Python If With no commands followed by a Else Syntax error [duplicate]

Question

I'm writing a basic webscraping code, which basically will get the date and title of a post and, if the date >= a date stored in a SQL db and the title != from a title also stored in the DB, then do some stuff.

I'm getting a syntax error when executing it. Here's the code:

for i in web_results:
    py_newsdate = datetime.strptime(i.find('div', attrs={'class': "infoItem"}).find_all('p')[0].getText()[6:], '%d/%m/%Y')
    py_newstitle = i.find('h3').find('a')['title'] 

    if (py_newsdate < sql_latest[0][0] or py_newstitle == sql_latest[0][1]):
    else:
        py_newslink = i.find('h3').find('a')['href'] 
        web_results_final.append([py_newsdate, py_newstitle, py_newslink])

print(web_results_final)

And here's the error:

  File "searcher", line 37
    else:
       ^
IndentationError: expected an indented block

I know the blocks have to be properly idented, but I'm thinking the problem may be on this "empty" if.

Thanks.

There's no code in your if block. Add at least a comment line or pass! — Klaus D.
– Klaus D., Commented Apr 15, 2018 at 5:14
See docs.python.org/2/tutorial/controlflow.html#pass-statements — Selcuk
– Selcuk, Commented Apr 15, 2018 at 5:15

cwallenpoole · Accepted Answer · 2018-04-15 05:15:48Z

2

Blocks need to be followed by something. If you have a block you intend to leave empty, then use the pass statement:

if (py_newsdate < sql_latest[0][0] or py_newstitle == sql_latest[0][1]):
    pass
else:
    py_newslink = i.find('h3').find('a')['href'] 
    web_results_final.append([py_newsdate, py_newstitle, py_newslink])

This is true whether you are trying to write the block inline or on multiple lines:

if 0: pass
else: print(2)

Note: you have to have a new line for an else block. This will not work:

if 0: pass; else: print(2)

answered Apr 15, 2018 at 5:15

cwallenpoole

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Comments

tdelaney · Accepted Answer · 2018-04-15 05:38:00Z

1

It will be more efficient if you use,

if not (py_newsdate < sql_latest[0][0] or py_newstitle == sql_latest[0][1]):
    py_newslink = i.find('h3').find('a')['href'] 
    web_results_final.append([py_newsdate, py_newstitle, py_newslink])

edited Apr 15, 2018 at 5:38

tdelaney

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answered Apr 15, 2018 at 5:19

Anmol Kumar

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