Most reliable split character

Question

Update

If you were forced to use a single char on a split method, which char would be the most reliable?

Definition of reliable: a split charact

Answer 1

It depends what you're splitting.

In most cases it's best to use split chars that are fairly commonly used, for instance

value, value, value

value|value|value

key=value;key=value;

key:value;key:value;

You can use quoted identifiers nicely with commas:

"value", "value", "value with , inside", "value"

I tend to use , first, then |, then if I can't use either of them I use the section-break char §

Note that you can type any ASCII char with ALT+number (on the numeric keypad only), so § is ALT+21