How can CSS classes be effectively used to style HTML elements in PHP applications instead of relying on complex attribute inheritance structures?

Using CSS classes is a more efficient way to style HTML elements in PHP applications compared to complex attribute inheritance structures. By assigning classes to elements, you can easily apply consistent styles across multiple elements without having to repeat code. This also promotes better separation of concerns between HTML structure and styling.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
    .heading {
        font-size: 20px;
        color: blue;
    }
    .paragraph {
        font-size: 16px;
        color: black;
    }
</style>
</head>
<body>
<?php
echo '<h1 class="heading">Hello World!</h1>';
echo '<p class="paragraph">This is a PHP application with styled elements.</p>';
?>
</body>
</html>