How can the activation of "short_open_tag" in the php.ini configuration file affect the interpretation of PHP code?

When the "short_open_tag" setting is enabled in the php.ini configuration file, PHP will interpret "<?" as the opening tag for PHP code instead of the standard "<?php". This can lead to compatibility issues with XML declarations or cause syntax errors in PHP code. To ensure portability and consistency, it is recommended to disable the "short_open_tag" setting in the php.ini file.

// To disable short_open_tag in php.ini, set the following:
short_open_tag = Off