Manual:CheckSyntax.php/en

This command-line maintenance script checks source files for syntax errors and common coding mistakes, such as byte order marks, pointless PHP closing tags at the end of file and whitespace before the opening tag.

Usage
If called without arguments, $6 scans through main code directories (/includes/, /config/, /languages/, /maintenance/ and /skins/) and, if it exists, checks the configuration file $7. For example:

Command-line options:
 * --with-extensions: also scan the /extensions/ directory.
 * --path : check the given file or directory.
 * --list-file </tt>: check only files or directories listed in the given text file.
 * --modified</tt>: check only files modified in the current working copy (requires that the script is run from a Git clone and that the Git command-line client is present. Use this option to quickly check your changes before committing them to your repository.