Question

Python code syntax error

Asked by: Tech_20

Please explain and correct the code. It's from a Python book but when I copy and paste to check the output I get this using Python 2.3.5 in Terminal (Mac OS X Tiger). I don't even hit return...it goes straight to this output

>>> def buildConnectionString(params):
"""Build a connection string from a dictionary of parameters.
Returns string."""
return ";".join(["%s=%s" % (k, v) for k, v in params.items()])
if __name__ == "__main__":
myParams = {"server":"mpilgrim", \
"database":"master", \
"uid":"sa", \
"pwd":"secret" \
}
print buildConnectionString(myParams)... ... File "<stdin>", line 3
Returns string."""
^
IndentationError: expected an indented block
>>> SyntaxError: 'return' outside function
>>> ... File "<stdin>", line 2
myParams = {"server":"mpilgrim", \
^
IndentationError: expected an indented block
>>> File "<stdin>", line 1
"database":"master", \
^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax
>>> File "<stdin>", line 1
"uid":"sa", \
^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax
>>> File "<stdin>", line 1
"pwd":"secret" \
^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax
>>> File "<stdin>", line 1
}
^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax
>>>

                                  
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Asked On
2009-08-12 at 16:32:04ID24648430
Tags

Python

Topic

Python Scripting Language

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
10

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Answers

 

by: cxrPosted on 2009-08-12 at 16:47:03ID: 25084377

Correct indentation is important  in python. Try saving it in a file with .py extension and run it from the file by entering "python filename.py" on the command line.

This is correct indentation:

def buildConnectionString(params): 
    """Build a connection string from a dictionary of parameters.
    Returns string."""
    return ";".join(["%s=%s" % (k, v) for k, v in params.items()])
 
if __name__ == "__main__":
    myParams = {"server":"mpilgrim", 
                "database":"master", 
                "uid":"sa", 
                "pwd":"secret" 
               }
    print buildConnectionString(myParams)

                                              
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by: peprPosted on 2009-08-12 at 22:49:34ID: 25085672

If possible, install the newer version of Python. Python 2.5.4 is the solid, old version. Python 3.1 is the new version, backward incompatible with 2.5 but for good reasons. Python 2.6.2 is a transition version with warnings related to deprecated features and implementation of some new features.

Also, as crx has shown, you do not need to use backslash line continuation that much (I do not remember how it was in the 2.3 days).

 

by: Tech_20Posted on 2009-08-14 at 02:53:40ID: 25096419

When I use Python Launcher (3.1.0) for Mac OS X and open up the *.py file it automatically goes to Terminal which has only Python 2.5.3.

What do I need to upgrade? So far I haven't found a Terminal upgrade. What 3rd party Terminal software can I use to work with Python 3?

 

by: peprPosted on 2009-08-14 at 03:51:27ID: 25096672

It is likely that most ready-to-be-used Python scripts are not compatible with Python 3.1. I suggest to uninstall it if it breaks the things. Do you have Python 2.3.5 (as mentioned in the question), or 2.5.3 (as mentioned just above)?

I do not know what is the Python Launcher. Anyway, the simple Python script (that does not use some of the GUI frameworks) is acts as a console application. Then it does use the Terminal window for output and input.

You can launch your script also via typing on the command line...

python myScript.py

 

by: ramromPosted on 2009-08-14 at 09:35:49ID: 25099926

Don't paste code in the interactive window. Instead use a text editor to create the program.

 

by: Tech_20Posted on 2009-08-14 at 20:03:07ID: 25103893

I tried to launch the script also via typing on the command line...

python myScript.py

and I got this in Terminal

python: can't open file 'myscript.py'
[Process exited - exit code 2]

How does the run command know where to reference the myscript.py file?

 

by: cxrPosted on 2009-08-14 at 20:07:06ID: 25103910

You must execute it from the directory where the script is located, or provide the path to the script:

python /path/to/myScript.py

 

by: peprPosted on 2009-08-14 at 23:22:24ID: 25104360

... and as the Mac OS X Tiger is based on Unix (if I recall correctly), it is case sensitive with respect to the file names (unlike Windows). In other words, myScript.py is different from myscript.py.

 

by: Tech_20Posted on 2009-08-18 at 02:43:16ID: 25121358

I knew I had the right location but wrong syntax when I got this error&(notice the rtf reference).

File "/users/craigmoseley/Desktop/python/odbchelper.py", line 1
{\rtf1\mac\ansicpg10000\cocoartf824\cocoasubrtf480
^
SyntaxError: invalid token
[Process exited - exit code 1]

I then referenced the original py file (not done in a text editor with .rtf format and got the correct result).

pwd=secret;database=master;uid=sa;server=mpilgrim
[Process completed]

I will need to use a text editor that will allow me to save it in .txt (not .rtf) and then make it a .py file.

Will plan to accept multiple solutions. Thanks.

 

by: cxrPosted on 2009-08-18 at 03:51:27ID: 25121734

Most text editors will let you save the file with .py extension directly. I have never tried it, but Texmate is supposed to be good. There are of course many other options also:

http://macromates.com/
http://www.jedit.org/
http://mac360.com/index.php/mac360/comments/faceoff_which_is_the_best_text_editor_ever/

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