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

Question

I have this linecode

$media = $dc->thumbnail->attributes()['url'];

runs fine on my local (WAMP) php 5.4.3 but when i host it on my server cpanel then it gives this error

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

the php version on my server is 5.2.17

i dnt see any problem with it, please help

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/742764/php-syntax-for-dereferencing-function-result — Pitchinnate, Jul 01 '13 at 18:25

score 20 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 01 '13 at 18:25

20

You need to be running PHP 5.4+ to use shorthand arrays

answered Jul 01 '13 at 18:25

Rob W

$mediaArr = $dc->thumbnail->attributes(); $media = $mediaArr->url[0]; this did it – 1Mayur Jul 01 '13 at 18:48
You can call properties on a chained method in your version if you want to shorten it up: `$mediaArr = $dc->thumbnail->attributes()->url[0]` – Rob W Jul 01 '13 at 18:50

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 01 '13 at 18:56

You can't have a php 5.4.3 and a 5.2.17 with a single WAMP installation, but from your error message, i think you are using the older one.

I guess, you are working with SimplXML. In this case, you should not use that line, anyway:

$media = $dc->thumbnail[0]['url'];

Note: $simpleXMLElement->childrenNodeListByName
& $simpleXMLElement['attributeValueByName']

2 Answers2