syntax error: non-declaration statement outside function body error - golang

syntax error: non-declaration statement outside function body

This error usually occurs when a shorthand declaration of a variable ( using := ) is used outside the body of a function. In golang, shorthand declaration of a variable can be only used inside a function body.

An example of the wrong way of declaring a variable outside a function is :

package main

import "fmt"

x := "bugz golang" // cause of the syntax error

func main(){
        fmt.Println(x)
}

Correct ways of declaring a variable oustide a function in golang

Other ways of declaring variables can be used instead of the shorthand declaration, if you want to declare variables outside a function ( global variables ).

var x string = "bugz golang"

OR

var x = "bugz golang"

INSTEAD OF

x := "bugz golang"

Other possible causes of the error

A mistake in the declaration of a function can also cause this error. For example :

package main

import "fmt"

var x = "bugz golang"

function main(){ // "function" used instead of "func"
        fmt.Println(x)
}

In the code above, function is used in the declaration of the main function, instead of the keyword func, which causes the error.

Correct way of declaring a function

The syntax of the correct way of declaring a function is :

func function_name(){
        ...
}

In the above code:
func is the keyword which is used to declare functions in golang.
function_name is the name of the function.