How to Assign a Multiline String to a Variable in JavaScript

Multiline strings are strings that span multiple lines. In JavaScript, there are primarily two ways to assign them to a variable:

Using Template Literals (Backticks)

This is the preferred method as it's cleaner and more readable. Template literals are enclosed in backticks (``) and allow you to directly include newlines within the string.

let multilineString = `This is a multiline string.
It can span multiple lines.
You can even embed variables: ${variable}`;

Using Concatenation

You can combine multiple single-line strings using the + operator to create a multiline string. However, this method is generally less preferred due to potential readability issues, especially for longer strings.

let multilineString = "This is the first line.\n" +
                      "This is the second line.\n" +
                      "And so on...";

Note the \n character, which represents a newline.

Key points:

• Template literals are generally the recommended approach for multiline strings.
• Concatenation can be used but is less common.
• The \n character is used to create newlines in both methods.

By understanding these methods, you can effectively handle multiline text within your JavaScript code.

Understanding Multiline Strings in JavaScript

This is the most common and preferred method.

let text = `This is a multiline string.
It can span multiple lines.
You can even embed variables: ${name}`;

• Backticks (``): These enclose the multiline string.
• Newlines: You can directly include newlines within the backticks.
• Embedded variables: You can use ${variable_name} to embed variables within the string.

let text = "This is the first line.\n" +
          "This is the second line.\n" +
          "This is the third line.";

• Plus sign (+): Used to combine multiple strings.
• Newline character (\n): Represents a new line.

Method 3: Using the Backslash ()

let text = "This is the first line.\
This is the second line.\
This is the third line.";

• Backslash (): Removes the newline character, combining the lines into a single string.

Example:

let name = "Alice";
let message = `Hello, ${name}!
Welcome to the world of multiline strings.
Enjoy!`;

console.log(message);

Output:

Hello, Alice!
Welcome to the world of multiline strings.
Enjoy!

• Template literals are generally the preferred method due to readability and flexibility.
• Concatenation and backslash methods can be used but might be less readable for longer strings.
• You can embed variables within template literals using ${variable_name}.

Alternative Methods for Multiline Strings in JavaScript

While template literals are generally the preferred method for creating multiline strings in JavaScript, there are a few other approaches that were used before the introduction of ES6. These methods are less common now but can still be useful to understand.

Concatenation with Newline Characters

Before template literals, developers often concatenated multiple single-line strings to create a multiline string using the + operator. A newline character \n is inserted to break the text into multiple lines.

let multilineString = "This is the first line.\n" +
                      "This is the second line.\n" +
                      "This is the third line.";

This method can be quite verbose, especially for longer strings.

Backslash Continuation

Another approach is to use a backslash \ at the end of each line to indicate that the string continues on the next line.

let multilineString = "This is the first line.\
This is the second line.\
This is the third line.";

While this method is concise, it can be less readable and error-prone, as forgetting a backslash can lead to unexpected results.

Important Considerations:

• Readability: Template literals are generally the most readable option for multiline strings.
• Efficiency: All methods have similar performance characteristics for modern JavaScript engines.
• Compatibility: Template literals are supported in most modern browsers and Node.js environments.