[Tutor] What's the invalid syntax? Code supplied

[Danny Yoo]

On Wed, 3 Aug 2005, Nathan Pinno wrote:

> I added a plus sign to show Python to add "\n" or a new line to end of
> the file.

Ok, better.  So the plus sign was necessary in between:

    sitelist[site][1]

and

    "\n"

in order to glue them together into one string.


Just for kicks, let's look at another example of a SyntaxError:

######
>>> def square(x):
...     return x * x
...
>>>
>>> square 42
  File "<stdin>", line 1
    square 42
            ^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax
######


The problematic line:

    square 42

is invalid syntax in the Python language.  (Off-topic tangent: it might
not be necessarily one in a different programming language.)


We know what the problem is: we're missing parens, and in an magical ideal
world, Python would also recognize what we meant, and would say something
like:

    SyntaxError: you're missing parentheses when you're trying to call the
    function.  Try square(42) instead.

But too bad Python's error message aren't as helpful.  *grin* The best
that Python can do, though, is say:

    SyntaxError: invalid syntax

which is sad, but oh well.  But at least Python says that there's a
problem, and points at the '42' to say "I didn't expect that there.  Can
you check around that area?" which is usually enough of a hint.

I guess I'm trying to say: whenever you see a SyntaxError and apply a fix
to it, also take a retrospective moment to also think about what you can
do next time to avoid it, or how to recognize it if it shows its ugly head
again.


Best of wishes!