Strange error about invalid syntax

Question

I am getting invalid syntax error in my python script for this statement

44 f = open(filename, 'r')
45 return

 return
    ^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax

I am not sure what exactly is wrong here? I am a python newbie and so will greatly appreciate if someone can please help.

I am using version 2.3.4

Answer 1

I got an "Invalid Syntax" on return when I forgot to close the bracket on my code.

elif year1==year2 and month1 != month2:
    total_days = (30-day1)+(day2)+((month2-(month1+1))*30   
    return (total_days)    

Invalid syntax on return.

((month2-(month1+1))*30  <---- there should be another bracket

((month2-(month1+1)))*30

Now my code works.

They should improve python to tell you if you forgot to close your brackets instead of having an "invalid" syntax on return.

Answer 2

I had the same problem. Here was my code:

def gccontent(genomefile):
    nbases = 0
    totalbases = 0
    GC = 0
    for line in genomefile.xreadlines():
        nbases += count(seq, 'N')
        totalbases += len(line)
        GC += count(line, 'G' or 'C')
    gcpercent = (float(GC)/(totalbases - nbases)*100
    return gcpercent

'return'was invalid syntax

I simply failed to close the bracket on the following code:

gcpercent = (float(GC)/(totalbases - nbases)*100

Hope this helps.