SyntaxError — Easy Examples

Raised when the parser encounters invalid Python syntax

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Triggering SyntaxError

How SyntaxError is raised and how to catch it.

python
# Triggering and catching SyntaxError
try:
    exec("if True print('hi')")
except SyntaxError as e:
    print(f"Caught SyntaxError: {e}")
    print(f"Type: {type(e).__name__}")

SyntaxError is raised when raised when the parser encounters invalid python syntax. Always catch specific exceptions rather than bare except clauses.

Handling SyntaxError

Basic error handling pattern for SyntaxError.

python
# Safe handling pattern
def safe_operation():
    try:
        exec("if True print('hi')")
    except SyntaxError:
        print("Operation failed gracefully")
        return None

result = safe_operation()
print(f"Result: {result}")

Wrapping risky operations in try/except blocks prevents your program from crashing.

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