why is this a compile error?
else if(c=='\')
return ~some integer~
while this is legal
else if(c=='\')
return 24;

Question

why is this a compile error?
else if(c=='\')
		return ~some integer~
while this is legal
else if(c=='\')
		return 24;

rsmith6559 · Answer

The backslash has special properties.  It's used to "escape" characters, continue lines and set a character's numerical value.  In this case, the compile error is happening because the backslash basically has no argument.  The second form, with two backslashes,  the first backslash escapes the special properties of the second backslash so the second is evaluated as the backslash character.

Meta-characters actually do make sense, eventually.