Parsing Error: Unexpected Token [3 Steps to Fix it]

The Parsing error unexpected token usually occurs when there is an incompatibility between the parser option and the code. However, in writing JavaScript, developers do come across this error.

This error happens when the development environment is incompatible with the parser’s capabilities. First, we’ll go through the causes of this error and how it often occurs.

As we go further into this article, we’ll guide you through some fixes for the parsing error unexpected token.

What causes the parsing error unexpected token?

When writing a JavaScript application, you can get the error because a specific syntax is missing or added to your code. However, the unexpected token mistake notifies you that JavaScript expects a kind of arrangement in the code you’re writing. An example of what the parsing error unexpected token looks like is:

Nonetheless, you must understand that this error can occur because of different things. JavaScript has expectations.

So, you must know what JavaScript rules and expectations are. Then, it will help you decipher where the issue is.

How can I fix the parsing error unexpected token?

1. Specify the parser you’re using

For ESLint users, you have to specify the parser for ESLint. It is essential because the parser will be able to generate compatible JavaScript syntax that ESLint can read.

A Parser like babel-eslint will be suitable for ESLint. It is because ESLint is not compatible with modern JavaScript syntax. So, you need to specify the parser to use for your configuration.

In the example above, the parser is specific, so ESLint will be able to know what to use. Furthermore, by doing this, you won’t get the parsing error unexpected token ESLint typescript again.

2. Check if your punctuation is incorrect

JavaScript has its syntax, and you must follow the rules that guide it. For example, omitting necessary or adding unknown punctuation marks in your coding will prompt the error.

So, to fix the unexpected token problem, go through your codes for punctuation errors. Punctuation marks like parenthesis and commas must be proper in your coding. If not, JavaScript won’t recognize it and won’t be able to parse it.

In the code above, JavaScript can’t parse it because it expects the parenthesis { to be closed.

3. Check for typos

As said earlier, JavaScript has its syntax. So, its parsers expect every token and symbol to be in a specific order before they can read them.

However, trace your coding to know where the error is from and correct it. Code editors can help you edit your syntax, even before the parser detects it.

It is essential to know the rules of JavaScript syntax and their uses in detail. Then, following the guidelines above, you can fix the parsing error and unexpected token problem.

There are other JavaScript errors that you can come across; visit our page to learn more.