Answers.Body: <p>As PHP develops, some code that used to work in older versions fails in newer versions.  The CiviCRM code gets updated to accommodate those changes - but obviously if you don't upgrade you don't get those fixes.</p>
  
  <p>Your fix is to downgrade the version of PHP, then upgrade CiviCRM, then upgrade PHP again.  You can find a table of supported PHP vs CiviCRM versions in the <a href="https://docs.civicrm.org/sysadmin/en/latest/requirements/#php-version" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Administration Guide</a> </p>
  
  <p>If you need help upgrading see <a href="https://civicrm.org/partners-contributors" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Find an Expert</a>  (including me!)</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2018-05-09T19:42:28.410Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2018-05-09T19:42:28.410Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Aidan
Answers.Body: <p>Chris (OP) here. I opted to go with a fresh site, latest version install (PHP 7.1, WP 7.9.6, CiviCRM 5.1.2). Cron still not functioning, so I decided to go with Easycron rather than waste more days of my life. Thanks for your input though guys :)</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2018-05-24T16:27:22.740Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2018-05-24T16:27:22.740Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: user6052
Answers.Body: <p>The problem is a library included in CiviCRM doesn't work with your new PHP version.</p>
  
  <p>I expect you may be able to successfully upgrade Civi without first downgrading PHP, so try that. If you get errors, then follow @Aidan's advice and downgrade PHP, upgrade CiviCRM, then upgrade PHP again. </p>
  
  <p>Note that you can often install a second version of PHP on the same system and switch between them.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2018-05-24T09:54:53.127Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2018-05-24T09:54:53.127Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Joe Murray
Body: <p>I'm running CiviCRM 4.5.5, Having recently upgraded to WordPress 4.9.5 and PHP 5.6 (mailing was flawless just prior to this). Latest scheduled mailing failed to initiate, and a URL method test of cron.php generated the following error:</p>
  
  <p>Parse error: syntax error, unexpected 'clone' (T_CLONE), expecting '(' in /.../wp-content/plugins/civicrm/civicrm/packages/DB/DataObject.php(207) : eval()'d code on line 1</p>
  
  <p>Is there any simple way to fix this? (After the time it took to set CiviCRM up several years ago, I'm reluctant to upgrade--I'm a volunteer, not a tech.)</p>
  
Tags: <php><cron>
Title: Cron breaks after upgrading PHP
ThreadText: # Cron breaks after upgrading PHP
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2018-05-09)
  
  I'm running CiviCRM 4.5.5, Having recently upgraded to WordPress 4.9.5 and PHP 5.6 (mailing was flawless just prior to this). Latest scheduled mailing failed to initiate, and a URL method test of cron.php generated the following error:
  
  Parse error: syntax error, unexpected 'clone' (T\_CLONE), expecting '(' in /.../wp-content/plugins/civicrm/civicrm/packages/DB/DataObject.php(207) : eval()'d code on line 1
  
  Is there any simple way to fix this? (After the time it took to set CiviCRM up several years ago, I'm reluctant to upgrade--I'm a volunteer, not a tech.)
  
  **Tags:** php, cron
  
  
  ---
  
  ## 3 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2018-05-09. Score: 4
  
  As PHP develops, some code that used to work in older versions fails in newer versions. The CiviCRM code gets updated to accommodate those changes - but obviously if you don't upgrade you don't get those fixes.
  
  Your fix is to downgrade the version of PHP, then upgrade CiviCRM, then upgrade PHP again. You can find a table of supported PHP vs CiviCRM versions in the [Administration Guide](https://docs.civicrm.org/sysadmin/en/latest/requirements/#php-version)
  
  If you need help upgrading see [Find an Expert](https://civicrm.org/partners-contributors) (including me!)
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2018-05-24. Score: 2
  
  username_0 (OP) here. I opted to go with a fresh site, latest version install (PHP 7.1, WP 7.9.6, CiviCRM 5.1.2). Cron still not functioning, so I decided to go with Easycron rather than waste more days of my life. Thanks for your input though guys :)
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_3 on 2018-05-24. Score: 1
  
  The problem is a library included in CiviCRM doesn't work with your new PHP version.
  
  I expect you may be able to successfully upgrade Civi without first downgrading PHP, so try that. If you get errors, then follow @username_1's advice and downgrade PHP, upgrade CiviCRM, then upgrade PHP again.
  
  Note that you can often install a second version of PHP on the same system and switch between them.
  
  
  ---
  
  