Uncaught SyntaxError: Unexpected token < 错误信息

Question

I am trying to find the solution for the error: Uncaught SyntaxError: Unexpected token <

From googling, I found that its about code error. So, I went to look at the line it is causing the error.

<?
$file = file_get_contents('js/book.js', true);
echo $file;
?>

This code used to work, however, after we cleaned the server, we are coming across this issue.

So what I tried

<?php 
$file = file_get_contents('js/book.js', true);
echo $file;
?>

and that causes a new error HTTP ERROR 500 .

I am extremely confused on how php can even start as <? and not the usual way of <?php

Is there any point that I have to look out for?

Answer 1

I found out the reason, it is because of my php version. Had to upgrade it. Also, had to change the php code of connecting to the database.