SyntaxError in Python IDLE 2.7 but not in PythonTutor

Question

I'm getting a SyntaxError: invalid syntax in response to the following code when I run in it IDLE, but not in PythonTutor. Can anyone help with why?

def apples(x, y):
    try:
        result = x/y
    except ZeroDivisionError, e:
        print "division by zero!" + str(e)
    else:
        print "result is", result
    finally:
        print "executing finally clause"

apples(3, 4)

The SyntaxError is associated with the 'apples' in apples(3,4)

Fix your indention. It's hard to tell what the problem is here. — Andy
– Andy ♦, Commented Jul 29, 2014 at 17:53
funny, it is happening for me too, are you pasting the code in? — Padraic Cunningham
– Padraic Cunningham, Commented Jul 29, 2014 at 18:07

merlin2011 · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-29 17:57:20Z

1

The code that you are showing should run correctly in Python 2, but will fail in Python 3 due to the print statements.

Here is how you might make it work in Python 3, assuming that is your problem.

def apples(x, y):
    try:
        result = x/y
    except ZeroDivisionError, e:
        print("division by zero!" + str(e))
    else:
        print("result is", result)
    finally:
        print("executing finally clause")

apples(3, 4)

answered Jul 29, 2014 at 17:57

merlin2011

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4 Comments

user3882253 Over a year ago

Thanks for your input - I see the difference between the two. However, I'm in Python 2.7.8; is your correction still applicable?

merlin2011 Over a year ago

@user3882253, Are you absolutely sure that that is the version your IDLE is running?

user3882253 Over a year ago

Absolutely: Python 2.7.8, IDLE 2.7.8, & Tk 8.5.15. I'm on a MacBook Pro w/ 10.9.4

merlin2011 Over a year ago

Does my answer fix the issue?

Padraic Cunningham · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-29 18:18:20Z

0

The only way I could replicate you error was pasting the code into idle including apples(3, 4).

If I pasted the function first then ran the function with apples(3, 4), it works fine.

>>> def apples(x, y):
        try:
            result = x/y
        except ZeroDivisionError, e:
            print "division by zero!" + str(e)
        else:
            print "result is", result
        finally:
            print "executing finally clause"
apples(1,3)
SyntaxError: invalid syntax
>>> 

>>> def apples(x, y):
        try:
            result = x/y
        except ZeroDivisionError, e:
            print "division by zero!" + str(e)
        else:
            print "result is", result
        finally:
            print "executing finally clause"


>>> apples(2,3)
result is 0
executing finally clause

answered Jul 29, 2014 at 18:18

Padraic Cunningham

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2 Comments

user3882253 Over a year ago

Ahhhhh Thanks so much! This totally worked. I will remember not to paste into the shell both the code and the inputs at the same time.

Padraic Cunningham Over a year ago

No worries, you're welcome. I would highly recommend using Ipython, there are numerous features that make working with python even more fun. You can just copy code and type paste in the shell and it will run you code, that is just one of many cool features.

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