Using special characters in file names can cause compatibility issues with different operating systems and applications. Some characters may have special meanings or functions within certain operating systems or programs, which can cause errors or unexpected behaviour when they are used in file names.
For example, characters such as /, , :, *, ?, ", <, >, |, and ~ are often reserved for specific functions in file systems, and using them in file names can lead to problems such as files being deleted or not being able to be accessed.
Additionally, different operating systems have different restrictions on the characters that can be used in file names. For example, Windows does not allow the use of certain characters, such as <, >, :, ", /, , |, and ?, in file names, while Unix-based systems may have different restrictions.
To avoid compatibility issues and potential errors, using only letters, numbers, and basic punctuation marks such as hyphens and underscores in file names is best.