ToString¶

Converts an expression to a string.

$ wo 'ToString[123]'
123

$ wo 'ToString[{1, 2, 3}]'
{1, 2, 3}

$ wo 'ToString[1 + 2]'
3

NumberForm renders a number to a given number of significant figures.

$ wo 'ToString[NumberForm[3.14159, 3]]'
3.14

With a {n, f} specification it shows exactly f digits after the decimal point (zero-padded).

$ wo 'ToString[NumberForm[3.0, {5, 2}]]'
3.00

A second argument names the form to render in. TraditionalForm typesets into boxes and hands them back in the box-syntax escape notation, which displays as the typeset expression: a known function takes its roman name and round brackets.

$ wo 'ToString[Sin[x], TraditionalForm]'
DisplayForm[FormBox[RowBox[{sin, (, x, )}], TraditionalForm]]

HoldForm keeps a symbol from evaluating while still displaying it, so a label can name a function and apply it without computing anything. The boxes keep a TagBox recording that it was held; the tag draws nothing.

$ wo 'ToString[HoldForm[g][HoldForm[x]], TraditionalForm]'
DisplayForm[FormBox[RowBox[{TagBox[g, HoldForm], (, TagBox[x, HoldForm], )}], TraditionalForm]]