interpreter - PHP execution halts for unknown reason -

execution of php script halts if have piece of code in no error

return str_replace(      str_repeat($currentosseparator, 2),     '//',     str_replace(         $separators,         $currentosseparator,         $path),     1); 

now, tricky part execution stops if code after return statement.

is supposed function? not sure you're trying do. error returned above code on own is

php fatal error: variables can passed reference

you should read this: http://php.net/manual/en/function.return.php

if called global scope, execution of current script file ended

but without seeing more of code or more explanation it's hard help.