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Python Python Basics Meet Python Variables

Posted by Unsubscribed User
Unsubscribed User
211 Points

Hello, when I type a code print('Hello',', first_name) as in the video I get an error in the console syntax is invalid

SyntaxError: EOL while scanning string literal points to first_name.... also I am not able to take screen shots of the workspace. Screenshots always empty

Lee Fendley
Lee Fendley
3,006 Points

Hi I think you have a trailing apostrophe and comma there. Should read as follows:

print('Hello', first_name)

The string followed by the variable reference.

1 Answer

Chris Freeman
MOD
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,441 Points
Chris Freeman
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,441 Points

When Python sees a single or double quotation mark while parsing a line of code, it continues to scan to find the matching closing mark. 

print('Hello',', first_name)
      ^ start of first string
            ^ end of first string
              ^ start of second string

The parser thinks the second string is “, first_name)” but cannot find the closing single quotation mark which raises the syntax error. The automatic color highlighting shows the runaway string.