Syntax clarification for PHP SimpleXML usage

Question

Im referencing the PHP manual but Im getting a syntax error due to the early closing php tag-Obviously Im a newb to php but Im only attempting to assign the xml as a php string. Whats the problem here?

<?php
$xmlstr = <<<XML //Need a clarification on '<<<XML' if possible 
<?xml version='1.0' standalone='yes'?> //This is closing my php script and causing error
<details>
<detail>
    <user>mcgraw</user>
    <dateA>09/11/1973</dateA>
    <inTime>9:00am</inTime>
    <outTime>6:00pm</outTime>
    <hours>9</hours>
    <notes>Monday</notes>
</detail>
<detail>
    <user>simpson</user>
    <dateA>08/23/1983</dateA>
    <inTime>9:00am</inTime>
    <outTime>5:30pm</outTime>
    <hours>8.5</hours>
    <notes>Thursday</notes>
</detail>
</details>
XML;
?>

the only thing signaling the error is syntax highlighting- dreamweaver open and closing php tags are red- the xml heading closing tag is being read as the closing php tag and it is written in red. Is this only a dreamweaver issue? — MCGRAW
– MCGRAW, Commented Oct 2, 2012 at 17:28

Madara's Ghost · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-02 17:11:20Z

3

That is called PHP's Heredoc syntax. It's there to help you mark up strings without worrying about quotes.

A simpler example would be:

$string = <<<STR_END_DELIMITER
This is some string, I can use ' and " freely, and it wouldn't break the string.
I can also use $variables inside, and they'll evaluate.
When I'm done with the string, I'll need to type STR_END_DELIMITER; on a fresh line, without anything else (not even spaces!)
STR_END_DELIMITER;
do_stuff_with_string($string);

See the PHP Manual Entry on Strings for more information.

answered Oct 2, 2012 at 17:11

Madara's Ghost

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5 Comments

MCGRAW Over a year ago

according to the doc my syntax is okay, but im getting an error with CS6 Dreamweaver because the <?xml version='1.0' standalone='yes'?> <----is used as the closing tag to the php script and the code following is not being seen.

Gavin Over a year ago

@mcG73 If the error is a highlighted syntax error in Dreamweaver, rather than an error from php, then it is highly likely that Dreamweaver does not understand the string syntax.

Madara's Ghost Over a year ago

@mcG73: My PHPStorm doesn't throw any such errors, nor does PHP when I run the page.

Gavin Over a year ago

@mcG73 perhaps you could try another editor? PHPStorm IMO is as good as it gets, but there are some reasonable free options: stackoverflow.com/questions/6166/…

MCGRAW Over a year ago

its a dreamweaver specific issue, I just submitted a bug report. Thanks for your help

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