syntax error, unexpected T_LNUMBER, expecting T_VARIABLE

Hello

I would very much appreciate if someone could please help with the following error message and how to correct it. Thanks

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_LNUMBER, expecting T_VARIABLE or '$' in /home/nobby/public_html/ebookgate/includes/functions/database.php on line 10

I have included the code starting from line 9


9 if (USE_PCONNECT == 'true') {
10 $$link = mysql_pconnect($server, $username, $password);
11 } else {
12 $$link = mysql_connect($server, $username, $password);
13 }

 

Replace it with:
9 if (USE_PCONNECT == 'true') {
10 $link = mysql_pconnect($server, $username, $password);
11 } else {
12 $link = mysql_connect($server, $username, $password);
13 }