What does the term "syntax error" refer to in programming?

A syntax error in programming occurs when the code violates the rules of the programming language. This means there is a mistake in the structure of the code, such as missing brackets, semicolons, or incorrect use of keywords. These errors are caught by the compiler or interpreter during the compilation phase before the program is executed. An example of a syntax error is forgetting to close a parenthesis or misspelling a keyword.