The printf-style is really only deprecated in the sense that most of the core devs would prefer string.format. There's no formal deprecation policy in place to

The printf-style is really only deprecated in the sense that most of the core devs would prefer string.format. There's no formal deprecation policy in place to remove the printf-style. The standard library still uses printf-style, the documentation still uses printf-style, and printf-style isn't going away any time soon, if ever. Many core contributors have sided with printf-style and the community has spoken up a few times about wanting printf-style to stay around. I don't think we'll ever reach a majority siding with removal of it.