Nginx HTTP Server - Fourth Edition

String values

Character strings that you use as directive values can be written in three forms. First, you may enter the value without quotes:

root /home/example.com/www;

However, if you want to use a particular character, such as a blank space (  ), a semicolon (;), or a pair of curly braces ({ }), you will need to either prefix said character with a backslash (\), or enclose the entire value in single or double quotes:

root '/home/example.com/my web pages';

Nginx makes no difference whether you use single or double quotes. Note that variables inserted in strings within quotes will be expanded normally, unless you prefix the $ character with a backslash (\).