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A syntax error is a mistake in a computer program's code that violates the rules of the programming language's grammar, preventing the program from being compiled or run. These are like spelling or grammatical errors in a human language, and they can include things like missing punctuation, incorrect use of keywords, or unbalanced brackets.

How it happens

Grammar violation: Every programming language has a set of rules for how code must be structured, which is known as its syntax.

Compiler/interpreter error: When a computer's compiler or interpreter encounters a statement that doesn't follow these rules, it flags it as a syntax error.

Program failure: The program will not run at all until the syntax error is corrected.

Examples of syntax errors

Missing punctuation: Forgetting a semicolon at the end of a statement in languages like Java.

Unbalanced parentheses: Using an opening parenthesis without a corresponding closing one.

Mismatched quotes: Forgetting to close a quotation mark for a text string.

Incorrect keywords: Misspelling a command, such as writing publc instead of public.

Indentation errors: Incorrectly using spaces or tabs to structure code blocks in languages like Python.