How can beginners improve their PHP coding skills to avoid relying heavily on external help?

Beginners can improve their PHP coding skills by practicing regularly, seeking out online tutorials and courses, and actively participating in coding communities. It's important to work on small projects, break down complex problems into smaller tasks, and gradually increase the complexity of the projects. By doing so, beginners can build their confidence and problem-solving abilities, reducing their reliance on external help.

<?php

// Example code snippet demonstrating how beginners can practice PHP coding skills

// Define a simple function that calculates the square of a number
function calculateSquare($num) {
    return $num * $num;
}

// Test the function with a sample input
$input = 5;
$output = calculateSquare($input);
echo "The square of $input is $output";

?>