how to fix "syntax error"

What has changed to cause the error? Did you change to a new theme? Did you make changes to any of the theme’s files.

Can you log into your Dashboard? If so, can you change to another theme (preferably the default twentyeleven)? Does the error go away if you do so?

Cheers

PAE

I changed my greeting (in Graph Paper Press “Sidewinder” theme) in the functions.php from “Howdy” to “Good day, my liege” haha, but then I did “G’day” the apostrophe must have changed something, and I can get into nowhere at all. not https://www.jongoings.com, not https://www.jongoings.com/blog, not https://www.jongoings.com/wp-admin, nada. I do have one window open, editing a page, but I doubt it will go anywhere. But I can try menu specifics if you mention them

Is there another backdoor?

I’d try to restore a virgin copy of functions.php.

If you didn’t make a backup before making your changes you’ll need to download the theme to your local machine and upload, using an FTP client, the functions.php file to the sidewinder theme’s directory under wp-content/themes.

HTH

PAE

what’s an FTP client? what if I can’t use my dashboard? I’m hosting with FatCow, in case they did any automatic backups, if I can maybe do a restore

When you signed up with your service provider, they will usually have given you an FTP account and some details as to how to log in to it.

FTP is the File Transfer Protocol and it allows you to upload files from your local machine to your website. Examples of clients are FileZilla (which is a standalone program) and FireFTP (which is a Firefox plugin).

If you either don’t have an FTP account or have lost the details, you will need to talk to your service host. The FatCow web page says they provide FTP accounts as standard.

On the other hand, if they do have a recent backup, you could use that I guess. You’ll just have to make sure that they restore exactly the file you want. There are a lot of files called functions.php in a WP installation (one for every theme).

HTH

PAE

would https://members.fatcow.com/webControl/FTP.bml be my FTP?
I have nearly 20 themes installed, but only the child theme Sidewinder activated on the parent Base theme. they might restore the wrong file?

I can’t tell. I can’t log in to your control panel. Only you can. Many service hosts do provide FTP access via their control panel, though. I’ve never used such a service, though. Using a local client is just much easier to me (but then again I think that using ftp via the command line is the easiest way to do it…)

??

You’d need to be very specific about the file you wanted and make sure they understood. But we don’t even know they have a backup yet, so the point might be moot.

Why don’t you give them a ring? They’re usually pretty helpful, I find. I know lots of people complain about the support they get, but I’ve always found them helpful. Although I’ve no experience of this particular company.

BTW, I looked at your earlier post again. Yes, the apostrophe would have done it if you didn’t escape it. If you don’t understand PHP you should leave functions.php well alone. In fact you should leave all the PHP files well alone unless you’re changing them in a child theme and under expert tutelage.

Cheers

PAE

I just spoke with FatCow tech support, and they’re assigning a specialist. Thanks a bunch!

And I had googled how to make the change, but you’re right, I don’t know the rules of PHP. Any recommendations of where I can learn them, so as to prevent this from happening again?

You might want to try this:
https://adambrown.info/b/widgets/easy-php-tutorial-for-wordpress-users/

Ah! The dangers of Google. Don’t believe everything you read on the web. Including this.

Dhikra’s link looks good.

You might also look at:

https://www.php.net/tut.php

Cheers

PAE

thanks guys!