How to Use the Backslash Character in AppleScript Script

ID: Q115815

The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft FoxPro for Macintosh, version 2.5b, 2.5c

Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Macintosh, version 3.0b

SUMMARY

The backslash (\) character has a special meaning when it is part of a string in an AppleScript script. The backslash is used to indicate the start of an escape sequence. To use a backslash in an AppleScript string, use two backslashes (\\).

MORE INFORMATION

For example, the following AppleScript script is meant to change the default folder from the main FoxPro folder to the TUTORIAL subfolder.

   tell application "Microsoft FoxPro"
      Do Script "SET DEFAULT TO .\tutorial "
   end tell

The \t will be interpreted as a horizontal TAB character that will cause the command to fail without an error message. To correct this problem, the syntax of the AppleScript script should be:

   tell application "Microsoft FoxPro"
      Do Script "SET DEFAULT TO .\\tutorial"
   end tell

Depending on what character follows the backslash, three results could occur:

The command will fail without an error message.
The command will fail, causing an error message such as "Unrecognized phrase/keyword in command" in Microsoft FoxPro.
The command will cause an error message such as "Expected "" but found unknown token" in the AppleScript Editor.

REFERENCES

"AppleScript Language Reference," Developer Technical Publications, Apple Computer, 1993

Additional reference words: VFoxMac 3.00b FoxMac 2.50 2.50b 2.50c Apple Script back slash KBCategory: kbprg KBSubcategory: