How to Fix the syntax error near unexpected token '(' in Linux When Running C Programs

Encountering a `syntax error near unexpected token '('` while executing a C program in Linux? This guide explains the problem and provides clear, step-by-step instructions to resolve it. --- This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/63222966/ asked by the user 'Vipul Priyadarshi' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/8703195/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/63222995/ provided by the user 'mreff555' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/1499575/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions. Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Running C Program script in Linux gives error: syntax error near unexpected token `(' Also, Content (except music) licensed under CC BY-SA https://meta.stackexchange.com/help/licensing The original Question post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ) license, and the original Answer post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ) license. If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com. --- Understanding the Syntax Error in Your C Program: A Simple Guide When working with C programming on Linux, you might have stumbled upon a common syntax error message: syntax error near unexpected token '('. If you've found yourself in this situation, don't worry; you're not alone! This error can occur for various reasons, often linked to the way the program is run. Let's dive into the problem and learn how to fix it effectively. A Peek at the Error Here's the error message you've likely encountered: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] This message indicates that there’s a misunderstanding by the system regarding how it processes your C program. Let's explore why this happens. The Cause of the Syntax Error The most common cause of this error in Linux is attempting to run a C source file directly without compiling it first. In Linux, scripts are usually executed through a shell, such as Bash, which won't recognize C code written in your .c file unless it has been compiled into an executable format. Key points to consider: C source files (with .c extensions) must be compiled using a C compiler (like gcc) before execution. Directly executing a .c file using a command (like ./script.c) will lead to syntax errors since the shell doesn't understand C syntax. Compiling and Running Your C Program: A Step-By-Step Guide Follow these steps to properly compile and execute your C program and resolve the syntax error: Step 1: Remove Incorrect Shebang (if any) If you have a shebang (# !/bin/bash) at the top of your C file, you should remove it. The shebang is intended for scripts interpreted by the shell, not for compiled languages like C. Step 2: Compile the C Code Use the gcc command to compile your code. Here’s how you can do it: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] In this command: gcc is the C compiler. -o script specifies the name of the output file (in this case, script). script.c is your source code file. Step 3: Run the Compiled Program Once your code is compiled without errors, you can run it by executing: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] This command will execute the compiled binary file named script, and you should see the expected output. Sample C Code for Testing Here’s a simple C program you can use to test the compilation and execution process: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Important Note Make sure to replace script.c with the actual name of your C file when you are compiling. The file must be located in your current working directory or you need to provide the correct path. Conclusion The syntax error near unexpected token '(' error can be easily resolved by compiling your C program correctly before trying to run it. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your program is executed without issues. Happy coding! If you encounter further issues or have questions, feel free to ask for help in forums or support communities.