Dependency Check with Liccheck: Why You're Getting "Expected matching RIGHT_PARENTHESIS for LEFT_PARENTHESIS, after version specifier"
Problem: You're trying to perform a license check on your project using liccheck but encounter the error message "Expected matching RIGHT_PARENTHESIS for LEFT_PARENTHESIS, after version specifier". This means liccheck is struggling to parse your dependency declaration, likely because of a syntax issue in your dependency file.
Rephrasing: Imagine you're writing a letter, and you open a parenthesis but never close it. This would be confusing for the reader to understand. Similarly, liccheck needs correctly structured dependency declarations to correctly understand your project's dependencies and their licenses.
Understanding the Error:
The error message "Expected matching RIGHT_PARENTHESIS for LEFT_PARENTHESIS, after version specifier" indicates that liccheck encountered an opening parenthesis (() in your dependency declaration but couldn't find a matching closing parenthesis ()). This usually occurs when specifying a version range for your dependency:
# Example of an incorrect dependency declaration
dependency("com.example:my-library:1.0 (>=2.0, <=3.0)
In the above example, the version specifier (>=2.0, <=3.0) is missing a closing parenthesis.
Resolving the Error:
To fix this error, ensure that each opening parenthesis in your dependency declaration has a matching closing parenthesis.
Here's a breakdown of common scenarios and solutions:
- Incorrect Version Specifier: Check your version specifiers, including those within parentheses, to ensure that each opening parenthesis has a matching closing parenthesis.
- Missing Closing Parenthesis: Carefully review your dependency declaration for any missing closing parentheses, especially after version specifiers.
- Incorrect Syntax: The
licchecktool adheres to specific syntax for dependency declarations. Make sure you're following the correct format for your specific dependency management system (e.g., Maven, Gradle). - Multiple Nested Parentheses: If you have nested parentheses within your version specifier, ensure that they are all properly closed in the correct order.
Example (Gradle):
dependencies {
implementation("com.example:my-library:1.0.0") // Correct
implementation("com.example:my-library:1.0 (>=2.0, <=3.0)") // Incorrect (Missing closing parenthesis)
implementation("com.example:my-library:1.0 (>=2.0, <=3.0)") // Correct
}
Additional Tips:
- Use a Dependency Manager: Use a dependency manager like Maven or Gradle, which will help you with dependency management and ensure correct syntax.
- Consult Documentation: Refer to the
liccheckdocumentation for comprehensive guidance on its syntax and usage. - Run
liccheckwith the-vflag: This will provide more verbose output, which can be helpful in understanding the specific error location and context.
By carefully reviewing your dependency declarations and ensuring correct syntax, you can eliminate the "Expected matching RIGHT_PARENTHESIS for LEFT_PARENTHESIS, after version specifier" error and successfully use liccheck to check your project's licenses.
