Backslashseparated

Backslash-separated, or backslash-delimited, is a plain-text data format in which the backslash character (“\”) serves as the field delimiter. In this scheme, a record is a sequence of fields separated by a single backslash. Because the backslash is commonly used as an escape character in programming languages, values that contain a backslash must be escaped or otherwise encoded according to a defined rule (for example, by doubling the backslash) to avoid ambiguity.

Usage and examples: Backslash-separated values have appeared in simple configuration files, lightweight data interchange, and ad hoc logs or records where a simple, visually distinct delimiter is desirable. A line might encode three fields such as Alice\Smith\[email protected] to represent first name, last name, and email. If a field itself needs to contain a backslash, a consistent escaping rule is required, or the data should be encoded to avoid confusion.

Limitations and considerations: There is no universally accepted standard for backslash-separated values, so parsing rules vary by application. This lack of standardization can hinder interoperability and tool support. The reliance on escaping for embedded delimiter characters increases parsing complexity and the risk of errors, especially when software components interpret backslashes as escapes in different ways. In comparison with CSV, TSV, or JSON, backslash-separated formats offer limited built-in handling for quoted fields, embedded delimiters, or nested structures.

Best practices: If using this format, establish and document a clear escaping convention and ensure all producers and consumers adhere to it. Consider alternative standard formats (CSV, TSV, JSON) for better portability and tooling when possible.