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Colon (':') expected

Velox reports this error when the current grammar requires : but finds another token. A colon separates a declared name from its type, a label from its statement, and a case selector from its branch statement.

Common forms​

var
  Name: string;

procedure DoWork(const Value: Variant);

case Status of
  1: Value := 'Ready';
end;

Example​

This declaration omits the separator between the variable name and type:

var
  Count Integer; // Error: Colon (':') expected

Correct it as follows:

var
  Count: Integer;

A case branch has the same requirement:

1 Value := 'Ready';  // Incorrect
1: Value := 'Ready'; // Correct

How Velox detects it​

The modified PascalScript compiler emits ecColonExpected from numerous declaration, parameter, record, label and case parsing paths. It is not tied to one specific statement. Velox reports the current token position where the colon was required.

Because the parser checks after reading the material to the left of the separator, the highlighted token is often the type name, branch statement or next declaration. An invalid name or missing comma before it can be the true root cause.

Correction procedure​

  1. Determine whether the surrounding construct is a declaration, formal parameter, label or case branch.
  2. Insert : only at the grammar boundary; do not replace assignment := or equality =.
  3. For a list of names sharing one type, use commas before the colon: First, Second: Integer.
  4. Check the preceding name or selector for a missing comma, invalid token or incomplete expression.
  5. Recompile from the earliest diagnostic.

Common causes​

  • Writing Name Type rather than Name: Type.
  • Using := in a declaration.
  • Forgetting : after a case value or label.
  • Omitting a comma between multiple declared names, which shifts the expected colon position.
  • Copying C-style parameter syntax where the type precedes the name.
  • Comma (',') expected — separating names and values within lists.
  • Equals ('=') expected — declaration forms that use equality instead.
  • case..of — selector and branch syntax.

External references​