What does this symbol mean in PHP

Question

What does this symbol mean in PHP <?=?

Example usage:

<h2>Manage Role: > (<?= $myACL->getRoleNameFromID($_GET['roleID']); ?>)</h2>

possible duplicate of [What does = mean?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1959256/what-does-mean) — Kevin, Jul 18 '12 at 01:25
possible duplicate of [What does '=' mean in PHP?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2020445/what-does-mean-in-php) — Jürgen Thelen, Jul 20 '12 at 12:07

score 13 · Answer 1 · answered Dec 26 '09 at 17:51

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To add to Mark's answer: The short_tags option must be enabled for the <?= syntax to be valid. This presents a major portability problem when moving to a server that has this option disabled.

See the PHP Manual for more info on short tags

answered Dec 26 '09 at 17:51

Mike B

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Couldn't the user simply call `ini_set('short_open_tag', 1)` to override? Or if short tags are disabled, is the `ini_set` function normally disabled as well? – Doug Neiner Dec 26 '09 at 17:52
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@Doug: actually, by the time the user was allowed to call `ini_set`, the file was already parsed. So it's too late at that point. The best alternative is a directive in `.htaccess` or `httpd.conf` if you can. – gahooa Dec 26 '09 at 17:57
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MikeB, the `short_open_tag` option no longer applies to `=` [as of PHP 5.4](http://docs.php.net/manual/en/migration54.new-features.php). – 0b10011 Jul 18 '12 at 01:20

score 11 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 26 '09 at 17:49

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It's functionally the same as <?php echo $myACL->getRoleNameFromID($_GET['roleID']); ?>

answered Dec 26 '09 at 17:49

Mark Biek

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Although it is important to note that prior to PHP 5.4.0 the short echo syntax only works with the short_open_tag configuration setting enabled, which is off by default. – Jakob Pogulis Mar 30 '13 at 06:37
Is there any execution performance difference between ' – Tushar Kulkarni May 27 '15 at 08:00

score 6 · Answer 3 · edited May 23 '17 at 10:30

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It's the PHP Short Tag equivalent of printing.

From the PHP INI:

Using short tags is discouraged when developing code meant for redistribution ; since short tags may not be supported on the target server.

See "Are PHP Short Tags Acceptable to Use?" on StackOverflow.

edited May 23 '17 at 10:30

Community

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answered Dec 26 '09 at 17:50

Sampson

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score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Dec 26 '09 at 17:50

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The <?= ... > tag says to execute whatever is in ... and output the results.

answered Dec 26 '09 at 17:50

Reverend Gonzo

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What does this symbol mean in PHP

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