How can a PHP debugger be effectively used to identify and troubleshoot errors in the code related to session handling and user authentication?

To effectively troubleshoot errors related to session handling and user authentication in PHP, a debugger can be used to step through the code, check variable values, and identify any issues with session variables or authentication logic. By setting breakpoints at key points in the code, developers can track the flow of data and pinpoint where errors occur.

<?php
session_start();

// Check if user is authenticated
if (!isset($_SESSION['user_id'])) {
    // Redirect to login page if user is not authenticated
    header("Location: login.php");
    exit();
}

// Continue with authenticated user logic
echo "Welcome, ".$_SESSION['username']."!";
?>