Escape Sequences or Characters in Python

Introduction 

In this article, we will understand what is an escape sequences and how to code escape sequences. We will also see the advantages and disadvantages of escape sequences in Python. Moving forward, let's first understand escape sequences and their types.

What are Escape Sequences in Python?

A sequence is an ordered collection of elements, where the order of the elements matters. The elements within a sequence can be integers, characters, strings, lists, or other types of sequences.

An escape sequence is a sequence of characters that, when included within a character or string, doesn't directly represent itself. Instead, it's transformed into a different character or set of characters.

List of Escape Sequence Available in Python with Examples

Check out similar article - Program to Convert String to a List

Escape sequences are widely used in programming languages to manipulate strings and characters in various ways. The most used escape sequences are:

1. n Escape Sequence in Python

The \n escape sequence is used to insert a new line in the code. For example,

Code

print("Welcome to \nCoding Ninjas")

Output

2. Python escape sequence for Space

The \t escape sequence is used to add tab space(8 spaces) wherever required. For example,

Code

print("Name\tAge\Language")
print("Cody\t25\tC++")
print("Jack\t31\tPython")

Output

3. Backslash Escape Sequence in Python

The backslash escape sequence is used to print a backslash in our code. If we want to print a backslash using a simple print statement, it will give an error message:

print("\")

This statement would produce an error message 

Therefore, to print a backslash, we would have to use an escape sequence like:

Code

print("Coding ninjas path: C:\\Windows\\Desktop\\Coding_Ninjas")

The above code will be able to print the backslash in this code 

Output

4. Backspace Escape Sequence in Python

In Python, the backspace escape sequence is defined by the character combination "\b." This sequence moves the cursor from one position to the left, effectively erasing the character before it.

Code

print("Hello\bWorld")
print("Hello \bWorld")

Output

5. Python escape sequence for Hexa value

In Python, the escape sequence \x, followed by the hexadecimal digit, is used to represent a character using its hexadecimal value.

Code

print('\x48\x65\x6c\x6c\x6f') 

Output

6. Python escape sequence for Octal value

In Python, the octal value of a character can be defined with the help of the escape sequence \ followed by up to three octal digits.

Code

print('\156\151\156\152\141')

Output

7. Remove all escape sequences from a list

You can remove escape sequences from a string in Python by using the re-module (regular expressions) to match and remove them. 

Code

import re
string_with_Escape = "Hello\\n\\tNinja"
escSeq_removed = re.sub(r'\\.', '', string_with_Escape)

print(escSeq_removed)

Output

8. Python escape sequence ignore

In Python, if you want to ignore the escape sequences in a string, you can use a raw string by prefixing it with the letter "r". This is also known as a raw string literal.

Code

string_WithEscape = "Hello\nNinja"
string_IgnoreEscape = r"Hello\nNinja"

print(string_WithEscape) 
print(string_IgnoreEscape)

Output

9. Python escape sequence remove

To remove escape sequences from a string in Python, we can use the encode and decode methods with the "unicode_escape" encoding and then replace the escaped backslashes with regular backslashes. 

Code

string_with_escapeSeq = "Hello\\nWorld\\t"
escape_removed = string_with_escapeSeq.encode().decode('unicode_escape').replace('\\', '')
print(escape_removed)  

Output

10. Escape Sequence Interpretation

Escape Sequence Interpretation is understanding the escape sequences defined in a string. When an escape sequence is encountered in a string, it is interpreted and replaced by a special character or action. For example, the escape sequence \n is used to add a newline character, and \t is used to add a tab character.

With the help of string literals, programmers can use escape sequences that are rather difficult to implement in their programs. When the computer reads a string containing escape sequences, Python interprets them and transforms them accordingly.

Example

Code

print("Hello\nWorld")

Output

Explanation 

The string "Hello\nWorld" contains the \n escape sequence, which is interpreted as a newline character. When the string is printed, the newline character causes the text to move to the next line:

Preventing Escape Sequence Interpretation

 The double backslash (\\) can be used to represent a single backslash in your strings. This prevents escape sequence interpretation altogether in Python and treats backslashes as regular characters without any special meaning. This is known as escaping the backslash itself.

Code

string_with_escape = "This\\tis a\\nstring"
regex_with_escape = "\\n{2}-\\n{2}-\\n{4}"

print(string_with_escape)  
print(regex_with_escape)

Output

Methods of Prevention

To prevent the interpretation of escape sequences in Python strings, the following methods can be followed:

1. Raw String Literal:

By prefixing the string with the letter "r," we can create a raw string literal. This tells Python to treat the string as plain text without interpreting any escape sequences. 

Example:

Code

raw_string = r"Hello\nNinja"
print(raw_string) 

Output

Hello\nNinja

2. Double Backslashes:

We can also use double backslashes (\\) to represent a literal backslash in the string. The first backslash escapes the second backslash, resulting in a single backslash character. This way, escape sequences are not interpreted. 

Example:

Code

string = "Welcome\\nNinja"
print(string) 

Output

Welcome\nNinja

Frequently Asked Questions

What is escape in string?

An escape character is a Python string is usually used for representing characters that can cause ambiguity during interpretation.

Which is the escape sequence?

An escape sequence includes a backslash () followed by an escape sequence character, octal number, or hexadecimal number.

How do you remove escape sequences from a string?

In Python, we can print a string as plain text without escape character interpretation by prefixing it with the letter "r".

What happens if an unsupported escape sequence is used?

If an unsupported escape sequence is used, it may result in a compiler or runtime error, or the sequence may be interpreted as regular text characters.

What is the size of an escape sequence in Python?

In Python, the size of an escape sequence is one. Regardless of the number of characters used to represent the escape sequence, it is treated as a single character. For example, the size of the escape sequence \n is 1.

Conclusion

In this article, we studied the escape sequence applied in Python, their advantages, and their disadvantages. To learn more about Python, Import, and Modules in Python, you can visit Coding Ninjas Studio by Coding Ninjas. Refer to our guided paths on Coding Ninjas Studio to learn more about DSA, Competitive Programming, JavaScript, System Design, etc. Enroll in our courses and refer to the mock test and problems available; look at the interview experiences and interview bundle for placement preparations.

Recommended Readings:

• Strings in Python
• String Manipulation in Python
• Difference between C and Python
• Python String Concatenation
   

Happy learning, Ninja!