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Python Introducing Lists Build an Application Add Items

perix
perix
795 Points
Posted by perix
perix
795 Points

Syntax error for no clear reason

I'm having a syntax error and I can't understand why:

shopping_list = []

def add_to_list(item):
    shopping_list.append(item)

def show_help():
    print("What should we pick up at the store")
    print("""
Enter 'DONE' to stop adding items.
Enter 'HELP' for this help.
""")

show_help()
while True:
    new_item = input("> ")

    if new_item.upper() == 'DONE':
        break
    elif new_item.upper() == 'HELP':
        show_help()
        continue
    add_to_list(new_item)


treehouse:~/workspace$ python shopping_list.py                                                                                           
  File "shopping_list.py", line 8                                                                                                        
    def show_help:                                                                                                                       
      ^                                                                                                                                  
SyntaxError: invalid syntax

2 Answers

Michael Hulet
Michael Hulet
47,912 Points
Michael Hulet
Michael Hulet
47,912 Points

Make sure you've saved your file here before running it, because the traceback that Python is complaining about looks different from what's in your file. The traceback shows show_help being declared like this:

def show_help: # Note the lack of parentheses here

However, in the code you have above it, show_help appears to be declared properly, with parentheses, and there should be no syntax error there. This suggests to me that you simply forgot to save your file after fixing it, which is a very easy thing to forget in Workspaces 🙂

Keith Korter
Keith Korter
1,252 Points

I've saved my file and reloaded the workspace, and I too am getting this error.

cesarmatta
cesarmatta
11,308 Points
cesarmatta
cesarmatta
11,308 Points

You need to add two )) after the """ in the show_help function.

I had the same problem, the error message is quiet misleading