While the backslash is a specialist, the forward slash is a Jack-of-all-trades. Its most common use is to mean “or” when presenting two alternatives: Each speaker will give a presentation on a topic of his/her choice. The slash here shows that either word could apply.
What is a backslash used for?
The backslash ( ) is a typographic and/or keyboard mark that is used in some programming languages and other computing contexts. In Windows systems, for example, the backslash is used to separate elements of a file path , for example: C:DocumentsUserFile.
Should I use forward slash or backslash?
Forward (/) slashes serve many purposes in writing. They are commonly used to separate words, lines of poetry, abbreviations, dates, and fractions. Backslashes () are primarily used in computer coding. They appear in some technical writing, such as software manuals or user guides.
Why do people say backslash instead of forward slash?
This isn’t the first time and it won’t be that last that someone uses “backslash” when they really mean “slash.” A slash is sometimes referred to as a forward slash. ... Somehow, regular people began to regularly use the term backslash, maybe because they thought they were interchangeable or they wanted to sound smarter .
What does forward slash mean in texting?
To Indicate Or Often, when a slash is used in a formal or informal text, it is meant to indicate the word or . The examples below illustrate this meaning of the forward slash: When leaving the classroom, the teacher noticed that a student had left his/her backpack.
Can Windows use forward slash?
Even if you’re running a web server or FTP server on a Windows machine, they’ll use forward slashes because that’s what the protocol calls for . Other operating systems use forward slashes for the same reason — it’s the Unix convention. ... Mac OS X is based on BSD, another Unix-like operating system.
Which way is backslash?
A good way to remember the difference between a backslash and a forward slash is that a backslash leans backwards ( ) , while a forward slash leans forward ( / ). In Windows, backslashes are used to separate directories in file paths (ex: C:Program FilesCommon Filesmicrosoft shared).
Does backslash MEAN AND or OR?
While the backslash is a specialist, the forward slash is a Jack-of-all-trades. Its most common use is to mean “or” when presenting two alternatives: ... The slash here shows that either word could apply. However, you should avoid doing this too often in formal writing, where “or” is a better choice.
What do two slashes mean?
Particularly as a double slash in written work usually means “ new line here “.
What is a slash called?
The slash (/)—sometimes called a slant, a solidus, a stroke, or a virgule —is a commonly used symbol in the English language.
Why do people get backslash wrong?
RE the incorrect usage...
It seems obvious to me the reasons why people get the “names” muddled: A slash that leans forward, is a forward slash / . But it is written backwards (write one now, top right back to bottom left) hence the reason people call it a backslash (incorrectly).
Which one is the forward slash?
Alternatively referred to as a solidus, virgule, upward slash, or whack, the forward slash is the name of the “/” character on the computer keyboard. Forward slashes most commonly used to describe a network address, URL’s, and other addresses.
What are () called in English?
two dots over the word, and what it is called when a word is “within” ? – I don’t really know what people call this. They are called quotation marks . And in the U.S, the () are called parenthesis, and the [] are called brackets.
Do you put space after slash?
If the slash divides two words, there is no space . If it divides two phrases or sentences (or a single word from a phrase), it requires a space before and after.
What does slash mean slang?
British slang the act of urinating (esp in the phrase have a slash) a genre of erotic fiction written by women, to appeal to women.
