What type of error is identified at a program's compilation?

A syntax error is identified at a program's compilation because it involves violations of the rules of the programming language, such as incorrect punctuation, misspelled keywords, or improperly structured statements. The compiler checks the code for these kinds of errors before the program is run. If a syntax error is present, the code cannot be compiled into an executable format, and the programmer is often provided with specific error messages that indicate the location and nature of the mistakes.

This is distinct from runtime errors, which occur when the program is running and often stem from logical flow issues or the misuse of resources. Logical errors, on the other hand, are mistakes in the algorithm or logic that lead to incorrect results despite the program running without crashing. While formatting errors can refer to issues with how code is presented, they typically do not prevent compilation unless they also cause syntax errors. Thus, syntax errors uniquely address the compilation stage of programming.