C# escape curly bracket not working with format modifier?

Question

I know we can escape curly bracket in C# using {{ and }}. But they don't seem to work well if they are right after a format modifier (like {0:F6}).

string str;

// Prints "{3.14}" as expected
str = string.Format("{{{0}}}", 3.14);
Console.WriteLine(str);

// Expected "{3.140000}", found "{F6}"
str = string.Format("{{{0:F6}}}", 3.14);
Console.WriteLine(str);

Why don't you just str = "{" + string.Format("{0:F6}", 3.14) + "}"; — Pikoh
– Pikoh, Commented Dec 10, 2015 at 17:19
@Pikoh i think the question is more about "is this intended behaviour in c#" — user1666620
– user1666620, Commented Dec 10, 2015 at 17:20
@blas3nik's answer explains why; see also MSDN "Escaping Braces" in "Composite Formatting" where it is clearly explained; specifically "interpreting nested braces is not supported". — gerryLowry
– gerryLowry, Commented Dec 10, 2015 at 17:27
kludge str = "{" + string.Format("{0:F6}", 3.14) + "}"; Console.WriteLine(str); — gerryLowry
– gerryLowry, Commented Dec 10, 2015 at 17:43

blas3nik · Accepted Answer · 2015-12-10 17:21:12Z

6

This is how C# processes curly brackets, it's well known. See here

You can escape it like this (for example, there are different ways):

 var str = string.Format("{0}{1:F6}{2}", "{", 3.14, "}");
 Console.WriteLine(str);

answered Dec 10, 2015 at 17:21

blas3nik

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4 Comments

user1666620 Over a year ago

thanks for the link - something to remember if I ever come across this. I'd upvote this twice if I could.

xxbbcc Over a year ago

Your answer is correct (+1) but I'd definitely call this a bug that Microsoft simply never fixed.

M.kazem Akhgary Over a year ago

@xxbbcc its not a bug. F6}} is taken as format of variable. btw it would be nice if they make it non-greedy ;)

xxbbcc Over a year ago

@M.kazemAkhgary Yes, I read the linked article and I meant that the greediness of the implementation is the bug.

Akshey Bhat · Accepted Answer · 2015-12-10 17:22:05Z

1

Try this:

 String.Format("{0}{1:F6}{2}", "{",3.14, "}")

answered Dec 10, 2015 at 17:22

Akshey Bhat

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