Error

A PHP parse error returns, citing an "unexpected $".  Because this is a parse error, the PHP script does not run to any extent.

Solution

This error almost always results in a missing bracket somewhere.  Check your code carefully for missing brackets.  Using a PHP IDE can be useful for checking brackets that are not closed.  Brackets that span multiple PHP sections can be the trickiest to miss.  For instance:

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<?php
$x = 3;
if($x == 3){
?>
 
<a href="http://www.thetechrepo.com">The Tech Repo rules!</a>
 
<?php
}	//CLOSING BRACKET -- EASY TO MISS
?>

It can be easy to forget the trailing bracket when html is placed in between two PHP brackets.  Fix the bracket problem, and this parse error should go away.