backslash
Windows path separator
A backslash is the punctuation mark \, slanting from upper left to lower right—the reverse of the forward slash /.
In computing, backslashes separate elements in file paths: C:\Users\Documents.
The symbol has no traditional use in ordinary writing; it exists almost entirely in technical contexts.
File system container
- subdirectoryFolder inside another folder
- folderContainer for loose papers
- fileStored collection of data
- pathRoute for traveling
root · Windows · DOS · separator · delimiter · extension · drive · partition
Characters triggering special behavior
- special characterNon-letter, non-digit typographic mark
- newlineText formatting character
- tabProjection for gripping
- carriage returnCursor-to-margin command
regex · regular expression · literal · string · programming · parsing · encoding · quotation
Diagonal typographic mark
- virguleDiagonal typographic stroke
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- hyphenMark joining compound words
- underscoreLow horizontal text mark
pipe · caret · tilde · asterisk · ampersand · bracket · brace · parenthesis
Authoritative instruction given
- macroRecorded command sequence
- typesettingArranging text for print
- markupAdded percentage for profit
- documentWritten or electronic file
formatting · preamble · syntax · code · compiler · mathematical notation · symbol · package
directory
File system container
- subdirectoryFolder inside another folder
- folderContainer for loose papers
- fileStored collection of data
path · root · Windows · DOS · separator · delimiter · extension · drive · partition · navigate
escape sequence
Characters triggering special behavior
- special characterNon-letter, non-digit typographic mark
- newlineText formatting character
- tabProjection for gripping
carriage return · regex · regular expression · literal · string · programming · parsing · encoding · quotation · delimiter
solidus
Diagonal typographic mark
- virguleDiagonal typographic stroke
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- hyphenMark joining compound words
underscore · pipe · caret · tilde · asterisk · ampersand · bracket · brace · parenthesis · colon
command
Authoritative instruction given
- macroRecorded command sequence
- typesettingArranging text for print
- markupAdded percentage for profit
document · formatting · preamble · syntax · code · compiler · mathematical notation · symbol · package · environment
- escape sequencesescape sequence, escape character, newline, tab, carriage return
- keyboardskeyboard, keys, piano, pianos, organ
- marksmark, blemish, blotch, stroke, seal of approval
- punctuationperiod, comma, colon, apostrophe, semicolon
- symbolssymbols, runes, symbol, asterisks, national symbol
- Symbols and Abbreviationsabbreviation, acronym, shorthand, initialism, contraction
backslashslash
Angled line or swipe
forward slash · solidus · front slash · virgule · oblique