Assigning to a keyword generates unclear SyntaxError message
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@StanFromIreland is already working on this.
Since Sep 14, 2025.
interpreter-core
topic-parser
type-feature
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- Python
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Description
Feature or enhancement
Proposal:
When one attempts to assign to a keyword, one receives a SyntaxError with the unhelpful message invalid syntax:
>>> class = "Mammalia"
File "<python-input-0>", line 1
class = "Mammalia"
^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax
I propose changing this to something along the lines of (undecided on what the message should be, adding "reserved" makes it simpler for beginners IMO):
>>> class = "Mammalia"
File "<python-input-0>", line 1
class = "Mammalia"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
SyntaxError: cannot assign to reserved keyword 'class'
Note that this is already implemented for True, False and None:
>>> True = 1
File "<python-input-0>", line 1
True = 1
^^^^
SyntaxError: cannot assign to True
Adding this is a simple grammar change, I have a PR ready.
cc @sobolevn
Has this already been discussed elsewhere?
This is a minor feature, which does not need previous discussion elsewhere
Links to previous discussion of this feature:
No response
Linked PRs
- gh-138888
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