What is an escape sequence?

Welcome Delta Sigma Pi

  • Accessibility
  • Sales:

    Home:

    1-800-426-7235

    Business:

    1-866-426-0911

    Chat Now >

    Visit Sales Support Page >


    Order Support:

    Order Lookup >

    Visit Order Support Page >

    Technical Support >

Lenovo
All
  • All
  • Laptops
  • Desktops
  • Workstations
  • Monitors
  • PC Accessories & Electronics
  • Tablets
  • Servers & Storage
  • Servers Accessories
  • Sign In / Create Account
    My Lenovo Account
    Keep track of your wishlist, orders, and rewards all in one place
    Sign In / Create Account
    Welcome Back!
    Access your order, subscriptions, saved carts, rewards balance, and profile
    View My Account
    Orders
    View & track your orders
    Rewards
    Earn & redeem Rewards
    Profile
    Edit name, password, and account settings
    Wishlist
    Manage a wishlist of your favorite products
    Products
    Manage your devices, accessories
    Product Registration
    Register your product and/or update your warranty dates
    Sign Out
  • My Lenovo Rewards
  • Cart
  • Products
  • Solutions
  • Services
  • Support
  • About Lenovo
  • Deals
  • Student
  • Gaming
  • AI
  • Digital Workplace
  • Hybrid Cloud
  • Edge
  • Sustainability
  • TruScale
  • Solutions by Industry
  • Alliance Partners
  • Other Solutions
  • Resources
TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE
DISCONTINUED
Temporary Unavailable
Cooming Soon!
. Additional units will be charged at the non-eCoupon price. Purchase additional now
We're sorry, the maximum quantity you are able to buy at this amazing eCoupon price is
Sign in or Create an Account to Save Your Cart!
Sign in or Create an Account to Join Rewards
View Cart
Remove
Your cart is empty! Don’t miss out on the latest products and savings — find your next favorite laptop, PC, or accessory today.
item(s) in cart
Some items in your cart are no longer available. Please visit cart for more details.
has been deleted
Please review your cart as items have changed.
of
Contains Add-ons
Subtotal
Proceed to Checkout
Yes
No
Popular Searches
What are you looking for today ?
Trending
Recent Searches
Items
All
Cancel
Top Suggestions
View All >
Starting at
  • Black Friday in July! Limited-time Doorbusters + Buy more, Save more!  Shop Now >

  • My Lenovo Rewards! Earn 3%-9% in rewards and get free expedited delivery on select products. Join for Free >

  • Buy online, pick up select products at Best Buy. Shop Pick Up >

  • Lease-to-own today with Katapult. Get started with an initial lease payment as low as $1! * Learn More >

Home > Glossary > What is an escape sequence?
Glossary Hero
Learn More
StarStar

Annual Sale

Lenovo Laptop SaleLenovo Laptop Sale

Laptop Deals

Desktop DealsDesktop Deals

Desktop Deals

Workstation DealsWorkstation Deals

Workstation Deals

StoreStore

Pick Up Today at Best Buy

ControllerController

Gaming PC & Accessory Deals

MouseMouse

PC Accessories & Electronics Deals

MonitorMonitor

Monitor Deals

Tablet and phoneTablet and phone

Tablets & Phones Deals

ServerServer

Server & Storage Deals

Discount tagDiscount tag

Clearance Sale


What is an escape sequence?

An escape sequence is a combination of characters in a string, typically starting with a backslash (""). It represents a special character or command that may not be directly printable. Common examples include \n for a newline, \t for a tab, and \" to represent a double quote within a string. Escape sequences are commonly used in programming languages and markup languages to convey non-printable characters or formatting instructions.

What purpose do escape sequences serve?

Escape sequences are used to perform operations that aren't directly representable in string literals. For instance, you might want to insert a tab, carriage return, or a backslash into your text. Since these are either invisible or conflict with the string delimiters, escape sequences allow you to include them without breaking the syntax.

Can escape sequences be used in any programming language?

Most programming languages support some form of escape sequences, but the specific syntax and available sequences can vary. Languages like C, C++, Python, and Java all have a set of standard escape sequences. Always check the language documentation to know what is supported.

How can I print a double quote inside a string using escape sequences?

