think of this like a numbered “fill-in-the-blank” sheet.
- You use numbered placeholders like
{0},{1},{2}inside your text. - You list your variables at the end in matching order.
Analogy: “Dear
{0}, your order{1}is ready.” -> slot 0 gets the name, slot 1 gets the order number.
2. The Modern Way: $"" (String Interpolation)
This is the modern, readable way preferred by C# developers today.
- Put a
$sign right before the opening quote. - Drop your variables directly inside
{}right where you want them to appear.
Analogy: “Dear
{name}, your order{orderNumber}is ready.”
Format Items
Format items don’t just insert your variables, they give you precise control over how those variables look and align on the screen.
Think of the full syntax as a 3-part blueprint:
The 3 Parts Breakdown
1. Value (Required)
The variable or index you want to print (e.g., {name} or {0}).
2. Alignment (Optional — starts with a comma ,)
Controls column width and padding with spaces:
- Positive number (
,10): Right-aligns the text inside a 10-character wide space. - Negative number (
,-10): Left-aligns the text inside a 10-character wide space.
Great for making clean, perfectly aligned tables in text.
3. Format String (Optional — starts with a colon :)
Tells C# how to display numbers, dates, and times:
:d→ Short date (02/25/2010):C→ Currency ($55.50):N2→ Number with commas and 2 decimals (1,234.56):P→ Percentage (85%):E→ Scientific / Exponential notation (5.55E+001)
Verbatim strings
Verbatim strings allow multi-line strings. They are introduced with an @
Task 1: Display the couple’s name separated by a heart
Implement the static HighSchoolSweethearts.DisplaySingleLine() method to take two names and display them separated by a heart. The formatted text should be 61 characters wide, with the heart in the center of the string.
All names are guaranteed to fit well within the width of the line.
I used the Modern Way: $"" (String Interpolation) and the optional alignment feature using comma (,) with an alignment of 29 on the left and on the right leaving 3 characters space for the heart and the spaces between the heart and each name.
Task 2: Display the couple’s initials in an ascii art heart
Implement the static HighSchoolSweethearts.DisplayBanner() method which displays the two sets of initials separated with a plus sign.
I created 1 expression-bodied method to get the initials and used verbating”@” to design the art pattern using sting interpolation with alignment
Task 3: German exchange students should be made to feel at home with locale-sensitive declarations.
Implement the static HighSchoolSweethearts.DisplayGermanExchangeStudents() method to show date of start of relationship and length of time for our german exchange students.
I created a CultureInfo instance to get German culture formatting rules. The I applied the rules to the date and hours before returning the string