SyntaxError: Multiple Statements Found While Compiling a Single Statement

The SyntaxError in Python is simply an error because of syntax issues. The Syntaxerror: Multiple Statements Found While Compiling a Single Statement occurs when we write multiple Python statements in our code when only a single statement is allowed. The error seems to be complex but it is much easier to solve. In this short article, we will discuss how we can solve Syntaxerror: Multiple Statements Found While Compiling a Single Statement error using various methods. Moreover, we will also discuss how to understand errors in Python taking Syntaxerror: Multiple Statements Found While Compiling a Single Statement as an example so that in the future, you can easily understand and solve errors.

Syntaxerror: Multiple Statements Found While Compiling a Single Statement – Solutions

The SyntaxError in Python means there is something wrong with the Syntax of the code. The Syntaxerror: Multiple Statements Found While Compiling a Single Statement error occurs when we add multiple statements in our code where only a single statement is allowed. The syntax error occurs during the execution of the code.

Let us take an example and see why and when we are getting this error:

x = 1
x += 1
print(x)

Output:

x = 1
x += 1
print(x)
  File "<stdin>", line 1
    x += 1
print(x)

    ^
SyntaxError: multiple statements found while compiling a single statement

Notice that we are getting the error even, though we didn’t have written the code in a single line but the interpreter assumes that we are writing multiple statements in a single line. The error can be solved by using the following methods:

• Adding function
• Using a new line
• Use echo
• Downloading IDLEX

Solution-1: Adding function

One of the simplest ways to get rid of such an error is to write the code inside a function. This will help you to solve SyntaxError: multiple statements found while compiling a single statement error. See the example below:

def main():
  x = 1
  x += 1
  print(x)

Now, you will no more get the error as you have put the code inside the main function.

Solution-2: Using a new line

Another method to get rid of SyntaxError: multiple statements found while compiling a single statement error is to use a break statement if you are getting errors while importing modules.

For example, if you have the following code and you are getting the error:

>>> x = 5
y = 6

This will raise the error. The correct way to execute the code is shown below:

>>> x = 5
>>> y = 6

When you see multiple statements being declared, that means you’re seeing a script, which will be executed later.

Solution-3: Use echo to get rid of the error

If you are using Mach or Linux, then you can use run the following commands and restart the Python console. You will no more get the SyntaxError: multiple statements found while compiling a single statement error.

echo "set enable-bracketed-paste off" >> ~/.inputrc

Hopefully, this will solve the issue.

Solution-4: Downloading IDLEX

If you are still getting the error then you can download the new IDLE. You can download the IDLEX and use its IDLE version, which allows multiple lines.

Once you downloaded the IDLEX, and open it, it looks like this.

Here you can use the multiple-line code without getting any errors.

Understanding Syntaxerror: Multiple Statements Found While Compiling a Single Statement error

Now let us understand the error. In Python, the errors usually have two main parts. The first part of the error gives information about the category of the error. In our case, the error belongs to the SyntaxError category.

The second part of the error helps us to the exact error. In our case, it clearly says why we are getting syntax errors. We are trying to write multiple statements when only a single statement is allowed.

Reasons for getting an error

A SyntaxError with the message “Multiple statements found while compiling a single statement” is raised when the Python interpreter encounters more than one statement in a single line of code.

Here are some common scenarios that can lead to this error:

1. Missing semicolon: If you are trying to write multiple statements in a single line of code but forgot to separate them with a semicolon (;), Python will interpret it as a single statement and raise a SyntaxError
2. Incorrect indentation: If you are using an indentation-based syntax like Python, make sure to use consistent indentation levels throughout your code. Mixing tabs and spaces or inconsistent indentation can cause this error.
3. Invalid use of parentheses: If you are trying to group multiple statements within parentheses, you can get this error if you don’t use the appropriate syntax
4. Using incorrect syntax for a compound statement: If you are trying to define a compound statement like if-else or while in a single line of code, you need to use the correct syntax.

Summary

In this short article, we discussed how we can solve Syntaxerror: Multiple Statements Found While Compiling a Single Statement using various methods. In general, we covered four different methods to solve the error. Moreover, we also learn how we can understand errors in Python by taking Syntaxerror: Multiple Statements Found While Compiling a Single Statement as an example.

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