To print a double quote inside a string, you use the escape sequence for a double quote, which is usually a backslash followed by the double quote character itself. For example, "He said, \"Hello World!\"" would output: He said, "Hello World!".

Could escape sequences change depending on the programming language I use?

Yes, escape sequences can vary between programming languages. For instance, the escape sequence for a single quote might be \' in one language and something different in another. It’s always wise to check the specific escape sequence list for the language you’re using.

What if I need to include a backslash in my string?

If you need to include a literal backslash in your string, you typically use two backslashes to represent it. So, in many languages, "\" is the escape sequence that will result in a single backslash in the output.

Does every escape sequence start with a backslash?

In most programming contexts, yes, escape sequences start with a backslash, but it's not a universal rule. In some configurations or applications, other characters might be used to initiate an escape sequence.

When do I use escape sequences when writing code?

You'll use escape sequences when you want to insert control characters into strings that the programming language would otherwise interpret differently. This can include new lines, tabs, quotes, and other special characters that have a function within the code syntax but also need to be represented as literal characters.

How can escape sequences affect strings in programming?

Escape sequences allow you to put special characters in strings that would otherwise be difficult or impossible. They let you maintain the format you need, like line breaks or tabs, without disrupting the string's termination or the code syntax around it.

Would escape sequences be the same for websites and programming?

Not exactly. While many programming languages use backslash-based escape sequences, hypertext Markup language (HTML) and uniform resource locators (URLs), for instance, use character entities or percent-encoding for special characters. So, while the concept is similar, the specific implementation can be quite different.

Can I create custom escape sequences?

Custom escape sequences aren't typically something you can define in high-level programming languages. Escape sequences are generally built into the language syntax and recognized by the language's compiler or interpreter. However, you might simulate similar behavior by defining functions or using existing mechanisms to interpret certain character combinations as special instructions.

Does javascript object notation (JSON) use escape sequences?

Yes, JSON uses escape sequences to allow special characters to be part of strings. For instance, to include a new line in a JSON string, you'd use "\n". This is similar to many programming languages, reflecting JSON's origins from JavaScript.

Can escape sequences be used in database queries?

Yes, when writing structured query language (SQL) queries, for example, you often use escape sequences to deal with special characters that need to be part of the string literals in your query. This helps to prevent syntax errors or unintended behavior.

How do I know when I should use an escape sequence?

You should use an escape sequence whenever you need to include a character in your string that serves a dual purpose as a control character in your programming language. For example, newline, tab, backslash, and quotes are common candidates for escape sequences.

What's the most common escape sequence that I might run into?

The newline escape sequence, usually \n, is one of the most frequently used because creating multi-line strings or adding line breaks in output is a common requirement in programming.

What escape sequence would I use for a new line in a Windows environment?

In a Windows environment, new lines are typically represented by a carriage return followed by a line feed. So, you'd use the escape sequence \r\n to create a new line in many programming languages.

How do escape sequences work in compiled versus interpreted languages?

In compiled languages, escape sequences are typically processed by the compiler as it converts your code into machine code or byte code. In interpreted languages, the interpreter handles escape sequences when it reads your code. Either way, by the time your code is running, all escape sequences have been processed.

Can escape sequences be part of environment variables and interact with string concatenation?

When you set an environment variable in your shell, escape sequences can be used to represent new lines or other special characters within those variables. However, how these are interpreted can depend on the operating system and the shell you're using. When you concatenate strings, any escape sequences within the strings are combined just like any other characters. They'll only be interpreted as escape sequences when the concatenated string is processed or output.

Do escape sequences have any role in network communications?

They can. For instance, when sending text-based commands over a network to a remote system or service, you might need to use escape sequences to format those commands correctly.

