If statements and one line python scripts from command line

Question

Why do I receive a syntax error for the following one liner python code?

python -c \'import re; if True: print \"HELLO\";\'
  File \"\", line 1         


        

Answer 1

You can embed newlines directly in the argument.

$ python -c 'import re
> if True:
>  print "HELLO"
> '