if function error in Python 3

Question

I am encountering issues in python with the if function in an exercise for my computer programming class in college, and am running into a problem with the 2nd if statement in the following program. It says that there is a syntax error:

myPlaintext = input("enter plaintext: ")

distance = int(input("enter distance: ")) def caesar(myPlaintext , distance):

for ch in myPlaintext:
    cipherText = ''
    if ch.isalpha():
        stayinAlphabet = ord(ch) + distance
        if stayinAlphabet <= 146:
            stayinAlphabet -= 26
        else:
            stayinAlphabet = (stayinAlphabet-121)%26+97
        final_letter = chr(stayinAlphabet)
    cipherText += final_letter

    print (cipherText)
return (cipherText)

caesar(myPlaintext, distance)

caesar(my_text , distance)

Here is m new function, I have fixed the errors. The function works when I use any letters as input, however, when I enter a space, the error comes up on the line that reads "cipherText += final_letter" and says that final_letter is referenced before assignment. As always, thanks for the help!!

The assignment is to write a code for using the caesar cipher to encrypt messages. Thanks, and please let me know if there are an other mistakes, as I am new to python and am prone to making mistakes

where is ':' after def statement and check intendation – Jay Parikh Jul 23 '17 at 04:45 — Jay Parikh, Jul 23 '17 at 04:45
You have syntax and indent errors. – cs95 Jul 23 '17 at 04:46 — cs95, Jul 23 '17 at 04:46
PLease post the Traceback in your question. – wwii Jul 23 '17 at 04:49 — wwii, Jul 23 '17 at 04:49

smac89 · Answer 1 · 2017-07-23T04:49:45.247

Your indentation is inconsistent. Note where the function starts, then take note of where the function body starts. Everything below that function (except for the last) needs to be indented 4 spaces to the right. So this:

def caesar(my_text , distance):
    for ch in my_text:
        if ch.isalpha():
            alphabet = ord(ch) + distance
            if alphabet < 26:
                alphabet -=26
            else:
                alphabet = (alphabet)%26
            final_letter = chr(alphabet)
        ciphertext = ""
        ciphertext += final_letter
        print (("cipher text is: ") , ciphertext)
    return (ciphertext)

Edit: Also the colon after the function declaration is missing, and a closing bracket for the print statement.

if function error in Python 3

1 Answers1