# V6046\. Incorrect format\. Consider checking the N format items of the 'Foo' function\.

The analyzer has detected a possible error related to use of formatting methods: String\.format, System\.out\.format, System\.err\.format, etc\. The format string does not correspond with actual arguments passed to the method\.

Here are some simple examples:

**Unused arguments\.**

```cpp
int A = 10, B = 20;
double C = 30.0;
System.out.format("%1$s < %2$s", A, B, C);
```

Format item '%3$s' is not specified, so variable 'C' won't be used\.

Possible correct versions of the code:

```cpp
//Remove extra argument
System.out.format("%1$s < %2$s", A, B); 

//Fix format string
System.out.format("%1$s < %2$s < %3$s", A, B, C);
```

**Number of arguments passed is less than expected\.**

```cpp
int A = 10, B = 20;
double C = 30.0;
System.out.format("%1$s < %2$s < %3$s", A, B);
```

A much more dangerous situation occurs when a function receives fewer arguments than expected\. This leads to an exception\.

Possible correct versions of the code:

```cpp
//Add missing argument
System.out.format("%1$s < %2$s < %3$s", A, B, C); 

//Fix indices in format string
System.out.format("%1$s < %2$s", A, B);
```

**The analyzer doesn't output the warning given that:**

1. The number of format items specified matches the number of arguments\.
1. The format object is used a number of times:

```cpp
int row = 10;
System.out.format("Line: %1$s; Index: %1$s", row);
```