Parse error: syntax error, unexpected ':', expecting '{' in /var/www/html/library/vendor/symfony/polyfill-php80/bootstrap.php on line 23

[Nyasha-13]

Local Machine
PHP Version 7.4.8
Laravel 7

Live Server
PHP Version 7.2.31

I am getting this error when I move my laravel project to live server .What would be the problem and how can I get around it.

[driesvints]

Are you sure your live server is PHP 7.2?

https://github.com/symfony/polyfill-php80/blob/master/bootstrap.php#L23

The error seems to hint at return types not being supported.

[Nyasha-13]

Yes my live server has PHP 7.2 ,Additionally I have another server running on PHP 7.3 which is also giving me the same error.

SOS!

[CloudyCity]

I have a similar problem when using composer or artisan command but no problem in cgi.

Local Machine
PHP Version 7.4.10
Laravel 7

Live Server
PHP Version 7.2.33

In my case, i specify the php version in command and it work.

$ php7 artisan
$ php7 composer

Make sure your apache/nginx is listening the port of php7.

[Nyasha-13]

I finally fixed it by deploying the Laravel app on fresh server with

• PHP version 7.3.22

I followed the procedures outlined here to install the environment >>
PHP Install
[https://www.cloudbooklet.com/how-to-install-php-7-3-on-ubuntu-18-04/]

Also I installed Apache and mysql

Then configured server to enable .htaccess by adding this to my vhost:
Edited 000-default.conf

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/000-default.conf

Added the following on 000-default.conf whereby public is my public folder in my laravel app

<Directory /var/www/laravel_app_folder_name/public/>
    Options Indexes FollowSymLinks
    AllowOverride All
    Require all granted
</Directory>

Then have mod_rewrite enabled.

sudo a2enmod rewrite

Finally restart apache service;

sudo service apache2 restart

I hope it helps!

[webfuelcode]

Why this happens. I uploaded laravel project on the server where PHP is 7.3

I change it to 7.4 and back to 7.3 and it runs. No matter it is PHP 7.3 or 7.4 but the first setup shows the error and changing and back to the same fixes it...?

[exdon10]

Your laravel version not compatable with your Server
Use composer install --ignore-platform-reqs
--ignore-platform-reqs ignores laravel versoin.