PRB: Compiler Not Returning Syntax Error on Invalid IF Command

ID: Q115616

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, versions 2.5, 2.5a, 2.5b, 2.6
Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS, versions 2.0, 2.5, 2.5a, 2.5b, 2.6
Microsoft FoxPro for Macintosh, versions 2.5b, 2.5c

SYMPTOMS

When a program containing an invalid IF statement is compiled, the compiler does not produce an error on the invalid IF statement.

CAUSE

If the error in an IF statement occurs after a valid expression, FoxPro will stop compiling at the first erroneous character and ignore the remaining characters on the line of code. This behavior occurs in order to ensure compatibility with xBase standards.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

The following statement will not produce a compiler error, since the extra parenthesis occurs after a valid expression:

   IF (flag = .T.))

The following statement will produce a compiler error, since the error occurs before a valid logical expression has been encountered:

   IF (flag = .T.

Additional reference words: FoxMac FoxDos FoxWin 2.00 2.50 2.50a 2.50b 2.60 2.50c syntax fail erroneous errmsg err msg KBCategory: kbprg kberrmsg kbprb KBSubcategory: FxprgGeneral