What is a syntax error?

A syntax error refers to a mistake in the code that violates the grammar rules of the programming language. Just like a sentence in English needs to follow specific grammatical rules to make sense, programming languages have their own set of syntax rules that dictate how code must be structured. When these rules are not followed, the programming environment will typically generate a syntax error, which prevents the program from executing until the error is corrected. This type of error is usually identified during the compilation or interpretation of the code, making it crucial for programmers to pay attention to the syntax specific to the language they are using.

The other options pertain to different types of errors that programmers encounter. Logical errors relate to the program's flow and can lead to incorrect outcomes without generating syntax errors. Improper function usage and issues with data types can also lead to runtime errors, which occur when the program is running, whereas syntax errors are caught before execution.