Syntax Issue in Python urllib2?

Question

Am trying to test out urllib2. Here's my code:

import urllib2
response = urllib2.urlopen('http://pythonforbeginners.com/')
print response.info()
html = response.read()
response.close()

When I run it, I get:

Syntax Error: invalid syntax. Carrot points to line 3 (the print line). Any idea what's going on here? I'm just trying to follow a tutorial and this is the first thing they do...

Thanks, Mariogs

Just so you know, in most practical situations you will be better off using the requests library instead of the urllib module. That isn't related to the specific issues you're having here, though. — Andrew Gorcester
– Andrew Gorcester, Commented Mar 22, 2014 at 2:07

unutbu · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-22 02:42:02Z

3

In Python3 print is a function. Therefore it needs parentheses around its argument:

print(response.info())

In Python2, print is a statement, and hence does not require parentheses.

After correcting the SyntaxError, as alecxe points out, you'll probably encounter an ImportError next. That is because the Python2 module called urllib2 was renamed to urllib.request in Python3. So you'll need to change it to

import urllib.request as request
response = request.urlopen('http://pythonforbeginners.com/')

As you can see, the tutorial you are reading is meant for Python2. You might want to find a Python3 tutorial or Python3 urllib HOWTO to avoid running into more of these problems.

edited Mar 22, 2014 at 2:42

answered Mar 22, 2014 at 1:58

unutbu

886k197 gold badges1.9k silver badges1.7k bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

6 Comments

alecxe Over a year ago

Then, why doesn't it throw an error on the import line?

unutbu Over a year ago

@alecxe: SyntaxErrors occur before ImportErrors. But you are right, that is probably the next problem to occur.

anon_swe Over a year ago

@alecxe yeah so now I get that import error :) I tried adding parentheses but it says it ImportError: No module named 'urllib2'...ideas?

Hyperboreus Over a year ago

@unutbu I think print is still a statement in python2. (Unless you import the print function from the future).

alecxe Over a year ago

@Mariogs there is no more urllib2 in python 3: see stackoverflow.com/questions/6594620/…

|

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Syntax Issue in Python urllib2?

1 Answer 1

6 Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

6 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related