weird syntax error

saltpro15 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:45 pm

Hey guys, I'm working on a project euler problem in python and I'm getting a weird syntax error...

Python:

def appearances_in_factorial(p,n)
s = 0
while n > 0
n /= p
sum += n
end
return s
end

I'm using IDLE, and the error I get is syntax error, and all the white space after (p,n) is highlighted red... any ideas?

andrew. · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:04 pm

You need the ":" to tell python that you are putting something in that method. You also need it after the while loop.

DtY · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:04 pm

Forgot a colon on the first line, and on the while

[edit] Late Sad

andrew. · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:05 pm

I wanted to edit my post to include this:

Python:

def appearances_in_factorial(p,n):
s = 0
while n > 0:
n /= p
sum += n
end
return s
end

saltpro15 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:05 pm

hahahaha fail on my part.

thanks guys

DtY · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:06 pm

Oh, and no end, python is completely layout based

andrew. · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:09 pm

Yeah, take out the end. I forgot to take that out.

Tony · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:35 pm

FYI, the function will always return 0. Is "s" and "sum" supposed to be the same variable?

saltpro15 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:36 pm

yeah, I fixed it. Thanks guys

and Tony, yes : P I just forgot to change s to sum at the end

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