Using unicode variable names in Python [duplicate]

Question

I want to use Unicode variable names for writing some math code in Python.

I tried the following

# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
α  = 1
β = 3
print α + β

But I get the error

[~/Desktop]$ python fun.py
  File "fun.py", line 2
    α  = 1
    ^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax

How can I fix this?

@user2357112: does that print α + β not give enough of a hint to that? — Jongware
– Jongware, Commented Nov 16, 2018 at 22:28
In Python 2.7 you can have unicode characters but not unicode names. — Open AI - Opting Out
– Open AI - Opting Out, Commented Nov 16, 2018 at 22:30
@usr2564301: It gives a hint, but only a hint. The same problem could occur on Python 3 with invisible Unicode characters on the alpha line, and parsing wouldn't reach the print. — user2357112
– user2357112, Commented Nov 16, 2018 at 22:30

Amar Nabhani · Accepted Answer · 2018-11-16 22:28:47Z

-2

I don't believe you can.. Special characters (with the exception of the underscore and the dollar sign) aren't allowed in variables

answered Nov 16, 2018 at 22:28

Amar Nabhani

11

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