\'a\' and 'a'

Hi

The following both codes work the same way. But I have seen codes which most of the time use the first version. What do you have to say on this? Please let me know. Thanks.

Code:

if (a == 0)
    {
        cout << "\'a\' shouldn' be zero\n";
        exit(0);
    }

Code:

if (a == 0)
    {
        cout << "'a' shouldn' be zero\n";
        exit(0);
    }

My best guess (as a beginner too) would be that you can't just assume your compiler will know the difference between a simple char and a string literal, though 'a' is clearly included in a string literal here.

Both are valid, the latter is clearer. Use the former or the latter, but do not mix them.