[Tutor] Why is it invalid syntax to have a particular dictionary value as an argument?

[Joel Goldstick]

On Mon, Apr 6, 2015 at 10:54 AM, boB Stepp <robertvstepp at gmail.com> wrote:
> Python 2.7.8 (default, Jun 30 2014, 16:03:49) [MSC v.1500 32 bit
> (Intel)] on win32
> Type "copyright", "credits" or "license()" for more information.
>>>> d = {'n': 'Print me!'}
>>>> d
> {'n': 'Print me!'}
>>>> d['n']
> 'Print me!'
>>>> def func(d['n']):
> SyntaxError: invalid syntax
>>>> def func(d):
>         print d['n']
>
>>>> func(d)
> Print me!
>
> The plain text does not show it, but in the invalid syntax the "[" is
> highlighted red.
>
> Why is it invalid syntax to pass a particular dictionary value in a
> function? Or does it require a different form to do so?
>

Here is another example:

>>> def f(6):
  File "<stdin>", line 1
    def f(6):
          ^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax
>>>

You can't pass a value as a parameter to a  function definition.  You
need to provide a name.  The actual value is supplied when you call
the function

> Thanks!
>
> --
> boB
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-- 
Joel Goldstick
http://joelgoldstick.com