How do I put a double quote into a string

Question

I have a problem that seems trivial. In an argument to an activity I need to supply a path.

This is done by this code:
String.Format("a -bd -y -tzip {0} {1}\* -r", Path.Combine(BinariesDirectory, "output.zip"), BinariesDirectory)

However, the directories parameters contain spaces so they have to have quotes around them. I tried with single quote ' that works fine to put in the string, but the command shell executing the command ignores these. So it has to be double quote "

I have tried all methods I have fount on the Internet, for example to have a backslash before the double quote and to have three double quotes, but nothing seems to work. I get a compiler error as below.

Error 4 Compiler error(s) encountered processing expression "String.Format("a -bd -y -tzip \"{0}\" '{1}\*' -r", Path.Combine(BinariesDirectory, "output.zip"), BinariesDirectory)".
Comma, ')', or a valid expression continuation expected.

 

Please Help!

Thanks!

 

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Tomas Scott

Answer 1

Hi Tomas,

Puting : """"  will result a simple quote : "

I think it is what you are looking for :)

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N'hésitez pas à poser des questions si un problème subsiste ou quelque chose n'est pas clair. Dans l'autre cas, veuillez indiquer que le problème est résolu. Cordialement. - Best Regards.

Answer 2

VB or C#?

vb doesn't use \ to escape but C# does. for VB, Michael's advice is spot on. 4 double quotes.

Answer 3

That almost works...

Four " removes the compilation error, but the result is two "" and that is not handled by the command shell. It needs just one ".

This is really strange... It might have something to do with localization as well?

 

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Tomas Scott

Answer 4

If I am right it is always VB syntax in WorkFlow Foundation Parameters.

Se above for my following problem, four double quotes brings away the compilation error, but does not solve the real problem.

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Tomas Scott

Answer 5

did you try it like this:

 

String.Format("a -bd -y -tzip ""{0}"" ""{1}"" \* -r", Path.Combine(BinariesDirectory, "output.zip"), BinariesDirectory)

 

?

Answer 6

        Dim QpathS As String = String.Format("a -bd -y -tzip {0} {1} -r", _
                                             quotedSTR(IO.Path.Combine(BinariesDirectory, "output.zip")), _
                                             quotedSTR(IO.Path.Combine(BinariesDirectory, "*")))

 

    Function quotedSTR(stringNeedingQuotes As String) As String
        Dim sb As New System.Text.StringBuilder(stringNeedingQuotes)
        sb.Append(ControlChars.Quote)
        sb.Insert(0, ControlChars.Quote)
        Return sb.ToString
    End Function

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Serial Port      Random      Microsoft® Community Contributor 2011

Answer 7

Yes so """""" are two quotes

 

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Success
Cor

Answer 8

Hello Tomas,

Thanks for your post.

What about the problem now on your side? Would you mind letting us know the result of the suggestions? If you have any concerns, please feel free to follow up.

Have a nice day.

Best regards

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Liliane Teng [MSFT]
MSDN Community Support | Feedback to us
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Answer 9

Did not get any Alerts until today - so now I have solved the problem - Thanks!

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Tomas Scott