(str) String.format(Object... args) for more compact coding

A DESCRIPTION OF THE REQUEST :
I request that the following convenience method is added to java.lang.String:

public static String format(Object... args) {
    String.format(this, args);
}



JUSTIFICATION :
An instance-method would allow simple String formatting to be done in a more compact and readable manner.


EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
EXPECTED -
Adding the above method to java.lang.String would allow this convenient syntax:

   String s = "%1 is %2 years old".format(name, years);

... synonymous with the current ...

   String s = String.format("%1 is %2 years old", name, years);


ACTUAL -
(not applicable)

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CUSTOMER SUBMITTED WORKAROUND :
(not applicable)