Escape Sequences
The \n code that we often use in format strings is called an
escape sequence. Escape sequences enable strings to contain characters that
would otherwise cause problems for the compiler, including nonprinting
(control) characters and characters that have a special meaning to the
compiler (such as “). We'll provide a complete list of escape sequences later:
for now. here's a sample:
Alert (bell) \a
Backspace \b
New line \n
Horizontal tab \t
When they appear in printf format
strings, these escape sequences represent actions to perform upon printing.
Printing \a causes an audible beep on most machines. Printing \b moves the
cursor back one position. Printing \n advances the cursor to the beginning of
the next line. Printing \t moves the cursor to the next tab stop.
A string may contain any number of escape sequences.
Consider the following printf example, in which the format string contains six
escape sequences:
printf(“Item\tUnit\tPurchase\n\tPrice\tDate\n”);
Executing
this statement prints a two-line heading:
Item
Unit Purchase
Price Date
Another common escape sequence is which represents the “
character. Since the “ character marks the beginning and end of a string, it
can't appear within a string without the use of this escape sequence. Here's an
example:
printf(“\”Hello!)
;
This
statement produces the following output:
“Hello!” .
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