Strings

Ard’s Str type has quoted and raw interpolated literals. Both forms use {expression} for interpolation and doubled braces for literal braces.

Quoted strings

Double-quoted strings process character escapes:

let greeting = "Hello, {name}!\n"
let literal_braces = "{{name}}"

Use quoted strings when escapes such as \n, \t, and \\ are convenient.

Raw strings

Backtick-delimited strings preserve backslashes, double quotes, and other text without processing character escapes:

let path = `C:\Users\{username}\files`
let pattern = `^\w+\s+\d+$`

The path interpolates username. Its backslashes remain literal; a backslash does not disable interpolation.

Raw strings use the same brace rules as quoted strings:

let greeting = `Hello, {name}!`
let literal_braces = `{{name}}`
let wrapped = `{{{name}}}`

These evaluate to Hello, Ada!, {name}, and {Ada} when name is Ada.

Error interpolation

A builtin Error value interpolates through its error() Str method:

let message = "request failed: {error}"

This is an interpolation-only conversion. An Error cannot otherwise be assigned or passed as Str; call error.error() when a message value is required. Existing to_str and ToString behavior takes precedence for concrete values supporting both contracts.

Multiline raw strings

A raw string enters multiline mode when its opening backtick is immediately followed by a newline:

let query = `
  SELECT id, name
  FROM users
  WHERE owner = '{owner}'
  `

The indentation before the closing backtick defines the margin removed from each nonblank content line. The value above begins with SELECT and has no trailing newline.

Indentation beyond the closing margin is preserved:

let text = `
  first
    nested
  `

Its value is first\n nested. A nonblank line indented less than the closing margin is a compile error.

The newline after the opening backtick and the newline before the closing line are delimiters, not content. Add an extra blank line when the value needs a leading or trailing newline.

Limitations

A raw string cannot contain a backtick directly because backslashes are literal. Concatenate a quoted backtick when needed:

let markdown = `Run ` + "`ard test`" + ` to execute the tests.`