python / python/cpython

Assigning to a keyword generates unclear SyntaxError message

Open
#138,885 0 comments 1 reaction 1 assignee View on GitHub

@StanFromIreland is already working on this.

Since Sep 14, 2025.

interpreter-core topic-parser type-feature
Dominant language
Python
Stars
77.2k
Forks
35.9k
PR merge metrics
PR metrics pending

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

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Assessment

This issue has not been assessed yet.

Get new issues in your inbox

A short digest of beginner-friendly GitHub issues.