When I Catch Error My Script Doesnt Want To Continue

[marconi8]

i have this small check, if i set variable $FTP_server to very incorect variable then this script get error, but why he dont want to continue , i write '@', but nothing helps

if(!$second_connection_ID = @ftp_connect($FTP_server))
{
$ftp_testing_goes=0;
}

thanks

[marconi8]

$second_connection_ID = @ftp_connect($FTP_server);

if $second_connection_ID return ERROR my scripts stop...

if($second_connection_ID == 'xxxxx') , why can i operate after this with variables, myscript stops, WHY