Re: I got a syntax error i couldn't find out how to fix

[Trevor Daniels]

Bryant Wood wrote Wednesday, August 11, 2010 11:40 PM


> I am trying to create a file with three separate scores.I have 
> fixed everything that had been incorrect and now when i check the 
> text document that lists the errors in the PDF generating process. 
> and it says:
>
>
> # -*-compilation-*-
> Processing `C:/Users/Bryant/.lilypond-fonts.cache-2/lily pond 
> files/opus 1.ly'
> Parsing...
> C:/Program 
> Files/LilyPond/usr/share/lilypond/current/ly/init.ly:63:62: error: 
> syntax error, unexpected $end
>    (ly:parser-error parser (_ "expected error, but none found"
>                                                               ))))
>
> error: failed files: 
> "C:\\Users\\Bryant\\.lilypond-fonts.cache-2\\lily pond files\\opus 
> 1.ly"
>
>
> I am working with version 2.12.3, in case you need to know.
> I've checked all the documents that are available for download at 
> the LilyPond site, and i cant find anything on how to fix errors.

A new manual in 2.13, the Usage manual, has a section on errors.
It covers exactly your problem in section 1.4 Common errors.
Under Apparent error in ../ly/init.ly it says:

Various obscure error messages may appear about syntax errors in 
../ly/init.ly if the input file is not correctly formed, for 
example, if it does not contain correctly matched braces or quote 
signs.

The most common error is a missing brace, (}), at the end of a score 
block. Here the solution is obvious: check the score block is 
correctly terminated. The correct structure of an input file is 
described in How LilyPond input files work. Using an editor which 
automatically highlights matching brackets and braces is helpful to 
avoid such errors.

A second common cause is no white space between the last syllable of 
a lyrics block and the terminating brace, (}). Without this 
separation the brace is taken to be part of the syllable. It is 
always advisable to ensure there is white space before and after 
every brace. For the importance of this when using lyrics, see 
Lyrics explained.

This error message can also appear if a terminating quote sign, ("), 
is omitted. In this case an accompanying error message should give a 
line number close to the line in error. The mismatched quote will 
usually be on the line one or two above.

> thank you for taking your time to read my question. I'm sorry if 
> my lack of general knowledge of the program has inconvenienced 
> you.

No problem - you're welcome.

Trevor