Counting lines in Python script with code block

Question

I am writing a Python script using ArcPy and the Field Calculator function (code snippet below) and getting the following error message:

ERROR 000989: Python syntax error: Parsing error SyntaxError: invalid syntax (line 1)

Is line 1 the first line of the code block or the line calling the code block?

netYield = """netYield(ISlimit,multiplier,PASSA,compZone):
x = ISlimit / multiplier
if PASSA == 0:
    if compZone == "Office/Commercial":
        if x < 16000:
            return x
        else:
            return 16000
    elif compZone == "Industrial":
        if x < 111000:
            return x
        else:
            return 111000
    else:
        return x
else:
    return x"""

---

calcField(HDC,"NetYieldSQFT","netYield(!IS_limit!,!multiplier!,!PA_SSA!,!Comp_Zone!)", "PYTHON",netYield)

Answer 1

For error purposes, count from the first line of the script that you are trying to run, or a snippet if for example you've copied only part of it into the console.

As BERA commented, the arcpy function is arcpy.CalculateField_management, not calcField (although I'd expect you'd get a different error, such as NameError: name 'calfField' is not defined)

It's possible it's not parsing the codeblock properly due to lack of visible indentation but again I'd expect a different error. Just in case though, follow the example here: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/tool-reference/data-management/calculate-field.htm

EDIT: function definitions need to start with def -- add that in your code block (credit for catching this error: BERA).