Close Tag

PHP commands are placed between the PHP tags : <?php and ?>. The second tag is called the closing tag.

Closing tag allow to finish a PHP tag, and switch back to non-interpreted code. The text following the closing tag is then display raw, until the next PHP tag.

When a file online contains PHP code, the closing tag is not necessary. Its absence even prevents the accidental adding of white space, which create output errors.

<?php
// here, PHP code

// the closing tag
?>Here, raw text, always displayed
<?php
// more PHP code

// No final closing tag

Documentation

See also You shouldn’t use PHP Closing Tags, Should You Close PHP Tags? The Debate Continues…

Related : Open Tag, Short Tags