answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

In computing, the backslash character \ has many different uses. Aside from being the file path separator character on Windows-based operating systems, the backslash most commonly is used as an escape character. An escape character is one that alters the meaning of the character which follows it:

  • On a Unix console, a backslash can prevent a space from breaking two words into two tokens.
  • In C Programming (and many other programming languages), when used within a string, a backslash character is the preamble to an escape sequence, a one or more character sequence with a special meaning. For example, \n stands for a newlinecommand when interacting with console output, \x12represents a character with the hexadecimal value 12.
  • In C programming, when used outside a string and as the last character on an input line, the backslash indicates line continuation. The compiler will thus treat the current line and the one that follows as one line of input.
  • In regular expressions, a backslash character is typically used to change a special character into a plain character. For example, most regular expression dialects recognize the period as an operator that matches any input character. The sequence \. can be used to match a period.
User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

A backslash is one that leans "backward", like this: \

It's used as an "escape" character in certain formatting sequences.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What does backslash mean in programming?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What character is the backslash?

The backslash character "" is typically used as an escape character in programming languages to indicate that the character following it has a special meaning. It is also used to separate directory levels in file paths on Windows operating systems.


How do you change your e back to a backslash?

To change a lowercase "e" to a backslash, you can use the shift key and the backslash key on your keyboard. Simply press and hold the shift key, then press the backslash key to type a backslash character ().


Backslash s backslash in legal document?

Electronic Signature


How do you get a Java program to display a backslash in output without it interpreting it as a program command?

Follow the backslash with another backslash: System.out.println("\\ " \"); will display \ " \ on the screen.


What does the backslash proofreading symbol mean?

The backslash proofreading symbol is used to indicate a space that should be deleted, especially in typesetting or formatting work. It signifies that the space preceding the backslash should be removed to ensure proper formatting and alignment of the text.


What is the proper name for a 'backslash' in print?

The proper name for a 'backslash' in print is a 'reverse solidus'.


How do you make a backslash on Dell laptop?

I think the backslash is right underneath the question mark on any computer.


How do you delete a user profile in Windows 98?

You can delete a user profile in Windows 98 by typing in a specific registry key into the Registry Editor. Type HKEY underscore LOCAL underscore MACHINE backslash SOFTWARE backslash Microsoft backslash Windows backslash CurrentVersion backslash ProfileList. Quit the Registry Editor and go to My Computer and delete the specific user name folder.


How do you make a backslash?

To do a backslash on MicroSoft word 2007 you press the key that's right under the backspace key.


What does a file path start with in Windows?

The drive letter followed by colon backslash dir backslash C:\windows\dir


What does the backslash part of a website mean?

It's nothing speacial or bad it's just added once you press enter


In Window's which character is used as a path separator?

/ forward slash ^First answer is wrong. It's the backslash (\)