If you have a lot of IF statements and loops nested into each other, you might find it confusing to see which bracket belongs to which instruction. Something like this: PHP: if(1 == 1) {while(1 == 1) {echo "1";if(2==2) {while(2==2) {echo "2";}}}} You can replace the bracket with the word end, followed by the name of the instruction. Examples are endif, endwhile, endfor etc. This gives a result similar to this: PHP: if(1 == 1) {while(1 == 1) {echo "1";if(2==2) {while(2==2) {echo "2";endwhile;endif;endwhile;endif; Looks easier to read, doesn't it
I'd recommend using the alternative syntax only when working with templates, otherwise use the normal opening/closing brackets.
It's always the best way using the 'official' method with brackets, because these are more compatible with the PHP versions.