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Kotlin is a modern, statically typed programming language that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and can also be compiled to JavaScript or native code. It is designed to be fully interoperable with Java, making it a popular choice for Android development and other JVM-based applications. Kotlin aims to improve code readability and safety while providing a more concise syntax compared to Java.
When working with Kotlin, you might encounter the error message: Illegal escape character
. This typically occurs when you attempt to use an invalid escape sequence within a string literal. The compiler flags this as an error, preventing the code from compiling successfully.
Consider the following Kotlin code snippet:
val path = "C:\new\folder\file.txt"
If you mistakenly use an invalid escape sequence, such as \n
for a new line, the compiler will throw an Illegal escape character
error.
The Illegal escape character
error arises when the Kotlin compiler encounters an escape sequence that it does not recognize. Escape sequences are used to represent special characters within string literals, such as new lines (\n
), tabs (\t
), or backslashes (\\
). If an escape sequence is not valid, the compiler cannot interpret it correctly, leading to this error.
\c
- Not a valid escape sequence.\x
- Often mistaken for hexadecimal representation, which is not supported in Kotlin string literals.To resolve the Illegal escape character
error, follow these steps:
Ensure that the escape sequence used in the string literal is valid. Refer to the Kotlin documentation for a list of valid escape sequences.
If your string contains multiple backslashes or special characters, consider using a raw string literal. Raw strings in Kotlin are enclosed within triple quotes ("""
) and do not interpret escape sequences:
val path = """C:\new\folder\file.txt"""
This approach is particularly useful for file paths or regular expressions.
If you intended to use a specific escape sequence, ensure it is correctly formatted. For example, use \\
for a single backslash or \n
for a new line.
For more information on handling strings in Kotlin, check out the official Kotlin Reference. Additionally, the Kotlin Tutorials provide practical examples and further insights into effective Kotlin programming.
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