PHP Short Tags

Absolution · 10-27-2011, 07:00 PM

I use short tags in my code often because they are quite convenient. However it seems that the developers of PHP don't really like them and are considering removing them. Here is a good discussion on the matter:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2...eptable-to-use

For purely philosophical reasons I try to obey strict xhtml when I format webpages. But I am unsure of the major philosophy behind short tag removal. Does anyone here have any opinions on the subject?

DHDdirect · 10-27-2011, 07:26 PM

I'm pretty sure I have read that ages ago.

Never really made much since to me anyway, it's not like it's short hand that spans throughout the whole spectrum of code so you are only talking a handful of bits worth of data saved anyway.

So in other words it's pointless, hence it's eventual removal.

Absolution · 10-27-2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHDdirect

I'm pretty sure I have read that ages ago.

Never really made much since to me anyway, it's not like it's short hand that spans throughout the whole spectrum of code so you are only talking a handful of bits worth of data saved anyway.

So in other words it's pointless, hence it's eventual removal.

True, philosophically it tends to be better to get things done with a simple set of tools in combination, rather than a complex set of tools. Especially if the added tool yields no new information.

MarkR · 11-04-2011, 01:00 PM

If you've ever ported a website from a host that allows them to a host that does not then you realise the faff involved when making the website compliant.

It's safer just to use <?php just to be sure, 3 characters for the sake of compliance!

Absolution · 11-06-2011, 11:52 PM

Thanks for your comments! Philosophically they dont seem needed in the programming code. I think in the future I will do without them.

n1c0_ds · 11-08-2011, 04:40 PM

It's mostly because of portability issues. I don't use them, but they are really useful for inline PHP since it maintains readability.

MarkR · 11-15-2011, 04:39 PM

The worst part is if short tags are disabled on a configuration where they were previously allowed the server will sometimes output the script to the user as plain text. Never an ideal scenario.

Absolution · 11-15-2011, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkR

The worst part is if short tags are disabled on a configuration where they were previously allowed the server will sometimes output the script to the user as plain text. Never an ideal scenario.

I noticed that when I installed PHP on an apache server, definitely not a secure situation!

computerGeek · 11-25-2011, 02:55 PM

I really haven't grasped fully what you mean by short tags.

10-27-2011, 07:00 PM	#1
Absolution Silver Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 163	PHP Short Tags I use short tags in my code often because they are quite convenient. However it seems that the developers of PHP don't really like them and are considering removing them. Here is a good discussion on the matter: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2...eptable-to-use For purely philosophical reasons I try to obey strict xhtml when I format webpages. But I am unsure of the major philosophy behind short tag removal. Does anyone here have any opinions on the subject? __________________ http://www.skepticize.me

10-27-2011, 07:26 PM	#2
DHDdirect Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 369	I'm pretty sure I have read that ages ago. Never really made much since to me anyway, it's not like it's short hand that spans throughout the whole spectrum of code so you are only talking a handful of bits worth of data saved anyway. So in other words it's pointless, hence it's eventual removal. Absolution likes this. __________________ Jason H. DHDdirect.com Domains - Hosting - Design

11-04-2011, 01:00 PM	#4
MarkR Silver Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 100	If you've ever ported a website from a host that allows them to a host that does not then you realise the faff involved when making the website compliant. It's safer just to use <?php just to be sure, 3 characters for the sake of compliance! Absolution likes this. __________________ Mark R Wubbleyou - Web Design Newcastle A professional web design agency based in Newcastle upon Tyne servicing clients based throughout the U.K. Home spray tan machine - Landlord Reviews

11-06-2011, 11:52 PM	#5
Absolution Silver Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 163	Thanks for your comments! Philosophically they dont seem needed in the programming code. I think in the future I will do without them. __________________ http://www.skepticize.me

11-08-2011, 04:40 PM	#6
n1c0_ds Bronze Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Granby, Québec Posts: 55	It's mostly because of portability issues. I don't use them, but they are really useful for inline PHP since it maintains readability. __________________ Nicolas Bouliane Web designer/developer in Granby, Québec

11-15-2011, 04:39 PM	#7
MarkR Silver Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 100	The worst part is if short tags are disabled on a configuration where they were previously allowed the server will sometimes output the script to the user as plain text. Never an ideal scenario. __________________ Mark R Wubbleyou - Web Design Newcastle A professional web design agency based in Newcastle upon Tyne servicing clients based throughout the U.K. Home spray tan machine - Landlord Reviews

11-25-2011, 02:55 PM	#9
computerGeek Silver Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 231	I really haven't grasped fully what you mean by short tags. __________________ Custom Web Design for Businesses

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