title: leading zeros in python
body: <p>Python seems to be able to accept leading zeros for any number except 08 or 09.  For instance,</p>
  
  <pre><code>a = 04
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>works in the interpreter but </p>
  
  <pre><code>a = 08
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>returns</p>
  
  <pre><code>SyntaxError: invalid token
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I'm using python 2.7.3 on OSX, and others have been able to duplicate the error.  What gives?</p>