Can't use Colon Character in Macintosh File Name

TOPIC

I'm trying to create a folder with a name that contains a colon, but whenever I type a colon I get a dash instead. Why is this?

DISCUSSION

You can not use a colon in a Macintosh file or folder name. A colon is used by the Macintosh file system do delimit the path of a file. For example, if you put a file on the desktop named "test" when using System 7 or later, the path name is "Macintosh HD:Desktop Folder:test". This assumes the hard drive is named "Macintosh HD" so the "test" is located in a directory named "Desktop Folder" which is located at the root level of "Macintosh HD".

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