Why does Windows use a backslash as a path separator?

The article titled 'Why Does Windows Really Use Backslash as Path Separator?' delves into the historical reasons and justifications for the choice of path separator in Windows systems. It explains that the use of the backslash '\' dates back to the days of MS-DOS, influenced by the technical limitations of that era. The author highlights that different operating systems adopt unique methods for representing paths, leading to variations in handling them. From a user’s perspective, the significance of the separator goes beyond aesthetics – it affects functionality and cross-system compatibility. When observing the evolution of operating systems, it is essential to recognize how these choices have influenced programmers and shaped the way files are created and managed across platforms today.