Invalid Syntax error when running python from inside Visual Studio Code

Question

i have a python file with the following content saved on my machine:

types_of_people = 10
x = f"There are {types_of_people} types of people"

binary = "binary"
do_not = "don't"
y = f"Those who know {binary} and those who {do_not}."

print(x)
print(y)

print(f"i said: {x}")
print(f"I also said: '{y}'")

hilarious = False
joke_evaluation = "Isn't that joke so funny?! {}"

print(joke_evaluation.format(hilarious))
w = "This is the left side of ..."
e = "a string with a right side."

print(w + e)

When i open this file with Python 3.7 from within Visual Studio Code i get the following error:

/usr/local/opt/python/bin/python3.7 /Users/andree/Desktop/test.py
  File "<stdin>", line 1
    /usr/local/opt/python/bin/python3.7 /Users/andree/Desktop/test.py
    ^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax

In the following screenshot you can see the command i use to run the file and also which python extension i use.

But running the file from within my terminal with python3 test.py works just fine.

Does anyone know what the problem is when running it from within VS Code?

I believe something may be funky with the Python interpreter settings/path in VSC. Can you confirm these? — DeepSpace, Jul 26 '18 at 13:47
my terminal uses /usr/local/bin/python3 and vs code uses /usr/local/opt/python/bin/python3.7. But when i use the path vs code uses as command in my terminal it works as well — Andree Wille, Jul 26 '18 at 13:50
Well, VSC tries to execute the line `/usr/local/opt/python/bin/python3.7 /../test.py` in the python interactive shell which is obviously wrong. Not sure what's up with that. — DeepSpace, Jul 26 '18 at 14:15
Just make this thread clear: If you are stacked in Python interpreter (case when you have in terminal ">>") enter/write "exit()", "quit()", or select "**Ctrl-Z**" — Robert Kosulic, Nov 20 '20 at 19:54

score 127 · Answer 1 · edited Aug 27 '18 at 01:45

127

Think this is a bug of VS Code.

When you use "run selection/line in python terminal" command, VS Code starts python interpreter and doesn`t quit it after completion.

You should use exit() command in python interpreter window to end python session.

After that "run python file in terminal" will work fine.

edited Aug 27 '18 at 01:45

Hossein

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answered Aug 26 '18 at 18:36

Pavel

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5

Thanks a lot. I think this should be considered a bug, not intuitive at all. – alfredocambera May 30 '19 at 15:25

score 17 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 26 '18 at 14:24

17

Looks like this is a bug in VS Code.

When i create a new file, assign python language to it and then save it then it works when i run the python file from within the editor.

But when i create a new file, assign python langauge but dont save it, execute "Run Selection/Line in Python Terminal" afterwards save it and then run "Run Python file in Terminal" it doen't work. So this seems to be an VS Code related issue.

answered Jul 26 '18 at 14:24

Andree Wille

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restarting vs code fixed this for me after installing pylint – TJ Trapp Aug 11 '18 at 20:32
1

Yep, a restart is required for pylint to work properly after installation. I had the same problem with false error messages before. – needfulthing Aug 30 '19 at 12:22

score 5 · Answer 3 · edited Dec 03 '19 at 03:10

5

The problem for me was that I accidentally used Shift + Return which executed the python program, when in fact I meant to hit CTRL + Return to move to the next line without touching the mouse.

Using exit() command in the console worked.

edited Dec 03 '19 at 03:10

zmag

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answered Dec 03 '19 at 02:37

amesj7595

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score 4 · Answer 4 · answered Apr 29 '20 at 03:24

4

It's a probable bug in VS code. I don't know why there hasn't been a patch for this. After typing exit() in the terminal, the rerun should work fine. You could also try Ctrl+F5 to run in a debug mode.

answered Apr 29 '20 at 03:24

yash

122
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score 3 · Answer 5 · answered Dec 12 '19 at 15:21

3

Disable terminal.integrated.inheritEnv in settings. This was suggested by VSCode for me and it worked.

answered Dec 12 '19 at 15:21

SamOverflow

31
2

Yeap, worked for me too. I confidently ignored this suggestion from VSCode earlier. Now, I am here having that ahhh... moment. – Pramesh Bajracharya Jul 20 '21 at 08:27

score 2 · Answer 6 · answered Dec 27 '21 at 10:25

2

I got the same issue, simply restart the Vs-Code it works for me !!

answered Dec 27 '21 at 10:25

Sanket Suryawanshi

79
3

TechBrad · Answer 7 · 2019-02-27T15:54:12.740

I experienced this issue when attempting to change my default terminal settings. I continually ran into a situation where the "Run Python File in Terminal" command would result in syntax errors while the "Run Selection/Line in Python Terminal" command would error but still display the results. Irritating to say the least.

Here's the settings I utilized to resolve the syntax errors issue.

Note: Enabling Pylint did not resolve my issue, in fact it continued to pop-up even after selecting to enable it. These specific user/workspace/folder settings resolved that issue for me too.

Note: Since the terminal defaults to Powershell, you have to type Python to enter manual commands directly into the python terminal and exit() to close it to allow the python file to run properly again.

USER SETTINGS

{
"terminal.integrated.shell.windows": "C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe"
}

WORKSPACE SETTINGS

"settings": {
    "terminal.integrated.shell.windows": "C:\\Python3.7.2\\python.exe",
}

FOLDER SETTINGS

"python.linting.pylintEnabled": true,
"python.pythonPath": "C:\\Python3.7.2\\python.exe",

score 0 · Answer 8 · answered Aug 10 '18 at 14:44

0

I found a fix for this, install "pylint". I had a pop-up message in Visual Studio that asked me to download this extension. I did and after that I was able to run my code!

answered Aug 10 '18 at 14:44

user10209131

1

i had to restart vscode but yea installing pylint worked 4 me – TJ Trapp Aug 11 '18 at 20:32

score 0 · Answer 9 · edited Apr 16 '19 at 12:21

0

I got the same issue, but the code ran for me when I ran it using 'Start without debugging'. This can also be done with the shortcut CTRL + F5.

edited Apr 16 '19 at 12:21

Zoe

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answered Apr 16 '19 at 11:09

killerG

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worked for me, but restarting vscode after having pylint installed worked too! – lode May 18 '19 at 00:05

score 0 · Answer 10 · answered Nov 15 '20 at 22:03

0

I found the issue is generated by trailing spaces after the loop functions. So what I do to alleviate it is add an empty print () statement at the very end of the script

answered Nov 15 '20 at 22:03

Polto

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Invalid Syntax error when running python from inside Visual Studio Code

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