.. _syntax-error,-unexpected-token-"private",-expecting-"=":

syntax error, unexpected token "private", expecting "="
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.. meta::
	:description:
		syntax error, unexpected token "private", expecting "=": The name of class constant could not use PHP keywords, such as the visibilities ``private``, ``protected`` and ``public``.
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	:og:title: syntax error, unexpected token "private", expecting "="
	:og:description: The name of class constant could not use PHP keywords, such as the visibilities ``private``, ``protected`` and ``public``
	:og:url: https://php-errors.readthedocs.io/en/latest/messages/syntax-error%2C-unexpected-token-%22private%22%2C-expecting-%22%3D%22.html
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	:twitter:title: syntax error, unexpected token "private", expecting "="
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Description
___________
 
The name of class constant could not use PHP keywords, such as the visibilities ``private``, ``protected`` and ``public``; optiosn such as ``abstract`` or ``final``, until PHP 8.3. Until then, they would generate a parse error. Such names are generally not used, as they easily sow confusion in the code, at definition but also at usage.

Example
_______

.. code-block:: php

   <?php
   
   class X {
       private const string private = 'protected';
   }
   
   ?>

Solutions
_________

+ Use another name for the constant.
+ Upgrade to PHP 8.3 or more recent.

Changed Behavior
________________

This error may appear following an evolution in behavior, in previous versions. See ` <https://php-changed-behaviors.readthedocs.io/en/latest/behavior/.html>`_.