`nf()` produces problematic string-formatting of negative numbers

[nickmcintyre]

Most appropriate sub-area of p5.js?

• [ ] Accessibility
• [ ] Color
• [ ] Core/Environment/Rendering
• [ ] Data
• [ ] DOM
• [ ] Events
• [ ] Image
• [ ] IO
• [ ] Math
• [ ] Typography
• [X] Utilities
• [ ] WebGL
• [ ] Build process
• [ ] Unit testing
• [ ] Internationalization
• [ ] Friendly errors
• [ ] Other (specify if possible)

p5.js version

1.9.3

Web browser and version

Chrome 124.0.6367.208

Operating system

macOS 14.4.1

Steps to reproduce this

Steps:

1. Call nf() with a negative number and extra left padding.
2. Display the formatted number.

Snippet:

function setup() {
  createCanvas(400, 400);

  background(220);

  // Format a negative number with
  // extra left padding.
  let num = nf(-123, 5);

  // Style the text.
  textAlign(CENTER, CENTER);
  textSize(32);

  // Display the text.
  text(num, 200, 200); // 0-123
}

Here's the sketch for reference.

After reviewing #5710, it may be worth revisiting the string utility functions as part of p5.js 2.0.