How to Code Double Quotes via HTML Codes

Question

In HTML, What is the preferred way to specify html codes like \", and what is the major differences? For example:

Answer 1

Google recommend that you don't use any of them, source.

There is no need to use entity references like &mdash, &rdquo, or ☺, assuming the same encoding (UTF-8) is used for files and editors as well as among teams.

Is there a reason you can't simply use "?