DOCUMENT:Q115815 10-FEB-2000 [foxpro] TITLE :How to Use the Backslash Character in AppleScript Script PRODUCT :Microsoft FoxPro PROD/VER:MACINTOSH:2.5b,2.5c,3.0b OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft FoxPro for Macintosh, versions 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 query words: VFoxMac FoxMac 2.50 Apple Script back slash ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbHWMAC kbOSMAC kbVFPsearch kbAudDeveloper kbFoxproSearch kbFoxPro250bMac kbFoxPro250cMac kbVFP300bMac Version : MACINTOSH:2.5b,2.5c,3.0b ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2000.