Split a string that contains "\"

Question

I'm trying to split a string that represents a filepath, so the path contains pictures. For example should the pathstring #c:\users\common\pictures\2008 be converted to pictures\2008. The problem that I encounter is that when I use \ in a string it gives me an error. Sorry for the dumb question, m new with C#. This is what I've done so far:

string path = "#c:\users\common\pictures\2008";
string[] subs = path.Split('\');

int count = 0;
while(subs[count] != "pictures")
{
      count++;
}

string newPath = "";
for (int i = count; i < subs.Length; i++)
{
      newPath += "\" + subs[i]; 
}

Console.WriteLine(newPath);

welcome to stackoverflow.... "it gives me an error" - don't you think it would be helpful if you _shared that error_ with us? i recommend [taking the tour](https://stackoverflow.com/tour), as well as reading [how to ask a good question](https://stackoverflow.com/help/how-to-ask) and [what's on topic](https://stackoverflow.com/help/on-topic). but most likely, you just forgot to _escape_ the backslash (by adding another one in front of it) — Franz Gleichmann, Jun 30 '21 at 12:34
You might want to start by using the "verbatim" symbol @ at the front of your string. e.g. string path = @"#c:\users\common\pictures\2008"; — Terry Tyson, Jun 30 '21 at 12:37
@FranzGleichmann Sorry for that. Whats the syntax for escaping the backlash? is it "\\" like this? If thats the problem then I thank u really much. I'll come around once more at nighttime to see the anwer. Thank you! — name, Jun 30 '21 at 12:37

Stefano Cavion · Accepted Answer · 2021-06-30T13:21:56.783

4

That's because \ is a reserved char in C# so you must use it in this way '\\'

In case of string you can add before the special char @ In case of char you have to double it \\

See the documentation

string path = @"#c:\users\common\pictures\2008";
string[] subs = path.Split('\\');
  
int count = 0;
while (subs[count] != "pictures")
{
   count++;
}

string newPath = "";
for (int i = count; i < subs.Length; i++)
{
   newPath = Path.Combine(newPath ,subs[i]);
}

Console.WriteLine(newPath);

Also prefer the use, if possible, of Path.Combine since it take care of the escape char for you.

edited Jun 30 '21 at 13:21

answered Jun 30 '21 at 12:40

Stefano Cavion

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8
16

Thank you so much for the answer, that might have solved my problem! – name Jun 30 '21 at 21:42
@name, you are welcome, if this solved your question please accept the answer – Stefano Cavion Jul 01 '21 at 07:40
Forgot to do it :) Thanks again – name Jul 01 '21 at 10:27

Slugsie · Answer 2 · 2021-06-30T13:19:37.277

Firstly, C# treats the '\' character as an escape character in a string, so you need to double it up to work.

string path = "#c:\\users\\common\\pictures\\2008";
string newPath = path.Substring(path.IndexOf("\\pictures\\") + 1);

What this does is take a substring of the 'path' starting at point after where "\pictures\" starts (because you don't want the initial '\').

Or this:

string path = "#c:\\users\\common\\pictures\\2008";
string[] subs = path.Split('\\');
int count = Array.IndexOf(subs, "pictures");
string newPath = String.Join("\\", subs, subs.Length - count);

Takes the path, splits into an array of the folders, finds the index of the element in the array that is 'pictures' and then joins the array starting at that point.

Thank you so much for the answer! – name Jun 30 '21 at 21:43 — name, Jun 30 '21 at 21:43

Split a string that contains "\"

2 Answers2