To solve the expression \( 17 - (-18) \), you can rewrite it as:
\[ 17 + 18 \]
This is because subtracting a negative number is the same as adding the positive equivalent of that number.
Now, calculating \( 17 + 18 \):
\[ 17 + 18 = 35 \]
So, the result is \( 35 \).