Why does an Invalid Decimal Literal In Python occur?

Below are some of the reasons by which we can see why this error occurs in Python:

• Decimal Value Containing Letters
• Identifier Starting with a Number

Decimal Value Containing Letters

Python expects decimal literals to consist of numeric characters and a single decimal point. If there are letters within the literal, Python cannot interpret the value correctly.

Output:

ERROR!
File "<string>", line 2
    invalid_decimal = 3.14a
                         ^
SyntaxError: invalid decimal literal

Another example of invalid decimal literal error example.

Output:

ERROR!
File "<string>", line 1
    hour = 9h45
           ^
SyntaxError: invalid decimal literal

Identifier Starting with a Number

Python identifiers, such as variable or function names, cannot start with a number. If a decimal literal is mistakenly used as an identifier and starts with a number, it results in an “Invalid Decimal Literal” error.

Output:

ERROR!
File "<string>", line 2
    123_variable = 5.6
       ^
SyntaxError: invalid decimal literal

Python is a versatile programming language known for its readability and simplicity. However, like any language, it has its quirks and pitfalls. One such issue that developers may encounter is the “Invalid Decimal Literal” error. This error occurs when Python encounters a decimal literal that it cannot interpret correctly. In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind the occurrence of this error and provide solutions to resolve it.