Escape or replace invisible or ambiguous characters when formatting strings

[novemberborn]

Invisible characters such as zero-width joiner and non-breaking space, as well as ambiguous characters like other kinds of spaces, combining characters et cetera should be escaped when strings are formatted.

http://graphemica.com/blocks/control-pictures should be used where the behavior of the original character is preserved. This probably only applies to linebreaks.

If a simple escape sequence exist it should be used. Else characters should be escaped using the \u sequence.

When a string is formatted as a key it must not include linebreaks.

[sindresorhus]

If a simple escape sequence exist it should be used.

What is a "simple escape sequence"?

[novemberborn]

What is a "simple escape sequence"?

\t would be a simple sequence, as opposed to \u0009.

[novemberborn]

ANSI codes should also be escaped.

[IssueHuntBot]

@IssueHunt has funded $40.00 to this issue.

---

• Submit pull request via IssueHunt to receive this reward.
• Want to contribute? Chip in to this issue via IssueHunt.
• Checkout the IssueHunt Issue Explorer to see more funded issues.
• Need help from developers? Add your repository on IssueHunt to raise funds.

[novemberborn]

It'd be great if we could show byte differences when characters look the same, like in this example: avajs/ava#2451