Truffle: ParserError: Expected identifier, got 'LParen' for constructor parameters

[roschler]

• [ ] I've asked for help in the Truffle Gitter before filing this issue.

I have not asked for help yet as this requires a detailed breakdown of the problem.

I am referencing this similar issue but please note, I believe it's due to a different cause than the one hypothesized in the issue linked to below, which indicates that it was due to a "stale" copy of _solc_ existing on the user's station. I executed the same steps suggested to the user and it did _not_ solve my problem. I believe that my issue (assumption, not confirmed) has to due with my use of the new "compiler" section available with Truffle 5.0 beta to use an older compiler. I believe that Truffle _is_ using the older compile because since I added the "compiler" section with version "0.4.21" it no longer throws errors for addresses not marked as _payable_, a 5.0 specific error, even though it prints out a message indicating the 5.0 compiler is in use:

https://github.com/trufflesuite/truffle/issues/906

Here is the error I am getting since I upgraded to Truffle 5.0:

Error parsing /home/robert/Documents/GitHub/ME/ether-band-battles-work/solidity/contracts/Migrations.sol: ParsedContract.sol:7:14: ParserError: Expected identifier, got 'LParen'
  constructor() public {
             ^
Compilation failed. See above.

Truffle v5.0.0-beta.2 (core: 5.0.0-beta.2)
Solidity v0.5.0 (solc-js)
Node v8.11.1

How can I fix this? Here is the relevant section of my Truffle js file:

  compilers: {
     solc: {
       version: "0.4.21"
     }
  },
  /** Added solidity optimize in attempt to combat out of gas errors during migrates to Ganache. **/
  solc: {
    optimizer: {
      enabled: true,
      runs: 200
    }
  } 

Note, if I am correct in my analysis, this also indicates that Truffle should print out the version of _solc_ actually being used, as per the directive in Truffle.js, instead of simply printing out v0.5.0 as it appears to be doing now.

[eggplantzzz]

Hey @roschler, Is the code you are working with available anywhere?

[barrard]

Your truffle.js file has solc set to a version that didn't support constructor functions.
Try and bump it up to 0.4.22

[gnidan]

This looks like not a bug, but it looks like something that could be handled much better. Leaving this open to track improving error handling in situations like this. Thanks!

[marxxt]

Check if one of your vs Code plugin is "Solidity Extended" by beaugunderson and disable it.