# Taciturn yet severe compiler talks 'Syntax Error'

**URL:** <https://discuss.ocaml.org/t/taciturn-yet-severe-compiler-talks-syntax-error/4584>\
**Category:** Learning\
**Created:** [October 25, 2019, 6:53pm UTC](https://discuss.ocaml.org/t/taciturn-yet-severe-compiler-talks-syntax-error/4584 "2019-10-25T18:53:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![milvi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@milvi](https://discuss.ocaml.org/u/milvi)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 6:53pm UTC](https://discuss.ocaml.org/t/taciturn-yet-severe-compiler-talks-syntax-error/4584/1 "2019-10-25T18:53:40Z")

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When the compiler chokes on my errings, It can at times simply say “Syntax Error” .

There’s not a clue , line or anything about types that usually helps. Again, this is not customary but _sometimes_

I am sure you see the same messages .

What is the category of errors that triggers such a blunt message ?

Open question. Is it always feasible to print a useful message ? Maybe writing gibberish is an input that a compiler can’t have an opinion on .

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**Author:** ![yawaramin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.ocaml.org/yawaramin/32/3384_2.png) [@yawaramin](https://discuss.ocaml.org/u/yawaramin)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 7:02pm UTC](https://discuss.ocaml.org/t/taciturn-yet-severe-compiler-talks-syntax-error/4584/2 "2019-10-25T19:02:28Z")

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Hi, you can keep an eye on this ticket to track the effort to fix the ‘Syntax error’ messaging: [https://github.com/ocaml/ocaml/issues/5068](https://github.com/ocaml/ocaml/issues/5068)

Btw, usually there is a line and column number accompanying the syntax error. Could you post your full error output from the compiler, maybe we can help you find it.

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**Author:** ![milvi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@milvi](https://discuss.ocaml.org/u/milvi)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 7:10pm UTC](https://discuss.ocaml.org/t/taciturn-yet-severe-compiler-talks-syntax-error/4584/3 "2019-10-25T19:10:07Z")

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Ha! Thanks indeed, it’s the place to contribute for these ‘Syntax Error’ banners.

In future errors that can’t be thought through for sure 🧐🙂