Issue
When trying to install the current official Gravity Forms plug-in, an error is encountered with a message similar to the following:
Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_STRING, expecting T_OLD_FUNCTION or T_FUNCTION or T_VAR or '}' in ../wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/gravityforms.php on line..
Probable Cause
This error typically occurs because of a PHP version conflict, likely due to your server running an older version of PHP.
Remedy
Update your PHP version (or check with your web host).
Notes
Review the Gravity Forms System Requirements for what we recommend to get the optimal experience when running Gravity Forms.
Although Gravity Forms can operate with some older versions, there are major disadvantages in doing so:
- sub-optimal performance
- you may exclude yourself from receiving support
- testing may not have been done on lesser unsupported versions
- you are exposing yourself to security vulnerabilities
You should update to a more recent version.
Review this php.net notice to see the PHP versions that are officially supported by the vendor, including their “end of active development” and “end of life” dates.