Why is semicolon working in python?

Question

I am using python2.7. I have been experimentingn with the interpreter and found out then following unusual thing, I wrote the following code and it's working:-

    def func():
        a = 5 ; 
        print a

When I call this function it gives the required output in the interpreter, not giving any syntax error, despite using the semicolon. Here is the screenshot:- enter image description here

Why it's not giving a syntax error

semicolons are optional in python, however if there are two statements in a single line, semicolon is mandatory to separate. — Srinivas Reddy Thatiparthy, Dec 04 '13 at 06:32
if you check the grammar file of python, you will find this statement, `simple_stmt: small_stmt (';' small_stmt)* [';'] NEWLINE` , semicolon is optional from that grammar .http://docs.python.org/2/reference/grammar.html — Srinivas Reddy Thatiparthy, Dec 04 '13 at 06:35

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Dec 04 '13 at 06:31

1

Using semicolon is the way to write several statement in one line. Second is empty in your code.

answered Dec 04 '13 at 06:31

weisert

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score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:28

1

First of all dont use semi-colons to end a statement in python!

but look here to see why its allowed:

Why is semicolon allowed in this python snippet?

or here:

Python: What Does a Semi Colon Do?

they are used to put multiple statements on a single line so the interpreter is just ignoring it since there is not second statement

edited May 23 '17 at 12:28

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answered Dec 04 '13 at 06:31

Serial

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Why is semicolon working in python?

2 Answers2