Editable Content Syntax Error

[slymudbug]

Hello

I am working on making editable content on a website and it keeps showing me an error: Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '[' in /home/54/48/1014854/web/editablecontentadmin.php on line 43

The link to the page with the error: http://www.qliteradio.com/login.html

If it's supposed to be .php, you can change the end to .php and pulls the same error. I am unsure what this is referring to as I rarely to never deal with any type of coding or backend things normally. I think I know which file it's referring to but I don't see the error it's talking about when I look at line 43.

As far as I know, the server supports .php because the website that's being replaced had elements that used it and they worked. Several elements, in fact. The editable content is found on the pages Morning Show and Community Events, and the linked page is the admin for them.

I think I know which file this is referring to, and if I'm right, then I don't see this error in the code.

[BaconFries]

What does the error log say? and what version of php is your server running?

[slymudbug]

How do I check the error log and how do I check the version? It should be the most recent version, though. Like I said, the previous website had many php elements and they all worked fine, so that's why I am assuming it's the latest version.

[Pablo]

To be able yo help you, I need to know your exact settings.

Because the software has thousands of option and millions of possible combinations.

[slymudbug]

Here's the github link: https://github.com/slymudbug/Demo

The pages dealing with the editable content is login, morning show, and community events. I left the contact us page because of another forum question I posted about something else.

[Pablo]

I do not see any errors in the code.

Are you sure you have a recent version of PHP on the server?
You will need at least PHP 5.4.

[BaconFries]

how do I check the version?

You will need to ask your hosting provider.

It should be the most recent version, though.

As previously only your host will know.

Like I said, the previous website had many php elements and they all worked fine, so that's why I am assuming it's the latest version.

Just because they previously worked doesn't mean that your server is running the latest version. It could be that they work because they use a older version. The most recent release being PHP 8.4.8, available as of August 28, 2025.

Please see the following: PHP version compatibility

[slymudbug]

The server is running PHP version 7.4.16.

[Pablo]

The script should run without any issues on PHP 7.4
The error does not make any sense in this context. Are you sure it's PHP 7.4?

[slymudbug]

Yes. I personally checked the version. The server uses SSH and FTP and they require that users connect to the SSH and check that before contacting them. It showed it was running PHP 7.4.16. I am currently at work and my laptop is at home, so I am unable to run another check to screenshot it. Honestly, I am far more familiar with SSH and Linux systems in general than anything in web design as that was my focus in school, so I am fairly confident the version is correct.

[slymudbug]

Also, as a side note, the server is not in my name but, rather, the client's name. They know little to nothing about how to do anything aside from paying their bill, and I work longer hours than their business is open, so I am generally unable to be with the server owner to contact the hosting company. I don't know if it's still the case as my late father was the last to handle things for this person and it has been about three or four years since anything was done, but at the time the company wouldn't discuss anything about the server without the account holder present. Checking using SSH was faster and easier then directly contacting the company for me.

[Pablo]

I doubt that error is directly related to the software. In my opinion, the code is correct and the error is incorrect, unless the server has an old version of PHP.

[slymudbug]

What would you recommend?

[BaconFries]

So without actually having access to your clients server account you cannot say what version it is running. As you will probably be aware when using the php -v command to show what version of php that it may not actually necessarily be the one that runs on the hosted site.
This is because there may be more than one version (older) on the server installed and the php -v only shows the interface (CLI) version or the default.

.

[BaconFries]

What would you recommend?

Then it would be best to contact your client and get permission to access there hosting account or get them to contact and ask what version of php it us running and if at all update to the latest version and what costs if any.

[slymudbug]

This is true and I forgot just how much of an issue leaving older versions of things can be, to be honest. I will see if I can email their support team and get something done that way. If I can't, I will do that. Thank you

[BaconFries]

Just curious your father he wasn't forum member Smee by any chance? apologies in advance as I don't want to be upsetting you by asking...

[slymudbug]

You're fine. Yes, he was.

[AliGW]

I wonder if that's the same Smee who used to post on the old Serif forums?

[slymudbug]

Yes. I believe he also helped to moderate their forums, and then he started using this software. Basically, if you have interacted with someone named smee on a forum related to websites, it was likely my father. He passed away in February 2022.

[BaconFries]

OK I am sorry for your loss. I asked because he had asked for help previously with the site you are having issues with qlite99 which I remember was at onetime WP. Anyway as mentioned try to make contact with the client or host to find out what version of php running as it may be the issue of a other version.

[slymudbug]

Ah that makes sense, I was wondering. Thank you. I wasn't aware he had asked about this particular one here before as I was only aware of him working on it in the Serif program.

I just emailed their support for now, and I will try to call them if this doesn't work.

[AliGW]

I am sorry for your loss. Yes, I interacted with him on the old Serif forums. I was an avid user of WebPlus, too, as well as PagePlus. I have now moved over to Affinity Publisher for DTP work and here (using WWB) for web work.

[BaconFries]

Now if you have have access to the server you could try this piece of code add the following to a text file rename to
phpinfo.php upload to the root then in your browser type the url of your site http://www.qliteradio.com/phpinfo.php and this should return the version. Once tested please remove.

Code: Select all

<?php
phpinfo();
?>

[slymudbug]

I will likely do that when I get home and have access to my laptop, especially seeing as how the support rep only responded to my email with the offer to downgrade the server's PHP version to 5.4 from 7.4 and did not answer any of the questions I asked...

[BaconFries]

with the offer to downgrade the server's PHP version to 5.4 from 7.4

Then if you do this then you will not be able to use many if not at al of the php scripts
"All built-in scripts have been tested with PHP 7.x and 8.x."
viewtopic.php?t=87048

[slymudbug]

Update:

I managed to speak to someone via live chat about the server. This person actually paid attention to what I was requesting and updated the server to PHP 8.0 and removed all older versions. The content is working well.

Thank you guys so much for your assistance and patience. It is very much appreciated!

[Pablo]

I’m glad to hear that it’s working properly now.