Q: Syntax error from older PHP script Can someone please tell me what the error is in the following script? Was forced to update to php 5.3 instead of 4 and now site is down
<!--form action : <?=//MYSURL_DEV?>properties_features.php-->


A: You should check your php.ini to see if short tags are enabled. They are often disabled by default. As of PHP 5.4 short tags are always on, but not so on PHP 5.3 and lower.
If you're able, in php.ini you'd enable this with:
short_open_tag = On

Be aware thought that in some hosting environments you actually may be prevented from enabling the use of short tags. And even though 5.4 has them always available, they are generally not recommended because of the very issue that you may have encountered: you may move to another environment that doesn't have them enabled (or even allow it).
The alternative is to use:
<?php echo $var; ?>

More info can be found here: Are PHP short tags acceptable to use?
