Python syntax error ... not sure why

Question

I've used a statement like the following before, however when I try using something similar it returns an error....

  File "test.py", line 73
    with open(hostsTxt, 'a+') as f1, open(hostsCSV,'a+') as f2, open(hostNameLook, 'a+') as f3, open(webHostsTxt,'a+') as f4:
            ^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax

Syntax with line above:

if hostName != "*" and hostIP != "*":
  with open(hostsTxt, 'a+') as f1, open(hostsCSV,'a+') as f2, open(hostNameLook, 'a+') as f3, open(webHostsTxt,'a+') as f4:

Any thoughts would be welcomed.

It could also be misplaced indentation or you forgot to use a tab instead of spaces. — squiguy
– squiguy, Commented Sep 14, 2012 at 16:08
@squiguy: that usually leads to an IndentationError instead. — Martijn Pieters
– Martijn Pieters, Commented Sep 14, 2012 at 16:10
Which version of Python are you using? I'd guess 2.5.6 or earlier; I can match the error message (even down to the carat pointing at the "n" in open). — DSM
– DSM, Commented Sep 14, 2012 at 16:35

Martijn Pieters · Accepted Answer · 2012-09-14 16:46:13Z

7

Look at the lines before it, there will be a parenthesis or bracket missing.

That, or you have a python version that doesn't support with at all, the syntax wasn't introduced until python 2.6.

edited Sep 14, 2012 at 16:46

answered Sep 14, 2012 at 16:06

Martijn Pieters

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4 Comments

MHibbin Over a year ago

This is the line (see edit above) context with the line before... I've looked up and down the script, i've not used tabs on double-spaces and checked the barckets and parenthesis as well...

Martijn Pieters Over a year ago

Test for indentation with python -tt scriptname.py. Nothing obvious from that line, could be before that still.

MHibbin Over a year ago

it should be two-space indents

Martijn Pieters Over a year ago

@MHibbin: Then it's not indentation that's the problem (though 2-space indents are in my opinion unreadable).

ronak · Accepted Answer · 2012-09-14 17:13:37Z

0

I tried both on Python 2.4 and 2.7 and it seems that same error happens on 2.4 and does not on 2.7

Python 2.4 - I did get the exact same error that you got.

Python 2.4.3 (#1, Nov  3 2010, 12:52:40) 
[GCC 4.1.2 20080704 (Red Hat 4.1.2-48)] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> if hostName != "*" and hostIP != "*":
...   with open(hostsTxt, 'a+') as f1, open(hostsCSV,'a+') as f2, open(hostNameLook, 'a+') as f3, open(webHostsTxt,'a+') as f4:
  File "<stdin>", line 2
    with open(hostsTxt, 'a+') as f1, open(hostsCSV,'a+') as f2, open(hostNameLook, 'a+') as f3, open(webHostsTxt,'a+') as f4:
            ^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax

Python 2.7

Launching python -O
Python 2.7.2 (default, Apr 17 2012, 22:01:25) 
[GCC 4.1.2 20080704 (Red Hat 4.1.2-48)] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> hostIP ='localhost'
>>> hostName = 'abcd'
>>> if hostName != "*" and hostIP != "*":
...   with open(hostsTxt, 'a+') as f1, open(hostsCSV,'a+') as f2, open(hostNameLook, 'a+') as f3, open(webHostsTxt,'a+') as f4:
...     print 'testing'
... 
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 2, in <module>
NameError: name 'hostsTxt' is not defined

As far as I know, you are trying to use with open with python 2.4 which is not supported.

answered Sep 14, 2012 at 17:13

ronak

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2 Comments

MHibbin Over a year ago

I think that might be it... There are two instances of python on the system (one is possibly 2.4, but def not 2.7). and the instance I normally use comes packaged with py2.7. I'll test this back at work

MHibbin Over a year ago

Yes this was the issue! Thanks very much. I will have to remember this when testing in future

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