The short tag '<?' or the long tag '<?php' ?

[NathanKP]

Is it better to use the short PHP tag "<?" or the long PHP tag "<?php"?  I've seen both used quite extensively, but I noticed that web hosts have to enable the short tag in php.ini.  Is the short tag usually supported by web hosts, or should I use the long tag to be on the safe side?

NathanKP

[codenaught]

I would definitely recommend using <?php. I've never had problems with it, but I will tell you I have had problems using the <? tag before.

[NathanKP]

Okay, thanks!

NathanKP

[mindphp]

I would definitely recommend using <?php. I've never had problems with it, but I will tell you I have had problems using the <? tag before.

if you use <?
php.ini --->short_opentag=On

[vBulletin]

if you use <?
php.ini --->short_opentag=On

Thank you, mindphp.

[A12]

I only ever use <?php for compatibility reasons, as not every server has short tags enabled(a.k.a what mindphp said lol...).

[mindphp]

I mean config of php

[MF30]

I would definitely recommend using <?php. I've never had problems with it, but I will tell you I have had problems using the <? tag before.

Ty.