# Invalid operator error "--"

**URL:** https://discourse.julialang.org/t/invalid-operator-error/76883
**Category:** New to Julia
**Tags:** question, syntax
**Created:** [February 22, 2022, 6:14am UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/invalid-operator-error/76883 "2022-02-22T06:14:44Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![iAnkiit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@iAnkiit](https://discourse.julialang.org/u/iAnkiit)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2022, 6:14am UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/invalid-operator-error/76883/1 "2022-02-22T06:14:44Z")

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![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/julialang/original/3X/a/f/af123e3f1cba5826cd6bbcd09f970c70fd5071b5.png)

I am trying to create a project in a directory. It is showing syntax error.  
I am trying : **`julia --project="GenX"`**

Can someone please help-out ?

Julia 1.7.2 it is

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### Author: ![albheim](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/julialang/user_avatar/discourse.julialang.org/albheim/32/34660_2.png) [@albheim](https://discourse.julialang.org/u/albheim)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2022, 6:23am UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/invalid-operator-error/76883/2 "2022-02-22T06:23:20Z")

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To activate a package you can do `julia>]activate GenX`, or if you want to generate a new package you switch activate for generate.

The syntax you used with `julia --project=...` is for use from a shell when starting julia.

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![iAnkiit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@iAnkiit](https://discourse.julialang.org/u/iAnkiit)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2022, 6:27am UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/invalid-operator-error/76883/3 "2022-02-22T06:27:40Z")

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Tried with shell & worked.  
Thanks.