Algorithm for estimating text width based on contents

Question

This is a long shot, but does anyone know of an algorithm for estimating and categorising text width (for a variable width font) based on its contents?

For example, I\'d

Answer 1

Most GUI frameworks provide some way to calculate text metrics for fonts on given output devices.

Using java.awt.FontMetrics, for example, I believe you can do this:

import java.awt.Font;
import java.awt.FontMetrics;
import java.awt.Graphics; 

public int measureText(Graphics g, String text) {
   g.setFont(new Font("TimesRoman", Font.PLAIN, 12));
   FontMetrics metrics = g.getFontMetrics();

   return metrics.stringWidth(text);
}

Not tested, but you get the idea.

---

Under .Net you can use the Graphics.MeasureString method. In C#:

private void MeasureStringMin(PaintEventArgs e)
{

    // Set up string.
    string measureString = "Measure String";
    Font stringFont = new Font("Arial", 16);

    // Measure string.
    SizeF stringSize = new SizeF();
    stringSize = e.Graphics.MeasureString(measureString, stringFont);

    // Draw rectangle representing size of string.
    e.Graphics.DrawRectangle(new Pen(Color.Red, 1), 0.0F, 0.0F, stringSize.Width, stringSize.Height);

    // Draw string to screen.
    e.Graphics.DrawString(measureString, stringFont, Brushes.Black, new PointF(0, 0));
}