Putting PHP code in a string

Question

How do I put PHP Code into a string?

$phpCode = '<? if($condtion){ ?>';

For some reason, when I do this and echo out the code, I don't get the opening PHP tag, <?.

Am I missing something? Is there a better or more proper way to do this? I am currently looking at the PHP docs on strings but I would like to get your feedback.

Edit: The reason why I am using apsotrophes (') and not quotes (") is because I don't want the code to fill in the value for condition. I want it to echo as-is.

Answer 1

Use htmlspecialchars():

$phpCode = '<? if($condtion){ ?>';
echo htmlspecialchars($phpCode);