java printf with repeating periods -

we can use space pad output fit "fixed width columns" in java using printf. example:

system.out.printf("%-30s - %s%n", "hello hello", "goodbye goodbye"); system.out.printf("%-30s - %s%n", "lots of cats",         "large amounts of dogs"); system.out.printf("%-30s - %s%n", "a crowd of teachers", "no students"); system.out.printf("%-30s - %s%n", "three desks", "twenty boxes"); 

gives output

hello hello                    - goodbye goodbye lots of cats                   - large amounts of dogs crowd of teachers            - no students 3 desks                    - twenty boxes 

what achieve this:

hello hello. . . . . . . . . . . goodbye goodbye lots of cats . . . . . . . . . . large amounts of dogs crowd of teachers. . . . . . . no students 3 desks. . . . . . . . . . . twenty boxes 

or

hello hello..................... goodbye goodbye lots of cats.................... large amounts of dogs crowd of teachers............. no students 3 desks..................... twenty boxes 

looks has been attempted before change default padding character in java-printf. workaround suggested , may fit scenario, although maybe modify java sourcecode, think advise against that.