How can I include quotes within a string?

I've been trying to make a string: var = '<meta property="og:title" content="(\w*-*\s*\(*\)*&*;*:*\.*,*/*'*)*"/>'; The problem is that the " '* " causes the doublequotes towards the end to become red, and make the string invalid due to the error "Unbalanced or unexpected parenthesis or bracket."

Answer 1

[Image Analyst]

Look up strings in the help and the example shows that you do a double single quote to get a single single quote:

var = '<meta property="og:title" content="(\w*-*\s*\(*\)*&*;*:*\.*,*/*''*)*"/>'

Answer 2

[the cyclist]

To you need to use two single quotes to get a single quote inside a string. For example

>> 'You can''t be serious!'

In your case:

var = '<meta property="og:title" content="(\w*-*\s*\(*\)*&*;*:*\.*,*/*''*)*"/>'

should give what you want.

[Bryan]

That ball was on the line! Chalk flew up!

Answer 3

[dpb]

The general rule is that one doubles down on the restricted character...

Example--

>> str='ain''t'
str =
ain't
>>

NB: the doubled quotes to end up with one embedded in the string. One can, of course, also build them by use of the char conversion function--

 >> str=['ain' char(39) 't']
str =
ain't
>> q=char(39);
>> str=['ain' q 't']
str =
ain't
>>

The latter shows a temporary variable to shorten the building a little if need more than just one. Sometimes can be easier than trying to work thru the eyestrain sure to result from the double-up exercise; I had more trouble trying to decipher the string you were trying to build than I cared to try to fight thru; hence the example instead.