Syntax Error Near Unexpected Token

Syntax mistakes can occur when using programming languages. These mistakes happen when your code does not follow the syntax conventions of the language you are using. The “syntax error near unexpected token” error is one of the most typical syntax problems. This article will explain the significance of this error and how to correct it.

“Syntax Error Near Unexpected Token”—what does that mean?

When the shell receives a command or instruction that it does not recognise or expect, a syntax error close to an unexpected token error takes place. Due to the lack of specificity in the error message’s description of the unexpected token and the location of the issue, it may be difficult to understand.

Let’s take the following script as an example, which contains the code

You might encounter the following problem if you attempt to execute this code after saving it to a file:

Your code has a syntax mistake, notably close to an unexpected token, in this case a newline character, according to the error notice you received. In other words, the shell anticipates a particular command or instruction but instead runs into an unanticipated one.

Many problems, such as the following, may be the root of this error message:

• Parentheses or a quotation mark that is erroneous or superfluous
• A command or variable name that is incorrect
• A tab or space that is either missing or excess. 
• An improperly closed command or instruction from the past that had a syntax problem. 

Here are a few additional things to think about:

Depending on the programming language used and the environment in which the issue occurs, the specific error message may change. For instance, in JavaScript, the error message might read “SyntaxError: Unexpected token” rather than “syntax error near unexpected token,” whereas in Python, it would read “SyntaxError: Invalid syntax.” The fundamental problem, a syntactic error in the code, is frequently the same, though.

It can be beneficial to look over the documentation or reference materials for the questioned programming language when running into a syntax error close to an unexpected token. This might assist you in identifying any syntactic norms or rules that you might have missed or misunderstood. Reviewing samples of appropriate syntax can also be useful for gaining a better grasp of how the code ought to be organised.

When solving a syntax problem close to an unexpected token, it’s crucial to examine the full code file, including any preceding or subsequent lines. Sometimes, rather than the line that the error message points to, the issue may be caused by a fault with a line of code that appears before or later in the file. In rare circumstances, an issue with the shell or terminal you are using may be the root of a syntax error close to an unexpected token. To prevent syntax issues, you might need to modify the line endings or encoding of a bash script if you’re running it on a Windows computer, for instance. The shell or terminal may act differently when running a script in a virtual environment or container, which could result in unexpected token errors.

Therefore, it’s critical to troubleshoot syntax problems that are close to unexpected tokens in a methodical manner. To find any potential problems with earlier lines of code or external files, start by looking at the line of code that the error message refers to. To focus the issue, if necessary, consider deleting or commenting out certain areas of code. You need to be able to find and fix the problem producing the syntax error near unexpected token by being thorough and cautious.

What to Do If There Is a Syntax Error Near an Unexpected Token?

You must thoroughly examine your code and pinpoint the fault’s cause in order to correct a syntax error that occurs close to an unexpected token. These methods will help you debug and fix the errors. 

Step 1: Verify that there are no excess or errant quote marks or parentheses.

Parentheses or quote marks that are absent or excessive are a frequent source of this issue. Let’s use the following code as an example:

You will see the following problem while attempting to execute this code:

Your code has a syntax problem, notably close to an unexpected newline character, according to this error message. You’re missing a quotation mark at the end of the string, which is the problem here.

Just insert the missing quotation mark at the end of the string to correct this problem:

Step 2: Verify any misspelling variable or command names. 

A command or variable name that is misspelt is another frequent source of this issue. Let’s use the following code as an example:

You will see the following problem while attempting to execute this code:

The “ech” command is not recognised by the shell, as this error notice informs you. The problem here is because you spelt the command “echo” incorrectly.

Just change the command’s spelling to resolve the issue:

Step 3: Verify that there are no blank spaces or tabs.

A syntax error close to an unexpected token problem can also be caused by a missing, excess, or tab character. Let’s use the following code as an example:

You will see the following problem while attempting to execute this code:

Your code contains a syntax problem, notably close to the unexpected token “Hello,” according to this error message. The lack of a space between the “echo” command and the string in this case is the problem.

Simply insert a space between the “echo” command and the symlink to correct this issue.

Let’s imagine you have the code shown below:

You will see the following problem while attempting to execute this code:

The grammatical problem in your code, notably close to the unexpected character “5”, is what this error notice is trying to warn you about. The extra space between the string and the number is the problem in this case.

Just eliminate the additional space between the string and the number to correct this error

Step 4: Review a prior command or instruction for syntax mistakes

Occasionally, a syntax error in a prior command or instruction that was improperly closed can be the root cause of an unexpected token error close to a syntax problem. As an illustration, suppose you have the following code. 

You will see the following problem while attempting to execute this code:

syntax mistake close to unexpected token “fi”))

This error notice informs you that your code contains a syntax problem, notably close to the unexpected token “fi.” The “if” statement has not been properly closed with a closing square bracket in this case, which is the problem.

Just insert the missing square bracket at the conclusion of the “if” expression to correct this problem:

While the procedures we’ve given ought to be useful in correcting the majority of syntax mistakes near unexpected token problems, there are a few further considerations. First and foremost, make sure that any external scripts or files you use in your code are correctly formatted and do not themselves include any syntax problems. Frequently, token issues in your main code can result from a syntax error in an external file.

Second, make sure to look for any misaligned directory or file permissions that might be affecting your code. It may produce syntax errors or exhibit other unexpected behaviour if your script does not have the right permissions to access particular files or folders. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance on internet forums or from local resources if you are still having problems fixing a syntax issue near an unexpected token error. It’s possible that more programmers can offer insightful or practical advice for analysing and fixing the problem.

At last, even if the solutions offered in this article should work to fix the majority of syntax errors caused by unexpected tokens, it’s still vital to consider other possible causes of the problem and to seek help if necessary.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a syntax error near unexpected token error can be caused by a variety of issues, including missing or extra quotation marks or parentheses, misspelt command or variable names, missing or extra space or tab characters, and syntax errors in a previous command or instruction. To fix this error, you will need to carefully review your code and identify the source of the error. By following the steps that we discussed in this article, you should be able to fix this error and continue working on your code. Always remember, it’s important that you pay close attention to the syntax rules of the programming language that you are using to avoid these types of errors.

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