Invalid syntax on using With in Python

Question

the following code opens a file searches for a word or phrase, then opens the file in an array, it then adds two new objects after the word or phrase and then re-writes it to the file, the with statments do not work, when compiled it produces a syntax error saying the file = open(...) the '=' is not valid but it is the assignment operator. help?

def edit(file_name,search_parameters,added_data,second_data):

    with(file = open(file_name,'r')):
        lines = list(file)
        file.close()
    linenum = (num for (num,line) in enumerate(lines) if search_parameters in line).next()
    lines[linenum+1] = added_data
    lines[linenum+1] = second_data

    with (file2 = open(file_name,"w")):
        file2.writelines(line + '\n' for line in lines)
        file2.close()

In python, assignment is a statement, not an operator. It does not return a value. — dstromberg
– dstromberg, Commented Mar 14, 2014 at 22:50

score 4 · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-14 22:37:36Z

4

You need to use the as keyword:

with open(file_name,'r') as file:

with open(file_name,"w") as file2:

Here is a reference on Python's with statement.

Also, these two lines are unncessary:

file.close()

file2.close()

Using a with statement to open a file will cause it to be closed automatically when the with statement's code block is exited. In fact, that is the only reason why you use a with statement to open files.

edited Mar 14, 2014 at 22:37

answered Mar 14, 2014 at 22:24

user2555451

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

anon582847382 Over a year ago

It is also noteworthy that OP does not need to explicitly close the file. Perhaps an explanation of the with statement is required.

user2555451 Over a year ago

@AlexThornton - Good idea, I missed that. Let me mention it.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Invalid syntax on using With in Python

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related