Dreamweaver seems to report valid PHP code as a syntax error

Forum|Forum|9 months ago
April 27, 2025
2 replies
745 views

In Dreamweaver, I have the following function:

This function, and the whole file that contains it, runs without error on my server, so I believe it is valid PHP code.

However, Dreamweaver is displaying errors, claiming there is a syntax problem.

I believe the syntax I'm using is valid since PHP version 7 or 8. Dreamweaver seems to only reference PHP 5.6 or 7.1. I have selected for Dreamweaver to reference PHP 7.1, but this has not made a difference.

Why is Dreamweaver marking my code as incorrect? Is the PHP in some way non-standard, even though it works? Or is this a limitation of Dreamweaver?

Correct answer Ben M

This is a limitation of DW. Currently it is in minimal maintenance mode only receiving critical updates and hasn't been getting updated with PHP as the current version is 8.4. If you need to recommend a code editor, you could use VS Code or Nova (Mac only) as a more advanced editor.

Nancy OShea

Community Expert

Use a PHP IDE that's in active development alongside Dreamweaver.

PHP Storm by JetBrains offers a 30-day free trial.

https://www.jetbrains.com/phpstorm/

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

B

Ben M

Correct answer

Community Expert

This is a limitation of DW. Currently it is in minimal maintenance mode only receiving critical updates and hasn't been getting updated with PHP as the current version is 8.4. If you need to recommend a code editor, you could use VS Code or Nova (Mac only) as a more advanced editor.