This article published byMiniTool Techcompares the two types of slashes:backslash vs forward slash.
It elaborates the differences in grammar, file path, as well as on the keyboard.
This post also mentions their different functions in different OS and programming languages.
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If so, did you get the correct one?
Then, do you venture to figure out when to use which slash?
If not, you might take a few minutes to read this essay and find out the answer.

After reading, youll know the differences between forward slash and backslash and when to use them.
About Backslash
Backslash \ is a typographical mark mainly used in computing.
Back slash is the mirror image of the common slash / (forward slash).
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It is encoded at U+005C \ REVERSE SOLIDUS (92decimal) in Unicode and ASCII.
Sometimes, for distinguish it from the backslash, we call it forward slash.
Forward slash is called a solidus in Unicode.
Forward slash was once used to mark periods .
Now, it is mainly used to represent exclusive (e.g.
2343 and %), and as a date separator (e.g.
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Also, you may know their differences.
For example, backslashes are used in non-relative path C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16.
Yet, for a relative path, Windows adopts forward slashes.
For instance, /System/Library/Screen Savers.
Sometimes, forward slashes function as division symbols and in place of the word or.
Sometimes, a slash can show a line break in a poem, song, or play.
Besides file path, forward slashes also consist of website addresses.
Forward slash is also used as dividing in many programming languages, such as Python.
While the backslash is only used for computer codings like filenames inDOSand Windows (e.g.
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\OSPP.VBS).
For instance, \t means tab.
the locations of backslash and forward slash on a keyboard are shown in the below picture.
Forward Slash vs. Hyphen vs.
Dash vs. Vertical Stroke
The usage of forward slash and backslash are generally different.
In early writings, slashes may be as a variant form of dashes, vertical strokes, etc.
it is also used as a comma, scratch comma, period, and caesura mark.
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Backslash vs Forward Slash: What Will Happen If Misused?
Windows Explorer will also automatically correct file paths with forward slashes for you.
Yet, the automatic correction doesnt apply everywhere in Windows.