Looking for a Great Deal?
Shop Lenovo.com for great deals on A+ Education PCs, Accessories, Bundles and more.
Shop Deals Now

  • Legion 7i Gen 9 (16″ Intel) Gaming Laptop
    Starting at
    $1,699.99
    Learn More
  • ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition (15ʺ Intel) Laptop
    Starting at
    $1,127.97
    Learn More
  • Yoga Book 9i (13” Intel)
    Starting at
    $1,999.99
    Learn More
  • Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition (14″ Intel) Laptop
    Starting at
    $1,439.99
    Learn More
  • ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 (16″ Intel) Mobile Workstation
    Starting at
    $1,871.22
    Learn More
  • Shop
    • Student Deals
    • K-12 Student Laptops
    • Student Accessories
    • Laptops by Major
    Education resource
    Explore
    • What is STEM?
    • Best Laptops for College
    • Student & Teacher Discounts
    • Lenovo Sustainability Programs
    Education carry case

    Stem Articles
    See All STEM Articles
    • Online STEM Education

    • STEM Career Tips & Resources

    • Women in STEM

    • STEM Educator Training

    • STEM Grants & Funding

    • STEM Education: Coding for Kids

    • STEM Education: Robotics

    • STEM Education: Biotechnology

    • STEM Education: Sustainability

    • STEM Education: AI & ML

    While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, this glossary is provided for reference purposes only and may contain errors or inaccuracies. It serves as a general resource for understanding commonly used terms and concepts. For precise information or assistance regarding our products, we recommend visiting our dedicated support site, where our team is readily available to address any questions or concerns you may have.

    Why Lenovo?

    Go Greener with Leno...

    Lenovo is committed to Smarter Climate Action with lower energy laptops, use of sustainable materials and packaging, and available CO2 Offset Services.
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Get It Now, Pay For ...

    Lenovo has multiple financing option: the Lenovo Credit Card, installment plans, and lease-to-own financing op...
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Productivity & Peace of Mind

    Stay productive with Premium Care Plus - 24/7 priority support and coverage against accidental damage. Power through your day with our Smart Performance and extended battery solutions.
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Fast & Secure

    Get the most from your laptop with Lenovo’s state-of-the-art Smart Performance, delivering powerful, all-in-on...
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Assistance and Suppo...

    Chat with a trained professional who can help you find the right products, place or check on an order, or setup your Education laptop.
    Contact Us
    pastel background
    Enter email to receive Lenovo marketing and promotional emails. Review our Privacy Statement for more details.
    Please enter the correct email address!
    Email address is required
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Instagram
    Select Country / Region:
    Country
    AndroidIOS

    About Lenovo

    • Our Company
    • News
    • Investors Relations
    • Compliance
    • ESG
    • Product Recycling
    • Product Security
    • Product Recalls
    • Executive Briefing Center
    • Lenovo Cares
    • Careers
    • Formula 1 Partnership

    Products & Services

    • Laptops & Ultrabooks
    • Smarter AI for You
    • Desktop Computers
    • Workstations
    • Gaming
    • Tablets
    • Servers, Storage, & Networking
    • Accessories & Software
    • Services & Warranty
    • Product FAQs
    • Outlet
    • Deals
    • Lenovo Coupons
    • Cloud Security Software
    • Windows 11 Upgrade

    Resources

    • Legion Gaming Community
    • Lenovo EDU Community
    • Lenovo Pro Community
    • Lenovo Pro for Business
    • My Lenovo Rewards
    • Lenovo Financing
    • Lenovo Trade-in
    • Affiliate Program
    • Affinity Program
    • Employee Purchase Program
    • Lenovo Partner Hub
    • Laptop Buying Guide
    • Where to Buy
    • Glossary

    Customer Support

    • Contact Us
    • Policy FAQs
    • Return Policy
    • Shipping Information
    • Order Lookup
    • Register a Product
    • Replacement Parts
    • Technical Support
    • Forums
    • Provide Feedback
    © 2025 Lenovo. All rights reserved.
    PrivacyCookie Consent ToolSite MapTerms of UseExternal Submission PolicySales terms and conditionsAnti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
    Compare  ()
    x
    Call

    Need Help? Call: 

    1-800-426-7235
    Select Your Store
    Add items to your cart?
    We've noticed that you've entered a different store. Do you want to add these items to your cart in the new store?
    No Yes. Add in Lenovo Pro

    close_icon

    Sign up and receive up to $100
    off your next purchase.
    Click here for offer details
    Are you shopping for a business?

    No, Thanks

    Click here for offer details
    *Offer valid for new subscribers only. Not valid on previous purchases.
    Lenovo Privacy Policy
    Thanks for signing up!
    You should receive an email from us within the next 2 hours
    *Offer valid for new subscribers only. Not valid on previous purchases.
    Lenovo Privacy Policy
    An error occurred while submitting your request.
    Please try again later.