Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '[', expecting ')' [duplicate]

Question

Am running PHP Version 5.2.17 i got this error on below code

        // member information
        $json = json_encode([
            'email_address' => $email,
            'status'        => '',
        ]);

Am stuck don't know what wrong with my code, any help is appreciated

Thanks, but am little new to PHP stuff, how do i replace that code to higher version? — Marshall Unduemi Josiah
– Marshall Unduemi Josiah, Commented Dec 31, 2016 at 20:21
Instead of [ use array( and for the closing use ). php.net/manual/en/function.array.php — chris85
– chris85, Commented Dec 31, 2016 at 20:22
Please upgrade your version of PHP to a modern version... PHP5 is end of life now, and PHP 7.1 is the current latest version — Mark Baker
– Mark Baker, Commented Dec 31, 2016 at 20:26
Thanks, just tried below answers and it work for me like magic — Marshall Unduemi Josiah
– Marshall Unduemi Josiah, Commented Dec 31, 2016 at 20:49

ArtisticPhoenix · Accepted Answer · 2016-12-31 20:25:30Z

0

You cant use short array syntax [] in PHP < 5.4

So you have to do it the old way array( )

For your specific case just change it to this

    $json = json_encode(array(
        'email_address' => $email,
        'status'        => '',
    ));

answered Dec 31, 2016 at 20:24

ArtisticPhoenix

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3 Comments

@chris85 - TBH I'm not sure how to, lol

NM- figured it out... learn something new every day.

Under the tags you should have a close link on the question. stackoverflow.com/help/privileges/close-questions

chris85 · Accepted Answer · 2016-12-31 21:12:04Z

0

I think your syntax is not valid anymore. Try this:

$arr = array('email_address' => $email, 'status' => '');
$json = json_encode($arr);

chris85

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answered Dec 31, 2016 at 20:25

Stefan Dacey

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