Error message for the buffer tool

Question

Hi folks
I'm having issues troubleshooting an error message while trying to set my buffer parameters.

The intention is to create a selection criteria on an ArcGIS Map to generate areas that are 1000 feet around any major roads.
I have already defined roads as a variable, and the following is the tool parameter that I'm trying to input, which sets the optional dissolve parameter to ALL , so that overlapping buffers are dissolved:

buffer = arcpy.Buffer_analysis(roads, "in_memory/buffer", "1000 Feet", "", "", "ALL")

Now I keep getting an error message with the word buffer highlighted but I don't know what's wrong. Also, as I type the word buffer in the IDLE screen it turns purple. Does this mean it has some kind of internal definition or something?

ChrisSnyder · Answer

The word 'buffer' is not a keyword in Python. See: http://forums.arcgis.com/threads/4679-Buffer-error?p=21932&viewfull=1#post21932

ShikoNjuno · Answer

I did....and it still takes me back to that error point.
I'm also now calling the variable 'buffer_'.
I guess I need to look at the entire script prior to this point to see if there's syntax that's throwing off the program.
Thanks guys

ChrisSnyder · Answer

Try running the buffer tool without the dissolve "ALL" option:buffer = arcpy.Buffer_analysis(roads, "in_memory/buffer", "1000 Feet")

Does it work?