Should I Avoid the PHP Closing Tag?

Avoiding the PHP Closing Tag: A Comprehensive Analysis

The PHP closing tag (?>) has been a subject of debate regarding its inclusion at the end of PHP files. While some advocate for its use, others argue that it should be omitted. This article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the reasons why one might choose to skip the closing tag.

Historical Reasoning

In the early days of PHP, the closing tag was required to prevent conflicts with HTML code that might accidentally end up in PHP scripts. However, with modern PHP versions and output buffering enabled by default, this concern is no longer significant.

Modern Benefits

Omitting the closing tag offers several advantages, including:

• Consistency with Best Practices: Major PHP frameworks and coding standards, such as Symfony, Zend, and Laravel, recommend avoiding the closing tag.
• Avoidance of Output Problems: Line endings after the closing tag can cause unexpected issues, such as AJAX responses containing invalid characters and file download interruptions.
• Error Prevention: Unintentional errors, such as whitespace or line endings, can lead to unexpected functionality loss or HTTP header conflicts.
• Simplified Coding: Omitting the closing tag streamlines the coding process, reducing the likelihood of syntax errors.

Potential Drawbacks

While using the closing tag has certain disadvantages, it's important to note that omitting it can also have potential consequences:

• Server Configuration Reliance: Output buffering may not be enabled on all production servers, which can lead to header issues.
• Function Loss: Errors or excess line endings can disrupt specific functions, such as payment processing or redirection.

Conclusion

Based on the above analysis, there are several compelling reasons to consider omitting the PHP closing tag. It aligns with modern best practices, helps avoid unexpected output problems, prevents errors, and simplifies coding. While omitting the closing tag may occasionally lead to issues on specific servers or with certain configurations, these drawbacks can be mitigated by ensuring proper server settings and careful code development. Therefore, it is generally recommended to follow the industry standard and omit the closing tag whenever possible.

The above is the detailed content of Should I Avoid the PHP Closing Tag?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!