Which term describes a syntax error?

Which term describes a syntax error?

• A. Exponential function
• B. Control structure
• C. Quadratic
• D. Syntax error

Answer: (D)

A syntax error is when code doesn’t follow the language’s grammar, so the compiler or interpreter can’t understand the structure of the program. It happens when the written syntax violates the rules—like a missing semicolon, a mismatched brace, or incorrect punctuation—preventing the code from being parsed at all. The other terms aren’t about errors in code: an exponential function is a math concept describing growth, a control structure is a programming construct that guides execution flow, and a quadratic refers to a degree-two equation. So the term that describes the error in the code’s grammar is syntax error.

A syntax error is when code doesn’t follow the language’s grammar, so the compiler or interpreter can’t understand the structure of the program. It happens when the written syntax violates the rules—like a missing semicolon, a mismatched brace, or incorrect punctuation—preventing the code from being parsed at all. The other terms aren’t about errors in code: an exponential function is a math concept describing growth, a control structure is a programming construct that guides execution flow, and a quadratic refers to a degree-two equation. So the term that describes the error in the code’s grammar is syntax error.