python raises syntax error in environment variable path

Question

I have this enviroment variable: VAR=C:\Users\User but how can I prevent python giving this "SyntaxError: (unicode error) 'unicodeescape' codec can't decode bytes in position 2-3: truncated \UXXXXXXXX escape error when I try:

import os
os.environ["VAR"]

without needing to change the variable in Command line

Raymond · Accepted Answer · 2020-01-10T09:11:15.927

3

Add r to let compiler knows it's a raw string.

r'{}'.format(os.environ["VAR"]))

However, your code works on myside without any changes.

edited Jan 10 '20 at 09:11

answered Jan 10 '20 at 08:59

Raymond

1,300
10
26

thanks this works and it is `C:\users\User` and that is what python does not like but this work – Matthijs990 Jan 10 '20 at 10:23

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 10 '20 at 12:47

0

The unicode error comes from the "\U". So you can also change your

VAR=C:\Users\User

to

VAR=C:\\Users\\User

so that Python recognizes the dashes as literal dashes.

answered Jan 10 '20 at 12:47

jeppoo1

534
8
17

is this without changing the variable? no – Matthijs990 Jan 10 '20 at 12:49
Sorry, did not read the last part. But it may help you to know where the SyntaxError is coming from. – jeppoo1 Jan 10 '20 at 12:51

score -1 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 10 '20 at 09:03

-1

Maybe the reason are the dashs. Did you try:

Try VAR=C:/Users/User

answered Jan 10 '20 at 09:03

Lazloo Xp

744
1
7
26

i said without changing it – Matthijs990 Jan 10 '20 at 12:02
This looks similar to your problem https://stackoverflow.com/questions/4119166/replace-backslashes-with-forward-slashes-in-python#4119176 – Lazloo Xp Jan 10 '20 at 12:55

python raises syntax error in environment variable path

3 Answers3