T_STRING error on line that just says <?php

Question

So I'm writing a script in codeigniter, and I get the following error message:

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_STRING in /home/globalar/public_html/givinghusband.com/system/application/controllers/sizes.php on line 1

the only problem: the only thing on that line is this:

<?php

So I'm quite mysterified as to what's going on here? Have I typed PHP wrong or what?

Answer 1

There could be a problem with your editor when it updated the file. I just had this problem and the editor removed all line breaks.

If you are uncertain try opening your php file in another editor or use the Cpanel file manager to take a peak.

Answer 2

Or you may have an unterminated quote or statement on some previous line without an ending semicolon (;) . Check all files that are included before this one.

Answer 3

a bare <?php in the file leads to a parse error in php (don't ask). Try adding a whitespace or a newline after it