Strange problem when running python code

[ishtar2020]

Hi everybody

I've been writing my very first application in Python and everything is
running smoothly, except for a strange problem that pops up every once
in a while. I'm sure is the kind
of newbie thing every seasoned programmer knows.

Sometimes a receive strange Syntax Errors from parts of code that
worked perfectly minutes ago. What's even more puzzling is that those
errors are pointed to another part of the module when I do some random,
innofensive changes in the code (like inserting a line or deleting some
comments). Sometimes those changes are enough to make the error
dissapear.

Could it be that python has found a real error but is failing to tell
me where it is?

[Brian Beck]

For certain errors like Syntax Errors, you'll get a much more helpful
response if you post some actual code. Strip it down if you have to,
but make sure we can reproduce the errors.

--
Brian Beck
Adventurer of the First Order

[John Salerno]

ishtar2020 wrote:

Hi everybody

I've been writing my very first application in Python and everything is
running smoothly, except for a strange problem that pops up every once
in a while. I'm sure is the kind
of newbie thing every seasoned programmer knows.

Sometimes a receive strange Syntax Errors from parts of code that
worked perfectly minutes ago. What's even more puzzling is that those
errors are pointed to another part of the module when I do some random,
innofensive changes in the code (like inserting a line or deleting some
comments). Sometimes those changes are enough to make the error
dissapear.

Could it be that python has found a real error but is failing to tell
me where it is?

I recently had quite a hassle with an indentation problem, so you might
want to check on your whitespace.

[Roy Smith]

ishtar2020 <is********@hot mail.com> wrote:

I've been writing my very first application in Python and everything is
running smoothly, except for a strange problem that pops up every once
in a while. I'm sure is the kind
of newbie thing every seasoned programmer knows.

Nobody here has a crystal ball. Please post your code, tell us what
changes you made, and cut-and-paste the entire error message and the
associated stack trace.

[Fredrik Lundh]

"ishtar2020 " wrote:

Sometimes a receive strange Syntax Errors from parts of code that
worked perfectly minutes ago. What's even more puzzling is that those
errors are pointed to another part of the module when I do some random,
innofensive changes in the code (like inserting a line or deleting some
comments). Sometimes those changes are enough to make the error
dissapear.

Python 2.4.1 has a bug where this can happen if you're 1) using coding
directives, and 2) your module is relatively large.

I suggest upgrading to 2.4.3.

</F>

[ishtar2020]

I must add, when the python interpreter displays the traceback, with
the line that is producing the error, it doesn't look like the one I
got in the code.

This is the line where the interpreter finds the error

if text.list[i].toString() in limits:list)): <- Here is where
the error is found, but this line is not on my file

SyntaxError: invalid syntax

And this is the line I got on the file, looks like the interpreter is
mixing the second sentence with the end of the first one:

for i in range(self.init ialPositionl+1, len(text.list)) :
if text.list[i].toString() in limits:
self.finalPosit ion=i
break

It's quite puzzling. And if I change some lousy thing, like inserting a
newline between the sentences, the interpreter will find another error
somewhere else, even when that
part of the code was working flawlessly in previous runs

[Steve Juranich]

Roy Smith wrote:

ishtar2020 <is********@hot mail.com> wrote:

I've been writing my very first application in Python and everything is
running smoothly, except for a strange problem that pops up every once
in a while. I'm sure is the kind
of newbie thing every seasoned programmer knows.

Nobody here has a crystal ball. Please post your code, tell us what
changes you made, and cut-and-paste the entire error message and the
associated stack trace.

Speak for yourself, Mr. I-Have-No-Crystal-Ball. Besides, any lummox knows
that crystal balls are for seeing the future, not for mind-reading. No, to
do proper mind reading you need youself a pointy hat and (preferably) a
deck of cards.

Sorry, weird day at work. Had to vent.
--
Steve Juranich
Tucson, AZ
USA

[James Stroud]

ishtar2020 wrote:

Hi everybody

I've been writing my very first application in Python and everything is
running smoothly, except for a strange problem that pops up every once
in a while. I'm sure is the kind
of newbie thing every seasoned programmer knows.

Sometimes a receive strange Syntax Errors from parts of code that
worked perfectly minutes ago. What's even more puzzling is that those
errors are pointed to another part of the module when I do some random,
innofensive changes in the code (like inserting a line or deleting some
comments). Sometimes those changes are enough to make the error
dissapear.

Could it be that python has found a real error but is failing to tell
me where it is?

I don't mean to accuse you or to start a tab v. non-tab war (is tab v.
non-tab a holy war?, it should be because tabs are so damn useful for
formatting and getting everything just-right), but don't use tabs if you
are using them. Here are the reasons: 1. they personally annoy me. 2.
you can't see the damn things (hence the basis for why they are so
annoying). "Tab" comes from the root for the Greek for "table" (or is it
the other way around?, or is it Latin? or Arabic? or Hebrew?). Thus,
tabs should be reserved for thier god-given intended purpose, which is
tab-delimited tables, where a parser can easily separate by them.
Internal, and hence annoying, tabs should not be used elsewhere because
it screws everything up. For example, here is a tab-delimited parser
written in python
table = []
for line in tab_delimited_t able:
table.append(li ne.split('\t'))
Man that was easy! Now, when people put annoying tabs everywhere, to get
their indent just-so, then it totally screws everything up, including
this parser, which was designed for tables delimited by tabs--because
that is the tab's special purpose.

There is one exception however. Its called the tab-space-tab approach.
If you are using tabs to indent your code, then always put at least one
space between tabs. Never put two tabs together. This helps the editor
to display your code correctly.

James

--
James Stroud
UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics
Box 951570
Los Angeles, CA 90095

http://www.jamesstroud.com/

[Christopher Weimann]

On 04/04/2006-12:01PM, ishtar2020 wrote:

This is the line where the interpreter finds the error

if text.list[i].toString() in limits:list)): <- Here is where

That line has two extra close parens before the :

Can you show the traceback?

[sushant.sirsikar]

Are U Using any IDE for Python?
If yes then check out the setting and make sure that u are running same
code.